November 2009 Report

2003-2009 Reports
^^Please check out our archives^^



November 26, 2009 - - Salmon River, NY

Happy Thanksgiving!

November really is migratory month. You've got the salt fish running southbound down the coast, then you also have the freshwater lake fish making a trek upstream into their favorite tributary. And of course you've got us to greet them.

The last few days we managed to get away from the grind and head northward where the silver run eastward into the Salmon River. It has been a few years since we've hit this fishery up, so we were lookin' forward tagging a few steelies.

Overall the fishing got better each day we were on the river due to basically, just figuring out where the fish are. Upstream is the name of the game, but so too are the fisherman. Downstream and more mid-river - - say Pulaski up through Pineville has fish, but you really have to work for them. They are there, and definitely less pressured.

When we fished the 2A to Pineville stretch we only swung streamers. Due to the lighter crowds we had plenty of water we could work over. A black bugger produced a few fish, and moved a handful more. Interestingly the better hook-ups came just after we would twitch or animate the swing in some sort of way.

Upstream of Pineville we used an estaz egg nymph rig. This is not the most exciting method to get into fish, but it did produce. Our mornings appeared to provide a bit better fishing than the afternoons....so be prepared to hit the water early.

Lastly, the Salmon River needs some serious rain. Not only to get rid of the death (chinooks) and decay (and stench) laying all about, but it would do wonders with bringing in some new fish, and moving about the ones currently in the river. I'd imagine after the next highwater event, the fishing will really turn on.


This fish ate a black bugger on the tail end of the swing.

Hi-stick steelie.


November 5, 2009 - - NJ Bass Report

The bite was on prior to this mega blow. Which unfortunately looks to be hanging around for a while. For those who've made the trip to the central-NJ salt, a few bass have been found. Timing has been crucial with a mornining/low-light time frame being the best - as is usually the case with migratories. First light has found the fish in somewhat tight to the beaches, but after that they've been moving off toward deeper water. During the day the rocks have had some fish, which is where we found some fish willing to eat our flies. Clousers fished on a sinking line did the trick.

It will be interesting to see how this prolonged NE fetch. Forecasts call for multiple days on strong NE winds. The beaches are already pretty chewed up, so they really can't afford too much in the way of more erosion by Mother Nature.



November 5, 2009 - - The Spawn

Down here in SE PA the spawn is either underway or just about to begin. Just the other day while strolling the banks of one of the better known wild streams one bed was observed and a 14-15" trout was observed on it. So now is the time!

Speaking of time, now is Salt time! We are in gear-up mode with hopes of hitting it in the coming weeks. Lets hope the bait can balled up and the predators find it! Nothing like a full-on blitz.


October 25, 2009 - - Lehigh Fin Clips

The PFBC is looking for some help gathering data on how successful the Lehigh River fingerling plantings is going. If you fish the Lehigh be sure to keep an eye out for the fin clipped fish. Identification is easy - - either the adipose fin will be clipped or the pelvic fin will be clipped. And when you catch one, record it in the log book supplied by the PFBC.

This is definitely a way for the angler to help aid the PFBC in their ongoing study, as well as to help improve the Lehigh's trout fishery.