Salmon River, New York
Salmon River Pulaski Fishing Report: October 2, 2026
The Salmon River remains near 216 cfs, with kings and cohos active in the lower river, holding fish in deeper upstream pools, and the lower Altmar fly-fishing section 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 216 cfs and 5.31 feet at Pineville. A current local report documents kings and cohos in the lower river and kings holding in deeper pools through the middle and upper river. Start at first light, use a sparse presentation in the low flow, and let the day's rain work before expecting any flow response. The lower fly-fishing section in Altmar remains closed under an emergency order.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Fair. Salmon are distributed through the river, 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 current local page displays 62 F |
| Clarity | Not reported |
| Trend | Stable |
| Best Window | First light through midmorning |
| Best Method | Sparse streamers and natural egg patterns in lower-river travel lanes; leeches and stonefly nymphs in deeper holding water |
| 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 rain through early afternoon, a high near 65 F, and west wind from 7 to 10 mph. Rainfall between one-tenth and one-quarter inch is possible. No active NWS alert covered the forecast point at the morning check.
River Notes
Pineville remains nearly unchanged at 216 cfs and 5.31 feet. A current local report describes another productive day for kings and cohos in the lower river, including the Douglaston Salmon Run and several Pulaski pools. It also places kings in deeper holding water around Sportsman, Pineville, Trestle, Ellis Cove, and the open upper fly-fishing area. The steady low gauge means a fresh push or runoff increase should not be assumed before it appears in the official data.
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 closure remains in place while the hatchery works toward its salmon egg-collection target. Respect posted boundaries and check 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 October 2 local report documents kings and cohos in the lower river and kings holding in deeper pools farther upstream.
| Activity | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chinook and coho presence | Not reported | Fish are present in lower-river travel lanes, with kings also holding in deeper midriver and upper-river 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 an open lower-river travel lane, or choose a deeper pool farther upstream for fish that have stopped moving. Stay 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, and access information, with an October 2 local conditions report reviewed separately for fish distribution and water temperature.