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River guide · New York

Fly Fishing the Salmon River

One of the most productive salmon and steelhead rivers in the eastern United States, the Salmon River at Pulaski draws fly anglers from across the country each fall for explosive Chinook runs and chrome steelhead that push well into spring.

  • 13 shops nearby
  • tailwater
  • September–April (salmon and steelhead runs)
  • New York
  • 5 key hatches
See fly shops ↓

The best time to fly fish the Salmon River is September–April (salmon and steelhead runs). Key hatches include Chinook Salmon run, Coho Salmon run, Steelhead, Skamania Steelhead. 13 fly shops near the Salmon River can outfit your trip.

Fly shops near the Salmon River

Shops and guides that fish the Salmon River. See all 40 New York shops →

Salmon River Outfitters Fly and Tackle ShopOntario Fly OutfittersUflyfish.com Guide ServicesAdirondack TrOutfitters Guide ServiceWiley's FliesFly Fish The AdirondacksHungry Trout Fly ShopAnglers Den Fly ShopGreat Drake Angling & Outdoor Adventures, LLCConnecticut Fly Fisherman’s AssociationRiver Bay Outfitters
11 fly shops shown

Species on this water

BassMuskyPanfishPikeSalmonSteelheadTrout

Nearby towns

AltmarTown of WebsterCity of Binghamton

Rivers nearby

Delaware RiverWillowemoc CreekBattenkillDeerfield River
Hatches & seasons

When & what to fish on the Salmon River

River typetailwater
Best seasonSeptember–April (salmon and steelhead runs); summer steelhead (Skamania strain) June–September
AccessOver 12 miles of public access maintained by NYSDEC; key pools include the Town Pool (Maple Ave, Pulaski), Black Hole (near sewer plant off Pulaski municipal road), Compactor Pool (County Rte 2A), Trestle Pool (Sheepskin Rd), and the fly-fishing-only section above the Altmar County Rte 52 bridge.
Key hatches
  • Chinook Salmon run (September–October)
  • Coho Salmon run (October–November)
  • Steelhead — Washington strain (October–April)
  • Skamania Steelhead — summer run (June–September)
  • Egg patterns, streamers, and nymphs dominate; limited dry-fly insect hatches
From The Fly Bench

Tie the flies that work on the Salmon River

Step-by-step tying recipes & videos for these patterns.

Browse all 880+ patterns at The Fly Bench
Gear up

Gear up on the Salmon River

Everything you need before the next trip — rods, lines, leaders, and fly-tying materials.

Shop the gear Flies that work

The flies that work on the Salmon River

Find the most effective patterns for where you're fishing — and learn to tie them yourself, step by step.

Find your flies

Updated June 2026