Russian River Silver Salmon Run
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Season: July 1st to October
31
Early Run Average: 5-12 lbs.
Late Run Average: 6-15 lbs.
Limit: 1 or 2 daily
Early Run Size: 2,000 – 9,000
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Image Provided by FWS Image Library |
About the Runs
The Russian River Silver Salmon runs are a tiny fraction of the river’s
Sockeye run, Typically 2,000 to 9,000 fish enter the weir at the Lower
Russian River during the early run. So this is a far smaller fishery,
but well worth targeting. For one thing, Sockeyes start to fade quickly
in mid-August, the Silvers continue to be found in some numbers up until
their season closes on October 31st. This expands the salmon fishing
out for another month and a half.
There are actually two separate runs, one that runs mid-August
to Early September and another that arrives in early October. There
are some basic differences in the runs.
Early Silver Salmon Run – The
Early run starts arriving in mid-July, intermingling with the late
run of Sockeyes. The peak of the run starts in late August, when the
Sockeyes are quickly fading, and continues to mid-September. These
fish enter the Russian River to spawn and can be picked out of the
deep red spawning Sockeyes in the crystal clear waters of the Russian
River. Sight fishing for them can be very effective in the early morning
or the low light of evening.
Late Silver Salmon Run – The
late run is much smaller in number and stays in the main channel of
the Kenai River for spawning. You can pick some up below the sanctuary
at the confluence. Although fewer in number, they tend to be a little
larger than the early run though.
When to Fish
The first fish start showing up about mid-July but don’t peak
until very late August. Another advantage of this is that this goes
beyond the tourist season. This means Silver Salmon fishing will be
much less crowded. There should be good fishing right through the end
of the Silver Salmon season at the end of October.
Regulations
The typical daily limit for salmon in the Russian River or the confluence
area is three. However, only one or two of these salmon can be Silvers,
the others must be Sockeyes. This is to protect the much smaller run
of Cohos that enter the river. Also, this limit of Silvers depends on
where you are fishing. The limit is one in the river or in the santuary,
but two elsewhere, so check your regulations carefully.
During most of the run, this area is fly only. This does
not mean that you must use a fly rod, but your terminal tackle must
be an unweighted fly with a hook gap that is no more than 3/8”.
Later in the season, you may use single hook lures to target Silvers.
Be very careful where you are fishing, due to the separate
seasons, limits and other regulations for different areas around the
Russian River.
Recommended Gear
Most of the Silvers caught early in the run will be caught incidentally
by fishermen targeting Sockeye Salmon. This is another reason to be
geared a little heavier when fishing Sockeyes in the area. During this
first part of the silver run, the area is also still under a fly only
restriction, so you won’t be gearing specifically for Silvers.
Until after the Sockeye run is over, use the gear listed on that page.
After mid-August when the fly only regulations are gone, you will want
gear aimed specifically to Silvers.
Spin Casting – Use a 7 to 8.5 foot salmon
rod with 8-20 pound test. (lowering the minimum because combat fishing
should die down after mid-August.)
Flyfishing – 8-9 weight rod, 9 or 10 feet
in length. Use 12-14 pound sinking tippets with a weight. Also have
150 yards of 30 pound backing.
The area is still limited to single hook lures once the fly only season
ends, but you can have your choice of single hook spoons or spinners.
Or if you are fishing before the fly only season ends and want to target
silvers, just change to an attractor type fly rather than the Russian
River Coho..
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