ryguyfi wrote:
I used size 10's and felt quite fine with landing fish on them. I would say if you're targeting salmon I wouldn't use anything smaller than 12 or you have risk of breaking or straightening a hook. 8's and 10's should be good. I use a heavy gauge scud hook.
Bring lots of flies and LOTS of split shot. NY doesn't sell lead in any form so bring your own. The large spin fishing shot, not the dinky fly fishing kind. Literally bring 3-4 times more than you think because you'll go through it. Guys in my group a few years ago were picking shot out of trees and snags because they didn't take my advise and ran out.
All flies I tie for the salmon river are 2 minutes or less to tie. You will go through flies so no use in spending a ton of time on them. Eggs are estaz and yarn. Don't worry about making them look pretty. I also tie a simple zonker pattern... cone head or bead head, 1 zonker strip tied in at the bend and then wrapped with chenille for the body and the zonker tied over top attached by the bead/cone. Maybe wrap it with wire to help durability but KISS. Orange hot bead and black body has been killer for me but tie everything in at least 5-6 colors. The fish can key on different colors on different days so be prepared. Bring your tying gear as well as you may find a hot pattern and be prepared to tie a bunch in between the fishing.
