Pulaski New York fishing river guide has Pulaski NY river guide fish report off drift boat for salmon-steelhead on Pulaski NY river
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Dec. 1 Special Holiday Fishing Report and Ramblings Update:
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(To see all Holiday photo's, please visit profile - Fishing Report page)
A Brown Trout and a Steelhead caught while fishing the Salmon River in Pulaski NY during the Holidays
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Temperatures look to moderate this coming week. Winds look light if at all. I noticed a lot of the bank anglers having success, which is always nice to see.
All is great on the Steelhead front. Lot's around in some places, some are scattered in other spots and we still have some in a transitional stage, entering, running the river and spreading out. So those transitional resting point's shouldn't be over looked yet.
I'm noticing 75% darker steelhead and the balance being bright chromers. The fresher steelhead are either in those transitional holding spots or ones that have just recently moved into there Winter places.
I was flattered to speak with an ex-client of mine who was out fishing all week on his own. He thanked me for showing him this spot and helping him with presentation and rigging. He found 16 steelhead on one of his days and plenty more on the other days. Shortly there after he was tight to another one of many steelhead. Since he was fishing a lil up river from my driftboat, I offered to net his fish from the back of the boat. He pulled thatsteelhead in and brought it to the surface behind my boat and with the helpof my 10 foot net handle we were easily able to land it. What a beauty! Fishreleased.
I might add that ALL of the Steelhead we landed this past week were ALL released, for your future fishing pleasure. I'd like to thank all of you whoare releasing your catch as your gift to ALL of us anglers. It's nice toshare.
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Ramblings from the Row'rs Seat:
A guide friend told me recently that before it snowed he filled his drift boat to the brim with trash he had picked up from Pineville down to 2A.Super!
I was at a few popular spot's myself the other day and picked up a bunch of trash. Thanks to the few of you who pick up other's trash also!
Next time I stop in Jersey, Im going to dump all MY trash in there front yard and see how THEY like it. (Just kidding Jersey)
Once, I filled my boat 4 feet high on all sides from the transom to the bow with trash bags on a river clean up with friends. Had to stand up while rowing to be able to see down river.
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Just another day at the office
The Moon lit our travels to the hopeful honey hole under the cover of dark. The sun rose to an inspiring orange and pink sky with an encore of Geesetrumpeting over head. The thunder shouted, fish on! A rainbow the color ofour quarry, shown majestically over the meadow. The pouring rain, sleet,hail, sun, snow and a bone chilling west wind off the lake were are travelcompanions today.
(Boy, I should be a writer, NOT!!)
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Ever heard these?
W.C. Fields Quote: (you youngsters may need to google his name)
When he was asked what he spent all his money on?
Broads, Booze and Gambling, the rest I wasted.
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W.C. Fields Quote on Prejudice:
I am free of all prejudice. I hate everyone equally.
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W.C. Fields Quote on Trust:
Trust everybody, but cut the cards yourself.
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Where the land ends LIFE begins
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(Photo)
This article first appeared in the February 2002 issue of the NY Conservationistmagazine and is being reprinted with their permission. Articleand most photo's by Mike Cavanaugh. Mike works in DEC's Division of PublicAffairs and Education.
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You may enjoy reading Mikes article on a day on the Salmon River with his son Tom. For me, certain days stand out among other's. Sometimes its thebig fish, numbers of fish or the camaraderie we share. Today was different,it was not about numbers or size, but mostly about dad sharing his love forthe great outdoors with his son and spending quality time together.
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May devoted anglers read these words and relive the simple pleasures of finding - and landing - the big one.
( The fisherman's book of wisdom )
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(To see all Holiday photo's)
A Fish for Christmas?
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Thomas looked a little puzzled as he picked the brightly wrapped package from under the tree; it wasn't heavy, it didn't rattle or anything. In fact, it felt like an empty box. A cruel trick to play on a 12-year old boy, but the sudden appearance of cameras as he unwrapped it meant that this would be something special. He was even more perplexed, however, when the box contained only a single fishing fly and a note that said January 5th.
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Fly Fishing in January?
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The drive up to the Salmon River was filled with questions. What kind offish will we be after? What's a steelhead? How will we get to the river inall the snow? What's a drift boat? What if I get cold? Why are we going witha guide, Dad?
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The answer to the last question really shed light on all the others. Myexperience with winter steelhead fishing was limited, to say the least. Aguide would help us be safe, comfortable and most of all, he'd share hisknowledge on the river. After a quick dinner in Pulaski, we settled in.
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I had met Randy Jones at an outdoor show the previous spring while helping with the fly casting demonstrations near Randy's booth. After a few friendly exchanges about my technique, or lack thereof, we started talking aboutthe Salmon River. This guy seemed to have a compatible personality, theright approach to fishing and a good attitude about protection of the resourceand ethical behavior on the river-all important considerations that I wanted to share with my son. More importantly, he really seemed to enjoy what he did, a quality I've found to be contagious. I had wanted to get Thomas out during the winter run of steelhead, but had never ventured into the coldand ice to try. A chat with Randy made up my mind.
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That night, I dreamt of dancing steelhead and the excited smiles of a boy who is growing up too quickly. We hopped out of bed in the pre-dawn darkness to find 4 inches of fresh snow and a temperature of about 20 degrees. Promptly at 6 AM, Randy, with his drift boat in tow, pulled up. We got Thomas outfitted with some 5 mm Neoprene waders, korkers (safety spikes for the slipperybottom) and grabbed a bite to eat on our way to the drift boat launch inAltmar, just downstream from the DEC's Salmon River Hatchery.
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Before launching the boat, Randy and I talked about my objectives for the day. I told Randy that this was Thomas's trip and, with that in mind, todevote most of his attention to making sure my son learned a bit of technique,and how to be a courteous and ethical angler. While catching a fish was important, a good day on the water was the goal.
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(To see all Holiday photo's)
We fished for a while in the fly-only area upstream of the Altmar bridge, using a fly rod. My third cast-WHAM! A silver rocket took the fly and gave me the fight of my life-for all of about 30 seconds, that is, 'til I gottoo aggressive and it broke the tippet. Oh well! Under our guide's tutelage,Thomas was doing much better; getting the hang of casting to the right spot, feeling the drift and cooperating with the handful of other anglers in thepool. After 45 minutes, Randy decided it was time to move downstream a bit.
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(To see all Holiday photo's)
Riding in the big drift boat was quite an experience for both of us. Randy steered and poled us around some rocks; we bumped over others. The freshsnow, combined with the steam rising off the river and the bright gray ofJanuary overcast made it a surreal picture. Other anglers shivered in theirwaders as we drifted past and warmed our hands in the red glow of the propaneheater on the boat. While drifting Randy spoke to Thomas about his experiencesfishing the Salmon River and his love of fishing.
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(To see all Holiday photo's)
We drifted for a few minutes and landed at a hole just upstream from the popular trestle pool. We got out of the boat and waded into the icy water (thank goodness for our insulated Neoprene waders). There were a few other anglers and some real promising water. The promise was kept within a fewminutes as Thomas hooked into a large and very energetic steelhead. I put down my rod, picked up the camera and enjoyed watching my son get dragged around 100 yards of Salmon River real estate, with Randy running close behind!The big fish was netted and Thomas got a close look at a 16-pound silverbeauty. High-fives all around, a picture or two from the proud dad, and thefish was released unharmed to hopefully brighten the day of another angler.
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As we drifted and fished for the rest of the day, we learned about the river, we visited with other anglers, we talked about the steelhead we wereseeing, we had a lot of laughs and , oh, by the way, Thomas caught anotherfish or two. Randy felt bad that the "old man" hadn't caught any fish, butI assured him it didn't matter. After all, that wasn't the objective of thetrip. Just look at that smile!
(To see all Holiday photo's)
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I'm often asked, "What was your best day on the water?? After 30 plus years of guiding in Vermont, on Cape Cod and the Salmon River in New York, many best days flash across my mind. As I searched deep for my best fish story, it suddenly hit me. It wasn't my fish, my day or even my story that gave me the most rewarding experience!
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Any guide will tell you, we are teachers and our true satisfaction comesin a way that any teacher feels when their students do well on a test. When I guide I feel my guest's are fishing through me. As a partnershipstriving for the same goal.
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Today, more than ever I felt a part of Mike and Thomas's hopes, desires and dreams. We shared laughter and the excitement in each other'svoices. The look of total satisfaction and awe as we revived, released andwatched a keeper swim away, savoring its beauty and gracefulness.Released to produce more offspring for your children's pleasure.
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Subscriptions can be purchased by either mailing a check, or via a "Hot Button" from the opening page of the DEC's website link below andsubscribing on line.
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The Conservationist
PO Box 1500
Latham, NY 12110
or call: 1-800-678-6399
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Visit the Department's website at: http://www.dec.state.ny.us
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(To see all Holiday photo's)

12 year old ("Hot Rod" for the day) Tom's Holiday present from his Dad, Mike.
Tom was all smiles after fighting this big (approx. 16lb Steelhead). This was his first time ever fishing forthem. The second one even though smaller, still gave him a great fight and both will last in his memory for a life time. Congrats Tom! I have a feelingit will be a long ride home for his father Mike! ( Both fish released )
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Con't below