Salmon River, New York
Salmon River Pulaski Fishing Report: September 14, 2026
The Salmon River remains low near 236 cfs, but a fresh September 14 local report supports Chinook movement through the lower river and several Pulaski pools.
- Status
- fair
- Flow trend
- falling
- Best window
- First light through midmorning
- Best methods
- streamers, egg patterns, nymphs
Quick Summary
The Salmon River remains low, but the latest local report supports a fair early-season Chinook opportunity. USGS showed 236 cfs and 5.36 feet at Pineville during the morning check. The September 14 local update reports kings moving through the lower river and fish in the Ballpark, Town Pool, Longbridge-Staircase, Black Hole, and Douglaston Salmon Run. Start at first light, use sparse patterns in defined travel lanes, and change position after a clean pass rather than adding excessive weight.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Fair. Fish are moving, but low flow concentrates salmon and anglers |
| Flow | 236 cfs at Pineville |
| Gauge Height | 5.36 feet at Pineville |
| Water Temp | 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 established crossings, with care around concentrated fish and anglers |
Weather
The National Weather Service forecast for Pulaski calls for sunshine, a high near 66 F, and northwest wind around 12 mph. No rain is expected today. The cooler day should be comfortable for anglers, although bright light still favors the first few hours and shaded holding water.
River Notes
Pineville lost about 20 cfs from Sunday morning and remains at a low September flow. The latest local report describes a productive weekend with kings moving through the lower end and holding or traveling through several Pulaski pools. Low water narrows the useful lanes, making quiet approaches and angler spacing important.
Begin below Pulaski before direct sun reaches the river. Cover pool heads and tails, walking-speed runs, and deeper slots with a sparse streamer or leech. If fish are visible but do not respond, change angle or move to another lane instead of repeatedly increasing weight.
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 September 14 local report supplies the current movement context, with Chinook reported from the lower river through several named Pulaski pools.
| Activity | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chinook salmon movement | Not reported | Fish lower-river lanes and Pulaski pools during low 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 and pool tails |
Recommended Flies
| Category | Fly | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Streamer | Comet, Boss, or sparse salmon streamer | 4-8 | Swing through 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 river. Fish walking-speed lanes, pool heads and tails, undercut margins, and shaded slots used by moving kings. Keep the leader and weight appropriate for the lane so the fly drifts naturally without dragging across fish. Use tackle strong enough to shorten fights, keep landed salmon in the water, and give other anglers room to work through a run.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| SALMON RIVER AT PINEVILLE NY | 236 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 14 local fishing report reviewed separately for fish movement, method, and access context.