[Redneckangler]

Well, I went up to Altmar to fish steelies on the Salmon River with my brother Doug and friend and guide Scott Glazier. I love the December fishing, as the crowds subside and there are nice steelhead in the upper river. It’s not a fast and furious bite like the spring run, and fish are transitioning into winter patterns, but the chances for both large fish as well as incoming fresh fish abound. Water was finally up as the power company increased the flow from below 250-300cfs to about 750+cfs Friday evening. Two weeks ago we were bumping ass down the river, now we had some water. Of course, these fish are sensitive to change, which can challenge anglers not out fishing the river almost daily. Scott is excellent, and put us on a number of good fish Saturday. If you are only used to the salmon runs, or the spring steelhead runs, this may not be the type of fishing you are accustomed to. Rarely are you going to hook dozens of fish, so you have to make hookups count. I went O’fer seven (0-7), in an embarrassing display of how to lose fish. Now, Scott describes my brother’s fishing skills as “unique,” which is a polite way to say he doesn’t fish regularly and often does most everything wrong. However, last Saturday he landed his first two fish, including one really nice steelie, while I dumped fish after fish. What I love about steelhead fishing are the battles, and the fact that the odds are often stacked against you. Many anglers would consider the light line class, small hooks and flies almost absurd for tackling aggressive fish that can run up into the double digits. I don't care how good you are, you will lose a lot of fish even when you do everything "right." Compound these factors with mistakes, and say bye-bye to your trophy steelhead. If I could find a way to screw up Saturday, I did. Lost the first when after struggling to turn it back upstream, it shot straight towards and past me before I could recover enough line. Hit the end of the slack and GONE. Lost number two, a nice fresh looking chromer in a submerged limb. Number three went the same way. Number four I was screwing around with the tangle I had in my working line loop when Mr. Fish hit. I was completely unprepared, unable to get tight on the fish, and goodbye number four. Bye this time, I was getting pretty annoyed with myself. Snagged the bottom again with my fly or weight (this happens fairly often). Between the rocks, trees and lost gear, there is a lot to get hung upon. Unable to work it lose, I resort to thumbing the reel and backing up to pop the line instead of my rod tip. Line pops free. As I start to reel in, WHAM. Fish on, fish off. Bent hook, likely from freeing the snag. Let's see, that was number five. A few leaps expose six to be a real nice, big, fresh chromer right off the Lake. It leaps, turns and heads down stream. After a patient battle, I'm able to slowly start working her back towards me. This is slow going, not wanting to rush the process. I finally get the fish out of the current and only feet away. I'm backing slowly towards a pocket of slow water to land her in. Glancing over my shoulder, I realize my brother is standing there filming with no idea my fish is headed straight for his legs. I yell at him to watch out, he proceeds to lurch out of the way, the fish freaks out and leaps in the air and now is downstream facing me, and the hook pulls. My brothers response? "The line never touched me. How many fish is that?" Number seven? Who the hell knows. Did everything right and the fish got off. O'fer seven. I have yet to see my brother's video. Should have him walking over my fish. I'll post it when he does.

Doug with a nice steelhead.



Had time to fish Sunday morning before driving back to CT. Didn't break my neck to get out, as crowds were sparse and the fishing hadn't been picking up until and hour or so after dawn. I wanted to redeem myself after Saturday's outing. I made a vow to Scott that I wasn't leaving until I had a fish. I think everyone on the river was in the Schoolhouse, so I started a bit lower. After an hour with no bites, I moved even further to the pocket I had hooked most of the fish in Saturday. I began to notice that the flow was decreasing, and two more hours later, still not a single hit. Made one last stop at a location I have never not gotten a hit in, and still drew a blank. By now, you could see a six to eight inch water line on the rocks. It was looking like a tidal river. The flow at the dam had been cut way back. Decided to call it a day, and was faced with a drive back to CT without having landed a single fish. Looks like I'm going to have to head back up during the holidays!
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[Michael]

Never seen pics of a black steelhead

[Redneckangler]

Just bad lighting and it's a holdover. The ones coming in fresh off Lake Ontario are chrome, and they gradually darken as they take up residence in the river.
_________________
RNA - It's in my blood.
www.redneckangler.com
Facebook @ TheRedneckangler
Weekly reports from around CT, the LIS and beyond.

[fishfinder]

Man that sounds like an awesome time! May I ask how much you pay for this guided trip? Would live to do; be as soon as I get settled into this new house a little more meaning get a furnace and stuff.
_________________
There's a fine line between fishing....

and standing on the shore like an idiot!

[Redneckangler]

Hey Fishfinder. Fishing up there is a blast. Best times are March/April and Septemeber/October as far as fish stocks. More fish = more people though. I've had great trips in the winter as well. I highly recommend Scott Glazier at Tinker Tavern Lodge. You can check out his website for rates. All the guides are about the same. $300 for a drift trip with 2-3 guys is pretty standard. Most will charge from $150-$200 if you are by yourself. Scott's cabins are nice and he charges $35 per person a night. Keep in mind there are lots of people who bill themselves as guides, many from out of the area who fish the river weekends, etc. There is no way I'm paying a part time guide. I want someone who is on the river every day. Otherwise, I would just walk in myself. Definately make sure you go with a local. I know a few really good ones, but I'd have to send someone through Scott first. Certainly happy to share what I've heard/know about others if asked. There is plenty of walk in access, but you will shorten the learning curve with a guide the first time or two. I still like to do at least a day drifting when I go up, and a few days walking in. LMK if you decide to head up that way and have any questions.
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RNA - It's in my blood.
www.redneckangler.com
Facebook @ TheRedneckangler
Weekly reports from around CT, the LIS and beyond.

[fishfinder]

Thanks for the info. I certainly will get around to this next year sometime and whenits close will hit you up with some more questions like what gear to bring or buy for that matter.
_________________
There's a fine line between fishing....

and standing on the shore like an idiot!