Streamers for Fall Landlocked Salmon
By Matt Chapple

Heavy rain will swell the tributaries of the Finger Lakes, which sparks the spawning run of the Landlocked Salmon. From September to December depending on rain, landlocked salmon can be found in some of the tributaries of New York's Finger Lakes. The fishing season for the Finger Lakes tributaries lasts until December 31st and Salmon will trickle well into in December.

There are a variety of fly patterns to use to fly-fish for landlocked salmon. Olive has been a successful color for Finger Lakes landlocked salmon. Streamers that incorporate marabou, which has great action, and eyes, which seem to entice salmon, are the most effective. Here are a few patterns that have taken fish.

How to Paint a Streamers Eyes
Build up the thread giving space for the eyes. Coat with head cement and let dry. Paint a white circle with model paint and let dry. Paint a smaller black circle and let dry. Coat with more head cement, dry and it is ready to fish.

" This beautiful Landlocked Salmon was hooked using
the Olive and Pink Streamer"

Fishing the Streamers
As the surface water temperature of the lakes declines the Landlocked Salmon will start to move into shallow water and into the Finger Lakes tributaries. For lake fishing, either a floating line or a slow sinking tip line will work nicely. Often times the salmon will cruise near the surface so the streamer will not need to sink to far. In the creeks cast upstream, let the streamer sink and then swing it through suspecting lies and at the heads and tails of pools. Other Patterns good patterns include Stone fly nymphs, Hare’s ear nymphs and the above streamers in brighter colors, such as chartreuse, and the Black Ghost. You may also hook into some nice Brown Trout in the tributaries in the autumn, especially when fishing nymphs.

Check CNY Fly Box