Salmon River
September 13, 2000

• River Level: Heavy rainfall Tuesday gave us the sudden push of water we needed to bring salmon into the river. Water flows climbed to about 500 cfs, returning to normal Wednesday. Water releases are expected to be constant at 335 cfs over next week. Water temperature is about 65 degrees.
  
  
• Hatches: Unimportant.
  
  
• Fly Patterns: Egg sack patterns, nymphs, wooly bugs, glow bugs and streamers rule.
  
  
• 14-Day Forecast: The rain prompted the kings to move into the river in good numbers, and the run should continue for several weeks. Fishing has been excellent, and the outlook is good. The forecast if for continued fair weather
  
  
• Other Information:
  
  Dear Flyfisher:
  
  While the season seemed a bit late getting started this year, Tuesday's rain got things going in a big way. Fish began moving into the river as water levels climbed, and the action has been fast and furious.
  
  We've had more than 30 hook-ups over the past couple of days, and have managed to land about six fish, most in 30-pound class.
  
  We're using 8, 9 and 10 weight rods and 8 or 10 pound tippet. And, while we've got enough firepower, these fish have a lot of their own. They're fresh and strong, and have given my anglers all they can handle.
  
  Fly patterns really aren't that important for kings, since they're not in the river to feed. We've had our success with egg sack imitations and egg patterns in a variety of colors and sizes.
  
  We also have some cohos and few steelhead in the river, too. But, the action clearly revolves around the big kings for now, although you never know what's in store the next time round.
  
  There's thousands of fish stacked up in the lake and the Salmon River estuary, staging for the run up-river. Several anglers are taking advantage of the staging opportunity, and are enjoying some great action trolling along the shoreline and the river's mouth.
  
  I've just wound up my summer on the Delaware River. We had one of our best early seasons for big browns and rainbows, although things tailed off at the end of summer due to low water levels during late July and August.
  
  It's great to be back at the Salmon, where -- after the doldrums of late summer trout fishing in low water -- the action is hot and heavy. I'll be fishing the Salmon River through January, before heading for the Florida Keys for February, March and early April in pursuit of world-class bonefish, permit and tarpon.
  
  If you'd like to hook up, give me a call or drop me an e-mail. I've still got a few dates left in September, or we can look for a time in the fall or early winter, when the steelhead make their move. I'll also continue to fish the Delaware with clients who want a last hurrah on milennium trout, although it will be even harder to find an open date. But, it never hurts to try...
  
  -- Capt. Adrian LaSorte