pafisher
I would use a float.

What gram float? Or should I have multiple sizes?

Reserve your DSR day as they fill up fast during the 'silly season'.

chet1185

pafisher
I would use a float.

What gram float? Or should I have multiple sizes?

Different sizes for different water

I would be prepared to drift the bottom, too. Crowded conditions and fast water  might make you want to drift weight on the bottom. Just say no to weekends. Camp in Selkirk Shores State Park, even if only to crash in your car. 7-8 minutes to the DSR parking lot with a store with coffee and breakfast sandwiches on the way. If you're going to pay and be going for the first time, it'll make the experience 100 times more tolerable. Go to the DSR site and buy a map . Be familiar with the rules, too. Lucky's suggestion of the DEC  website is very good.  Yes, salmon bite. Get some sleep and have a good time. I've done plenty of suicide runs, but I was going to spots that are very familiar and can be fished on auto-pilot.

Buy a map? Me and my buddy both agreed that the dsr may be the way to go for our first trip.

There's different runs and pools all named in the DSR, if someone says the Joss Hole or the Meadow  it would help to know where the hell you're going.  It also helps to know where to cross and at what release of water. Having the DSR map would help to answer and explain some of the questions you may have about where to fish in the DSR.  http://www.douglastonsalm...yID=4&ProductID=25
By the way, this isn't buying a beat on the Miramichi, this is still combat fishing  with plenty of people being azzhats. Just a few less, and the fish not having been chased around by cavemen yet.
 

Just bought the map.

When would be a good time too consider going up? Early September? I have no choice but to go up to fish on a Saturday.

You never really know when a push is going to happen.
Mid Sept through Mid Oct is the best bet IMHO -personally, if your only going once, hit early Oct or very late Sept. to increase the odds a bit in your favor.
In the DSR the fish are just entering the river and move on through and then spread.
On a Saturday in Sept or Oct its combat fishing most places and the DSR is actually a decent place to be- if there is a push.
There is no memory like  water  splashing upstream towards you from  tails of hundreds of fresh Kings running right at ya for an hour or two  non stop---
Only happens down  in the DSR before they spread out---
Hope it happens to you.
August or very early Sept reports can make ya nuts at home reading them but are generally from guys who fish often and know the river VERY well or are a bit overhyped compared to the main part of the run.
Occasionally it happens then but it just the start of a whole season -might want to wait it out an extra week or two and increase your odds.

r3g3
You never really know when a push is going to happen.Mid Sept through Mid Oct is the best bet IMHO -personally, if your only going once, hit early Oct or very late Sept. to increase the odds a bit in your favor.In the DSR the fish are just entering the river and move on through and then spread.On a Saturday in Sept or Oct its combat fishing most places and the DSR is actually a decent place to be- if there is a push.There is no memory like  water  splashing upstream towards you from  tails of hundreds of fresh Kings running right at ya for an hour or two  non stop---Only happens down  in the DSR before they spread out---Hope it happens to you.August or very early Sept reports can make ya nuts at home reading them but are generally from guys who fish often and know the river VERY well or are a bit overhyped compared to the main part of the run.Occasionally it happens then but it just the start of a whole season -might want to wait it out an extra week or two and increase your odds.

You got me exited. Lol

I plan on trying to go twice in the time the salmon are running. I'm thinking middle of September and then sometime in October.

When their running like that, they will eat an egg sac?

R3 gave  very good advice. The best I've ever seen it ( I have about a tenth the experience he does)  was  on Sept. 8th, but that same week last year had very few fish.  This year should be another weak run and waiting a little should help. My experience at the DSR is , if there's fish,  people are happy and polite, if there's not; some will do whatever it takes to snag, cut in front of you, poach your spot etc....  and it  can become just as crappy as upriver.  Just my experience, I've had steam coming out my ears a few times, including last year.  Hopefully you roll the dice just right. Learn as much as you can and it won't be a wasted trip, no matter what.