Salmon River, New York
Salmon River Pulaski Fishing Report: September 11, 2026
Fresh Chinook improved lower-river action on Thursday, while the Salmon River remains low near 240 cfs and calls for an early, mobile approach.
- Status
- good
- Flow trend
- falling
- Best window
- First light through midmorning
- Best methods
- streamers, egg patterns, nymphs
Quick Summary
The Salmon River has improved to a good early-season salmon option after Thursday brought a stronger push of fresh Chinook through the lower river. USGS showed 240 cfs and 5.37 feet at Pineville during the morning check, so low-water constraints remain. Start at first light in lower-river travel lanes, cover water deliberately, and move after a clean pass. Some kings are holding in deeper mid- and upper-river holes, but those reaches have fewer fish and less angling pressure.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Good. Fresh kings improved lower-river action, though low flow still limits consistency |
| Flow | 240 cfs at Pineville |
| Gauge Height | 5.37 feet at Pineville |
| Water Temp | 67 F on the current local report page; not reported by the USGS gauge |
| Clarity | Not reported |
| Trend | Falling slightly |
| Best Window | First light through midmorning |
| Best Method | Sparse streamers, leeches, stonefly nymphs, and natural egg patterns |
| Wadeability | Good at normal crossings, with care around concentrated fish and anglers |
Weather
The National Weather Service forecast for Pulaski calls for sun, a high near 69 F, and north wind at 1 to 8 mph. The cooler air and lighter wind are favorable for line control compared with Thursday. Saturday turns warmer near 79 F, with a slight chance of an afternoon shower.
River Notes
Pineville is down about 8 cfs since Thursday morning. A current September 11 local report describes a meaningful improvement in the lower river, with plenty of fresh Chinook moving through the Douglaston Salmon Run. The Ballpark, Town Pool, Longbridge and Staircase, Black Hole, and DSR continue to receive the most attention. Farther upstream, some kings are holding around deeper holes, but the fish are less concentrated.
Begin below Pulaski around walking-speed runs, pool heads and tails, shaded slots, and deeper lanes. Cover each piece of water deliberately, then change angle or location. Low flow makes salmon and anglers easy to see. Keep distance from other anglers, avoid lining fish, and stay out of travel lanes used by moving kings.
Hatch Activity
This is a salmon-run report, so fish movement and forage matter more than a trout hatch list. Official gauges do not report migration. Current local context supports fresh Chinook moving through the lower river, with smaller numbers holding in deeper water farther upstream.
| Activity | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh Chinook salmon movement | Not reported | Concentrate on lower-river travel water at first light |
| Stonefly nymphs | 8-12 | A searching choice around pockets and seams |
| Eggs | 6-10 mm | Use sparse natural colors in low water |
| Baitfish and leech profile | 4-8 | Cover deeper slots, pool tails, and soft edges |
Recommended Flies
| Category | Fly | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Streamer | Comet, Boss, or sparse salmon streamer | 4-8 | Swing through lower-river travel lanes at first light |
| Streamer | Egg-sucking leech, Woolly Bugger, or rabbit strip leech | 4-8 | Fish deeper slots with a controlled swing |
| Nymph | Black Stonefly, Prince Nymph, or Hare's Ear | 8-12 | Search pockets without dragging through resting fish |
| Egg | Single egg, sucker spawn, or estaz egg | 6-10 mm | Keep the rig sparse and avoid lining fish |
Tactics
Start low before direct sun reaches the pools. Fish walking-speed runs, pool heads and tails, undercut margins, and deeper slots used by moving kings. In low water, change angle or location before adding weight. Use tackle strong enough to shorten fights and keep landed fish in the water. A local water reading of 67 F is close to the trout-stress threshold; avoid targeting resident trout if the river reaches 68 F.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| SALMON RIVER AT PINEVILLE NY | 240 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 the September 11 local fishing report reviewed separately for fish movement, method, and access context.