Cape Cod's Chatham, Monomoy Island, Flats and Beyond
 Inshore Wade Saltwater
Fly/Spin Fishing Report's and Ramblings:

Wade Cape Cod - World Class Destination Flats Fishery -
May through August

Here on the Cape, we have miles and miles of light colored sand flats and crystal clear water that makes sight casting to 5-25 pound stripers the order of the day. This is probably the most exciting type of fly/spin fishing you will ever do. They're cruising the flats eating crabs, shrimp, silversides and sand lances, and just waiting for your perfectly cast fly or bait. Sometimes you need to burn up the water with a fast retrieve and at other times using a dead drift with the current is all that is needed. All methods will require distance, speed and accuracy in your casting. We have some of the finest destination flats fishing in the world right here on Cape Cod. Seeing 100s or more fish in a tide is the norm when sunny. Test your skills and let's work together to help you along the path to hooking up in paradise.

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Blending in and stalking our prey while wading the Flats.
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  5 fish, 2 O'Clock, 75 feet, moving left, throw it 50 feet, 12 O'Clock, leave it, leave it, ok now, strip it, faster, strip it, their on it, there on it...

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  He ate it! Ye-haa! :)
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The following fishing reports will consist of Inshore Saltwater (Fly/Spin) Fishing. It will include Tips, techniques, Habitat, Presentation, Baitology, Flies-Hooks, Moon Fazes, Flats, and even some highlights from year’s past fishing reports. Some of the material will come straight from my past experience as chief instructor of the Orvis 2 ½ day saltwater fly fishing schools. Additional material will come from first hand knowledge, gained from my many years of eating, breathing, living and loving the New England - Cape Cod Inshore Saltwater environment. So, sit back, relax and enjoy this Truly World Class Destination Fishery!
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First Saltwater Cape Cod Chatham and Beyond Fishing Report, Pictures, Articles, Humor, Tips and much more:
Welcome back everyone! Boy, time flies when your having fun. If you didnt hear we had one of the best Steelhead seasons since the early 90's on the Salmon River Pulaski, NY. I'd forecast another incredible season next year also so if you want to give it a shot, lets plan a Steelhead or Salmon trip. Salmon 15 to 20 lb. average Sept. - Oct. Steelhead 8 to 12 lb. average Nov. - early May. Wade and Driftboat/Fly or spin. 25 years experience,  full-time. :)
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The micro's are here in full force in all the normal Spring spot's as they migrate through. This is the lead pack of migrater's. The size will increase every week by a few inch's. Until finally, they will all be keepers mixed in with Blues. The bait is also starting to show and these number's will also increase as the Spring progress's. All flies are working from small to large as that's what the bait is. Use the brightest fly colors you have in the box. Attractor colors work best in the Spring. No fussy fish yet. All white is a nice attractor color plus it imitates the squid nicely, small to large. It also imitates the belly of any of the bait thats around. Heavy tippets - leaders are recommended as we dont have any line shy fish yet. Plop it on their heads in the Spring. This is the easiest time to catch a fish if your new. Your rigging, presentation can be way off and you'll still catch fish. The one thing that IS critical in the Spring is knowing your Spring spots and making sure your in 55 degree water or as close as you can get. Moving water is always a plus!
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You can view their product line in Italy by visiting their website: 
http://www.fishage.com
If the website does not come up then you will need to install flashplayer. 
It is free and easily downloaded from the net. Here is what I used:
http://www.adobe.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash)

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Here is a link my "funny and sarcastic ;) client Warren sent to me. 
http://www.netknots.com/html/fishing_knots.html
He said that I might be able to use it. :O I just started tying knots last week so Im still learn'n how to tie a good one. :)
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Mail Bag:
Hi Randy, I clicked on your link on Cape Cod http://www.reel-time.com. My family will be renting a house for a week in Cape Cod in late July. This trip is billed as a "beach and barbecue" event with two of our college-age kids. I am packing a 9 weight fly rod and a spin rod. Please advise me on what I might expect so late into stripper season and what your recommendations would be. Is there any inshore action? Are the Monomoy flats I have heard about still productive in the end of July?


Countless people have been guided by me and most have gone on to live normal lives :)
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Hi Rich,
Super! You should have a wonderful time fishing.
I might suggest your entire family take the Outermost shuttle boat http://www.outermostharbor.com for a day at the beach. They go to South beach and you go to Monomoy Island. This way everyone gets to enjoy the unique beauty of this area and you get to go fishing all day. Then, everyone is happy.
         Monomoy is always productive, the fish are always their. (But please keep this to yourself as most anglers believe otherwise :) Best time is when there is not to much wind and lots of nice sun. Your chances to hook-up are increased greatly if you can see'm. You will see some 20lb. Bass in 1-2 feet of crystal clear water over the light colored sand, if you can figure out their flats travel Rt's. and plans for the day. You will also normally see over 100 Bass in a tide. Schoolie size up to 20 lb's and above. Anywhere from 1-2's to school's of 20-50. You may find them cruising, looking for their next meal or you might find them holding in the current in a flats channel munching on whatever the current provides them with. It's just like a river. Except you can see them. You could see a few tailing, blitzing, etc...
         It's taken me many many years to figure it all out and much more. So if you have a slow day or don't see many, that's ok, you will be like most of the anglers that fish their. :) It's taken me many many years to figure it all out and much more.
         All of the information you need is below. (FAQ on my website) You might also give my other Salt pages a look. Please do a search on reel-time.com (or the net) of monomoy island flats fishing. Look for any articles on this area and flats. They have a couple of reeeeeel nice ones. Also, in your search you will find a TON of my post's (articles, tips, etc....) dealing with this area.
If inshore, stick with Monomoy on a nice sunny day, it is your best chance at that time of year, unless you meet some local who can advise you otherwise of another good spot or two. I have several other reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeel good spots to sight and blind fish at that time of the season, but I think you will have your hands full with Monomoy.
Have fun,
Randy
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Herring?
Quote: " Pete Santini at Fishing FINatics Bait and Tackle in Everett is
pretty excited about both the fresh and saltwater action. “We’ve got tons
and tons and tons of herring in Boston Harbor and all along the shorelines
and up into the rivers. Last year’s herring runs were very slow but we’ve
got ‘em back this year and this should provide some awesome striper and
bluefish action as well as keeping the codfish inshore.”
Guys from what you ve seen in the field this year does this statement seem
accurate and if so does that mean a possible resurgence for better inshore
(ie. shore) fishing opportunities this year?
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I don't know about the Herring this year but I know last year I saw more Bunker in-shore during the Spring than I had every seen before. I make my living on the water and I'm on the water almost daily,  so it was VERY nice to see. The BIG Bass were with them as usual. I'm hoping for the same for this year. Don't know of any reasons why it wouldn't be.
Best Fish's,
Randy
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I walked down to the dock last night at 8:30 PM and to my surprise there
were fish breaking everywhere. I returned to the house to grab by spinning
rod with a storm shad and hurried back to the dock. The fish were pushing
bait on the surface. I got several hits but couldn't hook-up. I returned
to the house for my flyrod and fished quit awhile without any luck. I think
they were small bass but I began to wonder if maybe they were white perch
as there are many perch in the river over the winter. The way they were
feeding and the size of the splash made be think they were most likely bass.
Anyone have any thoughts. Do perch get aggressive like this in the spring.
I'll probably try again tonight. Ron
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My guest's have caught a ton of Shad while targeting Bass in the Spring when they are migrating through. Size 6 white and olive clousers or something there about's will work if useing a fly rod. Otherwise use the same size hook with just about anything on it for spin.
With such small mouth's, I find the hook size to be the most important other then whats on it or color. :)
Best Fish's,
Randy
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What makes an experienced Saltwater angler?
The ability to evaluate a situation and adjust your presentation to maximize your catch.
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1 Saltwater Fly Book and a nice Spey Casting Book:
Several flattering highlights and first time goals were achieved this year by getting 
a number of my pictures into a couple of books. They are distributed world-wide and endorsed 
by some of this countries top Fly and Spey fishing - casting guru's. 
I'm in Simon Gawesworth - Spey Casting - First and Second Editions. What's funny about 
this big book is that every single picture is of Simon except for 1. ( I got it :)
 
Rich Murphy - Fly Fishing for Striped Bass. He is presently doing a national tour to 
promote this large book. Ive got about 6 or so pictures in the flats section. Lefty K. 
says that it is the most thorough saltwater fly fishing book presently on the shelves.

Im also in 1 Italian F.F. magazine that is being distributed around Europe presently. 
It covered a Wade Fly Fishing Saltwater trip I did with the writer last summer up 
in P-Town. 
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Local Pro photographer's John Halnon and Jay Horton were the ones getting the photo 
credits for their work.
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Where the land ends LIFE begins
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May devoted anglers read these words and relive the simple pleasures of finding 
and landing - the big one.(The fisherman's book of wisdom )
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Going with an experienced friend is a great way to short cut the learning curve, 
increase your knowledge base for the rest of your life and also help you to 
catch some fish :) Having a clear and precise understanding of Presentation, 
Rigging and Habitat will help you to consistently and with confidence fool these 
incredibly magnificent fish. 
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Hello to all of the service men and women over sea's that enjoy my fishing reports. 
Fishing you all a safe return home!
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I sincerely hope that what Ive been able to share with you over these past 
many many years has helped you along the road to becoming a better, more informed,
safe, knowledgeable and experienced angler. 
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Thanks for stopping in and spending your valuable internet fishing time here. :)
Thanks for your business, referrals and kind words.
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Stay tuned for more entertainingly informative and mildly educational reports 
and articles on this never-ending virtual fishing trip with your host Randy 
"The Yankee Angler" and friends.
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If your interested in having a clear and precise understanding of all aspect's of what 
it takes to be in the 10% group that catches 90% of the fish, while having fun and 
playing with some of our fish, then let's plan a trip. I can easily guarantee your 
personal catch rate will go up 25% to 75% after a day on the water with me. :) 
I'll look forwards to seeing, hearing and reporting more on this incredible
fishery as it is needed. Until then,
Fish ON! 
Best Fish's,
Randy
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The Author, Guide, Outfitter:
Randy Jones is a full-time professional fly/spin fishing guide with over 24 years of 
experience. He has represented the Orvis Corporation as a guide and chief instructor 
of their 2 1/2 day Saltwater Fly fishing schools. 

    During the summer, Randy can be found wade guiding the S.E. (and beyond) Cape Cod 
area's,  where sight casting on the flats to trophy Striped Bass is his specialty. 
During the Fall, Winter, and Spring Randy runs drift boat and wade trips on the world 
class Salmon River, Pulaski N.Y. for Steelhead, Coho, Browns, Atlantic's and Kings.

***I'm presently taking guide bookings for this Summer on Cape Cod, next Fall and Winter for Salmon and steelhead on the Salmon River, Pulaski, NY. Email me if interested. Thanks! Randy***


I'm anxiously awaiting to sight or blind cast at some Bass and Blues on those incredible crystal clear water wade flats I call home during the summer on Cape Cod. (Photo John Halnon)
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Old Fishing Report's from Cape Cod Flats to wet your appetite for this coming Summer :)
Flats: This week has been interesting on those S.E. Cape Cod flats for the wade angler when sight fishing. Tuesday, we saw approx. 200 fish for the day. At one point we had over 100 fish hanging out in 1-1/2 feet of water. Saw school's of 20 along with the normal 1, 2, 3's as they travel these shallow water, wadeable, sight fishing flats. Some of them big'ns too! All flats holding fish, but some better than other's and also the fish arriving and leaving at different times. Which is normal for this time of year.
The easy part was seeing them, but getting a quick, fast, accurate cast off with the fly rod (especially when dealing with wind or for a first timer), imitating the bait's fleeing reaction perfectly with our flies (plus a number of other variables) and finding fish interested in what you have to offer has been the tuff part.
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Frank and I both wanted to sight fish. But the weather was heavy fog with partly cloudy skies. We crossed our fingers and after a few fish while blind casting the fog burned off and the sun was perfect. We immediately left for a normally productive flat and as soon as we stopped on top of the sand dune, we could see sizable fish approaching us into 1 foot of water and less. Wow! We stood 40 feet back from the water's edge and at times were on our knees to keep from being seen. We could see them coming 100 feet away. We would barely throw the baby sand lance into the water before they would attack it. Frank was into his backing immediately. What an "Outstanding" time we had playing with these eager to eat, big, shallow running fish that we were above to sight fish too. At times we looked more like we were trout fishing then Saltwater fishing. What a hoot!
As the tide changed so did out location. Saw sizable fish on just about every flat we visited and missed and fought several. What a day to remember.
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Ron and Russel were treated to another incredible day on the flats. Sun and lil wind with lots and lots of fish to sight cast too, made it a day for "KINGS." We had very little down time between fish. If we did not see them,  then we would move 200 feet to another section of the flat and there they were in good numbers. Or we would walk 1/8 mile to another section of the same flat and would find them there. At one point when we stopped seeing them we walked 100 feet and looked into a small bowl and found them all over again. It was interesting to simply move to different depths, structure or areas on the same flat and find them. Ron lands a couple with Russel hooking up 5 time's, but all fish short striked his fly and were off in an instant. Russel still hold's the record of all my clients with a sighted fish being landed of. 25 lb's and 45 inch's on the flats!.
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Father and son spent the entire day sight fishing the Caribbean style flats we have here on the cape. The only thing missing were some palm trees and native women in grass skirts! Rich was the first to hook-up with dad fast in his foot steps. We found a fair number of fish eager to inhale our offering, while others ignored us and left us with that empty feeling. We saw big singles to schools of 100 in 1-3 feet of water!

Just another tuff day at the office, I wish they were all this easy. Im starting to get a little tired of the sun, cool breeze and miles of walking on these hard bottom flats. Boy, what I wouldn't give for a nice air conditioned desk job!
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Today we had even more P. B. and even more Bass in 1 foot of water that we sight cast too. They kept blitzing all day long! The shore line was covered thick in P.B. that the fish had chased up. Saw one school of approx. 300 Bass, another four or five schools of 100, 8-9 schools of 50 Bass, numerous schools of 20, so on and so forth.
Sometimes what we do is called fishing, today it was called catching.
Have a great one!
Randy
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UDL:
Hot Dam! Large school of Peanut bunker 200 feet long. One school of bass (approx. 750) was 300 feet long, spread out in 1 foot of water off the beach, seeing them was easy, cruising along eating the P.B. Explosions of Bass and Blues surrounded us in 1 foot of water. Dam I love this job!
The morning started off with my guest's learning all of the in's and out's of working a spinning rod and the lures correctly. There is always a process I go through when figuring out how the fish want their meal served to them each day. Sometimes they like their eggs scrambled while other's sunny side up. Today they ate them any ol way we served them. Good number of short strikes in the morning, with a number of them coming to hand. Then we hit a lull so we ate lunch. We were just getting ready to move to another location to find some more fish when all heck broke lose. Explosions to our right, explosions to our left. We followed one very large group of fish all the way down the beach approx. 1/8 of a mile picking away at them. Another successful day in many.
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UDL:
Wow, ton of Bass and Blues crashing Peanut Bunker in 1 foot of water off the dry sand for approx. 3 hours non-stop!! It was like taking candy from a baby. Got boring after awhile so we left them alone. When we needed a fish, we just cast down the beach at the numerous busting pods around us and picked one up. Hit the flats for a lil and picked up a nice 34 inch and schoolie on the fly. This was my guest's first time fly fishing the salt.

***I'm presently taking guide bookings for this Summer on Cape Cod. Email me if interested. Thanks! Randy***

As you've heard, a couple of (there pretty sure) Great White Sharks showed up locally off South Beach recently and have been munching on our lovely seals. :) Bite one clean in half. As our seal herd gets larger every year, we seem to get more shark sighting's.

I've only lost a couple of my client's this year so far to sharks. Which is down from last year. :) The sharks seem to be attracted to green, tan or olive colored waders (must look like a seal to them) Orvis, Simms, L.L. Bean and Cabelas seem to get the most attention by the sharks. If your guide consistently stands behind you while fishing in the salt, then Id be worried. I do it all the time with these sharks around. After all, someone needs to be able to dial 911. :)

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My guest was amazed at the quality and very consistent distance he could easily get when he was taught how to double haul correctly. Once we learned the proper technique to tightened up his loop to approx. 3 feet, the strong wind became child's play and his distance throwing the fly increased almost like magic.  His jaw dropped again when I taught him the art of throwing the fly on his back cast properly when the wind would not allow you to throw it on your forward cast for fear of impaling the hook into some part of your body. He could throw the fly just as far by shooting it on his back cast as letting it go on his normal forward cast. He also was taught the correct form, skill and method in (sky writing with a fly rod) jabbing or stabbing the sky during the power stroke to let Mother Nature make that 100 foot cast with ease when the wind was honk'n on our back's. Easy as spread'n soft but'a on a warm muf'n. :)
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By combining his newly acquired taught skill's of creating tighter loop's, double hauling, sky writing and casting on his back cast. He vastly improved the quality of life long expert skill's that he will be able to use for the rest of his fly fishing life that will surly help him to (bottom line) Catch More Fish! These were just a few of the many many things my guest learned. All the fish he caught were just icing on the cake. We all have the rest of our lives to catch a fish. But, once these advanced skills have been acquired you'll cast, catch more fish, and fish, etc....., etc..... with greater ease, guaranteed! Now, instead of being an ok caster, he took it to the next level and become a good caster. Now, instead of Mother Nature controlling his fishing, he laugh's at her feeble attempts to try to discourage him and charges forward with Confidence! Congratulations!
Interested?

Thanks for stopping by,
Randy Jones
www.yankeeangler.com - Fishing Reports, Tips, Past, Present and Future Fishing Forecasts,  Articles, Pictures, Humor and Much More :)
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Mail Bag:
Stripers Forever Members - striped bass forage has always been of concern to our organization. For several years now, there has been an ongoing controversy about the role of menhaden in the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem. We are sending this message to you in support of the Menhaden Restoration Group, a group that is focusing its attention on restoring and protecting the populations of menhaden found in our coastal waters.  
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Recent studies have indicated that the availability of menhaden is critical to the sustainability of striped bass. There are indications that the abundance of menhaden has decreased to the point where their role as forage and filter feeder is not being fulfilled. The ASMFC has not responded to public concerns in a meaningful fashion, and show no signs of changing their position that the menhaden stocks are not overfished and that overfishing is not occurring.
~Because of the lack of effective management of~this critical resource, United States Congressman Wayne Gilchrest (Maryland) has introduced HR3841. This bill proposes to eliminate the practice of purse seining of menhaden in both federal and state waters for reduction purposes. The bill is straight-forward and has no apparent loopholes. We believe our membership should e-mail their respective legislators in support of this measure as the most practical resolution of a very serious situation.
Everyone can find and e-mail their congressperson by going to
 https://forms.house.gov/htbin/wrep_findrep
Your message could be as simple as this (just copy and paste the message), “Dear Congressperson (their name) my name is (your name) and I live in your congressional district.  Striped bass and the marine environment are very important to me.  Menhaden are the number one forage of the striped bass, plus they are an important filter feeder.  I believe that fishery managers have not done nearly enough to conserve menhaden stocks, and I therefore urge you to become a cosponsor of HR3841, a bill that would eliminate the practice of purse seining menhaden for reduction purposes.  Please let me know how you have decided to act on this matter.  (Your name again and e-mail address)” 

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- Pulaski, NY. Reports and Ramblings:

Sept. through April

 I hope you find my reports and articles entertainingly informative and mildly educational

              Phil Leonardi                           Bill Cody                          

                                                           
 
            Jeff Pierce                                     Capt. Bill

                         Mustad US Sales Co-ordinator

                     

The smile says it all. Nice colored up male Steelhead.

April Mar. Feb. Salmon River Steelhead Fishing Report's, Forecast's, Tips, Ramblings, Articles, Enjoy!
With this being my last fishing report, etc... for this Steelhead season I'd once again like to thank you all for your support! It's been a fun and exciting season to say the least. Best fishing in many years and it's not over yet!
(I'll be guiding into May. Still have a couple of dates open, if intrested)
All of those fish that had to run by us this past Fall and Winter are all sitting above us. Some have already started to drop back down the river. Those Steelhead have to pass all of us once again, giving us all another opportunity to play with these magnificent memorable fish.
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3/31 - We still have fresh fish entering the river daily. A good percentage of the fish in the river are actively spawning. A lot are all finding mates or have found their mates and are now edging closer to their spawning grounds as we speak. These are still holding in the normal current breaks for this water flow. The balance of the fish in the river are the drop backs. We are starting to see these now. They will be in their normal current breaks for this flow of water. Eating everything in sight to rebuild their strength back.
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Almost every piece of water running into the lake or the Salmon River is with fish, in our area. Ye-haa! This is a great time of the year to either walk all of the surrounding creeks, river or streams. Or, fish all of your normal spot's on the Salmon River. We all have SOOOOOOOO many incredible options to choose from presently. You could pretty much just flip a coin on where to fish. They are EVERYWHERE!
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I'll be starting my fishing reports on Cape Cod around the end of April - early May. I'll start to actively guide around mid-May.
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Presently, you pretty much have Steelhead that are in all stages (start to finish) of the spawn. (Entering the river, finding mates, pairing up, thinking about building a red, locating themselves to different area's, males fighting over the females, etc....) Each stage is unique. Each stage normally puts different requirements on the fish and causes the angler to adjust. (In my opinion, but what the heck do I know. :)
I heard a rumor that it might start to warm up in August? (he-he) Time to check the weather. I hope your enjoying the fishing as much as my guest's and myself have been and I hope to see you on the water with your rod doubled over!  
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Lot's of water saturated snow all around and especially up on the tug. Today, 3/31, we have a lot of rain, thunderstorms, very high and gusty winds and finally warmer air temp's forecast over the next several days.

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Things can and often do change around here in a day. Expect a lot more water in the river and all of our local tribs with the balance of some fresh steelhead running in. With the ground being 100% saturated with water this will cause additional run-off. This is all very normal and to be expected. Not an issue related to the fishing. Once again, no matter the flow, ton's  of options. As the water levels fluctuate, we simply adjust, just like the fish. :)
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The drift boat - wade fishing for steelhead continues to remain excellent for some, ok for others and slow for smoothers. This is normal and I dont foresee any changes. All fishing techniques are working, all with different success rates, which again is normal.
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Enough rambling for this season.
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Once again, Thanks to all of you for another amazing season. The local economy
had a great season, Thanks to all of you! Wishing all of our troops over sea's
a safe trip home.
I can't wait to do it all over again next Slam'n Salmon Season. :)
Best Fish's,
Randy


Now we know why they call them the Silver Bullet.
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A Sampling of fishing reports from some of March's Steelhead trips

My 1 guest and I had a great day! He played with over 8 Steelhead by himself! Ye-haa. Beautiful day and hardly a sole on the water?
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Just when I thought yesterday would be a hard day to match, todays guest's did. My 2 guest's pounded out about 14-15 Steelhead. Carl had never landed a steelhead before. Today he lost his cherry by landing one. He also played with more Steelhead in a day than ever before. He was esthetic along with myself!
We had a number of highlight's for the day. On almost the first cast into the hole and almost at the exact same time both of my guest's hooked up. Doubles! Talk about a Chinese fire drill with lines crossing, up - down. Exciting to say the least!
T.M. could not believe what happened in the next pool. On 3 cast's, he hooked up on all in a row. One after the other.
We batted 100% on spot's and played with fish in all. A grand day all around. Succeeding in all aspect's of my guest's goals. Dam, I love this job! :)
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We hit 5 Steelhead with 2 new Salmon River anglers while landing 1 of them. Great day all around.
Randy
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My one angler who was brand new to the river used a fly rod and got to tangle with an amazing 10 Steelhead for the day! Wow.
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Another amazing day with 9-10 Steelies to play with. Hit them in 4 out of 6 places. Dont gwet much but'a!
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Sounds like a broken record but another 9-10 Steelies with my two anglers.
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In another days fishing we tangled with 5-6 Steelies in under 4 hours fishing time. Im finding fish in every spot! Ye-haa! Come get'm. Fishing has been hot and looks to continue. Still a few open dates for April - May. :)
Some anglers having a slow time of it while others doing ok to great! Very normal. All the creeks are with fish. (Hint:) Such a nice guide to share. Hope it helps you to hook-up.
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Another fun day with my 2 guest's playing with 7-8 Steelies! Everything working. Have fun, Randy
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By reading the above sampling of March's Fishing Reports. You can see why I'm recommending you make the trip up here. Also, you can tell that the fish are pretty much spread out evenly in just about every single current break that fish's at its optimum with the correct water level. No matter whether it's 400 cfs or 3,000cfs. (Please see the below article on Habitat and Reading the Water if you want to learn more about this.)
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Another way to say it and or report what Im seeing.
I have sooooo many fishing options presently. Im not sure whether Ill fish the UDL, Norwell, Trout, S.R., diversions, branch's of some of these trib's., Candies, Lil, Pucker Brush, wade, driftboat, etc, etc...or a lil of all.
The life of a guide. he-he
There are soooo many good options presently, I may just flip a coin in the morning.
Im finding fish in almost every hole on the S.R. Heads and tails. Tons of fish spawning. When these spawning fish leave their beds (gravel) for the day they always hide in the closest deep water. For this reason and more, thats why Im finding fish in almost all the normal spots, heads and tails, especially around --- where its almost ALL gravel. I normally am not sight fishing. Also, we still have fresh fish coming into the river and also starting to see drop backs. On top of this we have fish in all the normal places that have not gone to the gravel yet.
**** So, if they are running in fresh, been in the river for awhile and have not gone to the gravel yet, are spawning and seeking shelter during the day in the closest deep water or are dropping back, this puts them all in the normal places you would fish the S.R. in this flow. (Heads, seams, tails and sometimes the gut or hole within the hole - just another name or example of a current break) I hope this makes it all a lil easier to understand. :)
Best Fish's,
Randy



         Big Ol Steelie Congrats!
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April and May will be some great fishing if you have the time. Lot's of fish around. I'd recommend coming up.
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1880 House B and B, Salmon - Steelhead Season Available Dates
Linda's B and B provide all the "extra's" that include breakfast, home made soup, free commercial ice machine, use of washer and dryers, wader area to hang your waders, fly tying table, cable tv in all the bedrooms, most have a private bath and wireless internet service. Incredible dinners are available from Nov. until the end of April.
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If you would like a personally recommended place to rest your head after a long day of fighting King Salmon, Browns or Steelhead on the Salmon River, Pulaski NY on a year round basis. Linda, who owns and run's The "Very Popular" 1880 House B and B still has some rooms available.
http://www.1880house.com
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The fine owners of the Sporting Gentleman are all stocked up and ready to supply you with all of your Steelhead, Trout, Bass, Tarpon, Bones, Etc.. needs.
If your in the neighborhood, please stop in and say HI to my good friend's at the "The Sporting Gentleman."
They will have all of your fishing supplies. Or, you can visit them by this link. :)

http://www.sportinggentleman.com/index.html
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        What a Chromer! Congrats!
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March Salmon River Steelhead Fishing Report, Forecast's, Tips, Ramblings, Etc... Enjoy!
Please see Feb. - Jan. and more below for some great fishing info. :)
I'm noticing more angler's out on the river, which is always nice to see. Less down, more up. Most folks are tangling with a few. Sometimes more and sometimes less, as usual.
The lower in the river you fish the easier the fish are to catch, in my opinion.
We have "a number" of fresh Steelhead making their way up river as well as a lot that have been in the river for awhile. Both transitional (hint:) and Winter holding spot's are producing. Starting to see some spawning activity which is normal(3/3). We call these our early spawners. Within the next few weeks we will see approx. 80% of the Steelhead in the river turning their attention to a specific type of rock and current break. Within the next few weeks we will also start to see the early drop backs. These are fish that have spawned and are now on there way back to the lake. Stopping along the way down river in all the normal spot's to feed and regain their strength.
I've seen a fair number of fish that were in a transitional state, moving up the river and briefly holding in the transitional lyes. Presently, all of the fish in the river are starting to feel their biological clock ticking, making them think and behave a lil differently. Care to learn any of the above while catching a few fish? :) I still have a few dates still open and am booking for Cape Cod also.
I hope the above and ALL of the below report's, tips, articles and rambling's entertains and keep's you safe while helping you in your Steelhead quest! Sharing this info. with you has and always will be a pleasure. :)
Best Fish's,
Randy


This was the Nantucket Sleigh ride fish mentioned in the below fishing reports. What a HONK'A! Congrats! (Fish released)
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A Sampling of fishing reports from some of last month's Steelhead trips

One of my better trips recently:
My 2 guest's experienced their first time Steelhead fishing. They came back amazed at the numbers of fish we played with but most importantly, the knowledge they gained. For them, the fish were second to achieving a rock solid Steelhead fishing foundation on which to build. That was their main goal, to which we succeeded! I think we played with about 10-11 Steelies for the day. Just icing on the cake. :)
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My slowest trip recently:
My 2 guest's were VERY VERY experienced. We had three or four on and off reeeel quick. One that pulled hard and fast before breaking off. And landed One. Ouch! Never know :)
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Hit Steelhead in 3 out of 5 spots today. Played with about 8 total for the day. The 2 spots we didnt hit any fish in were only fished for about 5-10 minutes. Im sure there were fish there, and we would have found some if we had stayed longer, but we were only looking for some McDonald's fish. (Fast and easy:)
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My guest's from yesterday decided to fish a 1/2 day instead of our full because of the impending sleet, snow, rain and lot's of freezing rain in the forecast. They got out of town before it really hit which made me feel better.
In our 1/2 days fishing we tangled with 5 Steelhead. Not bad! Yesterday we went on a Nantucket sleigh ride. We gave chase in the boat and were surrounded with a very narrow river, fast water, log jam's, fish running under the boat in about every direction, boulders, fish moving from one side of the boat to the other, my oar blades, rapids, tree's, you name it. We had to zig and zag our way through this obstacle course with a mad and dashing Steelhead on. Pheeew! Finally that steelhead had had enough and gave up. It was netted nicely off the side of the drift boat as we drifted down the river. Talk about a Chinese fire drill! It would have been a hilarious show to watch as I tried to run the oar's, anchor, missing all the obstacles and net while keeping everyone safe and upright in the boat all at once. :)What a fight, what an adrenaline rush, DAM, I love this job!
TIP:
The fish today in one Winter holding pool did not want any natural looking aquatic insect flies and would ONLY hit glow bug's in pink and cream. (We did not try bait or any other egg colors) In a transitional holding spot they only wanted the aquatics.
After working the entire hole with aquatics with no bites? I tied on a glow bug in Pink and on the first cast, it was hammered "Fish On", Baby! The second rod doubled over in the hole within 5 minutes of changing to a cream glow bug. Boy, it sure pay's to have a pretty good understanding of entomology and baitology on this river. It also paid dividends to be able to listen to what the fish were telling us related to their eating habit's and adjust. I knew we had a minimum of 10-15 steelhead in this spot that wanted nothing to do with our insect fly offering. By paying close attention, we were able to fool a couple before pulling the anchor. 2 more fish came from the next transitional lye before calling it a day. :)
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Played with a coupe of fish. Worked on presentation most of the day. Nobody on the river today due to the ice forecast last night and this morning. Not bad at all. Very comfortable and no ice to deal with.

What a beauty! (Fish Released) Photo by Pro Photographer John Halnon
Tip:
Ice in your guides?
The best stuff to use is either silicone spray or Ice Off Paste, sold at most tackle shops. Works on both fly and spin rods. The paste works the best if you put it on the night before. Re-apply as needed while fishing.
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My guest today had 4-5 goals that we wanted to achieve. A better, complete, expert analysis and understanding of flies, tying flies, reading water, presentation, Steelhead strategies, rigging, how does the lower and higher water effect the fish, were do the fish lay in all the holes, high water current breaks, where to stand in every hole, how to access each hole, advanced rigging and presentation, stream etiquette, where to cross the river safely, how to rig and present a fly-bait while sight fishing to the Bucks in the Spring, Spring strategies, Winter strategies, where to find the Bucks in the Spring and lastly and least important were fish.
Ken only had 4-5 goals but I covered all of the above and much more. This is a normal day for me. We hit some fish while completely and thoroughly achieving all of Kens goals plus some! :)
We spent time in each and every hole over a 3 mile distance. Approx. 40 or more spot's.
We saw fish with the help of todays sun. Saw a fair number of fish that were in a transitional state, moving up the river and briefly holding in the transitional lyes. Presently, all of the fish in the river are starting to feel their biological clock ticking, making them think and behave a lil differently. Care to learn any of the above while catching a few fish? :) I still have a few dates still open.
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Mail Bag:
Randy, Just a note of thanks for our day of fishing. I've returned several times since and have hooked a lot of steelhead each time out. I've been working on my fly patterns and have some I really like -  I'm looking forward to having my son, Daniel, fish with you in a couple years. That will be a great day for me to take pictures. Hal Fuller.
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Thanks for all the help yesterday and the sight fishing adventure. Went to the hole and 3rd cast, landed a 7lb female. Got her on a fly that you showed me and that I changed a little. Overall an awesome day! Thanks again. Ken
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"The Fisherman Magazine" (out now, 2 part series in two issues and cover shot) has some great Salmon River Steelhead articles in it. I contributed what little I know :) with the writer about habitat - Reading the Water section. I've been getting a fair number of intrested anglers contacting me after viewing these which is always a bonus. I'd like to sincerely "Thank" John D. Silva, New England Outdoor Freelance writer for this flattering opportunity!
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Hi Randy, Just a heads up...

The two-part article I wrote will be featured in a 4-region sweep(all the east coast 
regional editions) including cover photo in The Fisherman Magazine beginning next week. 
Part II is the feature about "reading the water," and it is the section of the piece 
that you are mentioned in. Your part will be out on 2/21 I believe. So keep an eye 
out for The Fisherman Magazine on Feb 21...
Thanks and good luck on the water...!
John
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Feb.  Salmon River Steelhead Fishing Report, Forecast's, Tips, Ramblings, Etc... Enjoy!
Please see Jan. (and below) fishing report's for more Super fishing info. :)
Plenty of fish (now and in the future) in the river for your fishing enjoyment. Both fresh and older Steelhead top to bottom of the river. All Winter spot's are holding with the occasional Steelie coming from a transitional holding location as they make their way up river. Look for additional Steelhead to continue entering the Salmon River and elsewhere (hint :)  for the remainder of Feb. and March. You will find plenty of fish all April into normally the first week or two of May. What fly should I use now? Let mother nature tell you. (Hint) Take a look along the snowy river banks to see what is hatching this month and next, when it gets above freezing.






The "Very Popular" 1880 House B and B is running a Feb. Steelhead Fishing Weekday special. Stay 3 night's for the price of 2. (315) 298-6088.
http://www.1880house.com
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My good friend's at the "The Sporting Gentleman" (Media, PA) have some SUPER Winter Event's scheduled for Feb. and March. Please see website for descriptions. Most events are free while a couple have a small fee. Call for details. Pre-registration requested. http://www.sportinggentleman.com/index.html
They also have a lot of special offer's on equipment to help you save some money. :)

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Fish Fighting Techniques for Steelhead:

Yes, that's me with the stupid looking hat and the spinning rod.
The first thing I did upon hooking up was to immediately get even or below the fish. This tires the fish out sooner by knocking it off balance and causing it to work harder to stay upright. (An exception to this would be if there was very fast water (drop in the river), deep hole that you can not get around, snags or anything below you that might cause the fish to break you off. Then I would stay a little above the fish)

I see 95% of the angler's on this river never really load their rod properly when fighting a fish. This is totally understandable (as with everything else :) because if you've never been told or learned much of this, then it's all new. I certainly didnt know much of this when I was new and I still don't know it all. :) Most angler's only pull back 1/4 to 1/2 way back. In the above photo I am about 3/4 of the way back with the rod. Before I stop pulling back, the rod is pointed directly behind me with the rod horizontal and next to my ear. The butt (very bottom) of the rod is pointed at the far bank. It's hammer time!

By holding your rod upside down with rod tip in the water the fish will normally, slowly and quietly come in without much fuss. By keeping it's head under the water the fish feel's much more comfortable and tends not to freak out.  This at times can also be used as a stalling tactic. You will notice some of the more experienced Salmon River anglers inverting their rod shortly after the hook up. This greatly increases the odds for the fish to remain in the hole-pool and not speed off down river. It also helps by hopefully controlling the fish's attitude. Keeping it from thrashing around and breaking off.

The above is an example on how many Steelhead are lost with the rod tip up. (If snag's or strong current's are around you then this would be the correct way) Notice the splash? Miss Steelhead did not like it when I pulled her head out of the water. Many fish are lost-broken off at this point.

If you listen to the fish it will pretty much tell you at what angle to hold your rod. If the fish is on the other side of the river I always hold my tip high. If I held it low then the full amount of the rivers current would put an awful lot of additional pressure on my line and tippet as it bow's. Many times resulting in breaking the fish off. If the fish is approx. from the middle of the river towards me then I always hold my rod tip just off the surface of the water down low. (Providing I dont have any real fast currents or snags.)

The funniest thing about this picture and the above photo was as I was playing the fish. Anytime I had my rod tip up I lost total control over the fish. It pretty much went anywhere it wanted to. It also took much longer to tire it out. But, as soon as I put the tip low (down and dirty) or in the water. It came straight in at me. This lower rod position combined with standing below the fish will put approx. 3 times more pressure on the fish when it is within 60 feet or so. Tiring it out sooner and gaining much more control over the fish.

When reeling in the fish with the tip up:
          There are 2 things wrong with the previous sentence. 
#1. I will sometimes hold my rod upside down with tip in water when bringing in a steelhead. Fish don't breath air and with tip up it feel's as if (which you are) trying to pull it's head out of the water. This creates a havoc, wrecking ball of nerves that sometimes ends with fish off. I breathe air, so if you put my head under the water you can be assured I would not be happy. (Same with the fish) By holding your rod upside down with rod tip in the water the fish normally will slowly and quietly (within reason) come in without much fuss.

#2 Whenever targeting large species of fish the rod becomes a flexible lever. We never reel the fish in; we PULL the fish in. The reel is only used to recover slack line. Pull-up, reel-down. Now combine #1 with #2 and by George, you've got it!

Nice lil 7lb Female Steelhead along with my Elmer Fud Hat. Whirrs that cwazy wabbit!
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A Sampling of fishing reports from some of last month's Steelhead trips
1. My guest's hammered them today! I was very surprised at the large numbers they tangled with.  Amazing! I think we set a record for this year. Which means we fought less than 30, but more than 20. Last year at this time my same two guest's had two incredible Steelhead days where they did numbers around 19 fish one day and another in the upper 20'ish Steelhead.
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2. We hit 5-6 fish in a full day with one fly angler. :) Nice day out with warm temp's. Lil slower than expected, but, you never know. We found fish in every location my guest fished off the drift boat. We were 100% on all 3 spot's fish'd. Noticed a few other anglers in other places playing with Steelhead also. There are fish in EVERY Winter spot. Guaranteed! If for some reason you are fishing in a good spot and not hooking up then the fish are telling you to make a change. Guaranteed. This change could be 1 of a vast number of things which would be related to either Presentation, baitology, taking 3 steps down, entomology or Rigging.  :)
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3. Played with 3 fish in the last hole of the day. Pheeew. I hit one myself while demonstrating in the first hole. We worked on presentation all day. I saw one fish being played with in each of the normal spot's for this flow and where we were fishing, so we did have a presence of fish. My guest happily stated that all of his goals were satisfied, especially the presentation part. (I personally would have liked to have found a few more fish to play with, but o-well :) I figured that with his great knowledge of habitat, that he would easily be able to double if not more likely triple his number's of steelhead caught while fishing on his own, by simply applying what he had learned today, easily guaranteed! :)
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4. "Fish ON" were the first words Al shouted after his first cast of the morning. Then another and another. Long story short, Al by himself played with 14 Steelhead today. We got lucky and found a pod of mostly dime bright Steelhead that fought as hard as any Nov. Fish. Whewww!

Al told me he had been fishing the river since 78 and that he had never - ever played with so many Steelhead in one day!

Last time Al fished with me he brought a note pad and pen. With the average being that most folks (including myself) retain 20-30% of what they hear or read, he wanted to make sure he did not forget a single chrome hold'n spot over the entire 3 miles of river I stopped at and explained in great detail. (One of the biggest complaints that I get from my clients is information overload when it comes to all of the many many places there are to fish. Where to park, how to get there, where to cross the river safely, where to stand, where to cast, where the fish normally lay, (many times it is exact as fitting a key into a lock) and anything that might be of a safety concern.  :) All was written down with an exciting, feverish, exactness. One of the highest compliment's was paid to me by AL as he stated, Randy, you know that spot you showed (did not fish) me by such a such a tree. You said stand here, cast there, the fish sit there and you can expect one to bite anywhere from 10 to 25 feet off the bank in a 30 foot length? (This was a hole within the hole spot)
I went back to both of those spots and every time I go there I get into some fish.
One day alone I hit six fish in that one spot using a spin rod, floats and egg sacks. And I was the only one there. I've never seen a single drift boat or person stop and fish it.
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Fishing Report
As we were launching the drift boat my guest's were not very enthusiastic about fishing today.
Can you catch fish in 2,000 cfs Randy? Where do you fish in 2,000 cfs Randy? Dont you think it's really going to be tuff fishing in 2,000 cfs Randy? You can't really fish when the water is this high, can you Randy? :)
This is a very normal (and understandable) feeling if your not used to fishing higher flows. My guest's were delighted to learn and experience first hand that there concern's were highly unwarranted.
We went 6 for 12 on steelhead! We could have easily played with more Steelies if we had stayed in any of the 4 places we found them in a lil longer. My guest's really wanted to learn even more new and exciting water to fish in this higher flow, so we left fish to find more. :) My guest commented that with 30 years of Steelhead experience that this was one of his best days ever. No matter your experience level, we always learn and experience new and exciting Steelhead tactic's, etc... No longer do my guest's feel uncomfortable with higher flows. They will now simply adjust, as I do. Thus, opening up an entirely new window of opportunity for them. It's nice to have options and not allow mother nature to control your hobbies and interest's! :)
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Guest Testimonial and Fishing Report:
Thanks again for taking the time and putting in the awesome effort with Chris and I these past 2 days. I learned more about Steelheading in a day and a half than I had in prior years. I'm convinced what happened 10 minutes after you left would have never happened if it weren't for you. In the spot you left me in I hooked and fought a 12 lb hen. Fought her all the way down the rapids. Headed back to my spot. First cast, fish on!! Back to my spot again, second cast, fish on. Short fight. By now you can imagine the talk around the area. I'm not their favorite angler. Only to get worse when next cast, another fish on. Other anglers could not believe their eyes. Randy I basically fought 4 fish for forty straight minutes. Hearing people talk about me was very strange. I'm usually wondering and wishing "how come I'm not that guy". What a special place and thanks again for all your help and knowledge. I called Chris at the airport and he couldn't believe it. I think you might be seeing us again before golf season. Take care, Kevin
(Please see below's Jan. Monday and Tuesday fishing report for how well Kevin and Chris did with me as their seasoned teaching guide - outfitter :)
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Creeks, Streams, Rivers - Winter into Spring

Typically, the other “best time” to fish for steelhead is just around the corner. End of Feb., March can be “prime time” for steelhead as there is not only leftover winter steelhead, but also fresh runs of springtime fish. Winter thaws and early spring rains generate runs of steelhead. The water temperature will rise along with their metabolic rate, so they will be much more apt to move for a fly or bait. Normally, the whole river, creeks and streams are alive because you're fishing transitional areas, etc... and holding-resting points.

When the Salmon River is running high due to run-off, its prime time to walk the many miles of streams and creeks in the area. Ever try to land a 10-pound Steelie in a small creek? Its not easy, but lots of fun! Once ice-out has happened in the smaller tributaries that run into Lake Ontario north and south of the Salmon River, it’s a great time to explore! These tribs will all have fresh chromers moving in.

Imagine walking up a small stream 20 feet wide, light colored bottom, crystal clear water, through the forest and seeing 10-20 Steelhead, 8-12 pound average in one to four feet of water and not seeing a single other person all day. Sound like Alaska? Nope, believe it or not there are several areas not far from here where this is possible. Many of the creeks and streams feeding into Lake Ontario have steelies in them, but only a few that I’ve found are hidden away in a beautiful pristine environment without any or many other anglers. Normally the Salmon River will flood at least once during the spring. Knowing the optional creeks and streams in the surrounding area to fish during this flooding can sometimes save your trip.

Due to possible increasing angler pressure to these areas, (which they can not handle) names will not be printed. Let’s just call them, "Pucker Brush Creek.” :)
 
Please keep in mind that they're maybe a 10 to 25% (approx.) survival rate among steelhead that spawn. These may return as our 15-20 lb. fish next year. Also, they're maybe a 10 to 15% (approx.) natural reproduction of steelhead that provides us with a wild strain. By putting some, if not all of your catch back, you will be helping yourself, other anglers and your children to continue to enjoy this incredible fishery for years to come.
 
When I go fishing, I take all this and more into consideration. In my opinion, steelhead fishing is one of the most challenging and rewarding types of fly/spin fishing you will ever experience. But to achieve proficiency you need to have a clear understanding of the species and habitat in which they live. Then you'll soon be realizing the best part of fishing - FISH ON!

Bottom line: Any month is a good month, providing the fish are there. Which they always are. Just depends on number's. And no one can forecast that.

Happy Hookin;

Randy Jones
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Thank you Jeff Pierce and Mustad for the below Fly Tying links!!
http://www.mustad.no/
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To read this amazing story that I was apart of:
http://www.mustad.no/action/field_reports/nyfishst.htm
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To read the rest of the story and tying instructions, please go to
http://www.mustad.no/action/flyofthemonth/archive/glo_bug.html
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For more flies and tying instructions.
http://www.mustad.no/action/flyofthemonth/archive/jeffscohocandy.htm  -
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Habitat - Reading Water - Current Breaks

One of the most important aspects of Habitat is to figure out the relationship between all of the different water levels and all of the individual and different current break's. How each current break effect's the water movement and then how the fish relate to each current break. By having a clear and precise understanding of this allows the knowledgeable angler to understand our quarries weakness and then exploit them. Basically, where do they hold at during all of the different water levels on this river to help you catch them. They change and so should you. :)

The reason a current break is so important to the fish is that it decreases the amount of energy they need to expend to maintain it's position in the river, creek or stream. If they have to expend to much energy they will die. You can see how these current breaks can be the difference between life or death for a fish and why it is critical for them to use them and for us, the angler, to understand this relationship.

The fish change their lies every time there is a major change in water flow in most holes. Due to the effects that the current break has or does not have on this new flow of water. They will also change their preferences due to time of year, fishing pressure, temperature of water and their biological clock to name just a few. Their change could be as little as moving from the head of the hole (heads of holes are current breaks) to the middle of the hole where the current is not as strong. Or from the tail (higher water flows - the tail is a current break) to the middle of the pool when the water drop's. During real high water sometimes the hole (current break)  itself provides little to no protection from the current and you will find the fish moving to the seam of the hole. A seam - where the faster water meets the slower water. Seam's are another current break that the fish love to use. During extreme water flows they could even position themselves directly along the bank of the river.

We have low water current breaks and high water current breaks. Many times a current break is not large enough to effect the high water and the fish's relationship to it becomes useless. Just the opposite can be said for larger current breaks during low water. A prime example of this would be Snaggers hole. During low water this large hole is normally not used by the fish because the water moves so slowly above it that there is no current for the fish to need it. But, during high water when the current is really moving, this spot is used by the fish because it provides shelter (a current break) for the fish to conserve their energy as they move up or down the river. So, we have high water spots (current breaks) that we only fish during high water and low water spot's that we only fish during low water.

So the trick is to know when each spot (or part of the spot)  is productive (when the fish will use them) and only fish these area's during the correct water flow. Similar to saltwater tides, fish each spot when it is fishing at it's maximum productivity level. We have different current breaks that the Steelhead use in the Fall (more aerated moving water) compared to the Winter (less aerated moving water). We have different current breaks that the fish use while they are moving up or down (in transition) the river that are different than where they would want to stay for an extended period of time. You have heard me talk about these spots as transitional holding and holding. During their spawn their current breaks change again.

The small island you stand on to fish the hole in low water is now the current break for the fish in much higher water flows. The small boulder on the bottom of the river holds fish behind it in low water flows but becomes almost useless during high water.
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Transitional water is where the fish keep swimming up river and do not stop.
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Transitional holding water is structure or current breaks that the fish use while in a transitional mode while moving up river to rest for awhile. The length of time any species of fish will hold on these current breaks is determined by the quality of the current break and what the fish had to go through to get to it. (There are other factors also) Fish normally use the depth of water and the current to navigate. So any current break that is on this path is normally used. Whenever we have fish that are in transition then these locations should always be fished.
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Holding Water:
They have reached a place in the river where all of their survival instincts are satisfied.
We need the same things they do to survive.
A prime lye consists of:
1. Depth of water for safety from predators.
2. A good enough current break to decrease the amount of energy they need to expand to maintain this position.
3. Enough food.
These "happy fish" will not move from these positions unless one of a number of things happen.

Any type of holding water (that i know of)  is caused by current breaks.

As predators, we need to study and decipher current breaks (Habitat). There is a lot of empty water out there. Our predatory instinct's are to find our quarries weaknesses and then exploit them. Having an intimate understanding of Current breaks and when and where to fish them according to the water flow will allow you to achieve this.
Randy :)
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Stay tuned for more entertainingly informative and mildly educational reports and articles on this never-ending virtual fishing trip with your host Randy "The Yankee Angler" and friends.
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The Author, Guide, Outfitter:
Randy Jones is a full-time professional fly/spin fishing guide with over 24 years of experience. He has represented the Orvis Corporation as a guide and chief instructor of their 2 1/2 day Saltwater Fly fishing schools.
    During the summer, Randy can be found wade guiding the S.E. (and beyond) Cape Cod area's,  where sight casting on the flats to trophy Striped Bass is his specialty. During the Fall, Winter, and Spring Randy runs drift boat and wade trips on the world class Salmon River, Pulaski N.Y. for Steelhead, Coho, Browns, Atlantic's and Kings.
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Thank you all for your words of encouragement, kind words and continued support. Ill continue to do my best in sharing what I've learned through, experience, experimentation, borrowed ideas and taught techniques.
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I sincerely hope that what little I've been able to share with you will help you along the path to more enjoyable, safe, knowledgeable fishing. Randy

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Steelhead Nov. - May

Steelhead Open Dates:
Lots of openings for next Fall, Winter, Spring.
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Randy Jones is a full-time year round professional fly/spin fishing guide with over 24 approx. years of experience. He has represented the Orvis Corporation as a guide and chief instructor of their 2 1/2 day Saltwater Fly fishing schools.
During the summer, Randy can be found guiding the Monomoy Island area where sight casting on the flats to trophy Striped Bass is his specialty. During the Fall, Winter, and Spring Randy runs a drift boat and wade trips on the world class Salmon River for Steelhead, Coho, Browns, Atlantics, and Kings.


Good stuff Les, Congrats again! Mustad Hooks, the best their is!
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Ron with a Reeel Steel Hum Dinger!  
                                        I'm often asked, "What was your best day on the water?” After 20 plus years of guiding in Vermont, Cape Cod and the Salmon River in New York, many best days tend to flash across my mind. As I search deep for one of my best fish stories, it suddenly hit's me. It wasn't my fish, my day or even my story that gave me one of the most rewarding experiences!
Just look at that young man's smile!    Congrats on that 16lb'r Tom!

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Steve and Vinny had a "Day for Kings".
Biggest Steelhead was approx. 15lb's as it catapulted itself skyward toward the heavens, somersaulting several times before splash down! I could see angler heads turning as it sounded like a big brick being thrown into the water. Then a tail walk for about 20 feet. Dam..... I love this job.

Chris with a nice 10 lb'r. Final tally for the day was 9 total Steelhead, fly and spin rods. Congrats Gentleman!

        

Congrats everyone, on those fine "Holiday Cheer" Steelhead! I can't tell who is smiling more, the fish or my guest's.

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Mail Bag:
Just to pump a little info from you with out paying,,,What do you think the best floro carbon line would be? I mean one that is strong and holds a good knot,,,thanks Mr. Jones
Hi Paul, Seaguar Fluorocarbon - http://www.seaguar.com/home.html Any time..... Best Holiday Fish's, Randy
Fishing Report:
Monday - Played with about 12-13 steelies. Good numbers all over the place. East to West, North to South. :)
Tuesday - Played with 7 or 8 Steelhead! Hit them in 2 out of 3 spots. Learned over 3 miles of some of the best chrome hold'n territory on the river
Wednesday - 5 Steelies with one guest. Ye-haa! It's hammer time.
Thursday - 6 Steelies with my one guest. Same as yesterday. Did one more fish today and cemented in presentation, presentation, presentation! :)

Friday - My 1 guest had fished all day yesterday with a very experienced freind without a touch. What would today bring? 3 quick fish, on and off. Beats a sharp stick in the eye and knowing that you accomplished 80% presentation, 10% habitat and 10% rigging for you first time fishing the river is rewarding and very confidence building in itself.
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Much of the week was about learning, studying, becoming the 10% that catch's 90% of the fish consistently. Listening to the fish. When we listened, we were rewarded. :) I know we succeeded in many more ways than to simply catch a fish. It's this knowledge (fishing a number of different good spots - habitat, changing your rigging, changing your drift according to the spot) that builds confidence and allows you to consistently return to this river, without a guide. And catch more fish than you have ever dreamt of before and for the rest of your life. It's this knowledge that helps you to pick up fish all day long.
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We moved around a lot and hit fish in almost all spot's fished. Transitional and holding.
Holding produced better, 100%, more consistent. Transitional produced about 50-50. Send me an email if your intrested in acquiring the skill's necessary to proficiently and consistently with confidence catch these fish.


Wow, so silver. Now you know why we call them the silver bullet. This one is almost translucent and you can't buy a fresher looking fish on this river. :) Congrats!

We've been targeting Salmon lately due to the incredible numbers around. We have been picking up the occasional Steelie almost everyday, sometimes 2 or 3, different area's, while fishing for salmon. :)
The above picture was the last spot of the day. Planned on making just a few cast's on our way back to the parking lot. I knew this spot had remained unfished for the last hour before we got there. The odds were very good that at least a couple of fish had moved into it, as they often do. First cast, fish on, it's a steelie! Then another Chromer, then a couple Salmon in just 20 minutes or so. Out of the 4 fish, this was the only one landed. How sweet it is! Congrats on that beautiful Silver Bullet!
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Time for a commercial break ;)

Randy,
Every time I go fishing, the optimist in me says "This might be the day."  Athletes pray for days like this, hoping they play in "the zone." I think fishermen do too. Surely, this is what keeps many of us thrashing the water with a piece of string. I can count on one hand the number of days when this has happened. Two of them have been with you. The first was two years ago today, Oct. 8, when I hooked 40 or 50 fish, including a 35 lb male king that now sits above my fireplace as an reminder of that one remarkable day of fishing. The other was last Friday. Not only did I land a pair of nice Kings, I also caught my first Cohos, a beautiful male brown and three fall-run steelhead -- my first grand slam on the Salmon River. All told, I had maybe 20 hookups, while my buddy Myles had almost as many and landed cohos, a brown and several steelhead. It wasn't as if this was a great day on the river. I saw many long faces and shaking heads as other anglers came up empty, lost lead and flies to the river bottom and called it quits by midday. The credit for my experience is all yours. I know there are many fishermen who can work the Salmon River and catch plenty of fish, especially when a run is on. I can do it on my own sometimes. But putting it all together when the fishing is slow as you did is a testimony to your skill, knowledge and hard work. Looking forward to my next trip with you and the chance to yell "Fish On"!
Regards, Jim

The Silver Bullet, Chromer, Metal Head, are all names we use for the Steelhead we catch all Fall, Winter and Spring on the Salmon River in Pulaski, N.Y., 30 miles North of Syracuse. (Interested?)
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Randy, had another great fishing trip with you recently. Your knowledge, patience, and professional attitude gave us everything we had hoped for and more. We had a great time, and we are both still so impressed!  We learn something new every time we fish with you.  4 years and 7 trips....and you still have the same drive and desire we saw the first time you took us out!  You are a true professional, and you have customers for life.
Until the next fish bites, Garry
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1880 House B and B, Salmon - Steelhead Season Available Dates
Linda's B and B provide all the "extra's" that include breakfast, home made soup, free commercial ice machine, use of washer and dryers, wader area to hang your waders, fly tying table, cable tv in all the bedrooms, most have a private bath and wireless internet service. Incredible dinners are available from Nov. until the end of April.
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If you would like a personally recommended place to rest your head after a long day of fighting King Salmon, Browns or Steelhead on the Salmon River, Pulaski NY on a year round basis. Linda, who owns and run's The "Very Popular" 1880 House B and B still has some rooms available.
http://www.1880house.com
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The fine owners of the Sporting Gentleman are all stocked up and ready to supply you with all of your Steelhead, Trout, Bass, Tarpon, Bones, Etc.. needs.
If your in the neighborhood, please stop in and say HI to my good friend's at the "The Sporting Gentleman."
They will have all of your fishing supplies. Or, you can visit them by this link. :)

http://www.sportinggentleman.com/index.html
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Feel free to contact my references regarding my presentations and experience:
  Whitakers Sports Shop and Motel (315)-298-6162
     Trout Unlimited Chapters:  

     Finger Lakes TU, NY
     Iroquois TU, NY
     Chenango Valley TU, NY
     Scranton TU, PA
     Catskill Mt. TU, NY
     Tug Hill TU, NY
     Southeast TU, MA
     Greater Boston TU, MA
     Northeast TU, MA
     Croton Watershed TU, NY
     Clearwater TU, NY
     Mid-Hudson TU, NY
     Iron Furnace TU, PA
     Stan Cooper TU, PA
     Thames Valley TU, CT
     Hammonasset TU, CT
     Chittenango TU, NY
Also:
     Orvis-Manhattan, NY
     Orvis-Boston, MA
     Green Mt. Fly Tiers Assoc. VT
     Rivers Edge Trading Co.(Orvis)
     Central NY Fly Fishers, NY
     Oysterville Yacht Club, MA
     Rochester Sportsman Show, NY  (2 ½ day show, paid featured guest speaker and fly casting demo’s.)
     Albany Outdoors Show, NY  (2 ½ day show, paid featured guest speaker and fly casting demo’s.)
     Wilmington Sportsman Show MA.  (2 ½ day show, paid featured guest speaker and fly casting demo’s.)

The above was written about 5 years ago and I've forgotten some of the International, National, Regional, State and Local Publications  - (Books, Magazines, Internet and Newspapers) I've been involved with since this was posted. Books - Spey Casting - Simon Gawesworth - First and also Second Editions, Rich Murphy - Fly Fishing for Striped Bass.
I was interviewed (along with Lefty K.) for an article on 2 handed fly rods (Spey Rods) in the surf and flats that appeared in Saltwater Fly Fishing Magazine. Once again, in the same magazine for my “go to saltwater striper fly”. Also in Fly Fishing in Saltwater. Additionally, I’ve also been featured in a few guide profile articles for the Albany, Syracuse, Utica and N.Y. Times Newspapers.  Some of my “How To” articles have also appeared in the N.Y. Sportsmen, N.Y. Fishing and Hunting, Salmon River Success Magazine’s. As will as many of the major East Coast Internet Fishing Sites.
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Thank you all for your words of encouragement, kind words and your continued support. Ill continue to do my best in sharing what I've learned through, experience, experimentation, borrowed ideas and taught techniques. I sincerely hope that what little I've been able to share with you will help you along the path to more enjoyable, safe, knowledgeable fishing.

Happy Hook'n,
Randy Jones

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Gift certificates are available for Trips.

Gift Certificate good for 2 people,  complimentary day of fishing, either on Cape Cod or Salmon River. Good anytime. (Except weekends and Holidays - my day's off)

www.YANKEEANGLER.com 

            The fishing of your dreams...

     Come wade or drift boat the world-renowned Salmon River, NY, for hard fighting salmon and steelhead during the splendor of the fall, winter and spring seasons. This summer, if you feel you're up for the fun and challenge, master your technique of sight fishing! Wade fish the many crystal-clear flats teeming with bluefish and striped bass off Cape Cod (Chatham) beaches, bays and Monomoy Island.

      Whether it's steelhead, salmon, blues or stripers that you're after, I am dedicated to introducing both new anglers and experienced anglers to the exciting world of freshwater and or saltwater fly/spin fishing. For novices, I place emphasis on fly-spin  fishing skills and supplement the day with knots, fly-bait selection, fish habitats, and prey species. For the more experienced sportsman, I'll work with you to hone your skills. I guarantee a rewarding experience.  

                                            ...  we'll make it reel.

                                
                                                       Randy Jones
                         (Photo courtesy of Orvis)     http://www.ORVIS.com         

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Randy Jones is a full-time professional fly/spin fishing guide with over 24 years of experience. He has represented the Orvis Corporation as a guide and chief instructor of their 2 1/2 day Saltwater Fly fishing schools.
    During the summer, Randy can be found wade guiding the S.E. (and beyond) Cape Cod area's,  where sight casting on the flats to trophy Striped Bass is his specialty. During the Fall, Winter, and Spring Randy runs drift boat and wade trips on the world class Salmon River, Pulaski N.Y. for Steelhead, Coho, Browns, Atlantic's and Kings.
 

"Salmon River, where Memories are Made"

RATES: SALMON RIVER Sept. to May - Wade or Drift Boat
One Angler:.....$225
Two Anglers:...$300
Orvis equipment - Spin rods provided (Flies and Egg sacks not included)
Pulaski Hm: (315) 298-5999

RATES: CAPE COD May - August  - Wade flats, beaches, bays and ocean islands.
One angler -  $275
Two anglers -$350
Orvis equipment -Spin rods and flies, bait, lures provided

Cape Cod Hm: (508)  Pulaski Hm: (315) 298-5999

Hamming it up on the Monomoy flats while tight to a keep'a!
                                                 See ya ladder,
                                                            Randy