Above said co worker fished river again Sunday and yesterday. It seems his pictures don't lie. There are really fish in that river and I'm jealous.
He fishes below Pineville and above 81.
Pressure was light and he released all as usual
This is only his 4th year fishing that river but a pretty skilled angler as are others here.
All his fish caught were on his tied flies.
Not trying to cause a mass rush because of my second hand information. Just a fact that there is hope at some quality fish this year. Who knows what the future may bring, we live in a right here right now generation.

Rich, if I read the DSR reports correct lately many are 'cookies' mixed with some larger fish, which may speak well of the fishery's health.
Considering the weather lately up there, some seem to have done very well down low.
Albeit late am really happy to hear the recent reports.

His fish were above average and not dark

Two weeks of high water are bound to pull more fish, but my early experiences are echoed by other anglers on other tributaries along the lake.  So the winter fishers enjoy some of what we have come to expect in October and Early November, and that were not showing in any significant numbers then.  Local waters have also started producing, I saw pix of a couple of ~20's that came out of the big muddy while it was still high and stained, but unless we get another rain out on the weekend, it should be at good levels soon.  And some people will fish in anything, but I don't care much for 8000 cfs, or over 2000 in the SR, it is neither safe (for an old guy like me) nor fishable with much other than eggs.  As the DEC reports say, the pinners are starting to have a field day, and if you like to dead drift egg flies you can score with flies.  But the balmy swing weather of Indian summer never happened this past fall.

I saw more steelhead during Columbus Day weekend in the DSR this year than any year I've been fishing there.  I had steelhead swim up to my boots and grab a sucker spawn i had dangling there waiting for a guy to finish his battle.  

I've seen some beautiful fish. Very large ones. If this season hosts a healthy dropbacks I cant imagine the monsters we'll have next year. As for the complaints of early fall steelhead numbers being low in the SR, I'd honestly blame it on the salmon tactics that are practiced thoroughly through October in the lower river. So many steelhead get slaughtered. This used to never happen.

Hey db , welcome from outta the cave .
Agreed, some beautiful fish I've seen as well this season.
Some things maybe different or the same, I don't know.
Years ago , the legal treble hookers pulled a lot of trout . It also seemed, the times in November were tough and the big steelhead of yore were caught during " steelhead " weather.
Then a big lull in years.
Regs changed making a more brighter future.
Next came the internet explosion, lots self promotion ensued, so did the masses and later some complaints of cookie fish.. humm.
If there was only a balance to keep everyone happy.
Mine would be , get the nitwits off the river and just fish as fishing should be.

Peace and tuna:
Happy holidays to all.

Tuna great points. From my perspective though, my referencing is from the difference between tactics and angle pressure from the pre-internet days to the post internet days. Yes, snagging days many trout were compromised. But in those days, it was mainly upriver. Before the internet, people would look at us like we had two heads if we said we hooked 20 steelhead in the staircase in late October early November. Just as little as two weeks ago there were still people plunking weight on monofilament fly rod set ups in town. There were a few days I witnessed hundreds of steelhead being flossed roped and strung in late October in the lower river. I used to never see that. The lower end used to clear out. Not saying it's the only factor, but to play a part. Those hot chrome's used to go near untouched compared to today's standards.

dimebrite2
I've seen some beautiful fish. Very large ones. If this season hosts a healthy dropbacks I cant imagine the monsters we'll have next year. As for the complaints of early fall steelhead numbers being low in the SR, I'd honestly blame it on the salmon tactics that are practiced thoroughly through October in the lower river. So many steelhead get slaughtered. This used to never happen.

Steelhead which survive spawning spend the next year recovering and gain very little weight.  
 
What is the limit on steelhead in the DSR? 
 
 
I have experienced some of the biggest runs of large fish Halloweenish time frame. 
Times change and things change like the holes along the river.
As for me this year, I fished with lucky + a few days before he wanted to mix in with  the early salmon "anglers"  
My take is that there were fewer fish this year ( last fished upriver was a week ago Thurs) 
But there was a higher % larger fish ( largest I personally saw was an early 17 pounder ) my biggest of the few I landed was a thick 32-34 inch range hen I estimate was 12-14 pounds.
I caught one 16 inch microsteel and couple 4-6 pounders on.
As lucky said we were at the ramp regularly, and saw a lot of disappointed anglers getting out of boats.
Rose said she was getting more negative reports than positive.
 
Tuna is your friend younger?
It was a year where covering water was important since the fewer fish meant there was lots of holding water with no fish and few bunched up anywhere.
An option I no longer have.
Two or three spots each day and I'm beat.
 
Hope everyone has great holidays and good fishing
 

Pressure is a big deal. Used to have a couple of upriver mid to late May places all to myself for days at a time.
If one wasn't producing another would.
Now ya cant even get close to them cause guys are posted up on them for days at a time- 
Back then very few fished that late- no, I think because of the computer- its common.
Some fishing some flossing - some outright snagging.
As one who doesn't keep fish up there I appreciate the impact of the added pressure and keeping.
OOOps -yes- I did keep a Ho about 9 years ago.
 
HEY ANDY- nice to see ya.