The annual fall salmon spawning run on Lake Ontario tributaries takes place in Upstate New York beginning in early September and usually peaking in mid- to late October.
It’s an Alaska-like fishing experience that draws anglers from throughout the state and beyond.
NYup.com recently interviewed two veteran Salmon River guides – David “Rocky” Rockwell and Rick Smith — for advice on the basics for those who want to land a Chinook or coho salmon during this special time of year.
Rockwell began fishing the Salmon River in the early 90′s after retiring as a regular Army officer. He has been employed by the Douglaston Salmon Run since 1999, except for a 5-year Army recall with 27 months in Iraq. He has put together a two-hour presentation on “The History of the Landlocked Atlantic Salmon; It’s Extirpation and Recovery” – a talk that he has given to Trout Unlimited Chapters, other fishing clubs and historical societies throughout the Northeast.
Smith is a fishing guide and works at Pineville Sporting Supply on Route 13. Been guiding on the Salmon River for 18 years. He worked at the state Department of Environmental Conservation fish hatchery on the Salmon River as a river steward for two years and managed a local fly shop for 14 years.
Ken Holt with a pair of impressive Chinook salmon he landed in the Salmon River in 2019.
Highlights from the interview and times that the subject was covered follow:
*Use of spin casting gear, suggested lures/bait- 1:13
*Fly fishing gear, suggested artificial flies – 1:50
*Best time of day to fish – 3:58
*When season usually peaks – 4:20
* Important regulations anglers need to be aware of (leader length, snagging) – 4:48
* Foul-hooked fish – 7:37
* Importance of fishing safely, particularly on the Salmon River – 8:10
* Stream/river etiquette – 10:19
* Tips on landing on salmon – 13:20
* Using a net versus beaching a fish – 15:19
* Advice for those who want to keep the fish they catch – 16:50
(Editor’s note: DEC reminds anglers that several new Great Lakes tributary angling regulations became effective on April 1.
The minimum size limit for rainbow trout/steelhead caught in Lake Ontario tributaries was increased from 21 inches to 25 inches (still 21 inches in the lake). Also, only one brown trout can now be kept as part of a Lake Ontario tributary angler’s daily creel limit of three salmon/trout in combination.)
MORE:
DEC: Low water level closes Salmon River fly fishing-only zone until ‘further notice’
DEC announces 4 new fishing rules for Lake Ontario, Erie and tributaries
11 sure ways to get a ticket while fishing for salmon on the Salmon River
DEC: 4 teens charged after shooting ‘various critters’ from motor vehicle
Credit: Source link
