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iso - you cannot honestly compare the Salmon River to Joke Orchard. Joke Orchard offers less than 1 mile of fish able water and portions of that don't hold fish. The Salmon River offers infinitely more (guessing between 15 - 20 miles) water to fish. As I mentioned above, the Salmon River certainly gets crazy but those who are not lazy can get away from the crowds and fish good water with little pressure even during height of the season.
NderdaFilm - Yes, when I say flossing I mean a less obvious for of snagging. Many still think that the Salmon will not take flies or bait which could not be further from the truth. Of course the Steelhead come to flies very well, especially when the water in in the 58 - 50 degree range.
I live 20 minutes from the Genesee and it's a fantastic fishery but the poor water conditions ake it unfishable much of the time. When the water is good in season it great.
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Jeff - AKA Dr. Fish
If it has fins and swims than I must chase it!
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I fish the Oak and usually run into the usual lifters and assorted jerks who are not fishing "sportingly." But a call to the DEC is what action you CAN take and hope they respond. Plus, there are stretches of river that are productive and can be very peaceful if you're willing to walk. I find that fishing during weekdays is the absolute best bet.
Another good option is Sandy Creek (the one in Monroe County, NOT the one by the Salmon River in Jeff. County). Sandy gets superb runs of browns and steelhead from early fall (weather and flow permitting) into the spring. I have caught MANY bruiser browns there on nymphs and egg flies, and I find the crowds to be virtually non-existent. Solitude and big fish - it gets my vote.
Marty
MFTG
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Cattaraugus Creek in Irving is also worth a look, purchase an Indian fishing license and you get access to miles and miles of that creek. It holds fish from October through May. You will have large stretches of the creek to yourself and a large steelhead population at your disposal.
You won't be disappointed with that choice. It's the best kept secret in Western New York. I'd fish it more but there is a creek near my house that is just as good, and I can be there in 5 minutes (18 Mile Creek).
I use a 9' 8wt for steelhead but am having a 9'6" rod built on a Sage VT2 blank for the upcoming season.
I am looking forward to getting back into my fall fishing mode, miss the steelie action. Fishing for bass in the float tube is fun but just not the same...
[This message has been edited by Chris Jacobs (edited 18 July 2006).]
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"You will have large stretches of the creek to yourself and a large steelhead population at your disposal... It's the best kept secret in Western New York"
Hardly a secret. Your definition of solitude must differ from mine.
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Fishing the Res (on the Catt) never fails to give me the heebie-jeebies. Now the Zoar Valley, that's a pretty place.
Face it, any of the big waters and most of the little tribs will have their share of a-holes. Like I said, fishing on a weekday will dramatically reduce their presence, and so does inclement weather. As long as it isn't too cold or too wet, that is...
Marty
MFTG
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Doc, I'd prefer not to get into a discussion of which one is the worse. The overall points being: A fair number of anglers in both places suffer from what I'd call questionable ethics... And if you think you're going to go to either place this fall and fish in solitude (sept-oct on SR and oct-nov on Oak)... you are probably going to be dissapointed.
Expect to be social in both places and don't let how someone else chooses to spend their free time ruin your experience.
[This message has been edited by iso (edited 18 July 2006).]
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Your heading to our part of the world for some steelies? There's a lot of great places to fish, some of which, have been mentioned. The Salmon River is a zoo in the fall, at least, while the kings are there. Me and a buddy of mine were up there last fall and did awesome, with the exception of the half million people around. Even the fly zones were mobbed. For the steelies I usually stick with the Erie tribs. Cattaraugus Creek is very good, but very weather dependant. It blows out quick and takes a while to come down. 18 Mile Creek is another good one. There are alot of smaller tribs that get excellent runs also. PM me if you need some other options.
For rods and reels, generally, 9'-10' 7-8 wt. for steelhead (I also use a 12.5 ft. spey) 8-9 wts. for salmon. Large arbor reels work well for getting line in quicker. Usually a reel that will hold your fly line and 100-200 yards of backing (if you fish the Niagara, you'd need it). Let me know when your heading over, i'll give ya more info.
Chris, who listed Oak Orchard as the top steelhead stream? Are they kidding? It was a great stream years ago, but for the past 10 years or so, with all the water games they keep playing with the dam, it's become a joke.
[This message has been edited by pspaint (edited 18 July 2006).]
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Fly Fisherman mag listed it as the top steelhead stream in the country. I've only fished it once and did well there. I usually fish 18 mile as it is 5 minutes from home. I can always find fish there, but try to fish it during bad weather and in the winter as I see less traffic. It also has a killer smallmouth run and I have caught walleye in the mouth during the spawn.
I normally fish it up from Route 20, the farther you walk, the more people you get away from. Once deer season hits, I have it mostly to myself. It's best in snow. I'll fish the forks then.
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Thanks soooo much for the wealth of information that you all have put forth. I'll be sure to post when I'll be heading out there and perhaps some of us can get together for a day or two on some of the rivers...and of course some beers afterwards...I'm hoping to get out there a couple times this late summer early fall.
Well seeing as I enjoy fishing in the rain, perhaps that's always an option as well. I just ordered a Forecast rod building kit from H&H, hopefully it'll do the job just fine. I haven't heard of any complaints and know a couple people who have built and used them.
Just a couple more questions...when is the "typical" begginning of the salmon runs and steelhead runs? I know some of them run all year, but I'm just looking for a more solid date to plan around. I'm also looking at the Okuma SLV Super 7/8 Large Arbor reel to put on the rod. Has anyone had any experience with them? Oh yeah, what type of fly patterns? Obviously eggs and streamers...
Thanks A Million!
-Pemi
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I think someone needs to talk to the folks over at the magazine and set them straight. Oh, wait...actually it's better this way. Everyone will go to the Orchard and leave the other streams alone.lol.
18 fished really well last season. I did excellent over there, perticularly in January, when the crowds died down. I wanted to head over for the smallies but never made it.