Hey guys I went up the river for my first time in October and it was quite odd to say the least. Once I got caught on to the deal up there it seemed like 90% of all people were flossing or snagging the salmon. I understand they don't feed and tried for three days to get them to bite "out of aggression" with no success. I have never fished like that nor does it interest me, but I would love to catch a salmon (im a steelhead fisherman from erie). My question is do they actually "hit out of aggression" or is that just a cover for snagging or flossing. Is that the only way to consistently hook up with the salmon? I know the runs over now but im just wondering. Thanks a lot

I'm relatively new at it, but the short answer is not all salmon are aggresive all the time. The males behind a redd, when they first come in the river, and when they are in competition for a resting spot near heavy water, all seem to have  it. I've had kings v wake after big flies , chase them down and crush them in the lower river. I've watched the males try to kill my flies behind a redd by biting them. This observation has resulted in many hook-ups  .  This is a topic that is covered over and over on  every forum, and we have some guys with many decades experience here trying to get people to see the light. Honestly, I don't think the crowds would exist if everyone fished for them legally. The state might not supplement their numbers, either. I stayed away from the SR after seeing the legal snagging in the 80's. After seeing the "real" potential by people here, it's now some of my favorite fishing , period. 
If you look back through the salmon season posts or use the search functions, you'll see a lot more arguments in favor. I'm sure you'll find more than enough proof, even many veteran snaggers and flossers admit they will bite.

Fishing Salmon is very discouraging for me at most times to say the least as most of the fish at any given time, especially in the slow pools  usually will not hit. It is especially true  if they are being harassed by 100 people flinging lead at the and ripping size 1 hooks.    That said they  will hit, the earlier and lower down on the river the better as they still got a bit of lake left in them.  They will hit out of aggression to protect and fight for spawning rights. I have also learnedthe last few years the oldie moldies will hit too, especially males.    The key is to find unmolested fish and try.

Truth is most people are still snagging or lining, and all of us who fish them and try to change that old BS preception  that they don't bite, are on the loosing end of the arguement as long as those snagging are pulling more fish out backwards and getting away with it.  I work at the local bass pro part time and every year we get inundated from mid august to november with people going up for salmon.  I try to talk to them and explain how to fish for them and that once you learn how to do it right, you can fish for them and you will catch some.  Unfortunately everyone today wants instant gratification and even if they do try to do it right the guy in the pinch point constantly hooking up speaks much louder than any words.  Or the "buddy" who does it all the time and tells them that snagging is the only way.

As a veteran snagger and liner or lifter I must agree that they DO BITE- if conditions are right and they are in an unmolested state and proper presentation with the right stuff. It aint happenin in a conga line.
 I never did the bunker snagging equipment thing but over time got so I could line most anything I could see and some I couldn't see. Back then firmly believed  that they generally don't bite so it was OK- as do many on the SR.
 With the help of  this forum I now understand the unique  styles and systems ( to a point) and endeavor to FISH for my Salmon- this often requires one  to go fishless days with many fish around and others in sight hooked up regularly -but it certainly is worth the effort.
 Believe the first thing one must generally accept is the fact that when FISHING you aren't likely to have those big number days but you will go home with a deeper appreciation for your day afield and each fish you CATCH. The big number mentality gotta go though.
 All that said even while FISHING and not intending to lift or snag those things still happen- just too much meat in some some water with the hook passing through-- but now it isn't the intended result.
 I really  think the first most important step to morphing into a FISHERMAN on this river is to accept the fact that you will likely NOT have 40 fish days but must be happy occasionally with one fish days after lotsa work- and be really happy with only a few in the course of a trip - instead of an hour.
 Good luck-A good guide might teach you in one trip what it took me far too may years to learn.

I think fichy put it well..
Back in my first 5 years on that river my dad and I were scared to death about trying for Salmon due to the stories of you have to snag them to catch them.. Heck even the DEC was saying that..  It was not for us so we ONLY went for the steelhead.. Then about when I was old enough to drive ( I'm 48 now) I gave it a shot one mid sept and was horrified by the antics.. Of course I caught nothing and went back to the winter steelhead fishing for another few years.. I met a great guy who offered to show me how to "catch" salmon in the fall.. The next fall he took me and showed me key locations and presentations on how to sight fish them.. Not line or floss or what ever one my wish to sugar coat snagging but how to target a single or pod of fish and cast into their line of sight that may (and the key word is "may" ) attack your fly.. Do this repeatedly, if the fish moved up , move up with .. You will know when it's time to leave it be and look for another target..  As said, not every fish will strike and it's best to have competing fish rather the just one here or one there..
 
Over the years I also learned that it's a tail of 2 rivers for salmon.. Big & Bright down low and more natural subdue flies up river.. Up river it becomes a survival of protection for their territory to reproduce.. They compete for the right to the female and don't like invasive intruders such as crayfish or big buggers homing in on the redds..
 
If you ever think they don't strike then why oh why do they continue to pop our down rigger rods off in the lake when their stomachs have no capability of digestion ? Just ask my brother-in-law how many spin doctors he lost last sept..lol..
 
 

Thanks a lot guys it is great news to hear they actually do bite out of aggression, as I am not interested in snagging but loved the river and am moving to syracuse for school, so will spend much time on it. I love steelhead fishing but would also like to get into some salmon next year when they are running, and actually "fish" for them. Thanks 

Top Dog is right on that one, skein, especially early, is numero uno salman bait!
 
If you are going to Syracuse for school, and you spend a lot of time on the SR, you are wasting big dollars on tuition.  Maybe Saturday, maybe a little Sunday, but don't cut too many classes for subjective ichthyology as it does not count  toward graduation.
 
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Yeah im going to SUNY ESF so will actually be taking Ichthyology. Ill spend as much time as I can on the river.

As much time as Dr Ringler will allow!  SUNY ESF's not a picnic school.
 
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