Early salmon run....point me there?!

[Katman]

I heard right NOW is the early salmon run. Greenbay has been the hot spot as of what I've heard. You guys heard of any good salmon runs up in duluth yet? I was going to take a trip out there this weekend to maybe catch one of my own. Any ideas where they might be? Two harbor? Farther north? Any info would do...or a push in the right direction. Thanks!

[toddb]

Go to WI. Two Rivers, Kewaunee and, Algoma areas should be picking up soon. Trolling J-plugs and spoons off boards right off the piers always worked well. Krocodiles about 150' back and #4 J-plugs 45 to 65' back in 8-20' fow. Lots of fun, Big fish. Fish quality not as high if you are in it for the meat, but still good for smoking.

later,

toddb

[Katman]

Thank you Todd...but wow....thats about 5 hours from the twin cities. We would have to really think about that one. We're going to shore fish due to the long drive...any spots from shore?

[DEADhead]

sounds like a date with the Two Harbors breakwall to me.....

I managed to catch a couple of small cohos (as well as two lakers) from the wall two weeks ago. good luck

[Quickstrike]

The north shore will have pinks and a few kings as soon as we get some rain, the south shore has a few fish already but with water flows as low as they are right now they aren't really worth fishing. I would plan a trip around the weather if your schedule allows it.

[Katman]

OK. My buddies are backing out if we take the trip to two WI. A 5+/- hour drive isn't worth it taken on sat morning and coming back sunday. So Duluth is the spot for us. So North shore should have action if we get rain huh. Any main rivers to look for in duluth? Maybe further north? Past Two Harbors?

[Quickstrike]

It depends on how far you want to go up, if you want to stick around duluth the lester is your best bet, otherwise check out the baptism, temperence, cascade, and the arrowhead brule. If there the rivers are still void of fish, try casting spoons around the mouth to pick up a staging fish or two.

[Katman]

I'd say past Lester. Lester is pretty good on small rainbows. I've seen larger fishes at the mouth of the river...but nothing much else. But on the other rivers you've discribed....are much of the salmons going to be at the mouth of the river? Spoons and yozuri cranks have worked for me plenty of times...but what other choices are there? I'm sorry If I'm asking so many questions, I'm new and excieted to get out there for some salmon! I think we are going to go by the Temperance. I remember catching some ok brookies there. I'll be using my my med/fast action shimano rod and reel with power pro 30lbs line. I've heard that it was better to use lighter mono for these guys. Any thoughts?

[Catfishunter]

katman give a holler when your comeing i will be living up there on the weekends. could give a tip or to.

[Katman]

Thank you very much! I will do that. Plans are for Sat morning! We are driving from the twins to duluth...then see what happens next. I'd sure like to know where I was going...hahahhaha.

[Quickstrike]

Actually the Lester gets a better run of kings then most rivers on the north shore and can get a solid run of pinks with an occational looper or steelhead, but also gets the most fishing pressure. I would leave the spoons and yo-zuris in the truck if you plan on fishing the rivers, drifting spawn, yarn, and flies is going to be your best bet for "fair" hook ups. Alot of people rip spoons, spinners, or cranks across the river and hook fish in the face, but that is not fishing in my opinion.

I have no problem sharing info with people about the area but I also have to insist that if you are new to fishing the north shore, make sure to check the regs first, and that those small rainbows and brookies are our future steelhead and coasters so be very carefull and make sure they make it back safe into the water.

Good Luck

[Quickstrike]

Sorry, I forgot answer your question about line. I use my fly rod for salmon with a 4 lbleader for pinks on my 5 wt and 8 wt with a 8 lb leader for kings. The water is crystal clear so you are going to want a fleuro line rather then a braid like power pro. 30 lbs is a bit overkill as well in my opinion for these streams.

[thistlekicker]

looking at real-time USGS gauge data...

Pigeon River gauge station, the closest stand-in for Upper Shore streams is at 30% of the median daily flow from 84 years of data. And falling.

Knife River gauge station, the closest stand-in for Lower Shore streams is at 15% of the median daily flow from 32 years of data. And falling.

not a North Shore stream but FYI...the Bois Brule is at 71% of the median daily flow from 61 years of data. But steady.

North Shore streams are incredibly low right now. I wouldn't be surprised if surface flow at the mouths of several streams is completely blocked by gravel bars. Hard for fish to get up into streams in that case. I doubt there will be salmon in north shore streams until we get a significant amount of rain. Shore casting might be pick up a crusing fish or two.

[ripstick]

Right now the rivers are in desprate need of water. We need rain a good 2". keep a eye on the weather duluth all the way up to the cascade. good luck we all need it.

[DEADhead]

storms tonight and thursday in the arrowhead might help get river levels up on the shore for the weekend.

[Katman]

Nice. I'm still a newbie when it comes to fly fishing. I've only flyfish for about a year now. But I will bring my fly if thats the case. And I do release almost everything I catch...I'm not a big fan of fish...except for tuna and swordfish (sushi). I've been up to the northshore a few times.....I know where we can and can't fish. I would just love to hookup with a nice salmon...any kind. But we shall try lester first. I was there early this spring....there were tons of small rainbows.....not much fun. I know the mouth of the rivers are hotspots for most...but I hope no one makes it out this early yet I will ditch my powerpro and unload my mono clip. Hmmm...this is going to be so exciting! I can't wait to go up! I'm counting on you guys to walk me through what to do and what not to do to catch myself a nice salmon. Very good info so far. So...Lester is a + on the map...great.

[thistlekicker]

looks like Silver Bay got 0.3 inches of rain last night.

Two Harbors got 0.2 inches

dry in Duluth and Grand Marais

probably not going to help very much. We need more water.

[Katman]

I hope it rains! But not sat! Do you guys think the salmon would sit by the rivers waiting for the perfect opportunity to run up?

[OUTDOORNUT]

I thought they said Two Harbors had 2" of rain and 1.5" in Silver Bay.

[thistlekicker]

weather obs for the past 3 days

Silver Bay

http://www.crh.noaa.gov/data/obhistory/KBFW.html

Two Harbors

http://www.crh.noaa.gov/data/obhistory/KTWM.html

I'd be psyched if they got as much as you say. Maybe I'm reading these tables completely wrong.

[Catfishunter]

katman will be out on the big lake this sat. but taking a nice drive up the shore sun. to do some scouting. i have a little blue saturn with some FM and catfish decals on the trunk should be simple to spot.

[DEADhead]

that's what I heard on nbc this morning too; 2" in Two Harbors and 1.5" in Silver Bay...

[thistlekicker]

[Quickstrike]

got 3 nice kings on chartruse wooly buggers this afternoon, had to do some searching, but found a nice pod of fish. come on rain!!!

[OUTDOORNUT]

Maybe Berry could park his truck up river and open the door after one of Chef's house warming parties............that could bring the water levels up a tad, what do you think Quick?