Frequently Asked Questions

Short Answer:  Typically the last week of September through the first two weeks of October produce runs of fish year after year. This doesn't necessarily mean the runs will be large, but I can confidently say in my experience that during this time there are fish in the river.

Long Answer: If I could tell you that I'd be a psychic. There are so many factors that influence the runs of fish, and there are multiple species of fish that run at different times. Some key factors to look for that can play a big role in when the fish start running are how much rain the summer has produced, the water temperature and how deep they're marking fish in Lake Ontario. The truth is there are so many factors that impact the run year to year it's impossible to predict with any certainty when the run will start, how long it will last and when the biggest runs will happen.  The only thing we know how sure is at some point the fish will have to run.  It's ingrained in them for their survival. Well, technically they're factory bred but they don't know that. My promise is that I will do my best to provide accurate and up-to-date information to you to give you the best chance of getting into some good runs of fish.

The bare minimum:

• noodle or fly rod
• spin or fly reel
• line (Fresh. Don't use last year's line)
• hooks (minimum 2x wire)
• split shot
• bait
• NYS fishing license    https://decals.licensing.east.kalkomey.com/
• stringer (if you want to keep your fish)

What's recommended:

• all of the above
• polarized sunglasses
• boots and waders (felt bottom or spikes)
• line clippers
• salmon net

There are many varieties of all these and also many additions you could add. Each angler's set up is based off personal choice and what works best for you. As long as you have the basics you're good to go.  I always tell people to bring what they have with them and I'll help you get set up with gear you already have and help fill in the gaps with what you don't.

Early in the season and at the lower end of the river close to the lake, the salmon are still feeding for a period of time. Once we get past the first part of fall and the run it's less common to have salmon actively feeding. Once they enter the river part of their end of life cycle is that their stomachs will shrink up. They are only focused on sustaining life long enough to make it up river to breed. You can get them to "hit" or more accurately pick up the bait our of aggression which is a common technique. This involves putting the bait very close to the fishes mouth and is often referred to as "lining" or "flossing" the fish.

They aren't necessary to fish in every spot on the river but they will increase your options for accessible areas.  There are very few places on the river that you can fish from shore and when you do hook a fish, landing it becomes much more difficult if you can't move up and down the riverbank. 

A noodle rod is simply a spinning rod built on a fly rod blank. This means instead of the reel seat near the butt of the rod, the handle is usually longer with the reel seat sitting in the middle. And snake guides used on fly rods are exchanged for spin guides that allow mono filament or fluorocarbon line to flow more smoothly.

The benefit of this is creating a spinning rod that's long and flexible which allows lighter line to be used. Some of us with 10' noodle rods fish with 6lb test mono. Yes, you read that right. 6lb mono. And with the right rod that's more than capable of pulling in 20+ pound salmon.

So, can you use your ocean rod? You can, but I wouldn't recommend it. A rod that's able to pull in big ocean fish will definitely handle a 30lb King salmon. The trade off in that scenario is a heavy rod that tired your arm after enough drifts, lost sensitivity because of the stiffness and having to use such heavy line the fish will spot it a mile away. 

Anyone over the age of 16 needs to have a valid NYS fishing license on them at all times, though it doesn't have to be displayed.  Please note that even holding a rod for someone helping net a fish does require a valid license or risk the penalty of a fine.