$500 for a season pass (if that's what it is) or $50 for a day isn't cheap but the DSR gets it so that should tell you something. If you can afford it, it's worth fishing good water with fresh fish and less people in my opinion. If you've experienced the up river conditions during the salmon run, you know what I mean. Calling it a circus is an injustice to circuses. Don't mean to take away from this positive thread but what takes place on the beautiful Salmon River during the fall salmon run is nothing short of tragic!. It's a classic case of a few ruining it for the majority, although a few in this case is actually many. You'll never witness more fish being snagged and lack of sportsmanship in your life. Amazing how such a great fishery brings out the absolute worst in so many. It's bad enough to snag salmon, which is essentially impossible not to do, but when morons start snagging trophy browns and steel head, throw them on their stringers and drag them on the ground to their cars, no thank you. Absolutely pathetic behavior to witness. Make sure you have the DEC hotline number in your cell phone, you'll need it.

Like many on this board, I once enjoyed and looked forward to the salmon run. Unfortunately the carnage that takes place completely changed my views about that fishery. Truthfully it's no way for a great resource to be treated....truly pathetic. You'll know what I mean when you witness it. Having said that, the time to fish the river is when the leaves fall, the weather turns considerably colder and the idiots leave Pulaski. Early to mid November usually is that time frame which coincides with many more steel entering the river. You should start seeing the crowds diminish, especially after the Columbus Day weekend. If you value life, stay away from the river during Columbus Day. The steel head fishing on the Salmon River is world class and in my opinion second to none. There are years when you can say the same about the brown trout fishery. If you take time to learn the river and learn the techniques, you'll be rewarded with more fish of a lifetime than you could ever imagine. Truly trophy class fish. If you want to get rid of the crowds and have the gear, the Upper and Lower Fly Zones are as good as it gets. All C&R but you won't have to deal with the morons fishing with salt water surf rods spooled with 60 lb braid. a size 8/0 hook and a piece of sponge! Like I said, tragic to see a trophy 30 lb salmon, 10 lb brown or 15 lb steel head snagged in the ass, dragged up on the river bank, thrown on a stringer and dragged a half mile back to the car on asphalt!

Sorry to be a wet rag about the salmon run but wanted to forewarn anyone making the long drive up. As I initially said, if you can afford the DSR fee to get away from the carnage that takes place mid to upper river during the salmon run, I would highly recommend it if for no other reason than piece of mind.

Dakota