Salmon River, New York
Salmon River Pulaski Fishing Report: October 4, 2026
The Salmon River remains near 213 cfs, with current reports placing kings and cohos through the system 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 213 cfs and 5.30 feet at Pineville. A current local report places kings and cohos in lower-river travel lanes and kings in deeper pools through the middle and upper river. Weekend pressure is high, so fish early, rotate through runs, and use sparse patterns in the low flow. The lower fly-fishing section in Altmar remains closed through October 31 under an emergency order.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Fair. Salmon are distributed through the river, but low flow and weekend pressure concentrate fish and anglers, and the lower Altmar fly-fishing section is closed |
| Flow | 213 cfs at Pineville |
| Gauge Height | 5.30 feet at Pineville |
| Water Temp | Not reported by USGS |
| Clarity | Not reported |
| Trend | Stable to slowly falling |
| Best Window | First light through midmorning |
| Best Method | Sparse streamers and natural egg patterns in 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 partly sunny skies, a high near 67 F, and southeast wind around 12 mph. Rain showers are possible after midnight, with less than a tenth of an inch forecast. No active NWS alert covered the forecast point at the morning check.
River Notes
Pineville is nearly unchanged near 213 cfs and 5.30 feet. The October 4 local report describes kings and cohos in the lower river, with kings holding in deeper pools at Sportsman, Pineville, Trestle, Ellis Cove, and the open upper fly-fishing section. Increased weekend pressure was also reported. Move away from crowded pools when possible and look for defined travel lanes, shaded seams, and deeper slots.
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 current local notice states that the emergency closure runs through October 31. 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. A current local update confirms kings and cohos in the lower river and kings in deeper middle- and upper-river pools.
| Activity | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chinook and coho presence | Not reported | Current reports place fish in lower travel lanes and kings in deeper pools farther upstream |
| 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, shaded seams, 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 and shaded seams 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 shaded deep pool farther upstream for holding fish. 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. 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 | 213 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 4 local report reviewed separately for fish distribution, pressure, and closure timing.