Salmon River Brown Trout

So lets discuss this guys. I, as you know am not an expert on the Lake Run Fish- just a fisherman who loves to get there when he can & read every possible tidbit to fill the void in between.
Anyhow- it seems like people are catching more Brown Trout on this side of the Lake the last two years. Was the stocking plan different? Did their food move this way? Am I dreaming this all up?
Truthfully- I've never caught a Brown up there, but I get my share of leg long fish here to hold me over...

ORIGINAL: salmotrutta

So no one wants to talk about Brown Trouts? Come on- someone besides me must have a Love Affair with them?

 
I never got a brown at SR either! usually we head up to Oak Orchard or 18 mile creek for them!  its only once a year for me because of the 8hr ride, but worth every minute!  I'm talin monster browns, my bigest was 15lb, just amazing fish.
 
 

the past 3 years havd been phonomenal for browns.  but they are never as plentiful as steelhead.  i've noticed in the past 20 years i've fished SR,  there are good years in a row, and then bad years in a row for browns.  now is a great time to get them in the lfz and upper, along with summer runs.  fish the flat water between pools behind the holding salmon.  but for prediction, and questions regarding why they are plentiful some years, i don't think many can answer.  I do know that aroiund five years ago they did some intensive brown stockings, but i think these browns were meant to be domesticated and not lake run.  so who knows...  SR is funny though.  i remember in the early 90's til the late 90's it was very common to catch lakers in the river from november to january. sometimes i'd go for steelies as late as january and have 10 fish hookup days all being lake trout.  and trust  me, it kinda sucked. they fight like a boot in the current.  i could always tell when it was a laker with in 3 seconds of fighting it.  but now, to be honest, i don't think i've even seen a laker in close to ten years in the river.  who knows...  but it is a nice pleasant surprise to get a brown in the salmon river. there are usually an ample amount of 10-16 lb. class taken each year.  good luck to all...
 
P.S.  Browns are attracted to white in october through op\ut their spawning season.  bel;ieve it or not, they are most attracted to their own spawn, or steelhead spawn.  hands dow, trout eeg sacks work the best on trout. theres just something about it.  good luck to all...

I have caught alot of browns on a peaches & creme eggfly tied with McFly foam.
 
One reason I think the browns like white or light colored patterns is that the flies mimick chunks of rotting salmon flesh floating downstream in November.

yes, and the peaches and cream mimmick fertilized milky spawn.  for flesh you can tie dark yellow or tan rabbit for down a long shank hook and just swing it as if it were a wet, or high stick up stream with a strike indicator.  also, tannish yellow estaz wrapped down a long shank or on an egg hook works well too.  i find a no brainer set up is an egg sack with a bead pegged about 4-10 inches above the sack below a raven float.  it's a nice variety.  the light salmon colored or tan colored bead salmon egg size seems to work the best. good luck...

draketrutta? Is this chromedome? Welcome aboard & thanks for the input to you & everyone.
I've never caught a Laker either. I hear they come into the Big O.
So basically I need to get up there more. I've seen guys complain about catching too many Lakers & Sheeps Head (never caught one of those either), but I'd love it.

sMal
 

Ah yes float tubing the bubble. ****ed terrorists!
I  say when you can't float the bubble the terrorists win.
Again ****ed terrorists!

all good info and yes the days when the lakers used to run the river..
so my thoughts, yes more browns but also smaller river fish.. Where did all those giant footballs go..
I know some are still caught but nothing like days gone past.

It seems the bigger Steel became less common soon after the one a day in tribs. instead of three was passed. Any thoughts?
I have seen pics. of two SR Browns that were 20 & 22 # if I remember correctly. The biggest I've seen with my eyes was about 28" & was caught in the DSR. I'd love to catch a 20# Brown or Steel, but who wouldn't?

****.

hard to beat the upper fly zone in late Nov.

There are some giant Browns in those waters...
 
 
 

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ORIGINAL: tippy-toe

There are some giant Browns in those waters...

I see you tied my massive brown trout record on the Salmon River.