For those that have fished the Salmon River, NY or have experience fishing for salmon, I am planning on the fishing the Salmon River in Pulaski NY. Planning on building a salmon fly rod. Need a jump start! What would type of blank would be needed! Any other ideas would be welcomed. thanks.

You may want to send Mark Cruse an email. If I remember correctly from a conversation he and I had at the show last year. He is quite familiar with that river and Fly fishes for salmon.

One things for sure; you will have to leave your sinko's at home

I used an eight weight for chum, reds, and silvers in Alaska and it worked quite well. You could go with a nine weight and be okay, too. I think a seven is a bit light and a ten a bit heavy unless you are hunting the kings.

Different kind of salmon fishing in Alaska, I'm sure, than what you are going to do, but I imagine the fish are in a similar size range and fighting mood.

One little thing...make a very strong leader to flyline connection! I saw a couple of those mesh, Chinese handcuff style loops pull completely off the end of the line. And tie good knots on your flies!

Sounds like a great trip!

Les

IF1088
Rainshadow RX7 Switch Rod

Component Part Number Part Description
Rod Blank Model # IF1088-4M 10'8" 4pc 8wt Switch Rod Blank - Matte Clear
Butt cap: SWHDCCBC20F Switch Grip Hard Density Cork Composite Butt Cap with Flare
Reel Seat: RYSW-SG Y Fly Seat with Black Aluminum Insert with Butt Cap & Trim Ring - Shiney Gunsmoke
Reel Seat Shim: n/a
Rear Grip: SW325S-300 3.25" Rear Switch Grip Super Grade ID .300"
Fore Grip: SW1175S-300 11.75" Fore Switch Grip Super Grade ID .300"
Winding Check: LTCWC375 Lt TitCar Plated Winding Check .375" I.D.
Hookeeper: FHK-TC Folding Hook Keeper-Tich
Tip Top XTCFTL5.0 ALPS SS316-Titanium Carbide Pltd Fly Top Large Loop 5.0 Tube
Guides (see below for size and quantity) XTCSNGP ALPS SS316-Snake Guide - TICH w/o Chrome
Guides (see below for size and quantity) XTCLXNZG ALPS SS316-LXN Guide w/'Z' Ring - TiCh w/o chrome

Guide order from the tip top Guide Guide Placement - In inches from the tip top
1st XTCSNGP3 4"
2nd XTCSNGP3 9.375"
3rd XTCSNGP3 15.5"
4th XTCSNGP3 22.75"
5th XTCSNGP4 31"
6th XTCSNGP4 40.5"
7th XTCSNGP5 51.25"
8th XTCSNGP5 63.75"
9th XTCLXNZG12 78"
10th XTCLXNZG16 94.25"

Karry Batson
Batson Enterprises Inc.
Ph: (877) 875-2381
Fax: (360) 683-3579
karry@batsonenterprises.com
www.batsonenterprises.com

Don't go too hi-tech. New York's Salmon river - home of the world record Coho - is all "chuck and duck" flyfishing involving weighted leaders. It's all freestone and if you use a sinking fly line you are guaranteed to get it wedged under a rock and lose your line. I use a 9# rod with 30# backing. This is close to minimum tackle when a +30 pound Chinook decides to head back down the river. Be sure your backing tests more than your leader.
You are bound to "tick" your rod's tip section with split shot or slinky while you are "chuck and ducking," and this can easily lead to rod failure. Combine this with the nearly irresistable temptation to high stick big fish and you can appreciate why it's prudent to use a lower price rod. Besides, you will very seldom make casts of over 30 feet in length, and usually much closer.

Talk to any of the shops when you get to Pulasky. Around an 8 wt should be plenty. What I have done is wade , water because of the dam, is about above the knee. When you know the hole that they are holding in, before they go upstream again, cast in front of it, slowly pull off line to get the fly at there noise. They will take it. Then you can stear them and have a nice fight.

Bill - willierods.com

Hey Al,
If your unsure about what to do, I'd take Mr Batson's whole list as a terrific suggestion. Yep, I'd copy it, call him or e-mail him and say send it.
You could do alot worse guessing and taking tips from others.
From one Alton to another, you can't go wrong...

Good Wrappin !
David A. Fuller,
Great Basin Fishing Rods
Full-Time RV'r Traveling- n- Fishing
www.mytripjournal.com/FullersBigAdventure