Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Mid-September 2012

Currently the Salmon River is running at 185 cfs. Many folks can't imagine salmon running the river in these low-water conditions.  What I experienced this past weekend made me a believer! Hundreds upon hundreds of Salmon blasted up the river on the way to their natal spawning grounds. The action started at first light, and continued until the sun was setting. Sore arms, and big grins were the result, as our crew hooked fish after fish.  

We were using 9 foot, 9 weight rods with floating line, ten foot leader taped down to ten pound flourocarbon tippet. Size 6 "Bunny Speys" in black and olive with a chartreuse head were the top producing flies on the swing.

Fish are now spread through the entire river, but have yet to set up on gravel. There are still fish to come in, so it's shaping up to be a banner year!  On a side note, remember- the Lower Fly Zone has been CLOSED until October 31.  

Thanks for following our reports & stories! 

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

With Summer Closing, A New Beginning.

As I write this, the temperature is a balmy 88 degrees. I silently, secretly hope those black clouds will give way, bringing relief to our bath-water warm streams in the process. It's a long four months until steelhead season comes around, and the summer dredges on, ever so slowly. As I fish my way through the summer, I'll recall the sounds of the Salmon River. The rapids just below Altmar, or the scream of my reel as a steelhead heads for the Lake... The pop of a beer can at the end of a day, and banjos, fiddles and beautiful voices of my friends at The Good Luck Lodge. It will not be long, and the regular road trips North will begin!

From September through April, the Salmon River is abound with world-class flyfishing right on the Eastern Edge of Lake Ontario. Chinook, Coho, and Steelhead Salmon give us the fly fishing thrill of a lifetime.  I challenge everyone reading this to help keep our river clean and pristine.  I fished in Mid August of this year, and there were a few things missing- Salmon, people, and trash to name a few. I enjoyed walking the banks of our river, and admired the absence of litter and tell-tale signs of people.

Let's pledge to ourselves, to be stewards, gillies, and activists for the Salmon River.  Let's pick up discarded fishing line. How about filling our nets with styrofoam cups and bottles for the walk back to the car?   It only takes a wee bit of effort, and the results can be amazing (plus, it never hurts to have fish karma in your favor.)

Have a safe and enjoyable trip this Fall to the Salmon River- and please do your part to keep it beautiful and clean for anyone else that walks down the path after you've left.

Thanks!
Lori & Neil Sunday

Visit Our Friends at:
www.thegoodlucklodge.com



Wednesday, January 4, 2012

2012 First Cast...

9:12am on New Year's Day, I wake up and scramble to get my gear on... As I get my coffee, I frantically drive to the Salmon River. With last night's celebration still coursing through my blood, the crisp 34 degree air feels cleansing.

I reach my spot and no one else is around. I am fishing solo- something that rarely happens, but today I needed such an outing. Yesterday, I fished for eight hours straight without even a nudge on the line. I continued flogging the water while watching Lori catch two steelhead in fifteen minutes, and proceed to "call it a day" because of her success. I watched Daley walk in behind me yesterday and catch a steelhead within minutes... Today, January 1st, will be different for me. Today I am determined to catch a fish on my first cast- the river has spoken, and I am listening.

As I position myself on the run, I strip out some line, and make certain my first cast is just in the seam that separates the fast current from the slack water. I know a fresh steelhead slipped into this holding lie since yesterday.

The fly hits the water...

A quick upstream mend, and the indicator drops! It's happening. A silence-breaking slash on the surface, and it's straight into the backing, my reel screaming, with no signs of stopping. I reach the bank and start my New Year's day sprint to regain line.

As I do so, I continue to pressure the fish, moving it into the shallows... It's a new year, and my first cast puts a seven pound steelhead on the bank. This is a fish I will remember forever. Yesterday's eight hours of getting a beat-down is now forgiven. Mrs. Salmon River has given up a gem to play today... It's 10:18am, and the New Year is off to a great start.

I remove the hook, let out a shout, and release the fish back to it's rightful owner- the cold, clear waters of the river...

In the next hour, I proceed to bank two more Salmon River Beauties, and return to the Lodge for a breakfast burrito and a cold beer. It's not even Noon on January 1st, and I'm three steelhead to the good. Happy New Year!

Tight Lines,
Lori & Neil Sunday
www.thegoodlucklodge.com