Salmon River, New York
Salmon River Pulaski Fishing Report: September 12, 2026
The Salmon River remains low near 232 cfs, with the latest useful local report supporting fresh Chinook in lower-river travel lanes and an early, mobile approach.
- Status
- fair
- Flow trend
- falling
- Best window
- First light through midmorning
- Best methods
- streamers, egg patterns, nymphs
Quick Summary
The Salmon River remains a fair early-season salmon option. USGS showed 232 cfs and 5.35 feet at Pineville during the morning check, so low water still limits fish movement and presentation angles. The latest useful local report, dated September 11, described fresh Chinook moving through the lower river. Start at first light, cover travel lanes carefully, and move after a clean pass rather than crowding one pool.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Fair. Fresh fish were reported Friday, but low flow limits consistency |
| Flow | 232 cfs at Pineville |
| Gauge Height | 5.35 feet at Pineville |
| Water Temp | Not reported by the USGS gauge; latest local value was 67 F on September 11 |
| 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 mostly sunny skies, a high near 79 F, and southeast wind at 7 to 10 mph. The warm afternoon reinforces an early start. Showers and thunderstorms are expected tonight, with a tenth to one quarter inch of rain possible. Leave the river if thunder develops and check Sunday flow before returning.
River Notes
Pineville is down another 8 cfs since Friday morning. The September 11 local report remains the latest useful fish-movement update and supports fresh Chinook in lower-river travel water, with smaller numbers holding in deeper mid- and upper-river holes. Today’s low flow will keep fish and anglers visible and can slow daytime movement under bright skies.
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. 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. The latest local context supports fresh Chinook in the lower river, but no September 12 fish-count update was available during the morning check.
| 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. Because Friday's local temperature was 67 F, avoid targeting resident trout if a current thermometer reading reaches 68 F.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| SALMON RIVER AT PINEVILLE NY | 232 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.