Salmon River, New York
Salmon River at Pulaski Fishing Report: May 19, 2026
Salmon River at Pulaski is in a useful fishing window today.
- Status
- good
- Flow trend
- stable
- Best window
- Morning and late afternoon
- Best methods
- nymphs, streamers, wet flies
Quick Summary
Salmon River at Pulaski is in a useful fishing window today. USGS showed 851 cfs and 6.43 feet at 6:15 AM, with the flow trend stable. Water temperature was Not reported. Start with nymphs, then adjust to streamers or wet flies if fish begin feeding higher in the column. With warm air in the forecast, carry a thermometer and stop targeting trout if afternoon water approaches 68 F. Wade conservatively and avoid pushy crossings; softer edges, bank access, or a boat are safer than mid-channel moves.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Good |
| Flow | 851 cfs at 6:15 AM |
| Gauge Height | 6.43 feet |
| Water Temp | Not reported |
| Clarity | Not reported |
| Trend | Stable |
| Best Window | Morning and late afternoon |
| Best Method | nymphs; streamers; wet flies |
| Wadeability | Limited |
Weather
For Pulaski, NY, the National Weather Service forecast says: Today: A chance of rain showers before 4pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 84. Southwest wind 5 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Plan around wind, changing light, and any showers or storms rather than assuming a full-day dry fly window.
River Notes
The best starting point is water that matches the current gauge: inside seams, protected banks, riffle drop-offs, and slower buckets rather than the heaviest current. A stable trend is worth watching through the day; if the hydrograph turns sharply upward, clarity and wade safety can change before hatch timing does. Missing field values are left as Not reported rather than filled from guesswork.
Hatch Activity
Current hatch guidance is based on seasonal May patterns for this river system, current public report context where available, and today’s official gauge/weather check.
| Hatch | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Caddis | 14-18 | Use as trout food where surface activity appears |
| Blue Winged Olive | 18-22 | Useful in softer edges on gray periods |
| Stonefly | 8-12 | A practical anchor nymph in pushier slots |
| Egg or attractor | 8-12 | Use only where legal and appropriate for trout holding water |
Recommended Flies
| Category | Fly | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nymph | Stonefly Nymph | 8-12 | Anchor deeper runs |
| Nymph | Pheasant Tail | 14-18 | Trail behind a larger nymph |
| Wet | Soft Hackle | 12-16 | Swing through tailouts |
| Streamer | Black Woolly Bugger | 6-10 | Cover banks and buckets |
| Other | Single Egg | 8-12 | Use selectively in trout holding water |
Tactics
Start with nymphs in defined lanes and adjust weight, depth, or leader length before changing flies. If fish begin rising, simplify to a single dry or dry with an emerger/dropper and lengthen the leader. In bright or windy periods, return to subsurface presentations along protected banks and broken water. Re-check the gauge before wading new crossings, especially if the trend changes from stable or falling to rising.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| SALMON RIVER AT PINEVILLE NY | 851 cfs | Not reported | USGS 04250200 |
Sources
Official sources checked: USGS station 04250200 and the National Weather Service forecast for the Pulaski, NY area. This report is an original Custom FlyBox summary based on current official gauge and weather data, with local public conditions reports reviewed separately for hatch, access, and method context.