Salmon River, New York
Salmon River Fishing Report: November 12, 2026
The Salmon River is falling through 264 cfs at Pineville, with steelhead spread through the system and steady rain making flow, clarity, and footing the main constraints.
- Status
- fair
- Flow trend
- falling
- Best window
- Morning through early afternoon
- Best methods
- egg patterns, nymphs, streamers
Quick Summary
The Salmon River is falling through 264 cfs at Pineville, down from 281 cfs Wednesday morning. A current local report continues to place steelhead from the lower river through the upper system and identifies faster pocket water as useful holding water while the reported temperature remains 48 F. Egg patterns remain the first choice, with nymphs and small streamers as alternatives. Rain throughout the day, northeast wind, and colder air make morning through early afternoon the practical window, but tributary runoff may change clarity and crossings before Pineville responds.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Fair, with productive steelhead context offset by steady rain and the chance of changing tributary conditions |
| Flow | 264 cfs at Pineville at 7:15 a.m. EST |
| Water Temp | 48 F in the November 12 local report; not reported by the USGS gauge |
| Clarity | Not reported |
| Trend | Falling gradually before today's rainfall |
| Best Window | Morning through early afternoon before accumulated rain has more time to affect tributaries |
| Best Method | Egg patterns, nymphs, and small streamers |
| Wadeability | Limited by slick rock, deeper slots, low-water concentrations of anglers and fish, and wet footing |
Weather
The National Weather Service forecasts rain, a high near 44 F, and northeast wind from 8 to 14 mph. Rain probability remains above 85 percent through early afternoon, with expected daytime accumulation between one tenth and one quarter inch. Rain may mix with snow showers overnight as the temperature falls near 28 F. No active weather alerts were posted for Pulaski during the morning check.
River Notes
Pineville fell from 281 cfs at 7:15 a.m. Wednesday to 264 cfs at the same time Thursday. The current reading remains low enough to concentrate fish and anglers in the deeper lanes. Today's rain can raise small tributaries, add color, and alter crossing depth before the main-stem gauge records a material rise. Check the live reading and nearby tributaries before entering, keep a same-bank exit route, and do not wade through water that has become cloudy or is carrying debris.
The November 12 local update reports another productive day and steelhead distributed through the river. With water reported at 48 F, broken pocket-water seams and faster transitions remain sensible starting points. Salmon eggs are still present, so begin with a sparse egg pattern and rotate color before adding weight. Avoid paired salmon, redds, and pale, freshly cleaned gravel.
Hatch Activity
| Forage | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Salmon eggs | 6-10 mm | The primary seasonal food below spawning areas; carry subdued and brighter colors for changing visibility |
| Stonefly nymphs | 8-12 | Fish along riffle margins and broken pocket-water seams |
| Caddis larvae and pupae | 14-18 | A smaller secondary option when steelhead refuse egg patterns |
| Sculpins and small baitfish | 4-8 | Useful in pool tails and deeper transitions under dark, rainy skies |
Recommended Flies
| Category | Fly | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eggs | Glo Bug | 8-12 | Use a sparse single-egg profile and rotate color as rain changes visibility |
| Nymphs | Stonefly Nymph | 8-12 | Drift along pocket-water seams and riffle margins |
| Nymphs | Caddis Pupa | 14-18 | Use as a smaller trailer after an unproductive egg drift |
| Streamers | Olive Bugger | 6-8 | Swing through pool tails and deeper transitions under cloud cover |
| Streamers | Woolly Bugger | 6-8 | Fish black or olive where added color improves the streamer lane |
Tactics
Start in quicker seams, riffle pockets, and transitions above or below pools with one egg pattern. Add only enough weight to reach the lane without dragging continuously. Change depth before changing flies, then try a stonefly or caddis nymph if the egg draws no response. A small dark streamer can cover pool tails under today's low light. Carry a waterproof layer, cleats, and a wading staff. Leave the river if tributaries rise quickly, the water clouds, or debris begins moving.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salmon River at Pineville (04250200) | 264 cfs | Not reported by gauge | 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 Oswego County Tourism's November 5 fishing report. Current local reporting dated November 12 was reviewed separately for water temperature, fish distribution, forage, and method context. Gauge values are provisional and were checked at 8:01 a.m. Eastern.