Pulaski New York fishing river guide DEC 19 fish report/ tips off drift boat

[Randy Jones]

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. 19 Salmon River Pulaski NY Steelhead Drift Boat Guide Spin Fly Fishing Report Update:
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Ol'man Winter has arrived with snow and colder temp's. If your coming up to fish or are thinking of coming up to fish this Winter, this complementary article may help you to prepare, be more comfortable, have fun, be safe and hopefully help to make your trip here memorable in many ways.
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Fishing in Jan. and Feb.? Are you Nuts? -Yup:
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Here are some things to consider when fishing here in the winter. The Salmon River is a dam-released river, so it never totally freezes over.
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Slush - Planning your fishing day around it:
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No it's not the stuff you put in a cone and eat but rather a winter occurrence that causes certain area's of the river to be unfishable.
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(For all Photo's, please see profile - linked to Fishing Report page)
Nice looking Female Steelhead. Super!
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Knowing current water -air temp. current water and future water flow level's, tonight's predicted lows with tomorrow's highs will help you decide where to begin your day of fishing.
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Sample:
Water temps. are 34 deg. up top and the flow is 285 cfs. Evening lows are swinging around 5 deg. and daytime highs are around 32 deg. (No heavy snow is forecast) The Key here is the nighttime low. Normally if the low is below 20 deg. you will have slush from Pineville down. If the low is only 20 deg. then you may not have any slush the entire length of the river.
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When slush is present at these air temp's then normally by 10-11 A.M. the lower part of the river will clear out and make fishing possible. If you're ever not sure, than do what I sometimes do and go to the short bridge in town and have a look for yourself, before planning your day. If air temp's do not rise above 20 for the daytime high then you may have slush downriver all day.
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(Photo)
Nice colored up Male Steelhead. Notice the bump on the lower jaw. Also the red rosy cheeks and red stripe down its side. What a beauty!
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If I'm planning to start my fishing at dawn, then I'll start up top. And then later possibly move down river once the slush has had a chanceto clear. If certain areas of the river are slushed up and you are the first to arrive after it has cleared than the chances of hooking-up are good.You will be the first angler fishing to fresh fish that have not been disturbed or pressured.
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This same condition occurs on the smaller creeks around the SalmonRiver in early-late winter. Many an early A.M. trip North has ended witha return trip when slush was not considered. I will always check air temp'sthe day before I plan fishing the creeks. Often, I will arrive at 10 A.M.and fish while the last balance of slush is clearing and getting firstshot at the prime spots. Fish-on!
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If you wanted to fish during the prime time during the winter than here are a few things I would consider. (Work and family schedule must beflexible)
1. 3 day warming trend. If there is run-off expect fresh fish in the lower end!
2. Drop in water level or rise.
3. Fish around a holiday, not on it.
4. Mid-week
5. Springtime creeks and streams- Wait till ice out and fishthem on the rise or fall of water levels. If you fish them after they havecleared for to long they tend to get fished out. If you can find your honeyhole when the water is up, then the fish will be there.
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(Photo)
Another Male steelhead. Congrats!
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If you arrive and the air temp's are in the low 20?s for the high then here are a few tip's to staying warm and catching some fish!
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1. The days of me fishing a full 8 hours with these air temps are almost over, unless there is sun and no wind. It is actually very pleasant under these conditions.
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2. Only fish the most productive part of the day. Normally this occurs during the warmest part. 4 hr's is sufficient between 11-3.
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3. Fish spots where the sun is shinning on you, instead of fishingspots where you are in the shadow of a cliff or tree's.
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(Photo)
Another client with a Female Steelhead. Both smil'n!
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4. Where dark clothing so the suns warm rays can be absorbed into your clothing.
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5. Use a spinning rod. I'm a fly addict, but when it's cold, I love my spinning rod! Hands can stay warm in gloves, guides ice up less frequently, my bait or fly is in the water more due to the mechanical nature of a spinning rod which allows me more chances of hooking up.
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6. By yourself a pair of fleece wind blocker fingerless gloves with a pull over mitt. I'm out in this weather a lot, and these gloves are all I wear, they are the best! I also reeely enjoy wool gloves with a pull over mitten. Even if wet, they still insulate. I normally carry 2-3 extra pairs of gloves as I hate wet-cold hands in the Winter time.
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7. Put heat pads in your gloves and underneath your arch in wader boots. These are sold at most tackle shops in the area.
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8. Treat yourself to a pair of 4-5 mil neoprene boot foot waders preferably with a polypropylene wool insert that wraps your feet or a Thinsulate rating of approx. 1200 or more in the boot. You work hard so you deserve it - right? Make sure they are 1-2 sizes bigger than normal as air circulation is key tokeeping warm. My feet and body actually perspire on even the coldest ofdays and when standing in the freezing water all day! If you walk any greatdistances then these are not the best as you will perspire like crazy andthen be damp all day. A lot of us full-time Winter guides use Cabelas (hunting?)waders that used to sell for around $200.
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9. Wear high tech. under garments that insulate as well as breath.I use Orvisand have found them to work great!
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10. Being in a drift boat with a big heater is always a treat.
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11. You all know about eating right. Stay away from things that take along time to digest. I find a nice pasta dish works for me. A good breakfast and lunch are also an important ingredient to staying warm in the afternoon.
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12. I find that when my toes and fingers start to sting, it's time to actively start moving them and think of warmer places. Going for a quick walk along the river is one of the best ways to get that feeling back. The trick is to never let your feet go numb. It can take all night to get the feeling back into them. If they start to sting, then thats your clue totake some kind of action. With stocking foot waders, where your laces loseor what I call "a sloppy fit". This also helps with blood circulation. Once,I stumbled into the river water when I let my feet go numb. Can't feel themand its easy to fall.
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13. Take breaks to your car or local restaurant to warm up.
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(Photo)
I think it was a toasty -2 degrees outside when this picture was taken. Approx. 16 lb's. Fish kept for Ken's dinner table. Congrats Ken!
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14. Keep moving from spot to spot only hitting the most productive areas in each hole.
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15. Start the morning off with a nice long walk to one of your favorite spots. There is nothing like a little exercise to warm you up. This warmth will also stick with you for awhile.
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16. Make sure you have on some good solid spikes, chains or korkers on your wading boots to keep you steady on your feet while on ice or slippery rocks. Felt is not enough.
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Hope this helps a lil, Randy
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Archived Dec. Salmon River Report
Im finding less fish around then the last few weeks. But, we are really justgetting back to where the numbers are making more sense and where they normallyshould be at.
There are 2 reasons why Im finding less fish.
1. These fish have a very difficult time getting out of peoples freezers and making there way back into the river.
2. Natural fish movement.
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Today it was hard NOT to find them. We witnessed some incredible fights today and a few left us wanting.
We used the drift boat and John was 5 for 12.
Found them in 4 out of 6 spots.
3 from the first spot.
Nothing from the next 2 spots.
3 from the 4th.
3 from the 5th.
3 more from the 6th spot.
We left fish to find fish and probably could have played with more but the day had to end sometime.
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John has been having a problem landing fish over the last few years. So todayhe was hopeful to actually see what they look like up close and personal.He also was interested in learning some new and exciting water that he couldcome back too on his own and fish. We succeeded on all fronts. Just aboutevery spot was hold'n. I noticed other anglers and other guides clients alsohaving pretty good luck today. Top to bottom of river.
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(Photo's)
The Santa hat magically appeared out of my bag, just in time for the firstfish picture. This next Steelhead we had to give chase in the boat and barelylanded it. Directly below us was a fallen tree and shallow white water rapids.I set the anchor in the middle of the river, jumped out of the boat, gavechase and netted the fish just before it ran into the brush pile. John gaveout a howler of satisfaction and excitement.
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(Photo's)
Caught John in the middle of doing battle. This picture shows who won!
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(Photo's)
What a honk'a! Approx. 16 lb'r. Great way to end the day! Congrats!! (All fish released)
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I'd like to take a minute and THANK all of you, who are putting some ofyour catch back. If it were not for some of you, I believe sincerely, thatwe could not have had such a productive day.
Thanks again!
Randy
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From the Mail Bag:
Randy, I found a book called Fly Fishing for Salmon and Steelhead of theGreat Lakes, by Kenn Filkins, to be very instructive (but not quite as helpfulas your web site, of course).
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By the way, congratulations with the success of your 12'6" 7 wt. Orvis. It sounds like a great rod. I went with the 11'6" 8/9 wt. Loomis, whichI am loving, but (as you pointed out) it may not be the most appropriatefor winter steelhead on the Salmon River. Maybe I need to get another rod. . .
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Who would have thought that less than two years ago I had never fly fishedfor steelhead or salmon. This year, by contrast, I've had seven great daysof steelhead fishing and 13 great days of salmon fishing and my confidence(if not my skill) is growing by leaps and bounds as is my interest in thesport.
Thanks again for all of your help these past two years. I look forward to more instruction next year.
Have a great holiday season.
Mark
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Mark, I could not be happier for you! The fish gods have been smiling down upon you for sometime now. Happy Holiday's, Randy
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Hi Randy, how are you. Was wondering if you could give me some fly rod/reelequipment recommendations without me having to rob a bank to purchase stuff.Would be looking for a 9 foot, 9 weight outfit.
A place near me has some St. Croix rods with lifetime warrantees for between150 and 200 bucks but as far as reels go, I have no clue. Would like to keepthe reel under 200 bucks.
Perhaps I will see you this summer. Thanks Dave
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Hi Dave, Great rod for the bucks! Buy it!! Try an Orvis Battenkill LargeArbor 9-10 reel. Its one of the most reasonably priced L-A reels out there.I have used one for about 2-3 years, on a year round basis for steelhead,Salmon and Striped Bass. If you buy a lighter weight rod for Steelhead, thenuse it on that rod also. All of my 5, 6, 7 weight Steelhead rods all have9-10 reels on them. Why buy another reel when the larger reel picks up moreline, better drag, etc. Who cares if it does not balance with the rod perfectly.The fish dont seem to mind!
Hope this helps,
Randy
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Con't below

[Randy Jones]

Fun photo's:
(Photo's)
I like this photo of an iceberg floating down thru the lower end of the riverwhile getting a nice Steelhead photo. The fun part of landing this steelheadwas hoping these ice bergs wouldn't hit your leader and break you off. It'salways FUN when your fishing and 1 of these run's into you. SURPRISE!!
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(Photo's)
I had a celebrity in the drift boat today. It was Dave Claus. (Santa's brother)
Dave, Myself and Miss Steelhead are fishing you all a Safe and Happy Holiday!
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(Photo's)
Floating thru the Cow Pasture in the drift boat during a dark, overcast, fresh snow, Winters dayon the Salmon River Pulaski NY. (Looks pretty cold and miserable to me, care to join me? Didn't think soooooooo..............)
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(Photo's)
My niece Kate says, the fishieeeeees are thiiiiiiiiiiis BIG on the Salmon RiverNY!
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(Photo's)
Jen decided to spend some quality time with her boyfriend while he fished here for steelhead during the Winter. (yukyuk)
A funny reaction to when the heater runs out of propane in the middle ofthe day, in the middle of the Winter on the drift boat.
She was hanging around for the day while her boyfriend fishedfor Steelhead. (We hit our fair share) In return, she was promised a dayof shopping in Montreal.
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From the Archives - Jud and his girlfriend Theresa had a few goals for today:
1. An introduction to the Salmon River.
2. Have fun
3. Stay warm
4. Learn the basics of fishing for Steelhead.
5. Catch fish
We succeeded on all of the above goals.
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Theresa's first question was, Randy, how will I know when I get one on? Jud and myself both said in unison, you'll know.
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Shortly there after she was tight to a Steelhead. She yelled, WOW, oh SH-T,what is happening, what do I do. (yukyuk, or something to that effect) Asher line came tight, rod started to throb, drag started to sing and her fishmade a mad dash for freedom.
She did a great job of fighting the fish and was rewarded with the below landed Steelie.
(Photo's)
Theresa with a (lake effect) snow covered hat and a greatsmile. Theresa battling her first ever fish in her whole life. What a wayto break her in on a great big ol Steelhead.
What will todays steelhead drift boat fishing trip on the Salmon River NYhave in store for us? Lot's of steelhead!
(Photo's)
WOW! A 16 lb. steelhead! This was Teresa's first time ever fishing in her wholelife! I think she will be back) - (Fish released)
(Photo's)
Teresa yells out VICTORY!! throwingher arms in the air. Her boyfriend Jud was tickled pink and very proud ofher success. I think Jud has found a new fishing buddy.
Jud mumbles under his breath, beginner'sluck. yukyuk
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We hit fish in 1 out of 3 spots. Today's tally was 1 for 5.
Another memorable day of many. "The Salmon River, Where memories are made"
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Recent Viewer Comment:
Randy I have never fished with you but I want to thank you for your reports and all your advice on steelhead fishing. I am thrilled the fishing has made such a good comeback and you and your clients releasing all fish caught last week has to play a big part of the comeback. Just think about when the limit was 3/client and 3 for the guide. 9 a day taken 5 days a week and 45 less fish in the river just for your boat and if it was the same for other boats and shore anglers the fishery would never be what it is today.
Keep up the good work
Gary in Connecticut
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HI Gary, Thanks for your kind and generous words! Best Holiday Fish's, Randy
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We didn't catch a fish all week
My guest's and I canceled or re-scheduled 6 trip's this week due to uncomfortable- possible - probable dangerous, driving - fishing weather conditions. Sometimes, a fish (or the $) just ain't worth it. Your safety and comfort is #1!
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Where the land ends LIFE begins
My favorite time of the year:
First off, we have had about a gate of water or more for almost the entiresteelhead season, so far. This has and well continue to cause a flow of freshfish into the river. The reservoir's are looking good with ample water forthe upcoming Winter month's.
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Weather and water wise, things are looking to be shaping up nicely for thisWinter. With recent rain, then snow, then rain, then high winds combinedwith above freezing air temperature. This has produced additional run-off.
With air + water temperatures dropping you will then see them keying in onthe slowest, deepest water for the remainder of the Winter. Keep in mindthe transitional spots will still produce as long as we have fish on themove. (Presently)
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Another key is angler pressure. Less anglers = less pressure. With cold temp's,this cuts out a lot of the fair weather anglers. Hunting season also causesa reduction of angler's on the river. One of the main ingredients that effect'sangler pressure at this time of year are the holidays.
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Most folks would think of Jan., Feb. not being very good. But I can tellyou, it can and is a couple of great month's to steelhead fish.
All of the above and more are reasons why this is my favorite time of the year.
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Archived Jan. Salmon River Report
(Photo's)
With the sunrise came hopes for a good day on the river.
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I had a first today. My guest's were 100% on hooking up in every spot wefished off the drift boat. We hit fish in all 5 spots today. I also noticedabout a dozen fish on the move (In transition, swimming up river) off theboat. Pat and Todd had a combined tally of 4 for 10 today on the Silver Bullet's!Blue egg sacks were the hot ticket today. Ssssssh.
We lost 2 fish today that were BIG Steelhead! One had to be about 20 lb'sand the other was a solid 16 lb'r. Both were lost due to my guests poorlytied knots. (he-he)
(Photo's)
Todd is all smiles - 3 of the landed steelhead were released to fight anotherday and hopefully to produce more off spring for all of you to catch.
Only the above BIG Male was released into the cooler. Congrats!
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(Photo's)
As the sun rose to another day on the water, itmade me realize how very lucky I am. To do what I enjoy and share it withall of you.
Thanks,
Randy
( P.S. If you are coming up this weekend to fish, bring a shovel and sleep in. -yukyuk)

[plugginpete]

Thanks for the tips on keeping warm. Heard some nice steelies are being landed right now

[DarkSkies]

I remember trips up there in Dec and January fishing with my cousin. He went there weekly during the different runs and was a bit obsessed. I remember moving through the slush and knee deep snow and thinking what the hell was I doing out there. With him it was like an army march....there was no complaining, it was all about finding the fish....and walking all over......

It was great fun, and I would give anything to have those days back again, as my cousin has passed on...good memories though.....

Thanks for sharing that Randy.......the tips and stream of consciousness thinking was not only informative but very entertaining......you should consider writing a book someday.........

Looking forward to further installments.
Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year....

[7deadlyplugs]

greatr tips and info thanks for posting.

[Randy Jones]

It was my sincerest pleasure.
Thanks for all your kind and generous words!
Best Fish's,
Randy