Salmon River, New York
Salmon River Pulaski Fishing Report: October 6, 2026
The Salmon River remains low near 216 cfs, with kings, cohos, and some steelhead reported across open sections while the lower Altmar fly-fishing section remains closed.
- Status
- fair
- Flow trend
- rising
- Best window
- First light through midmorning
- Best methods
- streamers, egg patterns, nymphs
Quick Summary
The Salmon River is near 216 cfs and 5.31 feet at Pineville. Tuesday's local report confirms kings and cohos across the river, plus some steelhead in the lower end. The low flow keeps fish concentrated and easily pressured. Fish at first light with sparse streamers or natural egg patterns, rotate water carefully, and stay outside the closed lower fly-fishing section in Altmar.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Fair. Salmon and some steelhead are distributed through open water, but low flow, fishing pressure, and the lower Altmar closure limit options |
| Flow | 216 cfs at Pineville |
| Gauge Height | 5.31 feet at Pineville |
| Water Temp | Not reported by USGS; Tuesday's local report displayed 58 F |
| Clarity | Not reported |
| Trend | Slightly rising from Monday morning |
| 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 Altmar section |
Weather
The National Weather Service forecast for Pulaski calls for sun and a high near 54 F with northwest wind at 6 to 9 mph. Tonight should be partly cloudy with a low near 38 F. No active NWS alert covered the forecast point at the morning check.
River Notes
Pineville has increased slightly from about 209 cfs Monday morning to 216 cfs, while gauge height rose from 5.29 to 5.31 feet. Tuesday's local report describes strong action despite Monday's rain, wind, and drifting leaves. Kings and cohos were reported from the Douglaston Salmon Run through the lower river, with some steelhead also present downstream. Kings remain available around deeper middle- and upper-river pools including Pineville, Trestle Pool, Ellis Cove, and the open upper fly-fishing area.
Low flow makes salmon easier to see and easier to line. Use sparse rigs, target travel lanes and pool edges, and leave resting fish alone after a few controlled passes. New York State DEC delayed the normal September 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 effect through October 31.
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. Tuesday's local reporting confirms kings and cohos across the system and some steelhead in the lower river.
| Activity | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chinook and coho presence | Not reported | Tuesday's report places fish from the lower river through deeper middle- and upper-river pools |
| Steelhead presence | Not reported | Some steelhead were reported in the lower river |
| 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 deeper pool farther upstream. 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 | 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 the October 6 local report reviewed separately for water temperature, fish distribution, leaves, and fishing-pressure context.