Salmon River Steel - The Hull Truth

steelhead130 · 11-14-2009, 05:14 PM

Made the weekly run up to the Salmon River yesterday. What a trip it was, had the first fish to the net within about 1/2 hour. A bright fresh 13 pounder, followed that up with another fresh fish about 8-9 pounds. My buddy started out slow till we moved down stream, I went into self destruct mode lossing several fish while my buddy went on a teat landing half dozen including another fresh 13 pound fish.
I found I had about 40 yards of line with frays and nicks in it which lead to my many lost fish. What a beautiful day, starting out about 26 degrees and warming up into the mid 50s.

TubbyNH · 11-15-2009, 07:09 AM

That sound like a blast. I used to fish out there some 20 years ago, before they had the designated fly fishing are. Anyway I was wondering if you would share some intel. I like to do that again this fall. Where did you stay. What portion of the river you fished. What flies or lures u you used. I used to fly fish for atlantic salmon in Qubec in the day it was affordable and just loved it.
The fishing I did on the Salmon River was great too. Would like to get back into it. Thanks for any intel you can share.

Tubby

steelhead130 · 11-15-2009, 09:15 AM

We fish with noodle rods, 10'6" rods rated for 4-10 pound line. I spool with 8 and use 6 pound leader, my buddy spools with 10 and 8 leader. Normally no difference in hook-ups or land ratio he just likes to horse them in alittle more.
As for flies, which it is about 90% of the time it ranges from small caddis nymphs in many different colors to large stoneflies. I usually have over 100 different flies in my bag and on some days go thru all of them to find what works. If it was only 1 fly it would be a stonefly in black with a red or chartruese belly.
Braided bitch creeks have pulled a close second. the other 10% is split between egg sacs and Gulp pink worms this time of year. In a month or so it will go to 99% flies.
The area we always start in is Altmar, we have been starting there for over 10 years and both of us know just about every pocket and hole in that 1/4 mile stretch of water.
From there it is usually a run down to the long bridge or maybe the ball field. Unless its like Friday when we didnt even take a lunch cause the bite never stopped. We left at about 3:30 with fish still hitting. We just go up for the day most of the time, its about a 3 and a half hour drive. When we do saty its at Whittakers in Pulaski.
The past 3-4 years the runs have been getting better and better each year. So far this year looks to be another banner year.

TubbyNH · 11-15-2009, 02:12 PM

Thanks for the intel. Will fly rods work? I've watched guys fish the noodle rods with great success. Going to be a go & see and figure out. Is there a fly shop that might help us gear up. I tie my own but this seems like buy & go on the local recommeds. I tied up a noodle rod 20 years ago but side tracked with atlantic salmon in New Brunswick & Qubec. This is a 6 1/2 hour ride for us, so ovenite is the best. PS had a good tuna year but got the piss pounded out of us most of the time. Going out of Rye to Jeffs got pretty shitty alot of times, lots of fish though. 22.5 Aquasport walkaround with deep V. If the marine forecast would ever get it right it would be alot more enjoyable.

steelhead130 · 11-15-2009, 08:09 PM

A fly rod would deffinately work. I used a 5 weight with a weight foward floating line. Alot of guys will free stick with no weight but I alwys used weight. We called it chuck & duck. Caught my biggest steelhead so far, 39 1/2 inches at 22 pounds with a fly rod. I would want a large arbor for the faster retreival.
As for fly shops, Whittakers is a fly shop also. All the tackle shops up there will sell flies, but Whittakers is a true fly shop. We will sit in the shop and tie sometimes when we stay there.

TubbyNH · 11-15-2009, 08:49 PM

Thanks, I can't say enough as to how friendly and helpfull you been. My buddy is at deer camp till today but maybe a road trip for the end of the week. How's the crowds on the weekends. It doesn't matter, good fishermen just adjust.

Thanks again
Tubby NH