Spey and fly fishing for steelhead and salmon on the Salmon River in Pulaski, plus wild trout on the Ausable, West Canada Creek, Hoosic River, & more.
Since 2000, Paul has guided anglers on New York’s Salmon River in Pulaski for steelhead and salmon, specializing in spey casting and swinging flies. Beyond that, he guides fly fishing trips for trout on the West Branch Ausable, the West Canada Creek, and the Hoosic River, three of Upstate New York’s finest rivers.
When the kings and coho run in off the lake each fall, the Salmon River comes alive. These fish are brutes, and hooking one in fast water will humble you in a hurry. Bring a strong back
Nothing beats a fresh steelhead on the swing. They come in chrome, run like freight trains, and pull harder than anything their size has a right to. This is our favorite way to fish. If you haven’t tried it – you need to.
When the trout bug hits, we get off the beaten path. The Ausable, the West Canada, the Hoosic. Quiet water, plenty of fish, and usually not another soul around. A nice change from the big river.
I’m Paul Conklin. I’ve fished these rivers for 40 years and guided them since 2000, most of that time with a two-handed spey rod in my hands. Spey and fly fishing are what I love and what I teach best.
Pulaski sits just a few hours from Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, and D.C., which makes this one of the easiest shots at big migratory fish you’ll find on the East Coast. And when the seasons turn, I trade the big water for trout on some of the quietest, prettiest water in Upstate New York. Come up for a day and I’ll show you why I never left.
I run two kinds of trips on the Salmon River. Walk-in trips cover the river on foot, working the runs and holding lies where fish sit. Float trips put us in the drift boat to cover more water and reach stretches that are harder to fish from the bank. Which one fits depends on the season, the water level, and what you want out of the day. You can see both on the guided trips page.
Salmon River trips include guaranteed access to the Douglaston Salmon Run, the private stretch of the lower river near Lake Ontario that holds fresh fish throughout the season.
Outside the salmon and steelhead seasons, I run trout trips on the West Canada Creek, the Ausable, the Hoosic, and a handful of other streams I’ve come to know over the years. These are usually trout spey and dry fly outings for browns and rainbows on some of the best moving water Upstate New York has to offer. They run shorter than a Salmon River day, either a half day or a quick three to four hours, and they’re a great fit if you’re looking to pick up trout spey or just spend a spring or summer session on the water.
Every trip includes tackle. Here’s a quick look at current rates. Full details, deposit terms, and booking are on the rates page.
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3-4 hour trout fishing trips. Location chosen based on preference/seasonality.
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King and coho salmon run from late August through October. Steelhead move in through fall and hold into spring, with brown trout mixed in during the fall. Trout trips on the West Canada and Ausable fish best from spring through fall. Tell me your dates and I’ll tell you what’s realistic to target.
Yes. New York State requires a fishing license for everyone 16 and older. You can buy one online before your trip. The license is not included in the trip rate.
No. Tackle is provided on every trip. If you’d rather fish your own rod, that’s fine too, just bring it along.
A 50% deposit holds your date. Check open dates and reserve on the Book & Contact page, or call to talk through the trip that fits your dates.
