Nj fishing steelhead/salmon meet and greet???

To all the guys heading up to the Salmon River, good luck. It is a world class fishery and truthfully for those of you who haven't experienced it you've never seen anything like it. That being said, a few comments. I've been fishing the river for twenty years or so and have had some really great experiences and have seen unfortunately the worse of fisherman as well. It's hard not to get excited when you see 20 to 30 lb fish porpoising all around you and fish being hooked up on all sides. There's parts of the river where you will see absolute insanity......and you'll know what I mean when you see it. Don't be afraid to get off on your own or spread out. The fish at this time of year are shooting the river and typically will run where the current is strongest. The steel have a tendency of holding in the seams and if you want to target steel, go lighter with your leader. You'll lose most of the salmon but your chance of legitimately hooking a steel will go way up with 6 - 8 lb vs 10 - 12. Steelhead and brown will hit, for the most part salmon are not feeding when they run the river. I know many will argue this point but imo for the most part these fish are mostly lined or foul hooked. The fight is phenomenal but again they are in a migrating mode and for the most part they're not interested in your offering. Not sure when you're going up but the worst weekend to go is Columbus Day....it's an absolute zoo. You'll know what I mean if you go. You'll witness guys fishing with heavy salt water outfits openly snagging salmon and truthfully it's a shame and the bad part of this fishery. The more you get into the season, November and beyond, you'll get more and more steel and browns in the river, the temperature drops, the clowns will stop coming and the fishing imo really starts then.

Treat the river with respect, please clean up after yourself, you see way too many people leaving crap on the banks. As a few have said, the fishery itself is world class but it's what you make of it as well. Don't try snagging fish, the trout will hit regularly and on good days and once you learn their habits you'll experience fishing like you've never seen. It's incredible both in quantity and quality. I've had days where legitimately I've hooked 50 or more steel and browns in a given day. Trout will spawn and return to the river. Cohos and Kings die unfortunately every year they run the river. If you want to keep a trophy trout, do so but imo don't put these fish on a stringer for a few pictures and table fare. They're far too valuable a resource and deserve a better fate. They are trophy fish and will keep returning to the river every year to guarantee the future of the fishery.

Enjoy and learn the river. Once you learn the techniques, you can apply them to any pool on the river. Thin time of year, fish are running and will look for fast water and seams. Fish will hold up in deep pools right after or before running rapids. Steel as I said earlier tend to hang along the seams picking off eggs being dropped by the salmon or behind them when they're creating their reds on gravel. When the water temperature drops, they will winter in the deeper pools and you need to adjust your presentation accordingly. Either way, pay attention to details and learn how to make a natural presentation. That's probably the most important aspect of being successful. Whatever you do, don't let your excitement turn you into a goon. You'll know what I mean when you see some of what takes place on the river.

I wish everyone well and hope all the newbies land your first chrome this year. You won't ever forget it! Enjoy what the river has to offer and remember to protect the resource regardless of what you see some of the idiots doing up there!

Dakota

[FASTEDDIE29]

Good post dude. I myself have seen the insanity as well, been running up for 16 years. We have a good group of experienced anglers going up. Most of us will be looking for CHROME. Some guys will be targeting Salmon including myself. Not having the time to run up for an over nighter this year killed me. I have alot of catching to do in 2 1/2 days. We'll be up the 18-20th. I have 1 rookie coming up, hopefully he'll hook into something. No side arm snaggers or compulsive lifters in this bunch. The right way or the highway. We'll do our best to represent NJ and NJF.com in a respectable manner.

Columbus week is the absolute worst time to go. Surf rods, bank sinkers and rotting Salmon on ropes everywhere. Horrible!!!!! TIGHT LINEZ DUDE!!!!

[Mikey topaz]

Unfortunatley like dakota said there are morons, i just got back i watched a guy land a nice female steelie, guys does a beautiful release i turned to the guy and said u dont see that much i said say alot of guys especially this time year woulda threw that on the stringer u dont see to many peolple throwing em back besides the guys with myself thanks while hes reviveing the fish two russian kids maybe ten run down to watch the fish swims out no more than three ft from the shore russian kid grabs a rodd soon as guy releasing fish turns his back kids rips a hook i. The fish and in the net in two sec takin pics on the stringer bloody like really what the $&@"???? Guys like dakota said these fish hit are a trophy fight and catch take a pic and throw em back i use a cat h an release glove they cost like 15-20 bucks and are a big help to the fish

[FASTEDDIE29]

Who's attending the BBQ at gwl2oneida's place? Please post your name on his thread. He's looking for an accurate head count. It's gona be a good time, c'mon fellas!!!

[FASTEDDIE29]

From a friend in Pulaski right now; The largest run of fish we've ever seen has entered the river. Fish are so thick guys can't wade in the water without tripping or stepping on a Salmon! Haven't seen a push like this in 30 years!!!!!!

Largest run in 30 years is happening RIGHT NOW FOLKS!!!! This is no BS!!!!! You can't cast right now without hooking a fish, they're are too many fish. WOW!!!

[SnackAttack]

The fishing this week was unreal. I have been fishing up in Pulaski for over 30 years, Man I'm getting old!!! I don't move as fast as I use to around the river, but this week there were fish everywhere. I was targeting Steel Head but there were way too many Kings in the river to get a good drift without hooking one. I did get to come tight on two nice fish but they got unbuttoned and life goes on. I don't know if I can make it up this weekend to meet everyone, but the fish are in the river and new fish are coming in daily. Please everyone be safe, watch your steps on the rocks and be patient.
From what I heard, most of the cohos are done, but as the nights get cooler, the steel head will be moving up. I can't wait to see the posts from the trip, please everyone, take pictures and post them.
Have Fun.

[FASTEDDIE29]

Good stuff dude. Fish are thick up there. This weekend is going to be epic!!!

We plan on taking tons of pics and possibly some videos.

TIGHT LINEZ!!!

[FASTEDDIE29]

ITS GO TIME BOYZ!!! Let's get out of here! I'm awake, my adrenaline is PUMPING!!!!!!

[Wilson]

Originally Posted by FASTEDDIE29

ITS GO TIME BOYZ!!! Let's get out of here! I'm awake, my adrenaline is PUMPING!!!!!!

Soooo how'd you do today?

[Mikey topaz]

We got in to them wilson bunch of small steelies no big boys but tomorrow is another day will post some pics tomor were fishing down low been pouring up here last night and this mrng hope it has so fish on the move