Fishing Techniques for River Salmon
- While some state and local wildlife officials claim certain rivers contain salmon, such a claim doesn't necessarily mean fish reside in great numbers or that the waters are conducive for fishing. The best salmon rivers are waters with fairly deep pools, considerably fast-moving currents and a rocky, substrate-like bottom.
- Generally, salmon swim up-river in the mid-spring (April) and remain in rivers until mid-to-late July. In late summer, commonly August and early September, salmon typically swim back out to sea. Fishing after fall is commonly sparse. Most salmon seasons also end in July or August, depending on state laws and water conditions.
- A variety of bait is used to catch river salmon. In spring, the fish are particularly active and will bite on a variety of underwater live bait such as night crawlers, shrimp, shad and large leeches. Following nearly a full season of feeding, salmon become a bit particular come late summer. Generally, from about mid-June to August, anglers prefer artificial flies.
- Catching salmon in rivers involves some significantly heavy-duty gear. Most anglers outfit themselves with large, rugged reels and 10- to 15-foot rods. Three- to 5-foot leaders are tied to a variety of strong line. It is common for fisherman to carry about 100 yards or more on their reels. Under normal conditions, anywhere from a "0" to a No. 4 hook is used. A variety of sinkers and bait rigging methods are used to compensate for the moving water of a river such as drift fishing, which involves casting bait up stream and allow it to drift down, and plunking--finding a calm pool or migratory route and allowing bait to dangle in front of passing fish.
To catch river salmon with a fly rod, a long, plastic-tipped rod is commonly used with a heavy enough line to navigate the waters. A No. 3 to No. 4 hook is commonly used to rig salmon flies.