Salmon River, New York
Salmon River Pulaski Fishing Report: September 29, 2026
The Salmon River remains near 216 cfs, with kings and cohos reported from the lower river through the upper runs 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 remains steady near 216 cfs and 5.31 feet at Pineville. A same-day local report describes kings and cohos from the lower river through the upper runs, with many upstream fish holding in deeper pools. First light remains the best starting window. The lower fly-fishing section in Altmar is closed under an emergency order, while the river below Route 52 and the upper fly-fishing section remain open under their applicable regulations.
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 | 216 cfs at Pineville |
| Gauge Height | 5.31 feet at Pineville |
| Water Temp | Not reported by USGS; the latest local page displays 62 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 partly sunny skies, a high near 67 F, and northwest wind around 7 mph. Rain probability stays near 2 percent or lower through the fishing day. No active NWS alert covered the forecast point at the 8 a.m. check.
River Notes
Pineville has held close to 220 cfs through the past day and read 216 cfs at the morning refresh. A local report published at 8:38 a.m. found a mix of kings and cohos in the lower river, including the Douglaston Salmon Run, Papermill, Ballpark, Town Pool, Longbridge-Staircase, and Black Hole areas. Kings were also holding around the Sportsman, Pineville, Trestle, and Ellis Cove pools and the open upper fly-fishing section. These observations provide a current location starting point, but fish movement can change by the hour.
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. Respect posted boundaries and confirm current regulations before fishing near Altmar.
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 same-day local report found kings and cohos spread through the river, with many upstream fish holding in deeper water under the low flow.
| Activity | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chinook and coho presence | Not reported | A same-day report places both species in the lower river and kings in deeper upstream pools |
| 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 | 216 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 a September 29 local report reviewed separately for salmon presence and river-section context.