Dsr ?

[eastfly66]

Has anyone fished the DSR ? Is it worth it ? At 350/season "steelhead pass only" I would expect to have a lot of space to myself ? 2.5 miles of water is not a lot.
I have never been in there (DSR) and I am curious what is behind curtain #2.

What about the drift boat/guide guys ? Do they have to pull out when they reach the DSR ?

 

[Ard]

HI eastfly,

We have a good number of folks who fish the salmon river and they will no doubt see this thread and give you some up to date information. I have not been there for a long time but used to fish that stretch frequently. The prices have went up a great deal since I used the area.

What I found back in the early 1990's was that the river in general was somewhat of a mess except the DSR stretch. There were gobs of fishing line everywhere left by people. There was little, there were some of the most fish greedy obnoxious people I had ever seen in action. Snagging was rampant even though it had been banned for years and there was always someone trying to force you from your spot if there were fish present where you were.

The people at DSR policed their stretch, they cleaned up the mess, they had many patrolmen watching for bad behavior like snagging and encroachments. Those people who broke the rules were stripped of their pass and escorted from the property if they didn't leave on their own. Little by little between the patrolling and price hikes the riff raff were sorted out and the social conditions improved. The first time I went there the fee was 15 dollars and it had rose to 20 when I last visited the area. Now I suspect that with additional price hikes more & more of the offensive type personalities have been sorted out and I hear that this stretch of river is in pristine shape. Aside from being separated from some of your money to gain access by the time of my last visit I had noticed a remarkable difference between the DSR and the rest of the river, meaning DSR was where I wanted to fish.

Here in Alaska there isn't a closed water like DSR but I pay 650 per year for membership to a boat launch and safe parking facility. I do that because based on the number of times / days I launch and park it would cost me more on a day by day basis. There is a hidden benefit to these such memberships, DSR included, the proprietors get to know you as well as other pass holders. I feel that I can expect a certain level of help or slack if and when I need it because I'm one of the stake holders so to say.

SO, if you think you will be fishing steelhead at least 10 times a season I would recommend taking the season pass and avoid waiting in line every time you want to fish. That is of course assuming they have provided a short cut for entry to those who have paid in advance. Get all the details from the management at DSR as well as some feedback from people fishing it currently and then make your decision.

Have fun,

Ard

 

[eastfly66]

Thanks Ard,

Some excellent points to consider. After November 15 or so is my slow time of yr. and I plan on investing some time (all of 10 trips) to chase steelhead. I too visited the SR back in the 90's (during the salmon run)and was so turned off I never went back until this past spring on the advice that conditions have improved. I cannot verify that statement at this point as I lack the exposure to know. I am going to target SH only thus eliminate some of the snagger crowd.
If it will provide a quality experience than I believe it will be worth the investment. I am looking forward to comments here.

 

[4wt]

I wouldn't pay for a season pass.

There's a limit to the number of people they allow in, but it's still a good deal.

I've only been once and what I saw going on around Pulaski, even though I found some spots to be by myself, really put me off. I had a blast catching the fish but it's a weird, crazy feeding frenzy with people dragging their kids along and sitting them in lawn chairs in the river so they can get an extra three salmon per head.

I didn't like the guide I had either. I've heard my experience was not atypical. Had hoped he'd take me somewhere interesting. I remember meeting him and following him in my car to the place he wanted us to fish and saw the DSR sign, basically "FISH ARE HERE" and was like, what the hell, I could have found that. Sure enough that's where we went.

Our personalities didn't get along too well either, no real clash just not a good match, and the full day I paid for was, well, not a full day. But that didn't really matter because he seemed to be focused more on chatting with the locals anyways.

 

[eastfly66]

I wouldn't pay for a season pass.

There's a limit to the number of people they allow in, but it's still a good deal.

I've only been once and what I saw going on around Pulaski, even though I found some spots to be by myself, really put me off. I had a blast catching the fish but it's a weird, crazy feeding frenzy with people dragging their kids along and sitting them in lawn chairs in the river so they can get an extra three salmon per head.

I didn't like the guide I had either. I've heard my experience was not atypical. Had hoped he'd take me somewhere interesting. I remember meeting him and following him in my car to the place he wanted us to fish and saw the DSR sign, basically "FISH ARE HERE" and was like, what the hell, I could have found that. Sure enough that's where we went.

Our personalities didn't get along too well either, no real clash just not a good match, and the full day I paid for was, well, not a full day. But that didn't really matter because he seemed to be focused more on chatting with the locals anyways.

I was reading their page, the # is 275/day ! that sounds like a crowd on 2.5 miles of river (not all of which is good water). I am hoping the steelhead do not draw the crowds the salmon do ? Also , I plan on fishing mostly weekdays.
I was up in the spring ( I had a good guide - great guy) but the river and major tribs were blown out high water. The small creeks were fishable and they were a bit crowed but nothing like salmon day. I have heard farther west (Rochester) there are less people but the tribs are hit or miss. I think the spring fishing would have been good if everyone was not at one or two creeks.
I am really trying to learn how to make this a quality fishing experience but if it looks anything like the Pulaski Salmon run , I will tube the rod and head for the pub for a hard drinking session before heading home (next day of course)!

 

[Ard]

When I fished for the steelhead on the Salmon River the most crowded area was that around the bridge at Altmar. This occurs because it's the last big pool below the hatchery and the fish stack up there. The rest of the river offered opportunities to be alone. Down on the DSR during late fall and winter it was a case of finding fish that had just entered the river and that can of course be hit or miss on a weekly basis. Flow rates are the key and good water clarity coupled with a moderate flow allows for finding fish by sight. This is an acquired talent unless the water is really low but sighting a fish and then being able to swing a fly to it is quite possible when they are present.

Unfortunately anywhere, and I do mean "anywhere" that there are or are rumored to be a large number of really big fish there will be a crowd. Within that crowd are going to be people who are rude or have other slovenly characteristics that you or I may find offensive. Just this past Wednesday I witnessed several people taking salmon illegally but I am a guide and not law enforcement. I have contacted the F&G Troopers and reported the location so they can send up some undercover officers to have a look.

I would call the DSR people to get clear on how you stand if you are a season pass holder as far as access under the 275 rule.

Ard

 

[sandfly]

its the same as when the salmon run. crowds and circus even for fly fishermen...look at some of the other streams rivers if you want solitude

 

[eastfly66]

It sounds like there is some hope between the DSR and the other tribs/streams. Thanks for the input. My guide actually called the wildlife officer while we were fishing for the same reason. It is sad but it still is there. I had a couple center pin guys floating right by me over and over and they thought that was OK ? I left a message with the DSR , this post will give me some good questions to ask.

 

[djamtime]

The whole thing is kind of a wierd one off circus. You have to decide if Dsr is for you. Myself I cant stand the idea of paying to fish. I despise what that place represents. In the winter, the masses do gather at the top end of the river, as Ard said. That is where the majority of the fish are. It is almost silly trying to fish between Fri and Sun. Let me say that I have caught a ton of steelhead over the winter, away from the crowd. If you live relatively local and have the time to put in exploring there are tons of opportunities to find fishing solitude. There is alot of hit or miss, but it has helped me personally to better understand the river. The salmon river is a unique watershed, and unfortunately the Dsr has a monopoly to gate into Lake O. Imo if you want to use your money to the best advantage, hire a good guide once or twice a year and learn the whole river.

 

[theboz]

You can get solitude at the DSR just don't expect to get fish. The DSR has some awesome lies and pools as well as great pocket water and sluices that the Steelies love. Unfortunately most regulars at the DSR know these places and frequent them. If you can do it I've found that Tuesday thru Thursday is the best bet for less traffic at the DSR. But no guarantees .
If I was asked to pick a good area with least amount of people on a weekday it would be the upper fly area . Hey it's the Salmon River and there are a lot of people who fish it !

 

[emel]

I have had a couple of years experience now on the SR and specifically the DSR.
I have a friend who gets the steelhead pass and gets his money out of it. I used last year as a test to see if it would be worth it and found because of the weather would have lost my shirt (made it one time between Thanksgiving and May 15 and I am only a relatively short drive away). If the winter is like a usual winter it can be good and there are fish there despite what some say. But, there are fishermen as well.
I find it depends on the type of fishing tactics you use. If you are swinging flies with a a two-hander like I do it can be challenging to find room in the good swing water as pinners will park themselves in many of the good spots. If you are nymphing there are usually more opportunities.
My advice is go during mid week if possible. Avoid weekends and definitely avoid salmon season. Even on the DSR I am not subjecting myself to that again.

West of there is not much better, trust me. Shorter rivers with crowded conditions most of the season and fickle conditions


Emel

 

[eastfly66]

West of there is not much better, trust me. Shorter rivers with crowded conditions most of the season and fickle conditions


Emel[/QUOTE]

Would you be talking about the Catt. & western NY ?

 

[larue]

Eastfly,

I have had a lot of really awesome days on the Salmon and I've never paid for DSR or even fished the fly only water that remains a circus well into January. I haven't fished the Salmon in about four years now, but there was a couple of seasons that I was on the river just about every other day from November - December. I found that if I tried to fish on weekdays and was willing to hike a ways, it was not uncommon to find excellent fishing and complete solitude.

My suggestion would be to start exploring around mid river and get as far away from roads/parking areas as you can.

 

[eastfly66]

Eastfly,

I have had a lot of really awesome days on the Salmon and I've never paid for DSR or even fished the fly only water that remains a circus well into January. I haven't fished the Salmon in about four years now, but there was a couple of seasons that I was on the river just about every other day from November - December. I found that if I tried to fish on weekdays and was willing to hike a ways, it was not uncommon to find excellent fishing and complete solitude.

My suggestion would be to start exploring around mid river and get as far away from roads/parking areas as you can.

Thanks Larue,

I hike in doesn't bother me a bit and I can do weekdays no problem !
I like the positive input !

 

[emel]

Eastfly66

I don't necessarily mean to sound negative. I am only giving you my experience on the DSR. In winter there are days when you can find plenty of water. Usually this is mid week and depends on weather conditions. Often times it also depends on the flow. If you can cross the river it obviously opens up many more opportunities. But this depends on how high the river is and your wading ability. The bottom of the river is notoriously slippery and rocky so wading boots with felt soles AND studs are a must. In fact I believe studs are mandated on the DSR after a certain date. Check the guages on the USGS site. The Pineville guage is the one we check but keep in mind that the water is always higher down in the DSR than in Pineville. For example if P-Ville reads 700cfs it is more like 1000cfs at the DSR. I would not recommend anyone cross the river at that height. It's too dangerous. Below that depends on your ability. Be sensible and careful. It's only fishing. I am by no means telling you not to go because if conditions are OK I am usually there. I'm only telling you what you can expect.

As far as the west, yes I mean Western NY. I am not sure about the Catt except that she is very finicky and blows out easily.

Emel

 

[eastfly66]

Eastfly66

I don't necessarily mean to sound negative. I am only giving you my experience on the DSR. In winter there are days when you can find plenty of water. Usually this is mid week and depends on weather conditions. Often times it also depends on the flow. If you can cross the river it obviously opens up many more opportunities. But this depends on how high the river is and your wading ability. The bottom of the river is notoriously slippery and rocky so wading boots with felt soles AND studs are a must. In fact I believe studs are mandated on the DSR after a certain date. Check the guages on the USGS site. The Pineville guage is the one we check but keep in mind that the water is always higher down in the DSR than in Pineville. For example if P-Ville reads 700cfs it is more like 1000cfs at the DSR. I would not recommend anyone cross the river at that height. It's too dangerous. Below that depends on your ability. Be sensible and careful. It's only fishing. I am by no means telling you not to go because if conditions are OK I am usually there. I'm only telling you what you can expect.

As far as the west, yes I mean Western NY. I am not sure about the Catt except that she is very finicky and blows out easily.

Emel

Very much appreciated and sound advise !

One can only try , I am going to pass on the "pass" but put my work in on the rest of the river system & tribs. Out west NY I am going to join a group that has a guide package next year and learn the ropes.
Cheers
East