Catskill Mountains fly fishing adventures. We are located just two hours north of New York City. We specialize in walk wade and drift boat fishing trips for beginners all the way to seasoned veterans on the fly.
This past Wednesday and Thursday we did a group trip to the Salmon River. We had air temps 15 to 20 degrees and icy tips both days.
We fished the upper end the first day with 6 hooked and 1 landed. The first day of any trip is usually feet on the ground low risk. We achieved this and were ready for the second day.
The second day we fished the lower end looking for fresh steel. The temps had dropped and the cold was brutal. We each hooked fresh chrome but none to hand. In the picture is Chris with a colored up steelhead.
When fishing the western NY tributaries it is always good to go with friends. Most of the rivers big and small originate from hydro electric dams. At any time the electric companies can decide to fluctuate the flows.
When our Delaware fishermen and fisherwoman ask about what its like fishing the Great Lake tributaries we simply tell them “different.”Some days it will seem like every cast has the prospect of fish, however many days are cold and dismal.
On our December trip we had 8 guys and lots of fun. The first day ended with one hook up and one lake trout to the net. The second day was totally different. The fish moved into the area we took over and called our own. In tributary fishing the spot is more important than your skill and your equipment.
Many anglers arrive as early as 3am in the morning to stake claim to their section of river. Some areas are on a yearly basis “better” than others. It could be a swirling back eddy or even a large rock that creates a holding zone for these migratory travelers. Knowing the spots will increase your catch rate. Also having enough friends to “hold down” the spot from other anglers is essential when the rivers are busy.
Most of our hookups were on simple estez egg patterns. The second day you really couldn’t go wrong. If you got it down to them, they ate it. We finished the second day landing over 30 lake trout and breaking off one steelhead.
I went out yesterday and nymphed a handful of fish up. All were caught long line suspension nymphing small pheasant tails. The water was just under 500 cubic feet per second and gin clear. The river is only open in some sections so please make sure you fish legally and have a valid NYS fishing license.
Roscoe has been busy lately with many new businesses opening up. I spent the later afternoon eating greek on main street and warming up.
Tips: Indicator fish slow pools deep. Minor twitched can mean a fish. They are in full winter mode and slow this time of year
