Salmon River, New York
Salmon River Pulaski Fishing Report: September 28, 2026
The Salmon River remains near 220 cfs, with kings and some cohos holding in the system; the lower Altmar fly-fishing section remains closed.
- Status
- fair
- Flow trend
- stable
- Best window
- First light through midmorning
- Best methods
- streamers, egg patterns, nymphs
Quick Summary
The Salmon River remains near 220 cfs and 5.32 feet at Pineville. The latest local report is dated September 27 and describes mostly king salmon with a few cohos in the lower river, while kings continue to hold in deeper runs farther upstream. Low flow and weekend pressure kept many fish in holes with limited daytime movement. The lower fly-fishing section in Altmar remains closed under an emergency order.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Fair. Salmon are present, but low flow concentrates fish and anglers, and the lower Altmar fly-fishing section is closed |
| Flow | 220 cfs at Pineville |
| Gauge Height | 5.32 feet at Pineville |
| Water Temp | Not reported by USGS; the latest local page displays 61 F |
| 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 in open water; do not enter the closed lower fly-fishing section in Altmar |
Weather
The National Weather Service forecast for Pulaski calls for cloudy skies, a slight chance of late-afternoon showers, and a high near 66 F. North wind should range from 2 to 9 mph. No active NWS alert covered the forecast point at the morning check.
River Notes
Pineville has gained only about 4 cfs since Sunday morning. The September 27 local report notes increased weekend fishing pressure, mostly kings with a few cohos in the lower river, and limited daytime movement. Kings continue to occupy deeper holes and larger runs in the middle and upper river. Fish location can change daily, so cover open water instead of crowding one reported pool.
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 official notice says the closure continues until sufficient salmon eggs are collected. The river below Route 52 and the upper fly-fishing section remain open under their applicable regulations.
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 observations found mostly kings and a few cohos in the lower river, with kings occupying deeper holes and larger runs farther upstream.
| Activity | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chinook and coho presence | Not reported | September 27 lower-river observations found mostly kings with a few cohos mixed in |
| 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. Cover the head, inside seam, and tail before changing locations. Use enough weight to reach the lane without dragging across salmon. If the first pass is clean, change angle or fly once, then move. Use tackle strong enough to shorten fights, keep landed fish in the water, avoid redds, and give other anglers room to rotate.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| SALMON RIVER AT PINEVILLE NY | 220 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 27 local report reviewed separately for salmon presence and river-section context.