So several of us agree that this is the worst year for salmon fishing on Cathance lake in over 20 years. Many guys reporting not a bite after hours of trolling. My best day (10 hrs) only produced 5.
West Grand is doing very well and a few larger salmon then past years. Seems like 1/20 are 3.5-4 lbs. One of my friends fished 12 hrs on Saturday and landed 28 salmon.
The shad fishery in Columbia seems to be giving up some nice fish for the few that are fishing that area.
Brook trout were biting very well in rivers and streams south of rt 9 yesterday with some reporting 15+ fish landed.

Good stuff guys.

I second Jethro on being more of a lurker on here as over the last 2 years or so I've been struggling with the long rod, still determined though.

On that note, I've been considering hiring a guide for me and the old man. I've been doing some research and have a few in mind, but was wondering if anyone here had any recommendations?

I like exploring/ learning myself like with most of my other fishing rabbit holes I've been down, but I think a good guide would definitely help.

There are a bunch of great ones in the western mass and CT area but depends on what you want to target.  The Harrison Brothers run Harrison Anglers out of the Deerfield watershed but they are now licensed in NY as well so they will hit the Deerfield, Hoosic, Housatonic, Millers, Swift, etc. for mostly trout but also do pike trips as well.  Another good one in the same area is Chris Jackson.  If you want one for the Farmington in CT I'd call Up Country and they can connect you with a host of different guides.  Further down in CT you can target more varied species like carp, smallies, as well as trout and pike and I'd recommend a younger guy Rowan Little.  He just had Tom Rosenbauer out and they slayed massive carp.  Jon can recommend some in PA and there is Master Class Angling if you are looking to go up to Champlain which has amazing variety.

 Nice job finding them. Really tough to stay on a school this late in the season. Time to get the walleye rods going!

Good that you got out and got to "play" with your new toy and even caught some fish. What was the water temp?....h2l

 They are pretty hungry here to , long sleeve shirt and jean this for ol boy 😉