Salmon River, New York
Salmon River Pulaski Fishing Report: September 22, 2026
The Salmon River is near 224 cfs, with kings holding mainly in deeper runs, a short early movement window, and the lower Altmar fly-fishing section still closed.
- Status
- fair
- Flow trend
- stable
- Best window
- First light through midmorning
- Best methods
- streamers, egg patterns, nymphs
Quick Summary
The Salmon River is near 224 cfs and 5.33 feet at Pineville. Monday's local observations found few kings moving through the lower river after the early window, with most fish holding in deeper holes from the lower river into larger middle- and upper-river runs. The lower fly-fishing section in Altmar remains closed under an emergency order. Fish open water at first light, focus on deeper walking-speed lanes, and move after a clean pass rather than crowding visible salmon.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Fair. Kings are present, but movement is limited, flow is low, and the lower fly-fishing section in Altmar is closed |
| Flow | 224 cfs at Pineville |
| Gauge Height | 5.33 feet at Pineville |
| Water Temp | Not reported by USGS; the current local page displayed 61 F |
| Clarity | Not reported |
| Trend | Stable to slightly falling overnight |
| Best Window | First light through midmorning |
| Best Method | Sparse streamers, leeches, stonefly nymphs, and natural egg patterns |
| Wadeability | Good at established crossings in open water; do not enter the closed lower fly-fishing section in Altmar |
Weather
The National Weather Service forecast for Pulaski calls for mostly sunny skies, a high near 65 F, and northeast wind around 5 mph. Rain probability stays near zero. Tonight should be partly cloudy with a low near 44 F. No active NWS alert covered the forecast zone at the morning check.
River Notes
Pineville held close to 228 cfs overnight before easing to 224 cfs at the latest reading. The September 22 local report says few fish moved through the Douglaston Salmon Run on Monday and most held in deeper holes. It also places kings in the Papermill area, Town Pool, and Black Hole, with fish continuing to hold in deeper holes and larger runs farther upriver.
New York State DEC delayed the normal September 15 opening of the lower fly-fishing section from the Route 52 bridge in Altmar upstream to the hatchery property boundary. The emergency order runs through October 31 unless changed. The river below Route 52 and the upper fly-fishing section remain open under their applicable regulations.
Cover the head, inside seam, and tail of a deeper open-water run before changing locations. A sparse streamer or leech is useful in low, clear water. Follow with a stonefly nymph or natural egg pattern where fish hold but refuse a swung fly. Low flow concentrates anglers and salmon, so rotate water and avoid weight that drags the fly through resting fish.
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 current local report indicates that kings are holding through the system, with only a short early movement window observed in the lower river on Monday.
| Activity | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chinook salmon movement | Not reported | Limited early movement was followed by fish holding in deeper water |
| 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 pool heads and tails 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 deeper open-water run outside the closed lower fly-fishing section. Use enough weight to reach the lane without dragging across salmon. If the first pass is clean, change angle or fly once, then move to another run. Tackle should be strong enough to shorten fights. Keep landed fish in the water, avoid redds, and give other anglers room to rotate. Check DEC notices before entering either Altmar fly-fishing area and check the Pineville gauge before crossing.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| SALMON RIVER AT PINEVILLE NY | 224 cfs | Not reported | USGS 04250200 |
Sources
Official sources checked: USGS station 04250200, the National Weather Service forecast and active alert feed for the Pulaski, NY area, and the September 14 New York State Department of Environmental Conservation closure notice. This report is an original Custom FlyBox summary based on current official gauge, weather, alert, and access information, with the September 22 local report reviewed separately for fish movement and river-section context.