In the early 80's I used to fish the estuary of the Salmon River Port Ontario, west of Pulaski. There was a place right by the river called Larson's and I rented a boat and fished a little eat of the "Trailer Hole". I kept seeing this salmon jumping in the same area near the bank of the island there. At that time you were allowed to use spinners with treble hooks. So I put on a copper colored #3 Mepps, and just casted over and over for about 30 minutes and finally that fish stuck my lure. After a good battle I landed it. It was my first ever salmon, so I kept it. I rowed back to Larson's, showed them what I caught and they said it was a trophy fish. Turned out to be a 16 lb. male coho. I couldn't afford a taxidermist, so I took a picture of it and put in my large cooler. It was ok tasting. After that I released salmon I caught there. Its n amazing river to fish with the large runs they have, and no wonder, it known around the world.
Ya, it is crazy. The folks at the reservoir seem to consistently drop the flows every fall to around 300-400CFS. Not all parts of the Salmon River are the shallow but many areas are at that flow.
Great job Michael. I've never fished the DSR but looks like a great section. I know the lampreys were a big problem in the past, in fact I forgot about them with all the "new visitors". Looking forward to your next fishing trip. Thanks 👍
My favorite channel on RUclips... I'm pretty new to the game and it's awesome to get super detailed instruction like this. Great show, and thanks for the really specific tips
I think I removed your other comment by accident. The type of line set-up you use for salmon depends on the water depth and conditions. For a first time I’d recommend a typical WF floating line like you’d use for trout but rated for your heavier weight rod.
Great work man! I live here in Ireland and fish the NY salmon river quite often, my buddies don’t believe how many fish I can catch down at the meadows, hopefully this video will demonstrate to them.
Definitely will. Got word from my buddy that steelhead have been seen and browns today. A guide I talked to up there last week said they haven't seen much yet. So they might be a little early this yr. Hope it's on heavy this yr for the steelhead.
Beautiful fish! Nice coho's too! Funny enough i fished in a boat at the mouth of salmon river and ontario one year and fish were jumping out with lampreys attached to them it was crazy! My buddy had a king on and got it to boat and we realized he had actually snagged the lamprey that was attached to the king and wouldn't even let go. Enough strengrh to hang onto the fish while snagged. That fish fought too! Last second it finally let go and he just pulled in the lamprey lol. We def had a laugh over that one! Fish on!!
Wow! What a great day on the water. They were all brutes mate! And some great video footage as well. I moved out of NYS way too early or I'd have been right there as well. Maybe a trip up that way next season to visit relatives and wet a line.
Ralph Barton me too! I think it will be mid-winter until Erie gets enough water to sustain a good run. I hear the Salmon River is seeing a few steelhead now!
Great video! Do you have any recommendations on where to stay up there on a budget? Any info you could share would be great! Thanks again and God bless!
Thanks for getting back to me. I'd probably be traveling with another guy and was hoping to do a 3 day trip (room 2 nights) for about $200 for food and lodging each. does that sound workable? I figured sharing the room would cut costs. I was even considering camping as I'm set up for that but would have to research some to see if it is doable.
Could you go over your setup. I was just there last week. Fished the upper and lower fly fishing only section. I had a hard time getting my flys down. Can’t use more the 1/8th oz of lead. There were a lot of people there breaking the law. We’re you using a fast sink tip also?
Hey Urban Hunter, check out this blog post I wrote in July, this may help you out. www.woolybugged.com/blog/2022/7/17/fly-fishing-the-salmon-river-for-king-salmon-part-2
Hey, I just wanted to apologize to you. Initially, my friend and i thought that your comment about the lamprey was creepy, but after talking about it for a while, we decided you were right.
Hey Mike. Again, great work on a very aesthetic and informative video. Question, In you video you had mentioned that you had attempted a change in your leader setup. Whereas you had inserted a swivel between your leader and 4ft tippet section. It seems you indicated after some time reverted back to a direct knot from leader to tippet. Many many fishermen fish with a swivel between. I understand we all have out techniques and reasons. However, if time permits, could you provide some detailed feedback as to your experience with both methods and why you ultimately choose the direct connection as your setup? Thanks again Mike and Stay Hooked up my friend. Hope to see you out there.
cant believe idiots accuse you of flossing...it looks like you have an indicator in some shots and high sticking in others...in any case very nicely done and like the way you explain your gear before the video. I used to fish SR in the late 70's when chuck-n-duck was the name of the game. glad to see you can get away with so little split shot.
Great video! I have never fished the DSR myself, but as a local, sort of, (I’m from Oswego) I have fished much of the Salmon River. I’m glad you had so much fun catching salmon. I have many memories dating back to my childhood on the Salmon River.
Loved your video. I am new to fly fishing and your video is very tempting for me to visit this place this year. I have 5wt 8.6 feet orvis fly rod and reel, would that be good enough for these type of water and fish ? I am from south east PA. if you plan to fish around this area, please let me know. I might get some nice tips from you.
What is your rig setup? Im new at this . Do you use floating line or sinking line, how long fluorocarbon, split shots? Sorry im new but just didnt know how to rig the line... Help a brother out..
Hey I just seen your video for the first time. I am from Oregon and we catch a lot of Coho and Chinook . Are you not allowed to keep Coho on the salmon river??? Those Coho We’re dandy’s!!! Anyway enjoyed your video!! Keep ripping lips!
Man, you got your monies worth at the DSR! I didn't like the flow, too low for my taste. I was surprised you weren't foul hooking them in that shallow water but I couldn't tell from every fish but most looked like fair mouth hook ups.
Im headed up to altmar next week to fish on the salmon! Have you heard if its good in that area? And since its my first time do you have any tips you're willing to share?
Thomas B yes, the fly fishing only section in and above Altmar are great right now. Most of the Salmon that have pushed into the river are concentrated in upper areas so you should have some great fishing. I'd recommend you use at least an 8wt rod and make sure you have enough weight to get your flies on the bottom.
If you want a good fight go where Mike was. The ones I hooked up in Altmar were a little tired already so it was like dead weight and not much fight in them. Water is low so you won't need a ton of weight. I also recommend taking plenty of split shots. They only sell tin ones up there and they are very big and not to heavy.
I highly recommend the DSR for Salmon. It is all about timing but if the fish are moving through and they are fresh it is way better at the DSR. Many of the fish in the fly zones around Altmar will not be as fresh and many are in the zombie stage. They also have been much more pressured and their bodies are shutting down to spawn and it is much harder to finding fish willing to bite. You will have many more willing biters in the DSR and they can be crazy aggressive! Now steelies on the other hand.... Fly Zones all the way once the fish are in!
The earlier in the season and the closer to the lake mouth, the chances of encountering salmon that will strike out of territorial aggression go up significantly.
Brooktrout Angler I’d say maybe half of the fish shown could be seen. During October the dam is typically only running around 350CFS, so you can see many running fish when the water is clear.
Brent, in some cases swinging and others dead drifting. That area I was fishing is in the first mile of the river mouth. The fish that move through that stretch are territorial and will defend their area, therefore striking at flies. The longer the fish are in the river and move upriver having many things tossed their way, they stop exhibiting the territorial behavior.
@@WoolyBugged nice! So they're not as finicky as great lakes steelhead? I usually find I need to use 4x to 5x when water clears. I love the video, want to make a trip this fall
Matthew Wierzchowski no, not all, salmon are not very smart fish. They will get line shy the longer they’re in the river. You want to target them when they are fresh and haven’t seen many of any patterns yet.
Never heard a local say pulas-ski. When I moved here I said pulas-ski and was about laughed out of town. I've lived here 20 years and never heard an oswego county person. Say pulas-ski. Pulas-sky Just like Chili,NY(near Richester,ny) is pronounced Chy-ly not Chili(the meat dish) Crazy New Yorkers did not want the cities and towns to sound like the European name I guess.
Thanks for sharing all those beautiful fish. With us. Having fun and catching fish.. All in one.. That what its all about. Congrats Bud.. Check out my Channel on RUclips. . Frankie Shoenfelt.. All you need to type in.. Thanks again. For sharing..
Thanks for the nice comment. I just subscribed to your channel and look forward to watching your content. I love watching PA based fly fishing channels!
Wooly Bugged get out on the lake now, the fish are biting and silver. Fun to catch and more to eat. I'm a sportsmen, ripping and flossing is just to hook a dying fish. Fun or not theres no sport in snagging
You could have at least tried deeper pools or runs where they at least have a chance but the cohos are extremely aggressive and will bite in the river as much as a steelhead
In the early 80's I used to fish the estuary of the Salmon River Port Ontario, west of Pulaski. There was a place right by the river called Larson's and I rented a boat and fished a little eat of the "Trailer Hole". I kept seeing this salmon jumping in the same area near the bank of the island there. At that time you were allowed to use spinners with treble hooks. So I put on a copper colored #3 Mepps, and just casted over and over for about 30 minutes and finally that fish stuck my lure. After a good battle I landed it. It was my first ever salmon, so I kept it. I rowed back to Larson's, showed them what I caught and they said it was a trophy fish. Turned out to be a 16 lb. male coho. I couldn't afford a taxidermist, so I took a picture of it and put in my large cooler. It was ok tasting. After that I released salmon I caught there. Its n amazing river to fish with the large runs they have, and no wonder, it known around the world.
Pulaski and Alcot NY my 2 favorite fishing spots in NY.... Caught alot of nice fish in these spots.....Nice fishing!!
Mike, I can't believe the size of those fish 🐟.In low run water. And the creepy lamprey. But just amazing.
Ya, it is crazy. The folks at the reservoir seem to consistently drop the flows every fall to around 300-400CFS. Not all parts of the Salmon River are the shallow but many areas are at that flow.
Great job Michael. I've never fished the DSR but looks like a great section. I know the lampreys were a big problem in the past, in fact I forgot about them with all the "new visitors". Looking forward to your next fishing trip. Thanks 👍
Joe Duca thanks Joe, I never caught one until the one you saw in the video. It was strange to see.
My favorite channel on RUclips... I'm pretty new to the game and it's awesome to get super detailed instruction like this. Great show, and thanks for the really specific tips
Niko Ruhe thanks for the nice comment Niko, appreciate you watching! I'm here to help if I can!
Appreciate u sharing your full setup from fly to line to rod. :)
peng vue glad to hear it, I hope it is helpful to you!
Great video as always. That river can be magical if you hit it right.
John C well said! Thanks for the comment!
I’ve fished that river many times and you’re making it look easy. Lol
Great video Mike! We're heading up 10/15-10/18. Pineville area. Thanks for sharing.
Carl Brown you bet Carl, you guys should get some great fishing!
I fished that spot back in the 90's and got a 36lb king there.
ED Roberts that's a big king!
Great job Mike! Appreciate the gear description....great action.....
I think I removed your other comment by accident. The type of line set-up you use for salmon depends on the water depth and conditions. For a first time I’d recommend a typical WF floating line like you’d use for trout but rated for your heavier weight rod.
@@WoolyBugged thx ended up 11' switch 8 wt with WF, Remington Behometh 8 wt
Great work man!
I live here in Ireland and fish the NY salmon river quite often, my buddies don’t believe how many fish I can catch down at the meadows, hopefully this video will demonstrate to them.
Nice weekend. I didn't get in that section yet. Up river was a mad house.
SOFTAIL X you gotta check out the middle section, lots of great riffle water!
Definitely will. Got word from my buddy that steelhead have been seen and browns today. A guide I talked to up there last week said they haven't seen much yet. So they might be a little early this yr. Hope it's on heavy this yr for the steelhead.
SOFTAIL X I saw pictures of steelhead guys were catching today!
Yea. I heard the same. Word travels fast.
Wow that looks like some seriously good fishing Mike! You have me convinced to head up there next year!
Backyard Angling I think you should go now! The steelhead are in there early and there aren't many fishermen.
Awesome! Nice job on landing that lamprey, those things freak me out when I see them swimming up the river.
Piscator Flies those things are down right nasty!
Beautiful fish! Nice coho's too! Funny enough i fished in a boat at the mouth of salmon river and ontario one year and fish were jumping out with lampreys attached to them it was crazy! My buddy had a king on and got it to boat and we realized he had actually snagged the lamprey that was attached to the king and wouldn't even let go. Enough strengrh to hang onto the fish while snagged. That fish fought too! Last second it finally let go and he just pulled in the lamprey lol. We def had a laugh over that one! Fish on!!
Dang dude I love going to Pulaski every year going up there to fish, just love it! I hope this season will be epic
Nice they are big this year especially the coho kid next to me caught biggest fresh coho I seen in person last week
Rail Road Of TRUTH Neurosis337 yep, I saw a lot more cohos this year!
Wow! What a great day on the water. They were all brutes mate! And some great video footage as well. I moved out of NYS way too early or I'd have been right there as well. Maybe a trip up that way next season to visit relatives and wet a line.
That was fantastic!!!! Well done !!! Thank you so much
Great video! Really makes me want to take a trip up!
Immortan Jon I appreciate you saying that! I have a lot of fun going up to NY to catch those giant fish!
Awesome job. I'm ready for midwinter steelheadin
Ralph Barton me too! I think it will be mid-winter until Erie gets enough water to sustain a good run. I hear the Salmon River is seeing a few steelhead now!
I go there every year because I live around Albany last year I caught a 28 pound king at Altmar
papi_jbusch that’s a giant!
Great video! Do you have any recommendations on where to stay up there on a budget? Any info you could share would be great! Thanks again and God bless!
The White Deer Motel is fairly reasonable stay. What's your budget?
Thanks for getting back to me. I'd probably be traveling with another guy and was hoping to do a 3 day trip (room 2 nights) for about $200 for food and lodging each. does that sound workable? I figured sharing the room would cut costs. I was even considering camping as I'm set up for that but would have to research some to see if it is doable.
Is that the right motel? I Googled it and it came up Montgomery PA. Nothing for New York.
@@thefrugalsportsman sorry… Deer Creek
@@WoolyBugged Thanks!
Could you go over your setup. I was just there last week. Fished the upper and lower fly fishing only section. I had a hard time getting my flys down. Can’t use more the 1/8th oz of lead. There were a lot of people there breaking the law. We’re you using a fast sink tip also?
Hey Urban Hunter, check out this blog post I wrote in July, this may help you out. www.woolybugged.com/blog/2022/7/17/fly-fishing-the-salmon-river-for-king-salmon-part-2
It was definitely a great run this year. If you enjoyed this video checkout my latest from the salmon river !!
Love the video guys! Great intro!
Wooly Bugged thanks brother!!
Old vid but very well done with some pretty fish in it.
Hey, I just wanted to apologize to you. Initially, my friend and i thought that your comment about the lamprey was creepy, but after talking about it for a while, we decided you were right.
Hey Mike. Again, great work on a very aesthetic and informative video. Question, In you video you had mentioned that you had attempted a change in your leader setup. Whereas you had inserted a swivel between your leader and 4ft tippet section. It seems you indicated after some time reverted back to a direct knot from leader to tippet. Many many fishermen fish with a swivel between. I understand we all have out techniques and reasons. However, if time permits, could you provide some detailed feedback as to your experience with both methods and why you ultimately choose the direct connection as your setup?
Thanks again Mike and Stay Hooked up my friend. Hope to see you out there.
cant believe idiots accuse you of flossing...it looks like you have an indicator in some shots and high sticking in others...in any case very nicely done and like the way you explain your gear before the video. I used to fish SR in the late 70's when chuck-n-duck was the name of the game. glad to see you can get away with so little split shot.
Excellent fish handling
Thanks Christian.
Great video! I have never fished the DSR myself, but as a local, sort of, (I’m from Oswego) I have fished much of the Salmon River. I’m glad you had so much fun catching salmon. I have many memories dating back to my childhood on the Salmon River.
Great job, I just may bring myself to pay at dougleston after watching this. Great job.
nice, can you do the video or provide information on flies for salmon and trout and where can I buy it.
I love your feed
Loved your video. I am new to fly fishing and your video is very tempting for me to visit this place this year. I have 5wt 8.6 feet orvis fly rod and reel, would that be good enough for these type of water and fish ? I am from south east PA. if you plan to fish around this area, please let me know. I might get some nice tips from you.
AdilAbrarAA don’t even try a 5wt it will either snap or you’ll fight the fish for so long it will die
I'd say an 8wt is as light as you wanna go for these behemoths... 🎣🦈
Most veterans suggest a 9 or 10...
Wooly whats on the reel handle of your Guru? is that some sort of custom reel handle?
I grew up near there. We always called it Pulas-EYE, not Pulas-Key.
@@johngee876 you would know John, I won’t argue the point!
Great stuff!! What size hook?
Were you in Pulaski October of last year? Swear i was fishin with you at the sportmans hole
Well been fish there since late 80. Who hooks did you use and size if you remember. Great job. Got my support.
What is your rig setup? Im new at this . Do you use floating line or sinking line, how long fluorocarbon, split shots?
Sorry im new but just didnt know how to rig the line...
Help a brother out..
Hey I just seen your video for the first time. I am from Oregon and we catch a lot of Coho and Chinook . Are you not allowed to keep Coho on the salmon river??? Those Coho We’re dandy’s!!! Anyway enjoyed your video!! Keep ripping lips!
Can you explain one more time youre leader from the fly line all the way to the fly ? Thank you ! Knots,lbs,length !
Awesome video buddy but i have to ask is the DSR really worth the money to fish it in your opinion?
Man, you got your monies worth at the DSR! I didn't like the flow, too low for my taste. I was surprised you weren't foul hooking them in that shallow water but I couldn't tell from every fish but most looked like fair mouth hook ups.
Matt Troutman I never put foul hooked fish footage in any of my videos. Those fish don’t count.
Arnt coho salmon red? Anyway i love your vids and just got my first fly rod and reel. It is very fun.
Im headed up to altmar next week to fish on the salmon! Have you heard if its good in that area? And since its my first time do you have any tips you're willing to share?
Thomas B yes, the fly fishing only section in and above Altmar are great right now. Most of the Salmon that have pushed into the river are concentrated in upper areas so you should have some great fishing. I'd recommend you use at least an 8wt rod and make sure you have enough weight to get your flies on the bottom.
Thomas. I was in altmar last week. Lots of fish up there......LOTS
If you want a good fight go where Mike was. The ones I hooked up in Altmar were a little tired already so it was like dead weight and not much fight in them. Water is low so you won't need a ton of weight. I also recommend taking plenty of split shots. They only sell tin ones up there and they are very big and not to heavy.
I highly recommend the DSR for Salmon. It is all about timing but if the fish are moving through and they are fresh it is way better at the DSR. Many of the fish in the fly zones around Altmar will not be as fresh and many are in the zombie stage. They also have been much more pressured and their bodies are shutting down to spawn and it is much harder to finding fish willing to bite. You will have many more willing biters in the DSR and they can be crazy aggressive! Now steelies on the other hand.... Fly Zones all the way once the fish are in!
Any info on access and lodging in this area. Planning on going for my first trip in October . Thanks
I’m just wondering why let them go🤨🤨.. isn’t it allowed to keep what we catch as long as they meet the meet the required criteria?!
I'm allergic to eating fish. I don't have a problem with people keeping these salmon.
Are you flossing them?
What was the name of that fly yoy got at whittakers?
what weight rod were you using and what type of fly line?
sebastian walker that was a 10’-8wt with a Scientific Anglers Steelhead and Salmon Line rated for an 8wt.
Man that was incredible!
Nice video and thanks for sharing your technique. You got my like and I subscribe.
IBRA. Life thanks for the nice comment, I just subbed back!
Are you flossing or do they bite that far down stream?
The earlier in the season and the closer to the lake mouth, the chances of encountering salmon that will strike out of territorial aggression go up significantly.
What did you do with that sea Lamprey? You shouldn't let them return to kill more fish
N it’s really cool hot you get different action using a fly instead a spinning or center pin
How*
Pula-SKY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
were you sight casting to all of these fish that were hooked?
Brooktrout Angler I’d say maybe half of the fish shown could be seen. During October the dam is typically only running around 350CFS, so you can see many running fish when the water is clear.
You don't eat salmon?
Joe Bostic no I’m allergic to fish.
What part of the dsr is this?
Various parts, but primarily the middle.
The run was great this year, me and my body caught over 150 salmon
IKENNA ECKRICH it’s usually late September to mid October
good video sir.
Are you just swinging the flies?
Brent, in some cases swinging and others dead drifting. That area I was fishing is in the first mile of the river mouth. The fish that move through that stretch are territorial and will defend their area, therefore striking at flies. The longer the fish are in the river and move upriver having many things tossed their way, they stop exhibiting the territorial behavior.
were you just high sticking, dead drifting an egg sucking leech? the water you were catching looked shallow, no deeper than shin deep.
Yes, just dead drifting. The water is deeper than it looks but the flows were at about 350CFS which is normal in early October on the SR.
What size tippett were you using
Matthew Wierzchowski 0X, 1X, or 2X depending on leader size, water conditions, or pattern being fished.
@@WoolyBugged nice! So they're not as finicky as great lakes steelhead? I usually find I need to use 4x to 5x when water clears. I love the video, want to make a trip this fall
Matthew Wierzchowski no, not all, salmon are not very smart fish. They will get line shy the longer they’re in the river. You want to target them when they are fresh and haven’t seen many of any patterns yet.
4:10 its maam!
Amazing. Never have seen so many salmon caught on a single outing. Just goes to show that if you know what you’re doing….
Sometimes it is a numbers game! More fish equals more hook-ups. They were everywhere that day!
Nice steels
Same as suckers as far as I am concerned
Pronounced "Pulas- sky"
Its actually not, its a Polish last name which is for sure not pronounced like that. Pulas-ski
Never heard a local say pulas-ski.
When I moved here I said pulas-ski and was about laughed out of town.
I've lived here 20 years and never heard an oswego county person. Say pulas-ski.
Pulas-sky
Just like Chili,NY(near Richester,ny) is pronounced Chy-ly not Chili(the meat dish)
Crazy New Yorkers did not want the cities and towns to sound like the European name I guess.
Nice video. Mine not as good as yours but check out our salmon trip 2017!
Subbed
PaOutdoorjournal thanks for the nice comment, I'll check out your video. Thanks for subscribing too!
Thanks for sharing all those beautiful fish. With us. Having fun and catching fish.. All in one.. That what its all about. Congrats Bud..
Check out my Channel on RUclips. . Frankie Shoenfelt.. All you need to type in.. Thanks again. For sharing..
Thanks for the nice comment. I just subscribed to your channel and look forward to watching your content. I love watching PA based fly fishing channels!
Stomp that Lamprey and feed it to the Gulls! 💪
I know better now! Next one is stomped.
Dime a dozen
I'm like, very goo🌠
Nice flossing
I've had this argument too many times now. I'm not wasting any more time on the issue, big fish are fun, period.
Wooly Bugged get out on the lake now, the fish are biting and silver. Fun to catch and more to eat. I'm a sportsmen, ripping and flossing is just to hook a dying fish. Fun or not theres no sport in snagging
You could have at least tried deeper pools or runs where they at least have a chance but the cohos are extremely aggressive and will bite in the river as much as a steelhead
What kinda fly line are you using. 9wt wf?
That is an 8wt rated line. I typically match my line weight to my rod weight.