ORIGINAL: pafisher

Another question to ponder is if Salmon don't bite why are plugs being back trolled so successful?

 
Backtrolling plugs is an extremely effective method, and yes, Salmon smash the heck out of them.
But they hit out of aggression, not that there is anything wrong with that.
 
I've been on a guided trip where the guide backtrolled 4 rods to cover the water with plugs.
He used the analogy of repeatedly waving your hand in front of a dog's snout, sooner or later that pup will get pizzed off - then it's going to take a nip at your hand.
 
It's a lot of fun, just not my cup of tea. 
 
Different strokes for different folks.
  

Drake,you are just like a friend of mine who is a very experienced,excellent,flyfisher.Nothing will convince him that he is n't lining the Salmon,in fact he gave it up because he wants to feel he is catching them fairly.I know he's wrong but he's a big boy so he chases Stripers instead now.
I have been fishing up there for 30 yrs and have seen it all.In the beginning I was a snagger because that was the "way".After the first year my cousin joined us but said if I can't get them to hit then fine I won't catch any.After awhile I noticed he was into a fish so I wanted to see if he gave in and snagged it,no it was n't foul hooked and he said it "HIT"his Jensen egg.I watched him and before long he was into another,that's all I needed to see and I started "FISHING" for them and lo and behold had a hit and "FISH ON".From that point on I have not lifted/snagged/or flossed a fish intentionly,sure I foul hook some but with the numbers of fish it happens.After awhile I bought a suitable fly rig and thats the only way I fish there now.
But a little story about whether they will eat or not.Many years ago we were at Oswego by the dam fishing for Browns in early Nov. with light tippets and worms for bait.I was getting good hits and then I would set the hook and these "monster" Browns would take off and break my line.I set the drag lighter and when the next fish hit I played him until I could get a good look and it was a King Salmon,hook was way down and when he shook his head my light tippet snapped.We then went to heavier tippet and landed a couple of those fish and the hook was way in their mouths.If they don't eat I wonder why they were eating worms?
I know one thing for sure,it's too darn hot and September can't get here fast enough for me :)

And drake, you are definitely not lining all of your fish; but if you really think so, then try something different.

Dime - I resolved myself to something different - a few Steelhead trips when I can get away midweek during the winter months.

Before that, I'll enjoy peaceful autumn days fishing small streams for trout. I'm 100% sure they are biters.

I've grown tired of the crowded circus atmosphere of the Salmon River to make it a regular destination, but I will probably make one Salmon trip to join a camp full of buddies during October Drunkfest weekend and together we will line the crap out of them mudsharks.... :)   

What Im finding the last 3 to 4 years is the salmon season seems to go till april, was a time in early november a guy could go find a spot to fish himself, not any more steelhead season is the same as salmon, elbow to elbow and now with the latest "craze" spey rods and center pins you can have a guy 100 yards away float his bobber right in front of you. Or better yet the spey guys swinging their 14' rods with 75 yards of line up takeing a run up that could fish 10 guys comfortably but there will be 2 spey guys.

Oh I live by first come rights, when I fish during salmon season Im launching my boat at 3 am, 330 latest. When Im just wade fishing I still will get there 1 1/2 hours before light. As far as over looked open water Ive seen every inch to the black hole, when the game is on Ive even seen people fish from bridges. Not to many secret spots left, all your previous clients know your spots and so do mine and every other guide, now its just a foot race, or in some instances a boat race to get there first, and Ive been floating down 4am black as night and have some knuckel head guide ram and race me thru the wire hole. The fishing pressure is getting bigger but unfortunately the river is not. This is just the way I see it, some say its fine but they dont know how it used to be like I do,  before the internet when most thought it was over November 1st. ...... Good Times......

to be honest with you though, i pick and choose my times of execution pretty carefully sometimes and i can say i have hit many great days with few anglers in sight both salmon and steelies...

i don't float the river often so i don't experience the drift boat issue on the river. i just fish early for salmon, and i fish steelhead often. dec. through mid feb. i often find few anglers and sometimes solitude. this past april i fished for the 2.5 days only seeing 8 anglers total on the water i fished which was much less than the amount of fish i saw. weekdays definitely help as well...