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So far Paul Conklin has created 94 blog entries.
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November 4, 2025

10 Tips for Swinging Flies in Low, Clear Water for Steelhead

By |November 4th, 2025|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , |

10 Tips for Swinging Flies in Low, Clear Water for Steelhead 1. Lighten Your Leader Setup Use a long, light leader with a fluorocarbon tippet to avoid spooking fish. A  4-6 ft leader with a 8-12 lb tippet works well. 2. Downsize Your Flies Smaller, more natural flies like sparsely tied patterns in muted colors (e.g., olive, black, or brown) are less likely to alarm wary steelhead. 3. Stay Stealthy Minimize noise and movement while wading. Approach the water carefully, keeping a low profile to avoid spooking fish. 4. Use a Floating Scandi Line These lines create less disturbance when casting and are better suited for presenting flies in shallow, clear water. 5. Fish During Low-Light Hours Early morning, late evening, or overcast conditions reduce fish wariness, making them more likely to strike. 6. Slow Down Your Swing Use mends and a relaxed presentation to let your fly hang longer in the strike zone. Steelhead in low, clear water often require more time to commit. 7. Target Structure and Shadowy Areas Focus on deeper pools, undercut banks, shallow fast water with a chop, especially near structure and areas with shade where fish feel more secure. 8. Stay Mobile Cover as much water as possible. Steelhead are migratory and may not linger long in one spot. 9. Match the Water Conditions For extremely clear water, stick to natural tones and avoid flashy patterns or bright heads that can spook fish. 10. Keep Your Cool Low water requires patience. Steelhead might reject flies several times before committing. Stay persistent and keep refining your presentation. Ready to put these tips to the test? Book a guided trip and let’s hunt steelhead together! DM or visit 👉 www.paulsguideservice.com.

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October 21, 2025

Steelhead Season Kicks Off Strong on the Salmon River

By |October 21st, 2025|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: , , , , , |

Steelhead season is off to a fantastic start here on the Salmon River in New York. With the recent rain finally raising water levels, fresh chrome-bright steelhead are pushing into the system in good numbers. After a stretch of low water and sunny conditions, this change in weather has really fired things up. The river is alive again — full of energy, life, and opportunity for those willing to put in the time and effort. Whether you’re an experienced spey angler or just getting started, now is the time to make sure your steelhead fly boxes are full and ready to go. The early part of the season can bring a mix of fish — aggressive early runners mixed with some that have been holding in deeper pools. Swinging flies on two-handed rods is one of the most rewarding ways to connect with these fish. There’s nothing quite like feeling that unmistakable pull as a steelhead grabs your fly mid-swing. As a steelhead fly fishing guide on the Salmon River, my goal is to help anglers make the most of every day on the water. From selecting the right flies and sink tips to reading current seams and adjusting your swing speed, small details make a big difference when targeting these powerful fish. Each run, tailout, and bucket offers a new puzzle to solve — and that’s what keeps us coming back. With cooler temperatures settling in and water conditions improving, the next few weeks should bring even more fish into the system. Anglers can expect great opportunities for both swinging flies and nymphing through late fall and into early winter. This is prime time to experience what makes the Salmon River one of the [...]

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By |October 15th, 2025|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , |

The 2025 Salmon River salmon run is quickly winding down here in Upstate New York, and overall it’s been a solid season. Even with low water flows and bright sun almost every day, the fish showed up and gave us plenty of action. We had some incredible mornings when the migration was steady, and though the bite slowed once the sun hit the water, there were still plenty of opportunities for those willing to work for it. This week, the first steelhead have started to arrive in really good numbers — and the size of these early fish has been impressive. That means we’re shifting gears and getting ready for prime steelhead season on the Salmon River. If you’re one of my clients and haven’t locked in your 2026 dates, please do so as soon as possible. Early booking ensures you get the best tides and timing for your preferred trip dates. A huge thank you to everyone who joined me this salmon season. It was great sharing the river with all of you — tight lines until next time! Book Your Next Salmon River Adventure If you’re ready to experience world-class fly fishing on the Salmon River, now’s the time to plan your next trip. Whether you’re chasing steelhead this fall and winter or looking ahead to next year’s salmon run, I offer fully guided float and wade trips tailored to your experience level.👉 Reserve your dates today at www.paulsguideservice.com and make sure you’re on the water when the fish are running.

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July 2, 2025

DIY Raft Trailer Mods – Affordable and Functional Upgrades

By |July 2nd, 2025|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: , , , |

  If you spend enough time around boat ramps or scrolling raft forums, you’ve probably seen the same question pop up over and over—“What’s the best way to add a roller to a raft trailer?” I've experimented with a few setups over the years, and I’ve finally landed on a simple, effective, and affordable DIY option that works well for loading and unloading rafts, especially when you’re doing it solo, dealing with awkward ramps or no ramp at all. In this post, I’ll walk you through my current setup, which includes a custom roller assembly and a modular winch stand that lets me swap between a manual or electric winch with ease. --- DIY Roller Setup Parts List: 10' Electrical conduit (2”): Acts as the roller body. It's affordable, strong enough, and spins clean. Bushings from Clackacraft: These help reduce friction and keep the roller spinning smoothly on the shaft. 5/8" Grounding Rod: This runs through the conduit to act as the axle. 2 Clamps & 2 Hitch Pins: Used to secure the roller and allow easy removal if needed. Angled Roller Brackets: Picked these up at a local marine supply store; they give the right positioning for the roller. This setup keeps your raft from dragging on the trailer and makes loading a breeze, especially on slick or no ramps.   Winch Stand Mod I also built a winch stand with a receiver mount, which gives me the flexibility to run: A manual boat winch for lightweight, no-hassle trips Or an electric winch when I need a little more power Mounting the winch to a standard trailer hitch receiver allows me to remove or swap it out depending on the day and the load—super [...]

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May 29, 2025

Prime Trout Conditions on West Canada Creek – Book Your Float Trip Now!

By |May 29th, 2025|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , |

                                               West Canada Creek brown trout on a streamer If you’ve been waiting for the right time to get out on the water, now is it. Fishing conditions on West Canada Creek are as good as it gets right now, with ideal flows, rising trout, and a smorgasbord of hatching bugs keeping the fish active throughout the day. Soft Hackles and Streamers are Producing Big We’ve been having excellent success swinging soft hackles just before the hatch. This classic approach has been putting quality wild trout in the net and offering exciting takes on the swing. For those looking to test their skills, this is also a prime window for trout spey. The combination of light two-handed rods and soft hackles has been incredibly effective and a ton of fun for anglers who enjoy an active style of fishing. The streamer bite is still going strong as well, especially in the early morning and during overcast periods. Bigger fish are chasing down baitfish imitations with aggression, making this a great time to target those larger resident browns. Book a Float Trip on West Canada Creek We’re currently offering guided float trips on West Canada Creek, targeting brown trout with a mix of streamer, soft hackle, and dry fly techniques depending on the conditions. This river is perfect for float fishing and gives anglers access to miles of productive water that’s difficult to reach on foot. Whether you're new to fly fishing or an experienced angler looking to explore trout spey tactics, we’ll tailor the day to your skill level and goals. [...]

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Steelhead Season Wrap-Up: Reflections from the River

By |May 13th, 2025|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: , , , , , , , |

Steelhead Season Wrap-Up: Reflections from the River As spring gives way to early summer here in Upstate New York, another steelhead season has come to a close. It’s always bittersweet wrapping up a chapter that brings so much excitement, challenge, and connection—to both the fish and the anglers who chase them. This season was no different. A Season of Highs and Lows (and High Water!) The 2024–2025 steelhead run kept us on our toes. From early fall pushes in low water to unpredictable winter thaws, Mother Nature threw everything at us. We had stretches of high water that shuffled fish and tested our ability to adapt. But when conditions lined up, the rewards were worth every cold morning and every long drift. Some of the highlights included: Early season chrome in October that came in hard and fast December days with fish holding deep and willing to eat swung flies A strong late-winter push in February and March with fresh fish showing up right when we needed them. One of many bright steelhead that made this late season special. Swing Season Success Spey anglers had a solid season. As always, covering water with a two-hander and watching a fish chase down a fly in the swing is something special. We saw good action on intruders, leeches, and smaller, sparse patterns in clear water. Anglers were rewarded who put in the time and moved with the fish. What Worked (and What Didn’t) Flies that consistently produced: Purple and black intruders Senyo's AI's Egg-sucking sculpins Tactics that paid off: Covering water instead of sitting in one spot. Adjusting sink tips and depth constantly. Staying persistent through cold snaps and tough days. Fishing confidence flies. Looking [...]

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March 6, 2025

Experience the Thrill of Fly Fishing for Smallmouth Bass on the Salmon River, NY

By |March 6th, 2025|Categories: Reports|Tags: , , , , , , , , |

Looking for an exciting new angling adventure this season? Join us for a guided fly fishing trip for smallmouth bass on the Salmon River in Upstate NY! Known for its world-class salmon and steelhead runs, the Salmon River also boasts an incredible smallmouth bass fishery that peaks during the warmer months. Our experienced guides will take you to the river's prime spots, offering tips and techniques for targeting these hard-fighting bass. Whether you're a seasoned fly angler or new to the sport, you'll appreciate the power and acrobatics of smallmouth bass as they explode on surface flies and streamers. We provide everything you need, including top-quality fly fishing gear, custom-tied flies, and expert instruction. Choose from float trips or wade trips to suit your style, and get ready to chase bronzebacks through riffles and pools surrounded by the scenic beauty of the Salmon River. Book your guided smallmouth bass fishing trip today and discover why the Salmon River is a must-visit destination for fly anglers in Upstate New York. Tight lines await!  

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Brown Trout

By |March 4th, 2025|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

       Experience Epic Trout Fly Fishing in Eastern NY! Join us for an unforgettable guided trip on the West Canada Creek or Hoosic for a drift boat adventure or explore the legendary West Branch Ausable River on a wade trip! Whether you're chasing wild browns or perfecting your cast, we’ve got the knowledge and experience to put you on fish. ✅ Float Trips & Wade Trips Available ✅ Perfect for Beginners & Experienced Anglers ✅ Stunning Scenery & Trophy Trout ✅️ Trout Spey 📅 Book your trip today—let’s get on the water!  

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February 11, 2025

Spey Gear Prep Tips

By |February 11th, 2025|Categories: Gear, Steelhead, Uncategorized|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

As swing season approaches on the Salmon River,  it’s essential to get your spey gear in prime condition for steelhead. Here are some tips to make sure you’re ready:   1. Check Your Rod & Reel Inspect for Damage: Look for any cracks or wear on your spey rod, especially around the ferrules. Reel Maintenance: Clean and lubricate your reel. Ensure your drag system is functioning smoothly. Backing: Check your backing for knots, tangles, or signs of wear. Replace it if necessary. 2. Line Prep Change or Clean Your Line: A clean fly line casts better. If it’s old, consider upgrading to a new spey line or Scandi/Skagit head. Leader & Tippet: Stock up on tapered leaders and fluorocarbon tippets in varying strengths (10-15lb range). 3. Flies & Sink Tips Organize Your Fly Box: Have a mix of traditional steelhead patterns (Intruders, Muddlers, etc.) in various sizes and colors. Sink Tips: Make sure you have an array of sink tips for different water conditions (e.g., intermediate to heavy sink rates). Make sure the loops have no cracks in them. 4. Casting Practice Dial in Your Cast: Get out on the water or lawn to practice your spey casting technique. Focus on smooth, controlled casts to maximize your swing. 5. Plan Your Spots Scout the River: With constantly changing river conditions, familiarize yourself with high-percentage steelhead holding spots. By preparing your gear now, you’ll be ready to hit the water with confidence when the steelhead start running strong!

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October 9, 2024

Fall Streamer Float trips – Big Browns

By |October 9th, 2024|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: , , , , , , , , , |

        Chasing Big Browns with Streamers This Fall - Fall is prime time for targeting aggressive, pre-spawn brown trout. As the water cools and fish start moving upstream, streamers become the go-to. Larger patterns mimic baitfish and provoke reaction strikes from big browns looking to fatten up before the spawn.     Tips: Use varies sinking lines to get where the big fish are hiding. Vary your retrieves—start slow, then mix in some quick strips to trigger an attack. Target deep pools and undercut banks where browns stage before moving into shallow riffles. Keep changing streamer colors until you find what they want. Interested in a afternoon streamer float trip this fall? Hit me up to book your spot and let’s chase those fall giants!

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