Salmon River NY Mail Bag:

Here is a link my "funny and sarcastic ;) client Warren sent to me. l

www.netknots.com/fishing_knots

He said that I might be able to use it. :O I just started tying knots last week so Im still learn'n how to tie a good one. :)

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A Sampling of Fishing Reports from some of last month's Steelhead trips on the Salmon River in Pulaski NY:

I think I canceled or rescheduled more trips last month due to unsafe and uncomfortable (driving here and fishing) weather (wind chill) than I actually worked. Thats normal and I'd rather have you be comfortable and safe than take any chances of a driving accident getting here or going home, frost bite while fishing or anything else. For this guide, you come first, before the almighty dollar :)

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One of my better trips recently:

My 2 guest's experienced their first time Steelhead fishing. They came back amazed at the numbers of fish we played with but most importantly, the knowledge they gained. For them, the fish were second to achieving a rock solid Steelhead fishing foundation on which to build. That was their main goal, to which we succeeded! I think we played with about 10-11 Steelies for the day. Just icing on the cake. :)

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My slowest trips recently:

My 2 guest's were VERY VERY experienced. We had three or four on and off reeeel quick. One that pulled hard and fast before breaking off. And landed One. Ouch! Never know :)

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Hit Steelhead in 3 out of 5 spots today. Played with about 8 total for the day. The 2 spots we didn't hit any fish in were only fished for about 5-10 minutes.

Im sure there were fish there, and we would have found some if we had stayed longer, but we were only looking for some McDonald's fish. (Fast and easy:)

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My guest's from yesterday decided to fish a 1/2 day instead of our full because of the impending sleet, snow, rain and lot's of freezing rain in the forecast. They got out of town before it really hit which made me feel better.

In our 1/2 days fishing we tangled with 5 Steelhead. Not bad! Yesterday we went on a Nantucket sleigh ride. We gave chase in the boat and were surrounded with a very narrow river, fast water, log jam's, fish running under the boat in about every direction, boulders, fish moving from one side of the boat to the other, my oar blades, rapids, tree's, you name it. We had to zig and zag our way through this obstacle course with a mad and dashing Steelhead on. Pheeew! Finally that steelhead had had enough and gave up. It was netted nicely off the side of the drift boat as we drifted down the river. Talk about a Chinese fire drill! It would have been a hilarious show to watch as I tried to run the oar's, anchor, missing all the obstacles and net while keeping everyone safe and upright in the boat all at once. :)

What a fight, what an adrenaline rush, DAM, I love this job!

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Winter Steelhead Fishing Tip:

The fish today in one Winter holding pool did not want any natural looking aquatic insect flies and would ONLY hit glow bug's in pink and cream. (We did not try bait or any other egg colors) In a transitional holding spot they only wanted the aquatics.

After working the entire hole with aquatics with no bites? I tied on a glow bug in Pink and on the first cast, it was hammered "Fish On", Baby! The second rod doubled over in the hole within 5 minutes of changing to a cream glow bug. Boy, it sure pay's to have a pretty good understanding of entomology and baitology on this river. It also paid dividends to be able to listen to what the fish were telling us related to their eating habit's and adjust. I knew we had a minimum of 10-15 steelhead in this spot that wanted nothing to do with our insect fly offering. By paying close attention, we were able to fool a couple before pulling the anchor. 2 more fish came from the next transitional lye before calling it a day. :)

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Slow day today - Played with a coupe of fish. Worked on presentation most of the day. Nobody on the river today due to the ice forecast last night and this morning. Not bad at all. Very comfortable and no ice to deal with.

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Winter Steelhead Fishing Tip: Ice in your guides?

The best stuff to use is either silicone spray or Ice Off Paste, sold at most tackle shops. Whitakers has it. Works on both fly and spin rods. The paste works the best if you put it on the night before. Re-apply as needed while fishing.

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My guest today had 4-5 goals that we wanted to achieve. A better, complete, expert analysis and understanding of flies, tying flies, reading water, presentation, Steelhead strategies, rigging, how does the lower and higher water effect the fish, were do the fish lay in all the holes, high water current breaks, where to stand in every hole, how to access each hole, advanced rigging and presentation, stream etiquette, where to cross the river safely, how to rig and present a fly-bait while sight fishing to the Bucks in the Spring, Spring strategies, Winter strategies, where to find the Bucks in the Spring and lastly and least important were to catch fish.

Ken only had 4-5 goals but I covered all of the above and much more. This is a normal day for me. We hit some fish while completely and thoroughly achieving all of Kens goals plus some! :)

We spent time in each and every hole over a 3 mile distance. Approx. 40 or more spot's. (Boy, my throat was sore at days end from all the talking, nice change from the usual :)

We saw fish with the help of todays sun. Saw a fair number of fish that were in a transitional state, moving up the river and briefly holding in the transitional lyes.

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Salmon River NY Fishing Mail Bag: Guest Testimonial

Randy, Just a note of thanks for our day of fishing. I've returned several times since and have hooked a lot of steelhead each time out. I've been working on my fly patterns and have some I really like - I'm looking forward to having my son, Daniel, fish with you in a couple years. That will be a great day for me to take pictures. Hal Fuller.

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Randy, Thanks for all the help yesterday and the sight fishing adventure. Went back to the hole you showed me and 3rd cast, landed a 7lb female. Got her on a fly that you showed me and that I changed a little. Overall an awesome day! Thanks again. Ken