Salmon River, New York
Salmon River Fishing Report: October 21, 2026
The Salmon River is holding near 264 cfs at Pineville, with salmon concentrated in the middle and upper river and steelhead becoming the main lower-river target.
- Status
- good
- Flow trend
- stable
- Best window
- Morning through midday
- Best methods
- egg patterns, nymphs, streamers
Quick Summary
The Salmon River is holding near 264 cfs at Pineville, a modest flow that calls for careful positioning around deeper slots. A current local report places the strongest salmon activity in the middle and upper river, with some steelhead mixed in, while most lower-river anglers have shifted toward steelhead. Start during the morning and cover broken travel lanes before bright sun reaches the water. The Lower Fly Fishing Catch and Release Section remains closed; the river downstream of Route 52 and the Upper Fly Area remain open.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Good in open water |
| Flow | 264 cfs at Pineville at 7:15 a.m. EDT |
| Water Temp | 54 F local reading published October 21; not reported by USGS |
| Clarity | Not reported |
| Trend | Stable |
| Best Window | Morning through midday |
| Best Method | Egg patterns, nymphs, and streamers |
| Wadeability | Limited by slick rock, concentrated anglers, and deeper slots |
Weather
The National Weather Service forecasts sunshine, a high near 57 F, and southeast wind at 1 to 5 mph. Tonight will be mostly clear with a low near 34 F. Thursday should be mostly sunny with a high near 56 F and northeast wind increasing as high as 10 mph.
River Notes
Pineville is near 264 cfs after reading about 260 cfs yesterday morning, making the flow effectively stable. Current local context separates the river into two useful plans: salmon remain the stronger target in the middle and upper river, while steelhead are drawing more attention in the lower river. Work deeper pools, broken riffles, and shaded lanes, and expect bright sun to make fish less willing as the day advances.
The Lower Fly Section, from the County Route 52 bridge in Altmar upstream about one-quarter mile to Beaverdam Brook, is closed through October 31 under the current New York State Department of Environmental Conservation emergency action. Check posted boundaries before fishing. The Upper Fly Area and the river downstream of the Route 52 bridge remain open.
Hatch Activity
| Forage | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Salmon eggs | 6-10 mm | Primary seasonal food around active spawning fish |
| Stonefly nymphs | 8-12 | Useful in faster riffles and pocket water |
| Caddis larvae and pupae | 14-18 | Secondary option for steelhead and resident trout |
| Sculpins and small baitfish | 4-8 | Streamer option in deeper pools and low-light water |
Recommended Flies
| Category | Fly | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eggs | Glo Bug | 8-12 | Use a restrained color and profile in the modest flow |
| Nymphs | Stonefly Nymph | 8-12 | Work faster seams and riffle edges |
| Nymphs | Caddis Pupa | 14-18 | Use as a smaller trailer for steelhead |
| Streamers | Olive Bugger | 6-8 | Swing through pool tails and shaded slots |
| Streamers | Woolly Bugger | 6-8 | Black or olive for low-light periods |
Tactics
At 264 cfs, begin with the deepest portion of each travel lane and adjust weight so the fly reaches the lower water column without dragging or lining fish. Egg and nymph rigs should cover broken water behind moving salmon, while a small streamer can reach steelhead in pool tails. Do not target visibly spawning fish, stay off redds, and leave room for other anglers around concentrated holding water. Cleats and a wading staff remain sensible.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salmon River at Pineville (04250200) | 264 cfs | Not reported | USGS |
Sources
Official sources checked were the United States Geological Survey gauge at Pineville, the National Weather Service point forecast and active-alert feed for Pulaski, and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Salmon River closure notice. Gauge values are provisional and were checked at 8:02 a.m. Eastern.