I didn't get a chance to make it to the Salmon River this year. I'm curious what the flows have been like overall from Sep - now.
 
I've looked at some charts online, but they don't always tell the whole story.
 
A few reports I've come across said some of the smaller tribs were nearly dried up. If that's the case, were the salmon able to get up them?
 
Thanks

LOW  
The charts tell the story  nothing to hide.
http://waterdata.usgs.gov...1&site_no=04250200
 
The salmon did what they had to do to spawn, in the river and the tribs.
 

if you're talking about tribs feeding the salmon they went up and down but i haven't walked them in decades.
tribs running into L O all  i walked had at least some salmon runs.
low water year for sure but enough for fish movement at some point.

There was a little burst of semi decent water in early october... id say it was enough for spawning to occur in most any stream.... otherwise, since labor day weekend id say its safe to assume that just about every single day has been below average flows... todays mean average flow for the salmon river is 1280.... its flowing below 500 right now. More than 800 cfs below average..a natural flowing trib to the northeast is flowing 400+ below its average dlow for this time of year. If things dont change soon and we have a normal winter its gonna be pretty bad... im hoping sundays and tuesdays rain events coupled with the warm temps turns this dry spell around... if you notice whenever the temps go above freezing this past week all of the tribs went up... the ground is completely saturated and all commonly wet areas are holding water... lets hope this week turns it all around because i dont know how much fishing im gonna be doing in 185-285 this winter if this keeps up...

Fish- Hope you get up next season- its a great fishery-
    As you know we have had low water throughout the season. The main water source- The res. has been many feet low all Summer and Fall resulting in low release flows even with rare rainfall. Near drought conditions persisted.
 August was normal fishing with the low waters and that huge run of Kings in Sept was astonishing -especially in the low conditions. Many many fish were removed from the system although spawning throughout the River was easily observed and commonplace although a bit early IMHO. Finding willing fish was NO problem.
  The feeders received heavy pressure even for a normal year and many fish were observed on stringers indicating that they did indeed manage the low waters. Had early reports of Kings well up into other Lake Tribs but frankly they seemed to dwindle as time went on- but the fish got in.
    It is my opinion- probably not shared by all- that other species like Hos and early Steel were in minimal numbers. Hos were seen spawning mid river very early and did not seem as plentiful as normal as the season progressed in their upriver spots.
 I did not get to fish hardly at all throughout November ( my favorite time)  but reports from experienced fiherfolks are mid range IMHO.
    Also it should be noted the Hatchery reported less than expected female Kings this year. There seems to be some who believe too many were removed along the river due to low waters and some who believe an abnormal number of males were present. At any rate there seemed to be huge natural spawn to supplement the hatchery fishes as has been the case with all species in recent years.
  To me- it was a great year. Lots of big fish and many folks enjoying them.
   One may well expect that 'early fish' are becoming more commonplace due to the huge numbers of unclipped Kings that ran inSept in big numbers. They were finished spawning well before the Hatchery started and this makes me wonder of a  diff. between the 'naturals and 'hatchery fishes timetables due to a difference in age.
  Would readily agree with Andy about the future this winter should the low conditions persist. We really need a wet Winter up there to get things back to 'normal'.
   Good luck and hope to see you there next season.
 Would expect many to think differently but those were my observations and resulting opinions. lol

Thanks for the updates guys. Really helpful and detailed stuff. Low water seems to be the norm almost everywhere recently unfortunately.
 
I did hear a bit about a large increase in "unclipped" fish. Someone told me they ran so early and in such low water their backs were protruding from the water in the lower SR.
 
How did the Atlantics turn out? There was some talk in the last two years of an increase in natural reproduction. I'm wondering if that's resulted in higher catch rates. 
 
I fished the SR quite a few times in 2009/2010. I only got up there twice in 2011. Always did pretty well. Next year hopefully I'll be able to hit it again. 

Fish-
 Spoke to a biologist along the river over a year ago. Was shocked and pleasantly surprised to hear that King and Ho numbers are represented in the 50% or more area by natural spawners. Was kinda shocked due to the heavy pressure the river gets.
  Steel are not in that range  due to the timing of their Spring Spawn and lower warm waters for the fry to try and exist.  There is some  natural repro--dont know the percentage. The State often releases some fry this time of year into the river.
   The jury is still out IMHO on Atlantics although they can readily be seen in the UFZ in Summer and have a small dedicated following. Some are taken here and there during the Fall runs. Dont know that their numbers ever got to the point of realistically targeting them in the river- with the exception of UFZ in Summer- and then its no guarantee.
  Browns --well- didnt see very many this year however the Oak reported many. Seems to me watching reports over time that if Browns are the target the Western Tribs are a better bet.  NOT to say that at some times in certain spots they cant be had in the Sr- or even mixed in during  Fall runs. They are hard to specifically target without some very specific River knowledge.(well kept secrets).
  Again- just my opinions that could be different than those of others.

RG nails it, With one addition.  There were browns after Sandy anywhere where they were stocked nearby in the Lake and ther wwas flow fro Sandy.  So Maxwell, Bear, WNY Sandy, 4 mile, etc all had browns as long as the water stayed up, but once it went down, they were quickly removed.
 
L13  

   Am reading on DSR reports of Browns mixed in lately but nothing from upriver at all- tough fish to figure without really knowing where they stage or hang out -lol..
 NOTHING at all like those recent Oak reports. Even one of the regular Guides did a trip over there and has it posted up recently.

Those of us that have lived with this fishery since the start, and can get to water in 10-15 minutes drive time in three directions, are maybe a little less enthralled with the browns.  After years of Russell Station, where a 10 fish day was common, or out at the Oak befoe the crowds discovered it, I'll put myself into a spot where there is a better chance of chrome.  But if you get them before the truffles start growing, and they are in the teens weight wise, the browns are pretty nice fish, just have not seen as many that were reel burners.  I do remember one from early DSR days that took off with an entire 2 bob flyline.
 
As to guides taking a trip to the OAk, when I was up for Veteran's Day, there was a crew from Va that was driving to Bear Creek for dawn to play with the fungus footballs there, and Moose moved his whole operation from SR to the Oak.
 
L13