Coming to the River on Monday, the 25th. Reports seem to indicate not too many steelies yet and virtually no Browns. Would appreciate a report from any of you on conditions (including temps, snow totals on the ground in Altmar, best flies to use now, and best fly rigs to use). Also wondering if the tribs (Orwell, Trout brook) would be worth a try. Thank you!

Can't help you with conditions up there as I'm not there but in Ohio waiting for a break in weather.But if I was going on the SR I think I would tie up some of those hellgramites,or try a black wooly bugger.Nympths in natural colors,or dark stones might work,smaller size 12-16.Upper river would probably be the place to go.
I just might try it here tomorrow as I'm really itching to get out.

IMHO-The tribs dont generally get Steel till the spawn is about to begin -they dont winter in them and there are still winter conditions up there.
  Typical late winter  from the reports -fish here and a fish there..
 Last year this time was 30 to 40 degrees warmer.
  Hope you have a good trip-good luck- its a great place anytime.

What RG said.   Water temp is cold enough to freeze your fingers off if you get wet.......    really it is about 32 to 33 degrees.   There is probably a foot or so of  new snow on the ground on top of what was already here.  Temps will be in the high 30's during the days for a few days.  There are a mix of fish in the river, but more old over winter fish than freshies.  There have even been a few spawning or digging out redds, but it is just too cold for that to happen.   I would go with black or brown stones  or other nymph like flies.  A nice sunny warm day may turn them on.

Yup, clints right.... waters going down to 500 tonight. If we get upper 30's with ssunny days next week it could raise that water temp just a few degrees mid day to trigger a good bite.
Unfortunately, once steady warmer weather comes the water will get very cold with snow melt run off... it could be just a matter of time before the river blows out completely if we get hard/warm april rains... next week could end up being one of the better weeks of the next few... either way have fun.

OH yea  500  and  temps in the 40's for Tues and Wed.    If it holds out until Tuesday............................

I hope it holds for you, Clint!!!!!!!   That's the best scenario I've seen in  many weeks.
 
Charlie

It shuld hold out with no rain. Its gonna take more than a few high thirties days to get the snow pack melting big... we could get a one week window of decent fishing air/water temps before the water starts getting funky...

fichy

I hope it holds for you, Clint!!!!!!!   That's the best scenario I've seen in  many weeks.

Charlie

 
X-2
stringing up the long rod now.. umm when is trout season :)
maybe run into a few folks next week..

we were up there sat sun and mon morning altmar 0 for 2 sat and sun cold, monday morning very cold but must have found a warm water area because went 1 for 10 in about 2and1/2 hours (Im not going into the water stayed on the bank) gave a newbe a chance with one and he landed it so maybe 2 for 10 they were hammering them up at the bridge  (sucker spawn and pink worm was what i used) we wont be able to be back up till the 12 and 13th of april (if it stays cold like this the steelies might stick around for a little while.
Semper Fi