Salmon River, New York
Salmon River Pulaski Fishing Report: September 16, 2026
The Salmon River remains low near 228 cfs, while current local reports describe steady Chinook movement in the lower river and kings holding in deeper runs upstream.
- Status
- good
- Flow trend
- stable
- Best window
- First light through midmorning
- Best methods
- streamers, egg patterns, nymphs
Quick Summary
The Salmon River remains low at 228 cfs and 5.34 feet at Pineville. A September 16 local report describes steady Chinook movement in the lower river, with kings providing most of the action there and additional fish holding in deeper mid- and upper-river runs. Mostly cloudy skies and light southwest wind should extend the low-light window. Start at first light with a sparse streamer, leech, nymph, or natural egg pattern, and move after a clean pass rather than crowding a travel lane.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Good. Kings are moving and holding through the system, though low water concentrates fish and anglers |
| Flow | 228 cfs at Pineville |
| Gauge Height | 5.34 feet at Pineville |
| Water Temp | Not reported |
| Clarity | Not reported |
| Trend | Stable |
| 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 mostly cloudy skies, a high near 75 F, and southwest wind around 3 to 7 mph. No active New York weather alerts were posted during the morning check. Thursday brings a chance of showers and thunderstorms; verify weather and river conditions before entering exposed water.
River Notes
Pineville remains close to Tuesday's low September flow. Current local reports describe steady Chinook movement in the lower river, while kings are holding around deeper holes and larger runs in the mid- and upper river. This wider distribution gives anglers options, but low water still narrows travel lanes and concentrates pressure.
Start below Pulaski before direct light reaches the river, or choose a deeper midriver run where kings can rest. Cover pool heads and tails, walking-speed seams, and shaded slots with a sparse streamer or leech. If visible fish do not respond, change angle or location instead of adding enough weight to drag through them.
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 16 local report provides current movement context, with Chinook moving steadily in the lower river and holding in deeper water farther upstream.
| Activity | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chinook salmon movement | Not reported | Steady lower-river movement, with additional fish holding upriver |
| 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 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 at first light in a lower-river travel lane or a deeper upstream holding run. Fish pool heads and tails, undercut margins, and shaded slots with enough weight to reach the lane without dragging across salmon. Use tackle strong enough to shorten fights, keep landed fish in the water, and give other anglers room to rotate through a run.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| SALMON RIVER AT PINEVILLE NY | 228 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 16 local fishing report reviewed separately for Chinook movement, method, and river-section context.