14 is a personal choice- many here will go lighter.
Perhaps if some of my rods were longer I could go lighter. Have often used 10 on the 11 1/2 ft switch 8 wt. however the shorter 9 wts just seem to need a bit heavier leaders to work a 25 lb King in the rapids. .
 As I have yet to buy a longer spin outfit- rarely use it -the 14 works out just fine with limited break offs.

First off, lag welcome to the forum and good questions..
most of the pros and a 1/0 have responded well..
I can say my hand won't be raised to a whippin' rod rigged with light line for the purpose of a long sweep, got one, nor a tuna (hmm) rod with a 1/0 hook (currently using a 6/0 hooked to a live herring..lol) .. Those methods are deadly in the wrong hands.. Mediocre at best in the right ones..
3 fan showed you some good early sept pics of great fish.. I'm sure he worked for them and was rewarded by strikes..
For many years I fished late august early sept.. Some were GREAT some were failures.. It's all the luck of the draw my friend, when ever you get the chance you just gotta go for it.. Being willing to cover lots of water will up your odds.. Walk high and low, I look for fish at that time.. Sight fishing 101..
If fish are around then the word will be out for sure somewhere on the internet..
From a blind mans point of view, again it's a walking game.. Check the estuary.. If you see fish rolling then you know some are in dsr and quite possibly upriver..  I like the dsr as some of the best salmon water but I don't like the high price to play.. Been there for years, it's one of my favorite waters on the river but you will need to make your choice, there is a lot of river to fish..
 
As for Gear:
your rod, reel is adequate.. While the U sticks have strength they lack sensitivity .. They catch fish, just keep focus on your drifts..
Line- 12lb casts better then 14 to me.. You can even get away with 10 but thats usually my lowest leader strength.. Now it may seem strange I threw those numbers out but like clint said, use a heaver leader(14-17) ..They are usually that early not line shy, I use a lighter line for better cast and drift,(not 4,6 or 8 you gotta be able to have some, be it little control of a fresh king or hoho..
Baits, flies, weights ?? It's all up to how you feel comfortable..Fish will strike a jenson (ah jack ? ) egg and they will strike a nicely swung fly.. I do the fly thing with a swing across and down in front of the fish, again I try to sight that early.. Lower in the river Size 4 streamers, buggers and bunnys have all worked well for me.. Higher in the river 6-8 buggers, leeches and eggs have been better taught.. Not to say the big stuff wont rock up there.. It's all up to the presentation and the fish..
Fish good water, broken is best..
Lodging: I think you asked ? It's all good to me.. I love camping but also stay at reasonable priced lodges.. Frequented most all of them (well not Jailwater) .. the double-E is a good lodge
Have fun and wish ya the best of luck
Peace & Tuna

I use a 20lb leader with 16lb tippet....Now that's way too much, but I've had my spot grabbed by some large size @$$ hole while walking the stream trying to land a fish.....Now I can just stand there cuz no fish is breaking 20lb leaders on the SR.

chartist
I use a 20lb leader with 16lb tippet....Now that's way too much, but I've had my spot grabbed by some large size @$$ hole while walking the stream trying to land a fish.....Now I can just stand there cuz no fish is breaking 20lb leaders on the SR.

Guess you never heard the 22 sounding cracks of 40# line pre 1995..
Can't wait to hear about the new rod you buy next year.. Love those guys who stand their ground

Anyone else seen one of those white solid glass boat rods explode?
Good times!
Well not so much for the guy snagging claristing salmon with it, but for the fishermen it was hysterical.
 

Beginning to think someone here has a great dry humor-next one may suspect he will be talking bout the joys of fishing off the bridge at the Estuary-or weather or not the 1/0 hooks should be bait holders or bare shank-- lol. ( have found that the bait holders hold black sponge much better)

r3g3
Beginning to think someone here has a great dry humor-next one may suspect he will be talking bout the joys of fishing off the bridge at the Estuary-or weather or not the 1/0 hooks should be bait holders or bare shank-- lol. ( have found that the bait holders hold black sponge much better)

Black estez is the ticket,the black sponge is out of style,the Salmon just seek that out when in the river as it sparkles.
 

chartist
I use a 20lb leader with 16lb tippet....Now that's way too much, but I've had my spot grabbed by some large size @$$ hole while walking the stream trying to land a fish.....Now I can just stand there cuz no fish is breaking 20lb leaders on the SR.

Why worry about a spot, you can be a snagger anywhere!

3fan

chartist
I use a 20lb leader with 16lb tippet....Now that's way too much, but I've had my spot grabbed by some large size @$$ hole while walking the stream trying to land a fish.....Now I can just stand there cuz no fish is breaking 20lb leaders on the SR.

Why worry about a spot, you can be a clarist  anywhere!

Twobob's quote fixing service always at the ready.

Its all time and place and every year is different. This past season had rumors of kings in July... first river fish publicized being caught were Aug. 6th I believe??? I grabbed my first one last season August 8th and consistently caught fish in to early september til i called it quits in early September(as I usually do) the year before nothing showed up really until late day labor day. Some years nothing til end of September... chartist, all of those dead fish were mainly from the whipping section between the town bridge and 81 bridge. Any fish that got above 81 stayed healthy and alive despite the warm up we had on labor day weekend... 3fan is living proof of that ;)

First timer , keep reading the forums and play it by ear... if fish are running down low be prepared to fish nothing lighter than 10 pound... preferably 12-15 if water temps are cool... I had kings snapping 15 pound like nothing last august and honestly I usually use 10 or 12 and no I don't use a surf rod or 1/0 hooks... #9 11' fly rod... honestly, a noodle rod will work but it is not ideal for hot lower river fish...

If fish are pooled up in the upper stretches, be ready to use 6 or 8 pound... choose riffly shaded spots if possible and you'll have a better shot at resting "transitional" fish.. I hate fishing pooled up salmon... a waste of time in my opinion...look to have your bait or fly in perfect drag free presentation in your half way mark/three quarter way of drift...

If I could post pics you'd see that salmon can be caught with little to no pressure early on...

3Fan: what was your salmon to people ration last year on that day??? 1:1000??? :)

I oughtta delete this post in a day or two so there's not hundreds of people fishing mid river in the early season for 3 fans sake... lol

Tight Lines guys!!!