Salmon River 10/11-10/13

[NJ Dave]

After I read my post I realized the argument this is going to ensue.
I am not doubting anyone that they not doing the right thing up there but from what I can see most are not. Not saying that anyone here is doing wrong.
I can honestly say that I actually caught one, yes one salmon in the mouth. The rest were "flossed" or came in sideways and backwards.
I would love to fish these fish but I just can't see how.

[Mikey topaz]

Not trying to feed fuel to the fire in anyway but im just gonna put it like this your both right yes majority of these fish besides the steelies and browns and altalantic dont eat but i have seen like russ a hen on a nest rake out eggs throw a flesh fly and come outta the way and take the fly, unfortnatley theres tons of people up there that just snag fish and look like idiots but there meat hunters most of them are the locals which have little or no money so they are not sportsmen they rely on stock piling their freezer up for the winter its a shame but its just how it is...use the salmon to you advantage also step back and take a look to the seams where these fish are holding when they are dead the browns and steelies hold in the same seams pools etc its not just going up there to snag a fish .......so just ignore them do ur own thing and think steelhead and brown thoughts 😉

[gwl2oneida]

What does the DEC and local police have to say about that lady? She seems to be clearly wrong harassing these anglers.

[Dave B.]

This is far from the first time there's been a battle over 'Dawns Hole'. She has an extensive history going back many years of harassing people, including potential customers who've entered her store. Personally I'm glad to see she finally went WAY too far and got a bit of what she IMHO rightly deserves.

As for the 'Salmon bite/don't bite' issue, after over 3 decades of fishing up there I've seen a lot, some of which I'd much rather not have but that's another story. Anyway, most points already made are true and valid to varying extents.

The comment that kings only initiate aggression strikes within the first 24-36 hours after leaving the estuary is completely inaccurate however. I can't begin to count the number of times I've seen them rise to the surface to attack a floating swimming plug back-trolled behind an anchored driftboat in the 'Bovines' section which is between the 'Trestle Pool' and Ellis Cove, or for those unfamiliar with the area about 13 miles upriver from the estuary which at the rate kings travel is anywhere from 1 to 2 weeks after leaving the estuary. Likewise they will readily pick up and remove anything that happens to drift into an active redd. As well I've had them actively attack my estaz bugs, particularly in chartreuse and hot pink, as I lift the line at the end of my drift. That is to say I watched them move from where they were holding to a point across and upstream to actively pursue my bug.
So, do they strike? Hell yes, no question about it. Is it that common or frequent? Definitely not. Far more the exception to the rule than otherwise to be sure. By and large the vast majority of kings hooked 'legally', i.e. in the mouth, are flossed.

Of course this only refers to kings. Coho are quite another story and will actively and aggressively strike anytime, anywhere in the river or tribs. And they definitely fight better in my opinion. Although generally much smaller than the kings they're very much like fresh steelies with their high speed drag burning runs and occasional aerobatics. On top of that they're MUCH better table fare!

[SnackAttack]

Happy for you that you were able to take advantage of the run and got your kid on the action.