The only thing we know right now is that there are a **** of a lot less fish in the river than there should be at this time of year, and it has been this way all fall, salmon into steel..  The why and wherefore I will trust to the pros.  I saw the fourth dead steelhead of my fall today, but have not seen swirlers this year.  But I've talked to three different Canadians down here because the fishing is off on the north shore, so it is not just the SR hatchery.  Looks like we need to vitamin B bomb the entire ecosystem! (enough suds 4 me.) 

I'm not giving up my spot on the Great Lake Adventure just yet , the lakers are huge and I will figure how to jig or live line them ..
Any fishing the river this season will have to be all about sharing good times at the roadhouse :)

First time in years that I have no plans for the SR in the coming year,that will probably change but not just yet.

Was up cleaning out the house from Monday evening till Wed late.
Didn't even bother to take a couple of hours to fish.
Couple of guys I spoke to over in Ellis lot said it stunk- besides- it rained and I had plenty to do.
Figured a couple of DAYS were likely necessary to hook up this season--not a coupe of hours lol.

That is about right on the money, unfortunately.

Last time fished 10 hours for 3 hooks and 1 landed................
 
Still a success in my book

for me as it mostly always has been it's the experience that has been the factor..
I will fish the water all day without a bite if I don't have that X factor, Flip side is if I'm sharing water in a conga line and everyone is cool and playing nice , it's a great experience..
Lucky said best, Etiquette matters.. I don't want to be a stone face trying to hold my rock in a crowd and believe me, it hurts to drive 360 miles to get skunked too, BTDT countless times .. Regardless , if its a good experience it's a success !!!
I bought a rickety Lake boat to continue my adventures of 35 years on the Great Lake.. It gets nuts for some people out there as it does in the river, thankfully I can just power to deserted waters and jump overboard without anyone giving a ****... I will figure out that fishery even it means jigging 30 lb lakers :)
 
Good luck to everyone that wets a line or takes a walk in the woods..
 

HT-
I met a Canadian Fisheries Biologist a few years ago who said a fair number of people jig on the north shore, said it was effective in deeper water for salmon as well.  He said it allowed use of a lot lighter tackle

Have any of you seen the west coast shows, particularly BC, where they troll with fly rods and centerpin reels?  Interesting and effective way to wrestle with those big kings. 
Another show the guy uses a fly rod & line stack mending down to the strike zone.
 
HT- I don't see why jigging over deep water wouldn't be productive.  Yes you have to work for them but to me it breaks up the monotony of trolling.  I wonder if working a parachute jig like you would for stripers would be effective.  Nothing ventured, nothing gained.    

I have a plan on the lake in 2016. Same method as stripers . If it catches fish , all the wiser .
As for the river , now is only to embark on that place when I can share with like minded people in a good setting . I had a blast with Fichy and Ugly , they caught , I didn't . The discouraging thing that day was some tool took a piece of that away from me in the afternoon .
I don't need that crap but I need good folks to fish with and move on .
Savior so far has been a leap of faith ;) Thank You !!! 3
Jack , if it wasn't for you my friend , never wouldn't have happened .