15 pd. Male Steelhead from the Salmon River in NY. WOW!

Complementary Guide Tip and Lesson for the week:

Non-transitional Prime holding - Approx. 20-30% of these steelhead are in the heat, while 70-80% have moved into the Winter lyes. (Hint - Water temp. approx. 40 degrees)

All hab's producing.

1. When the Steelhead are running, fish there temporary transitional resting points as they make there way up the river. Otherwise, you are fishing to fish that are not stopping, decreasing your odds greatly, in my opionion.

2. Once they stop to hold for the remainder of the day, fish these prime transitional holding waters. (Approx. 15% of steelhead that are in the river system)

3. Find these prime non-transitional holding places in the river all Winter, and just fish those. After all, they aren't going anywhere soon. (Approx. 85% of steelhead that are in the river system)

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Be glad it wasn't you - Funny Story:

A guide friend told me that Friday in the early morning darkness he was walking in the moving river water to place his drift boat anchor in the "hot spot." He unfortunately did what I call a superman dive (arms out in front and legs out behind) and fell in the water, getting the normal and much cherished "Salmon River Baptism.". He said he had water pouring into his waders and was wet from his ear's to the tips of his toes. He was wet, but ok. Later in the morning as some of us bank anglers (I might add, we were ALL hitting steelhead) on the bank were watching his client try to land a big steelhead we noticed a steady plume of black smoke rising from his drift boat heater. Coupl'a of the guys yelled to him that something was on fire in his boat. Turns out, that in his haste to try to net his clients fish, some how his rubber oar handle ended up on his heater and started to burn and melt? Never a dull moment on this river

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Incredible weather and water level

This weekend will be cwaaaazy bizzy w/ anglers. Great for the local economy! I noticed a increase in anglers fishing on Friday. Why?

1. Nice air temperatures. No blizzards forecast, so all the fair weather anglers will be out.

2. The word has gotten out about ALL the Steelhead that are around.

3. Most anglers stayed away from the 1,500 cfs plus, water flows and have been waiting for the water to drop to a level that they are more familiar and comfortable with.

4. Economy doing well.

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Why will this Dec. be a banner steelhead Month?

Lot's of steelhead around, lot's of anglers will be busy with family - Biz. holiday obligations, hunting, warm - fair weather anglers will be putting their skirts on for the Winter (yukyuk) only a few of us "Full - Time" Guides will be working. Offering you more fishing opportunities. Fish On and On and On, Baby!!!

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(Photos)

I'd like to fish my good friend and client Dick Koelling a speedy recovery from a recent stroke.

Dick's been out w/ me 100 times on the Salmon River for Kings, Coho's, Brown's and Steelhead. (We've even done a few "Grand Slam's")

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Steelhead Fishing Report that came from last years Nov. Archives:

I thought you might enjoy it as its exactly what we are experiencing now on the river and is basically a repeat of the above report. Funny how after 30 plus years of guiding, nothing reeeeeelly ever changes that much.

November 18, 2012

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Complementary Tips:

Steelhead top to bottom of river with fresh Chrome entering daily. Running the river spreading out. All Fall Spots still producing.

With the water temperature around 40 degrees, we are seeing some of the residents transferring into their Winter lyes.

It's approx. 30% Fall spots, 30% Winter spots and 30% inbetween. All Transitional holding, resting and Prime holding water is hold'n.

Every type of habitat is producing. The entire river is producing. You can find them almost anywhere presently.

Even heard reports of a few fresh Kings and Coho Salmon in the river.

Best of luck to you all!

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This last week we played with on average 10 to 14 Steelhead daily. On 1 day, my one guest w/ a fly rod hit 18 Steelhead!

Another day my 2 very experienced spin clients played w/ over 20!! Ye-Haa!

Had what I call a DAY for KINGS!

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For the first 2 hour's skunk, nothing, nada, not even a sucker in a spot where the steelhead had been loaded the day before. I started to chain smoke, chew tobacco and put on a nicotine patch. (kidding) Glad I gave up drinking. (har-har) I was getting nervous. I knew that most of these Steelhead were residents who had set up shop in this prime lye. But, where were they? I pulled anchor and guessed with the water temperature dropping they were all just a lil lower in the deeper, less current habitat. I was right!

We HAMMERED over 20 Steelhead with my 2 very experienced Steelhead guest's! One after the other! Darn, I love this job!

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The previous day I had the luxury to be able to move the driftboat around freely and fish different prime area's. We had approx. 18 Steelhead on that day with 1 guest useing a fly rod!

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Egg sack's, hot shoting (plugging w/ drift boat), beads and flies are all producing daily. The wade - shore anglers are having a lot of success also. It's always nice to share the fish, water and see other's out enjoying this incredible fishery w/ success!

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I would highly recommend coming up to do some Steelhead fishing.

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From the Mail Bag:

Randy I would appreciate your thoughts regarding what is the appropriate "line" to use for the butt section of the fly leader when fishing for steelhead. I use 12 pound clear mono between the floating fly line and barrel swivel and then fluorocarbon for a tippet. But I also observe others using a dark brown line for this section and referred to as "chameleon". Not sure if it makes a difference, but the darker color leader is claimed to be an advantage during bright sunny days; less reflection off the line. Thus the late day activity I experienced Wednesday may not be the result of warmer water temperature, but less sunlight to reduce the reflection (or it could have been a push of steelhead entering the tailout). Thanks. Dick.

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HI Dick,

The brown mono is Maxima. Some guides use it exclusively, even for leaders or tippets to fly, bait.

It breaks approx. 1 -1/2 lb/s more than what it is rated for. (Please see my Links-The Very Best page for the best in Mono and Fluorocarbon, it all breaks at what its rated for and is also what most of the tournament anglers use around the world for all species. Its also used by many for any local, regional, national, world record hold'rs)

Blends in with a dark bottom river. Never thought about reflective qualities, hmmm.

For traditional fly casting a tapered leader transfer's the energy the best.

I just use clear 10-12 lb. straight mono for butt.

An 8 lb. mono straight butt is less current - water resistance than heavier - Diameter, so you will get into the strike zone quick'r and stay longer. Also feel the bottom better.

But, a good snag will sometimes break it, so keep an eye on it. Thats why I use a 10-12 lb. Less knot tying and lost total rig's.

Clients spend more time fishing and less time waiting on me to tie all those knots. Also, my hands stay warmer when its cold .

Best Fish's,

Randy

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Thats it for this week's Steelhead Salmon River Pulaski NY Drift Boat Guide Fishing Report, Etc... I think I covered all the important stuff.

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Stay tuned for more entertainingly informative and mildly educational reports and articles on this never-ending virtual fishing trip with your host Randy "The Yankee Angler" and friends.

I sincerely hope that what little I've been able to share with you will help you along the path to more enjoyable, safe, knowledgeable fishing.

Thanks for stopping in and spending your valuable internet fishing time here :)

Hope your all enjoying this great fishing!

Best Fish's,

Randy

Done