Columbia Rivers Forecast
August was a great month to fish the Saluda River if you were willing to brave the stifling heat. Large numbers of striper and a few trout were still lingering in the water; however, September will bring some changes to the river.
The stripers will hang around until about the middle of the month. With September’s cooling temperatures and the shortening days, the fish will begin their migration back to the Santee Lake system. Numbers will begin to drop in the river, but a few big fish will stay a little longer. Herring will still be the bait of choice. On the fly, stick to bright colors like chartreuse and white. Orange or fluorescent blue will be good choices as well.
As the stripers begin to head down, the trout fishing will begin to pick up in the river. Quality, rather than quantity, will be the key. Most of the holdover trout that were stocked last winter will be 14 inches or bigger. We have also seen evidence of a small population of wild rainbows that were spawned despite the high murky waters after the flooding in October. These fish will be 8 to 10 inches and should be handled with care and released as they are the future of this unique fishery. Roostertails and Mepps spinners will produce. The fly angler should use small nymphs, sizes 14 to 20, in patterns such as Hare’s Ears or Pheasant Tails, but experiment with other flies if the bite is slow on these. Keep in mind, the bite will be slow until we see a fresh stocking in December.
Remember, only one trout over 16 inches may be kept. However, be wary of eating them as there are still a few issues with the water treatment along the river. Also, keep an eye out for any suspicious discharges and report to DHEC or the Congaree River Keep if you smell any sewage while on the water. Everyone needs to pitch in to help protect the Saluda and its resources.
Jake Howard
Saluda Valley Guides LLC
(803)312-2435
Barron’s Outfitters
(803)254-5537