Local Wanderings

Home Waters

2011-12-26T17:44:00.004-05:00

With the holidays present it's been pretty easy to get lax.. visit with friends family and over indulge at an alarming level. We're still enjoying very light snow condition for this time of year. Have had a couple 'fishable' days [temps that would have kept guides from icing or at least been minimal] that should have been capitalized on.. but weren't.

Today I managed to laze around all of the morning before looking at the thermometer again.. 39*F! Trouble being that a good brisk breeze had picked up, not good on the wide open marsh - estuarys of my favored haunts only a stone toss from Lake Michigan. Thinking of the 3 hour round trip drive.. even my weak math skills brought things into focus. Jumping into some cloths & tossing gear in the truck it would, at best, be after 2:00 p.m. before getting the first cast off. Plan B was implemented.. fish the home waters. This is no small placid trout stream, she's all river, just lacking runs of potomodrous fish.

The winter of 2011 is the first one since regulations and general season have been in effect [unsure what year that would have been] that I could legally fish this huge section of water. The pull of 'connected' tribs is always strong but there are some very good residents -mostly Browns- living local. With dry flies and stripped streamer I live for and on this water ..spring summer and fall.. seldom going anywhere else.. no need.. but never the chance to fish it in winter.

It seemed the drive had hardly started and I was there. A bit of a bushwhack in to where I'd mentally slated to start. All kinds of tracks.. none of them men. I love this remote area and feel unbelievably fortunate to have grown up and continue to live here.

Casting the little CND was going well, I fell into a rythem and stepped down the run covering some very good looking water. Not a nip lip nor half hearted grab to show for it 40 minutes later and at the tail. My guess; it was just a touch quick paced for holding.

More bushwhacking across a couple flats into the head of a nice run, just below a sweet split, surface heavily broken by submerged rock. Quite a stretch of straight before turning into a bend. I'd covered most the straight with again no pulls. Just into the head of the bend as I'm daytripping casting on auto pilot I get cracked.. manage to put in a decent set and am now hooked up. Fish is instantly airborne once, then twice. Probably about a pound and a half but I'm unsure just what variety. Cast was long and my eyes that never were that great are less now.. couldn't define. No matter it was off. Guessing a Rainbow purely by the instant acrobatics and snow white clean belly. I've seen plenty of Browns go ariel but not really in same fashion.

I start wondering about the hooks barb, or lack of. I'd crushed it as soon as knot was in place. A few more swings and I'm right into the 'gut' of the bend, theres a little soft spot on a midstream seam where the fly slows and all but stalls. I'm giving it the slow teaser strokes through there and sure enough it gets blasted HARD. Whatever it is is weighty.. the big wide head shakes reverberate up through the rod right down into the grips! Fish is just sulking mostly while I try to get on the reel. he makes a sudden run at me and I strip hard but no avail.. he's gone. This hurts, that was no 18" fish.. I'm getting my tail kicked! Having second and third thoughts about crushing that barb. Getting down into the tail of the bend something grabs on as I began stripping in. Feels like a minnow in comparison to that last one! As he comes in he turns into a decent little Brown, very healthy and fat. Good signs. He was even kind enough to hold there near the rod while I fumbled for the camera.. the fly had fallen out again ..lol.. Not sure what to make of that.. I've always enjoyed very good luck fishing crushed barbs. Sun was dropping below the ridge so I called it a day with the one to hand. I'll be back on it though.. there are some BRUISERS here ..lurking & hungry.

New Trout Spey ~ Winter Seasons kick off

2011-12-11T12:02:00.009-05:00

How bright he is.. even outshining the reel seat!

It's been an odd fall early winter so far but you'll hear no complaints from me! Water levels are up considerably with the good fortune enjoyed from earlier multiple significant rain falls.. also leading fresh fish up the tribs. No accumilation of snow ..yet.. An unusual circumstance for my home front.

Sunday, 12-04 I made first journey of the fall season to a smaller river that fishes best [for me] latter november into winter. It was obvious flows were increased but I was about to be confronted with just how much! Getting in at a normal realiable crossing point and approaching the channel I wasn't long finding the tops of my heavy neos . No worries, I simply dropped down a few yards and tried again with same result [feeling first pressure seeps in groin area.. YIKES] Getting impatient, I dropped several more feet and assertively started fwd intent on crossing.. almost at wader tops and midway into next step the fact was borne home that I was not yet on floor of channel but that there was another step down still. I teetered on the brink a second thinking this might be a very short day.. With the current pushing there wasn't much time so with a leap of faith I turned hard and made a big bouncing tip-toe step back.. and luckily came up with solid footing above water line. First lucky break of the day and though I didn't know it at the time ..not the last.

Today was Maiden fishing voyage for my new 'Trout' rod, CND Speytracker 12'2" 5wt line. Caught on opposite bank forced me to restructure my pool route and I was unsure if I'd be able to make the cast needed to reach the holding water, a tight deep outside bend with considerable depth. Not easy wading in the head of my casting station either, always a challenge even in low water. Nearest line fit I had on hand was a 9/10/11 Windcutter ..Yes I'm serious.. well most of it anyway, being one of the older versions I'd disconnected both fwd tips one and two leaving only the body of 23' @ approximate 330 grain. A mini integrated skagit thats been around and in use gaining on a decade. 8' of sink tip then the fly, a black UV bodied skulpin with orange throat. Casting was sketchy getting going but I'd tried a couple combos on my test water 5 minutes from home. I knew it would be passable with right stroke combination. Fished length of this pool without a pull but benefit of casts improving. That was good news as one of best pools was next on roster.

Starting next pool I considered changing out tip and fly, the water was up that much. Opted not to and not long in, just at the head of the Steelbow bucket portion, I get good solid 'plucks' twice. I knew there was no way this was bottom.. Backed up a few steps and came at it again ..No go.. Dissapointing. Continued down through the long pool arriving at a deeper slow center channel thats always appealed to me but never produced. About midway down the fly stops.. and I lift into solid headshaking weight. The Zenith sounds off, back and forth a couple times and my suspicions of the powerfull bulldog antics are confirmed as I get first glimpes down in water collum. It's a Brown, a very nice Brown! My luck held and he was landed.. what a beaut!

Went back up to head of pool, wanted to try the plucker again. Re-tied with a fairly loud Temple Dog tube friend Forrest had gifted me last year. Right in the fish zone he came again, once more a couple good taps was all he gave. Oh well, save some for seed.

Crossed the stream at 'old reliable' [more groin seeps] nip & tuck but made it, thankfully. Swung same tie through a known producer with no plucks offered. By this time the wind is picking up, chilling big time. One more pool.. it's a bastard to fish but has produced enough to make it worthy of effort. Funky mid-stream back eddy, considerable depth.. current seam and undercut bank on opposite bank. Could barely get in the water with extra flows.. brush tight to back. Made a quick pass that left me feeling less than satisfied with my presentation. This pool changes hugely with water height, it's almost like an entire new set of rules each time. Starting back up at head of bucket trying a couple things different on about fourth cast it's the one you occasionally recognize as 'it'.. Just as I was thinking 'that should get cracked' BLAM it did! Instantely tearing up the pool and jumping, the nice fresh skipper pictured at front of this post. A fine gift to close out the day.. and illustrating how big of a factor presentation is. That fish had seen the same fly multiple times and only with the change did it turn him on.

On the strip.. finally

2011-11-17T21:34:00.006-05:00

With the recent 'buzz' in the air [o.k, more like on the forums] concerning whether Steel will take a stripped fly very often or not.. it had me wondering. I'd seen it one time prior in 08 and had a very brief hook up of my own the following season.

The Buck Charles took has stuck with me every since.. and left me a little envious. Fishing a long cast he was starting his retrieves slow short and teasingly. It resulted in him getting blasted big time, his shout still rings in my ears. What a grand fish! Such a distinct predatory profile.. he certainly looks the part of MEAT EATER. Anyone recognize the 'Rockstar' posing with fish ..lol..

At last, on Weds 11-16 I got one of my own. Fly swimming ever so nice in and throughout a small pocket pool John Hayes had chosen for me.. from a few seconds of dangle the short tease strips began.. and BLAM hooked up just that fast! In the end it only seems to require such a short amount of time.. it's the journey thats endless.

Warm water = HOT fish on the Muskeegon

2011-11-13T10:05:00.009-05:00

Originally john and I were supposed to meet Charles and share a float on 11-01 but in the end like so many plans.. it didn't work out. Charles had been on the river 10-30 and 10-31.. they found a few fish but I never was in contact with him until later in the week.

Jamey with a nice lake runner from 10-30

Charles and Chromer from 10-31

John and I met early at a remote rural gas station and shared the ride down, narrowly missing a nice Buck that pressed his luck by crossing between us and an on coming vehicle.. there was no margin for error. John states "well I was a little sleepy but not anymore!" It was that tight..

Arriving just at first light were all grins as temps have stayed high enough to hold off the dread hoar frosts.. simple things so greatly appreciated! Checking the water temp reveals a startling 52*! ..Highest temp I've ever fished here in late fall. Very light pressure at the launch, just as were dropping the drifter in a power boat comes up and anchors on the first location I had in mind. As we glide by we see it's Matt Supinski schooling a woman on the art of drift fishing an egg down through the run. Conditions looked great.. I wouldn't doubt that they had some action there.

We drop down continually, clearing another boat anchored well below Matt and head for a good bend pool. I'm on the oars, John first up caster. The water looks super sweet, that perfect 'Steelhead Green' so often -and appropriatly- referenced. Lots of late run Chinook staged and spawning on the gravel at the head. This river is the last to cool in the fall and stays cold longest into spring.. offering extended opportunities over other area tribs.

We worked the run hard with no reward.. not an uncommon result but I'd had that feeling about it.. dropping down another section into the head of a straight drift of depthy pocket water we set up to try it again. Not far into the head of it John comes back with a nice sweeping set and I see a good fish roll well below the surface. Game on.. She ripps down the pool and slugs it out a while, enough I considered dropping the boat, then comes up.. a lucky break. Nearing the gunnel John gets her head up and skillfully skates her right into the net like the true troutsman he is. Doesn't get much easier.. The other side of the coin was about to come up though.

Poor pic, but shows the size well. Nice diameter tail wrist, bright fresh henfish near 8lbs.

After the dust settles it's now my turn up front. I'm pretty optimistic as were not even 1/3 the way into the run and still high with our success. Ever notice how your sometimes reminded through various painfull ways that NO ONE is immune to rookie mistakes no matter how bullet proof they have been allowed to feel since last humbling incident.. Johns says six but I think closer to 10 swings in I get picked off with a nice assertive take and come up with a perfect lift / set into heavy throbbing weight. The fish is instantly airborne [a NICE Buck!] then back up and wallowing in the surface, a move that never fails to make me very nervous.. I drop the rod and let him rip out line downstream, the old Loop Traditional is really sizzling! "their playing our song" ..lol.. Another high leap crashing back into the surface.. I ask John to move us over onto the bank to finish playing and land the Buck. Current is really ripping as I work him in.. two more nice jumps on short line then a hard dart into a pocket as he senses the shallows.. the bend in my rod straightens as the leader shoots back over my right shoulder. John looks at me, net in hand, ..I can read his mind.. "WTF??"

I'd been dealt the deserving blow for employing a classic 'rookie move'.. taking a short cut by tying on to an old tippit section. I was pressed for time running the boat for John and rigging my rod. I use Flourocarbon so felt safe from deterioration but failed to consider the 'used' nature had likely left it weakend through a couple nicks here and there. Don't think I didn't hear about it for the rest of that run, another, and another, before 'another' incident trumped mine ..lol..

With the water temps above 50* I anchored at the head of a swift tight chute created by boulders both sides and preceded with considerable gravel bars decorated by active spawning Chinook.. an 'egg dump' in full functioning mode. John seemed a bit skeptical but worked out his line and started swinging the head of the throat.. maybe a dozen and a half swings and one boat drop in, he gets absoloutley CRANKED.. The fish is up surface wallowing bigtime in that fast current.. It's a big fish, Buck, with slight color.. I all but screamed at John to drop the rod, but knowing the amount of experience he has, couldn't imagine him doing anything but. I was wrong, he came back again, harder.. and popped the leader off.. We were both shell shocked beyond disbelief. The way he explained it to me he felt the take but was unsure if he's gotten a good set on it, hence the second lift. The way I saw it, he didn't expect a fish there to began with and was kinda blindsided by the power grab.. I looked at him and laughed "You got Buck fever" thats all.. Good to have close friends with a sense of humor! In his defence he has been fishing a lighter actioned rod long before the current powerhouse came along. The fish would have been near or just above 10lb class. Very nice for our tribs. I didn't hear so much ribbing about tying onto a used leader for a while..

Same run, I assume casting station. Once more within 10 swings I feel an assertive rap..rap..rap.. as the fly comes across. I'm thinking this water is WAY to fast for me to be tapping stones and by default lift my line ..a bit early.. into next cast. Instantly I see a mirror flash and profile of a mid sized Steelbow turn and shoot back into the run. It never came back.

The clock was fast gaining on noon.. What scant cloud cover we'd enjoyed was burning off and into sunshine. We gave it the old college try fishing mostly known cold water pools but no more players. In retrospect I wish we'd have fished some more broken water sections. They aren't nearly as well known to me though, as it's so uncommon to fish this late in the year and still have warm'ish' water temps. Certainly would be worthy of learning a few more just in case those stars ever align again.

Pick'n pockets on the Pere Marquette

2011-11-06T16:44:00.007-05:00

It had been a while since either John or I had wet a line in the Pere Marquette. When mentioned on the tele I got an instant "let's do it" so a quick agreement for Sunday 10/30 was made.

Arriving on schedule there was only a hint of light off in the east. VERY heavy frost made for a long morning of iced guides and cold hands. We didn't cover much river until the air temps rose enough to aleviate the handicap. The river looked fairly low considering the amount of rain we've had. There was a slight stain yet which we were grateful for.

Eggs were on the menu, the plan was to play around in the abundant pocket water high up in the system. The fish showed no love for enough time to make us nervous, this river is anything but a pushover. Finally John lifts into the first good take of the day, it's a bright henfish instantly airborne. After a heated give & take both up and down I make a lucky shot and gain control of her, right hand under the pecs and left on tail wrist.. both arms in up to the elbow! I jokingly told John I don't do that for just anybody. Note to self: next time be sure net is put in.

Surprisingly there is quite light pressure.. an uncommon gift on this popular water. Early; two guys in a drifter and one guy on the bank that came back out after only an hour or so. Pleasant fella from Illinois, cited his tele had rang.. wife was ready to go. Had it been me I think would have conveniently 'forgotten' my phone when I left for fishing ..lol.. He stated repeatedly "I will be back" and "what a gorgeous river". Not uncommon quotes from first time visitors.. the river is a true jewell.

Not much action, I'd given up my egg rig for an 8' tip on a Wulff Ambush and was swinging a small leech. Meantime, John had picked off a couple fat trout. We reached a premium pool that is of the sort you salivate over in anticipation.. about the third cast John gets picked off by a nice Buck Steelbow which shredded the pool for several seconds before coming unbuttoned.. oh well, no worries.. just nice to come in contact with them.

Swinging my leech through a sweet looking stretch of bend water I finally get cranked by a decent Brown trout, the only one for the day, I was glad for the coup.

Gaining on dark thirty so we rowed out and through some of the best pools.. good mojo to save some for later.

Another email ghost..

2011-10-15T11:00:00.003-04:00

3.5" Reel in pic

Due the lack of fresh material, another 'ghost' from june of 07

"Fishing was pretty grande for a while, before all the out of towners got clued in. The hex came on beautiful starting june 15 [early] i missed that night but was on it the 17'th for a nice emergence into light spinnerfall. Stuck a god awfull hog casting my S3 4wt, havent felt that kinda power in quite a while. Naturally had a piss poor knot to the fly that let go not long in as he surged up stream [luckily as he was only 6-8' above a massive jam] going into a deep undercut bank. You know the sick feeling, one sec your into a hot massive fish and the next.. PLINK.. they're off. i did put one just over 20" on the bank that eve and one more around 14"

Things kinda turned off for afew days after that and word never really got out that there had been some big bugs already. We fished every night which was surprisingly blank. On the afternoon of the 20'th the weather preachers were all revved up calling for a HUGE storm, high winds, lightning, golf ball hail, regular rip-snort. The GF about threw a fit when i started carrying gear out, she's big on the weather 'religion' i just laughed and told her i'd wear my hardhat. Pard shows up, off we go, sure as shit rain... We get up there, still rain, getting into waders, harder rain.. Get in river to make sure we dont get cut off... DELUGE.. 40 minutes all done and the sun lightly peeks out. Hex spinners way early, i lost count of the NICE fish i cast over.. put one on the bank about 14" early, pricked a good one putting him down.. moved upstream nailed & landed one 19.5" moved up, worked a riser from tight no backcast area finally getting him to go, fat 22" er. Its well into dark by now, drifter comes around the bend, pro boat with two guys on board, we speak ~ they're pleasant. i hook an elbow over the stern and tail their boat riding down to where i heard one feeding, killing two birds with one stone, keeping them moving and masking my approach. Standing waiting.. pard is wading up, he gets close enough i ask him to stop. I've heard wings twittering and am sure theres a emergence going so tied in a store bought i wanted for pattern reference. Fish feeds again, one lucky shot in the dark...SLURP.. he takes! By some stroke of luck i get him steered around a long sweeper thats halfway across the river and go down. Pard puts the light on him at my request for a look and tells me he'll go 15-16"... "yeah right" get him into the bank @ pards feet and hand him the rod, take the leader & get my hands on him.. 23" beautiful male, kinda lanky, but what a dandy!

Thats the best night i've ever had for multiple big fish. Should one of those lightning bolts struck me down i'd have went out smiling. Son [pard] had his biggest fish to date @ his feet after long fight when hook popped out. Estimated 23-24"

Things got worse for him, his wife had worked herself up pretty serious over the weather religion / reports and the fact that she couldn't reach him via cell [no service up there]

Next night, 07/21, we went back to same spot with John Hayes. Had very nice spinner fall, I took a approx 15" fish then got on and got to go a nice one, 21" People are starting to show in the area, there were a couple guys just above where i fished and while we were suiting up a drifter pulled in and anchored downstream on the exact pool Son had planned on fishing. Time for plan B

Fri 07/22 we made long drive north to a diff river i had an idea might be doing something by now... Things shaping up bad in yard while i was putting gear in his truck.. he's on phone with wifey.. xtended convo... We go fishing anyway but was beganing to wonder.. Right @ dusk water surface lights up with nervousness.. seconds later hex start popping off so fast it was unreal. The duns didn't ride the surface at all.. up & out. Trout were going balistic, i stung a couple and peeled one 15" er. Freakin BLANKET spinnerfall starts.. unreal! Totally covering the surface, trout hot-n-heavy ..some BIG fish.. no way to compete with the little ripples/reverberations the naturals give off. I keep thinking the bugs will thin out then a guy will be able to do something. Never happend... spinners kept coming & fish started dropping out one by one... even the most gluttonous trout gave up. Still blanket of spinners on water still after 1:00 a.m. Wierd..

Havent seen Son since. Apparently he got grounded

Went up on the rapids [Sault Ste. Marie] not long after. Drove all night hit the river at daybreak. Didn't find any Atlantics but did get one nice resdient rainbow 17" , and about a 5lb male steelhead. There was a small pod of bucks attending late henfish, HUGE male in the mix. Swung a few differant flies above them 3 passes each, had some short chases but no go. Let them be after less than 1 doz casts.

Well better give up on this novel for now.. Hope all is good with you."

In the breakers..

2011-09-30T19:19:00.006-04:00

A week later and another monday fishing opp. The weather is right to give the beach a try. Storms have proven themselves to me as a good time to be there.

Some crazy breakers rolling in but it isn't long before I see some green shadows sharking by. Nothing like a visual to boost your confidence. Occasionally conditions would shift slightly, bigger waves or showers pelting the surface racing in towards me off the horizon, and at times both together. This would bring a pod or two of fish in everytime, riding in on a bruiser wave followed by confusion of the shallows. Even though I was never touched by a fish it was such a great time.. my state of mind is completely refreshed. I wish now I'd concentrated on getting a decent shot first instead of attempting to hookup. Once in particular, a pod of eleven fish almost collided with me. When I turned quick during the retrieve it spooked them and they sheared off towards open water throwing some acceleration spray, darting and diving. There was one, an oversized hen Chinook of solid light rust color that lifted her head and shoulders from the surface for an instant making eye contact with me at no more than six feet.. It was what I call a 'moment' ..something totally undefined.. but still very real and tangible.

Things were getting even more extreme, an occasional big one would slam hard enough to drive you back a step or two.. enough for today. Stopping on some lower river pools found them stacked with freshies, much as I'd mentally predicted. Coho were rolling and porpoising as I walked down. Best time to attempt a dry I've had yet. Stalking the gin clear bend I crouched down in the sparse grass cover and tied on a small Bomber. Working out a cast I touched it down at the head of the pool just above some holding there and immediately began a slow strip. This excited them in a big way and over the course of the next few casts several fish moved to the fly chasing and boiling on it, but no takers. I re-tied with a quite small Comet and swung it in front of them executing short smooth strips a few times with absloutley no interest shown. By then it was starting to get dark. Not connecting with a fish didn't bother me in the least.. I'd gotten what I came for out in the lake earlier.

A small pod I saw coming while walking in and crouched down for a shot.

Stalked an outside bend for shot.

2011-09-29T20:13:00.005-04:00

The amount of rain has been pretty substantial lately. I took a wet afternoon on 09-19 to scout / fish some local water. I've played on this section my entire life chasing trout, deer, grouse, girls and following big game hounds or beagles up & down both banks. This is some pretty remote area in comparison to other sections of same river. Finding your way in to a specific pool or run on foot can be quite a task.. and if you stay well into dark fishing the spinner fall getting out can become a real adventure. 'bushwhacking' is how we call it.. not many care for it's flavor. Thankfully.

Anyway, I was amazed at the amount of fruits and feed in evidence! High bush cranberries, crab apples, thorn apples, wild grapes and dog wood berries all in abundance. Sure enough before long I jumped out a nice adult bird drinking from a small rivulet created by a fresh beaver dam. Later in the day three more went out as I worked downstream casting a run. Promising..

Fishing started off quite slow until it started to rain again. This kicked off a nice emergence of mayflies, some epherons and approx #16 mahoganys. This really jump started the trout and I took a couple smaller ones. Finally I made the target pool and made a good call reading the water, fishing an inside slack seam with depth. The fishpounced on my streamer pretty hard and pulled strong. Once he broke surface I thought it looked a bit different and sure enough it was a nice Brook trout, one of the better ones I've taken in quite a while. That reel is 3 3/4" diameter and I guessed length at 13.5 - 14" ..full bright spawning colors, very pleasing.

The pool spills nice into a long boulder broken run that looked decent so down it I went.. early in I had a smashing grab but came up empty. Midway down I got picked off and landed a decent Brown to finish out a well spent afternoon.

Email Ghosts

2011-08-28T21:33:00.009-04:00

I tend to run a lot of searches. My email accounts, various forum boards, Ebay, Google.. the list goes on. It can be quite interesting what turns up unexpected.. much like cleaning my room as a child, I'm easily sidetracked [big smiles]

I'm going to go ahead and post a couple.. I hope you enjoy them too. First up is an excerpt from good fishing friend John H from 05-16-2009, fishing the Upper Manistee River.

Pic of John during some night time mousin.

"I came up last night and stopped on the upper. At first, I thought I was going to hosed with the weather. Light rain fell for a minute or two. Luckily, the weather cooperated and I started to see some bugs. I guess there were black quills, the larger mayfly sipiloplection basilae (which is a about the size of brown drake), hennys , mahagonny's and bwo's. Time was going by and no fish were feeding. Finally, one nice rise. It was just below the *****, below the log pile and in front of a small sticker. I'm sure you know exactly where I'm talking about. Anyway, the fish fed two more times and wasn't interested in my henny comparadun. I tied on a henny spinner and after a handful of casts, wham! Game on.

I should first say I was using a 4wt with 4x suppleflex with my sage reel which has turned out to be my go to reel now. I love it. The fish immediately took off and found the main seam and started up river like it was chrome. I thought to myself this might be interesting. Then the fish stopped, shook it's head several times and stayed planted mid river. I thought this could be easy and maybe the fish is a healthy 18". Well, just as I started put a little muscle in it, the fish responded with a long run downstream with me following. I was literally running mid seam in high water after this sucker without regard for all the shit on the bottom and the water being up and that section is loaded with a lot debris and troughs. The fish made it into the shoot briefly and for some unknown reason came back up stream. Finally! I thought wrong. The fish promptly wrapped itself around some major wood and there I was thinking to myself this can't be happening. At this point I knew this special fish and really wanted to land it. I could feel the fish still on, but in the back of my head I was thinking I was fighting a log and the fish pulled a drive-by and lost the hook. I worked as delicately as possible to get the fish free, but figured I was hosed. Then, after a minute of so and just seconds before breaking it off, it freed itself and shot downstream into the shoot with me high-stepping all the way. I figured I was going to get wet...thankfully I'm tall 'casue I had about an 1" to spare. The minute or so the fish was tangled gave it time to re-energize and I didn't think was going to be able to land it. At this point, my hand was getting pretty sore. The Winston doesn't provide much leverage especially with reel with no drag and fighting a large fish in a pretty respectable flow.

I finally managed to get the fish to shore and net it. It didn't fit into my net! It twice jumped out with me both times catching it mid air. After all that, I laid it on the shore and admired my catch. I though I was going to be longer...it was 23"... but I have never caught a fish as heavy. That was the thickest river brown I've ever seen let alone caught. Unfortunately, my camera was in my truck that was less than 100 yds which I was looking directly at with utter contempt. Oh well. No pic can replicate the fun that was had. Once I got the fish on shore, I quickly got the hook out and put him back in the water. I revived the fish for 2-3 minutes as I knew it was really tired. I wish I could have brought it in quicker, but that wasn't going to happen with him wrapping up in the wood. It swam away with lots of energy and I feel confident it's going to be fine.

Three more fish were rising, two dandies and one nice one. I went to the biggest fish and he wouldn't come up. The smaller fish, just up was making some noise, so I cast to it and wham. That was a quick battle and a nice 18" or so was in the bag. I went up to the last fish rising and got two really late refusals. If I'm right, the last fish is bigger than the 23" I caught. Right where the shoot starts, there is a birch clump and beaver work river right. In that stuff is a dandy. I've never been able to get it, but not for a lack of trying.

The light got low and the fish shut down. Just one of the those nights that keeps me coming back and makes me take those am trips back home."

j

A 'Dry' week..

2011-07-31T10:28:00.012-04:00

This summers time on the Miramichi was a bit different from past seasons. The river had recieved an incredible run of fish earlier but was now falling off hard, much like the water levels. Fish were around though, just a bit 'finicky'. Within the first couple days it was evident the fish had enormous preference for the Bomber.

Erl R came up from Maine with Mike, a great guy and experienced fisherman. He fished hard the entire first day with small bugs and wets.. with never a pull. Being a quick study he wanted to give the Bomber a try. Late morning he recieved his first rise and hooked it. The fish was played for what seemed to me a considerable amount of time on a Sage Xi2 8wt by a guy with A LOT of salt water fish fighting experience. Midway in I heard someone say that it was running hard up stream. I knew right then that it was likley a BIG fish. Eventually they subdued the beast and according to length conversion [43.5 inch] it would make 23.5 lbs easily. It was as big a fish as I've seen landed on the pool since I've been spending time on it. [pic to be edited in later]

He had a fantastic friday eve with two very nice Salmon on Bombers from up high on the south bank. One was a sweet kyped Cockfish that was full of attitude.. a very nice fish.

Charles and Frankey Storey with a nice heavy Salmon.

Had my best fish minutes of noon on a bright ~ slow a.m. Was fishing Charles 1107 BIIx on a long line down through and into slack softish lower water. I had a boil on the fly WAY down as I began stripping in which was repeated on next swing just as stripping began. Two cast right through same lie produced nothing on a straight swing.. Still standing in same tracks next cast came in the zone and I put some life in it with smooth even strips and WHAM solid assertive take. They seemed to want some sort of animation to the presentation. I took a couple grilse and moved other fish by casting straight out around submerged rocks and smooth short stripping a bug while working down at a brisk pace.

Bright one on the Bomber. [Dickie Storey & I]

Other high lights; Finding the Curtis fly shop downtown Blackville, a very nice place. Only a short hop downstream from our Blissfield camp.

Meeting Jerry Doaks Son Mathew, a very pleasant positive change of shop atmosphere.

The time was gone in a surreal haze..

Trout time..

2011-06-03T13:43:00.004-04:00

My fishing so far has been tough! Had a grande fish to cast over a few nights ago. He was in a very tough slackwater lie tight to the bank under a bush. When my cast shot in and momentarily entangled the bush, then dropped to the surface like a dandelion seed drifting perfectly over him [with me holding my breath] and no take, I thought I might not get this fish which dissapointingly proved true. He was a good one.

Finally got into my first decent trout last eve, which started off tough because the repellant was forgotten. Not good. I had killed five to six mosqitos with one light swat many times when the no-seeums made the scene. I can't take those and was considering leaving when I thought I heard an oar clunk. 10 minutes later a guide I know from Traverse City rounded the bend and saved my evening. His client had taken a 24" Brown on the strip earlier.. quite a feat anytime let alone in the bright sun conditions. Fish were tough, random rises, and I'm pretty sure weren't taking from the surface. Cast sparingly over a nice trout for close to an hour that was head and tailing only 25' quartering upstream. As time went by the water became blanketed with smallish rusty spinners [Sulphers, I assume] Earlier I had a #12 biot spinner tied on as there were some big Quill Gordons in the air. Changed to a #16 and was losing faith in it when he finally rose on it. I was taken by surprise and swung on him like you were setting on a Muskie boatside! I waited a bit while cursing myself for such a rookie reaction.. he never rose again. I eased downstream as it was getting dark and lucked into a pod of fish working the spinners. One was right under the leading edge of a half submerged sweeper. Using the old shoot the cast in deep then draw it out to the line you need he was on with third shot. This rod is new to me, an 8' 2wt Redington DFR 3pc breaking my postal scales at a whopping 2 ounce flat. Very nice quick little rod, feels powerfull with fast reaction but bends nice with a fish on. The fish turned out to be smaller than I thought he might be but I was still well pleased.. lucky to even land him with all the wood he was in and tore around initially. When he moved out from that he went upstream hard tearing line off ..very cool.. but a mistake on his part, he was landed soon after. Picture of health, a good solid well fed fish of 15" - 16"

2011-04-10T10:15:00.005-04:00

The good folks at our secretary of state had bungled my mail in licence plate renewal. I'd been waiting for tabs to arrive for weeks. Finally an envelope from them which stated [in a hand written perturbed script] I'd given them the wrong card info.. which was 100% matched / accurate. They didn't bother to return my only proof of insurance. Oh well, i'd be driving 1/2 way to a good fishing stretch to reach a branch office.

Tied a nice black sculpin with an orange throat and gold flash for the occasion. New to me System 8 reel and a 5wt Wulff Ambush line I'd traded a forum board member for over winter.. Wired the reel on my light 10' 6wt [3.4 ounce] Scott STS and left.

This section is what I consider 'early' so was not very optimistic for Steel but often there are some good Browns waking up and willing to play. Midway into the morning I feel the familier pickup and lift into good solid weight. The reel sang loudly on a hard run downstream.. no Brown trout here. Getting on the bank and changing my angle convinced it to run back upstream. Two jumps and a little short line work brought it bankside.

My luck held with the branch office stop on the way home, first good luck I've had there in a long time.

A breath of fresh air

2011-02-26T23:50:00.008-05:00

Winter has not been kind this season.. Granted, there were a few days around the holiday week that were pretty nice.. but with my only sister [from Spokane] and only niece [Seattle] back on the home farm for a few days I passed on the fishing. Normally we recieve some sort of thaw in January but New Years day was the end of anything even resembling one. I should have, and even could have, went early on new January 1 but it was real easy to convince myself staying home might be a better option. It was a mistake.. Peeking at the flow charts later glared in my face just how much.. conditions appeared to be perfect. This little trib has fished best in December by far over the many years I've been on it. Oh well.. opportunities missed.

The next fishable day was Feb 05 and off I went with high expectations. There were no tracks in evidence on the old road.. a good sign.

I access the river from a remote county road service pull out and snowshoe in. I'd actually gotten over 3 miles from home and remembered I hadn't put in the shoes. Almost went on without them.. that would have been a BIG mistake. Most efficient few minutes I spent all day was returning to get them. The water was quite low with big wind blown drifts and plenty of shelf ice along the banks. Fishing went fairly well until the banks began caving in and icebergs started flowing thickly. The first few times a crack or crash rang out I jumped pretty good, they come out of nowhere amidst otherwise total silence. Fished hard over about 5 hours, took a nice 19+" resident Brown not to far in then nothing for a long time.

Last run, and one of the best, I had a good grab in the gut and some light little nips /nibbles down in the tail.. just the sort that reverberated rainbow up the line, through the blank, and into your hand. No go though.. I changed flies and went back to the head of the gut where the good grab came with no further interest. On the long walk out in the dusk I reflected on how lucky I was to encounter the Brown.

Feb 23 is the next good chance for fishing. While it's still cold outside I tie a grey skulpin streamer. I'm somewhat superstitious and fresh tied flies seem to possess good charm. Go over some tackle and I'm off. What a grand day, it's got a totally different feel to it than a couple weeks ago had. Second pool I fish reveals a startling phenonema I've never witnessed to this degree before. The banks / shelf ice had all settled and with bright sunlight thawed snow creating perfect rows of miniture ice sickles, each one an exact replication of it's left and right hand neighbor.. A lense couldn't possibly capture the wonder and awe they presented.. row after row.. all the banks within eyesight up and down, hundreds of feet. They reminded me of piano keys or possibly some sort of ornate brick a brack lace. Anyway, it was quite stunning. Had I been there in the early a.m. the suns position would have offered a much better shot.

Unlike the last outing there was life evidenced both visual and audio. A solitary Eagle soared through not that far off and the Crows were brash and brassy.. early signs of spring. One of the coolest things was a small flock of Bufflehead ducks that came upstream like rockets, in tight formation just inches off the surface. I stood immobile and when they reached me, timed to a micro second, the flight split each side blistering by @ Mach III.. their wing primarys making a tearing sound as they carved air with maneuvers.. I felt the breeze on my face.

Casting is going well, the slight wind is over my right shoulder and quartering downstream.. the fresh grey skulpin is swimming well.. Perfect. Just reaching the prime of the pool I fire one of those casts that for some reason you just know is the one.. sure enough just as it starts the turn I feel the pickup. Dropping the rod tip with it for what seems an unbearably long time I then give a good lift into.. solid shaking weight. About the time I decide it doesn't feel that heavy it comes up and never slows, shooting airborne, a bright silver missle of approximate 4.5 lbs. Back down in, a couple headshakes then running at me hard.. the line never tightened up again. Resting the pool for 10 - 15 minutes was easy, looking around at the piano keys and shooting a few more pics.. heard the spring song of an unrecognised bird but could never get an eye on him. I re-started just above where the fish took. On about the fourth swing below that marked spot the pickup replays itself, once again I lift into solid life.. only this time the connection remains. This fish never jumped, he might have at one time but I didn't encourage him. A nice Bulldog built Buck still cocky and full of attitude.

I finish my day out with one more good grab that came up empty. The fish would not comeback.. I was fine with that. The sun was dropping below the tree line as I fished the last pool. My guides really started freezing up then. They had been slowly closing all day, even with the direct sunlight, but only needed cleared occasionally. The problem was solved when I struck wood and broke off my fly. There was still good amount of daylight left but rather than push it I reeled up and went out.. it was more than enough to put the soul at ease.

Fall finally gives one up

2011-02-26T21:14:00.008-05:00

It was a tough fall this year. Normally even I manage to stumble onto a fish but so far zeroed out. Even the day Charles and I spent with Pete on 11/13 never made the boards.. I could tell he was a little skeptical when we arrived at his cabin before daybreak. The water was low.. real low. The good folks up at Croton Dam hadn't let down any water for a couple days on an already skinny river. State contracts and free flow laws be damned I guess.. We at least had cloud cover. We gave it a hell of a go and managed to briefly hook one and one other good pull for the day. For some reason I wasn't surprised, I just had that feeling going in. Still a grand day with great company. Time well spent.

Two days later Charles is on board with Kevin F and has an absolutley BANNER day, four great fish with two of them well in excess of normal weights. It's also day one of our firearms Deer season so they have the river mostly to themselves. Word was that the same section we hit up with Pete two days prior was fishing very well too.. Again, I'm not surprised.

Earlier in the fall friend Forrest let it be known that he was going to have a few days leisure time around Thanksgiving and wanted to hit up the river. Charles is still on cloud nine from his last big day on the water and hungry for more, so he's in 100%. I'm a little more cautious knowing this state and the weather that can, and does, occasionally, completely and ruthlessly stomp out the best laid plans of mice and morons. I join in.. but with the weather clause held in reserve.

The date is set for 11/24 and wonder or wonders, by the forcast it shapes up to be decent enough to make me nervous. Meeting them at the boat storage early a.m. of the 24'th we pick up Forrest's drifter and get underway. Spirits were high, the day held promise.

Three in the boat is an ideal number.. it just works. Pitching big streamers for trout, around home or travel, it allows two guys to totally concentrate on covering the water while the third devotes his efforts navigating. Trading off periodically in a very informal rotation everyone gets a shot up on the bow, on the oars or from the stern. Swinging flies for Steelhead isn't much different. It's a full time job running the boat. Get it spotted and anchor where it needs be, and within only a couple swings from each caster, it's time to drop it a boat length. Anyone thats ever done this knows how much more complicated this is then the couple simple sentences imply! They can be a bitch to handle in fast water, get the anchor to bite, stay on the correct track.. the list goes on. The guy on the oars and anchors earns his keep.

Casting spey rods from any boat is a art in it's self and requires everyone to be familier with it. If so, things go without a hitch. It's nice to have attained that level. Forrest and I had agreed prior to share his LeCie 13'7" 9/10 rather than have a third and unnecessary all rigged taking up valuable space, under peril of someone losing their balance going down driving a knee into it. A spare was brought but left in the tube.

Forrest and Charles both tie excellent flies, I was set for the day so left my junk in the vehicle. Forrest has been honing his skills on Petes version of the Temple Dog Tube. He's about got it nailed.. it is a fish catching S.O.B.

Not long into the day we anchor on a great looking piece of water. This drift is one I'm not overly familier with but am fast becoming interested! Some very top shelf looking runs / pools. Charles is fishing the stern and gives out a shout, he's hooked up. Seconds later I see it flash gold, when it hits the net sure enough it's a nice resident Brown, a little malnourished, but still a good fish.. were on our way.

We leisurely fish our way downstream.. arriving on some broken gravel bar pockety type water. A few drops into it I get lightly picked off.. lowering the tip to it for a bit of slack and then sweep into throbbing weight. It's on.. finally. A fairly heavy spirited fish ripping off line, several times. Forrest puts the boat on the opposite bank so I can get out and land it. What a gorgeous fish! approximate 8 lbs of super fresh hen.. I'm so elated to finally see one up close again it's surreal.

The day is great by calender standards.. it is still quite cool with some breeze picking up. We drop downstream fishing, now I'm on the oars with Forrest up front. His casting is nice.. it's interesting being on board with two of the people you've started out with from scratch spey casting. We've each came a long way, working hard for any gains. Forrest is hooked up.. his nice cast paid off. I began moving the boat back towards the north bank, get the net out and at the ready. I get apprehensive netting fish, always afraid of some mismanaged or botched job.. not that there have been any but.. there were some tense words spoken many years prior on a remote Brooktrout lake in Ontario. A good friend had a dandy hooked and brought it by a bit deep but still within range.. the fish was green yet, I let it go through and recieved a silent glare.. just as it's coming back around getting in range the knot pops off and it turns down dropping from sight.. a confident sweep and lift the fish is netted, we are all glowing with the second score of the morning, a nice fresh 6+ pound Buck.

Continuing on, Charles is now front and center. We are all on cloud nine, the day is huge success and were basking in the sensation of no pressure just enjoying things to the fullest. Charles hooks up.. We are really excited now, these fish just don't come that often, and now a third is hooked. Gorgeous henfish.. shades of lavender on her lateral line. These fall run hens are so pretty they can burn your eyes.

The wind keeps gaining.. our casts still go out though not quite as pretty. It's getting to be a struggle but were unconcerned.. We fish out the day with no more takers, but again.. unconcerned. The day is a gift to each of us.

By the time we reach the launch it was really rocking, back to the latter November I know so well. As Forrest winched the boat up on the trailer we hear a big jet coming, it's already close but the wind had masked it. It's Pete, at first we thought he was alone but there was someone hunched down on the floor below the deckline out of most of the breeze.. we had a good chuckle over that, glad to see that it wasn't just us.

International Waters

2010-08-15T22:08:00.013-04:00

Our northern boundary limit of Michigan is the International bridge, which spans the St. Maries river.

Directly beneath it is the area refered to as "The Rapids" a short [over one mile] river section draining Lake Superior into Lake Huron.. subject to Ontario's rule. Mid June through fall there are landlocked Atlantics present that can achieve mid to upper teens with an average of 4 - 8 lb fish. Also big resident Rainbows year round and Pacific Salmon throughout late summer & fall. Lake Run Rainbows [Steelhead] early winter through June.. even an occasional Lake Trout. Very inimidating place to fish.. Extreme tough wading and winds.

Not long after arriving home from New Brunswick I got an email from a friend in Suttons Bay planning a run-n-gun trip. In short, we spent 1.5 days on the Sault Rapids. Went very well, certainly no complaints. Eric, another fishbum like us, took a gorgeous 5 - 6 lb Rainbow in the early evening first afternoon in. I'm still not sure whether it's a resident fish [it is after one fashion or another] or one that simply never returned to the depths of Huron after spawning this spring, but if so she was fat healthy and sassy already. She shows a lot of specs even below the lateral line making me wonder. Odd thing is that I took a nice bright 2+ lb'r from same pool.. fact that they were holding there together adds to the specualtion.

I hooked a nice 7 -8 lb Atlantic first thing Fri a.m. which jumped high on the set then tore up the pool. We were connected for good amount of time, it ripped back down stream surging and head shaking coming unbuttoned. Good enough for me. Eric Was hooked up briefly to a nice Atlantic that tangled him in flyline when it came loose, tension has got to be unreal in that heavy water with a hard charging fish on. He had another [big one] charge up and slash at his fly in the surface film just a couple minutes later. After the a.m. things died.. tough going in clear sunny conditions.

The wind can be pretty brutal there, keeps a guy constantly searching for some cast that might go out. Theres some downright scary wading to be done and can be seriously intimidating at times. Eric is quite an aggressive wader, also subtly less height & weight than me so not as many worries stumbling along behind him [John is 6'5"!] He's also very physically fit just retiring from Iron Man and similar type racing this year and is normally ahead of me. Some areas the depth is well over your wader height [soft flows] but you can carefully pick your way along by stepping on tops of the big boulders. One slip though.. There are others where courage can put you out and on top of a boulder that may or may not be submerged for a great to tentative casting station dependant on the rock & angle, level of traction, and amount of current pouring over it. A slip from a couple of these spots would have meant BIGTIME problems.. not so much with having to swim the pool but more with significant rapids below. I was elated to fish 1.5 days and get out of there still dry. Staff & my carbide snowmobile studded soles were the only things that allowed that level of risk. I would not do it in cold water without a C 02 inflatable PFD, if at all.

For some context, the small red circle to the left on concrete berm is a man. Red circle in the center is a boulder I sat upon between fishing runs either side. It's a long perilous wade back from there! [click to upsize pic]

Ripples from the past

2010-08-15T16:53:00.008-04:00

Journeyed early a.m. to a small stream that played the leading role establishing my fishing passion. It was where I first 'angled' for Trout with Dad at the ripe old age of 9.. busted my chin wide open [if you've ever noticed the scar on right side below my lip] tripping and falling full force on a sharp snag in the dark, requiring my first 9 sutures in life.. aged 18.. evolved into catch & release fishing with pinched barb spinners in my early 20's, born from the luxury of not having Trout to care for after a late night during mid week.

It's a tributary of the Big Manistee in one of the to few remaining areas escaping the 90's. Drove without much difficulty to a section where a huge Beaver Dam was erected during my mid teens, somewhere near 1980. Fishing was unreal there for a few seasons until the Beaver were trapped out or ran short of near food supply and left. Things degraded terrible almost immediate. Stagnant silt filled restricted pools, the old structures do huge damage. Flows slow and sand builds, water temps go into a warming trend.. fishing really suffered. I only went there once every few seasons, more as a pilgrimage than anything. It was slowly healing but overall still a sad state of affairs. Yesterdays trip provided a real treat! I'd stayed up late rigging an old st Croix 6'8" glass rod, loading line on a little 2 3/4" SA System 4 and putting together a fly box. Turns out the fly box was a waste of time, I tied on a #10 Muddler and caught a fish right off the bat 7:00 a.m. Somewhat surprised to see it was a Brooktrout.. Not at all uncommon but this stream has always been pre-dominate Browns. Fish started coming quite frequent and were all Brooktrout.. Beautiful little jewels with varying shades of vermillion to a vibrant orange sherbert painted on their bellys, clean twin parallel white and black lines on sharp edged perfect fins.

They were quite snappy, rose to and chased the Muddler with relentless intent. I was re-educated on just how much fun these small fish could be given half a chance, and harder yet, locating them. I laughed out loud many times and loved how they would rise to a fly on impact, rolling on it in an assertive calculated grab. The little glass rod was ideal for this fishing.

The Creek is shaping up nicely. Water is moving again, pools and runs are forming. Most important a lot of residual sand has washed through baring nice clean gravel. Unsure of an accurate temp but it felt colder than anything I've been on in a while. Guessing low to mid 60's.

There is nothing I have found that will humble a person quicker than casting fly line on one of these small intimate little tribs. Not that many years ago I would have left frustrated that I could do no better after clumsily crashing line around for an hour and seeing a few fish spook from the pools. A wide open setting where it's the norm to stretch a cast 30' or more, with the room for a moderate backcast, is so much simpler.. it never seemed like it should be though. Truths realised in practise. Next time I may have to step it up a stiff notch and try fishing dry.

They say time heals all wounds. I'm not sure I believe that but after nearly 30 years it has touched this small corner of my life and local in a very positive way.

Big Changes

2010-08-09T15:01:00.002-04:00

Friday morning brought a glaring contrast to the norm. The bare gravel of the camp isle was gone! One of my first sights in motion is a nice Salmon breaking just upstream on the south bank run. Today would be spent on the upstream pool though.. Seems a shame to have our camp water finally come around into shape only to go elsewhere.

We arrive at the Pool and it's instantly obvious that it's risen considerably. Clifton has met us up here since Dickey had an appointment. Charles, John and I cross over to the south with Clifton, Mike fishes the north bank. John starts at the head with a dry fly. I've only started casting when I look up and see him connected. I go up to give him a hand, it's a nice Grilse. With the high water it was easily swum right in on the grass and tailed for hook removal. Nice start to the day.

Mike is having a good morning, he's fishing the channel between the island and north bank. A testement to water height, I've never seen fish travel this slot.

We while away the a.m hours casting. Water is up big time, rocks stood on as casting stations I now wonder if I could even reach. Good news is the fish are traveling, not holding at all but passing through. Charles has been hot having several takers but not staying connected very well. I remember one bright Salmon that took on a relatively short line just as the fly was coming around at it's fastest. He blew up on the instant, throwing an impressive spray of water, then was off and gone. Good shot of adrenaline for both of us.

Afternoon and I'm on the upper south.. Dickey's small white Bomber attatched. Unreal how the water has risen! Fishing hard and covering thorough I'm rewarded with a nice Grilse. There are fish showing regular, moving up and passing on through the run. Up high at the boulder weir I'm amazed, it's not at all visible other than a couple nice seams where the current rolls over it and a luscious looking one off the point. Digging around in my box and looking at all the low water ties.. Not much over a #8. I find a #6 Glitter Bear and drop down scouting a place to start. Did I mention the water was up? I am able to start, and get a nice swing, 2/3 up into the head of the pool! Not long fishing the wet when it gets picked off. I'm hooked up for a bit, enough to be reasonably sure it's a Grilse, and he comes off. No worries.

Mike lands a Grilse below. It's getting late in the game, I tie in a Orange Butt Shadylady for change of pace. There are fish on the move, they seem noncommital with a light pluck at the fly rather than solid take.

The evening grows short.. the dreaded feeling weighs heavier by the minute. Once again my time on this amazing pool is done. I spend my last few minutes reflecting on how fortunate we were overall. The two earlier showers in the week were a gift. This 2' plus water spike is like hitting the numbers, odds are seriously defied. It's all but impossible to do that in ones own back yard, let alone travel half way across the continent and 'hit it'. How could you not feel blessed?

As circumstance dictates so much in life we could not stay over and fish the camp waters on Saturday. I surely would have loved another go at them!

Another blessing in the night..

2010-08-09T12:56:00.005-04:00

I awoke in the night once again hear the patter of rain drops on tin. Not nearly as intense as monady night but proved to be much longer lasting. One of those gentle showers that go on and on. Morning found us with nice cool air temp and overcast cloudy skies. The water had raised a bit.. good sign.

We fished the upper camp run with renewed confidence. To no avail.. It was raining on and off. I decided to go back down and cross, then wade back up to a possible lie. It was an effort, the water was obviously up and running compared to making the same 1/2+ mile wade earlier in the week. Once finally arrived I took time to rest and tie in a small Bomber. Going very carefully I began to probe the run. Midway down I had a Grilse boil under the fly.. instant rush! He would not come back at all though. I rested him a bit and tried a White Wulff. No go. Fished down the run and came back, it's raining harder so tied in a slightly bigger Brown Bomber with Orange hackle. No rise/rs to it either, frustrating. Resting the water once more I tied in same fly he originally came up for. Working the area with a few casts brought zero, really considered calling it quits. In desperation I decided to try something accidentally stumbled onto on the Salmon Branch of the Cascapedia. ..fished over the entire pool upstream with a dead drift Bomber bringing no rises. At the head of the pool I'd had enough and as the fly was drifting downstream went directly to the reel cranking. As the fly surged along a nice little Searun shot up from the depths and blasted it! I know he'd seen that fly repeatedly without what it took to trigger him.. all very interesting. Touched my fly down light and began a quick paced short strip retrieve.. the Grilse shot up and crushed my fly.. Woww.. This fish is one of those that blatantly strikes you as spiritual.

When we arrive at the upstream pool for evening fishing it's showing benefit of the recent water influx as well. I keep thinking how fortunate we have been to recieve some rain rather than be stuck in the same cooked out vacuum we started our week with.

Alex stays to fish on the North bank and the rest make the crossing. I fish the upper south bank with a small white Bomber, green and yellow hackles. A random thought mentioned to Dickey the day before and born into reality when he dropped two in my hand today. Dickey loves to tie. I'm in my own world up here, one of the reasons this section is a favorite, a zone unto itself. With the all the pockets, big rocks and current ideosyncrasies it's impossible water to swing on. Fish hold well though.. perfect dry fly water.

Hearing a commotion below I look down. Charles is hooked up with something. I jog down there, it's a Grilse. I no more then get back up to where I'd left off and began fishing when theres a repeat. A nice pair of Grilse for Charles!

Black skies were pushing in from the North West, scattered light showers were the setting. Things started to shift more from direct North and BIG winds arrive, with them driving rains! I ran behind a green belt of brush about 20' tall between the river and farm field. Hunching up tight to it on the south side was great shelter, the storm was really raging! The worst of it lasted no more than 20 minutes.

Later speaking with John who had caught a ride across just prior, he told me that fish seemed to have become active on the front of the system that blew in. Alex had taken a Grilse. John hooked and landed a Salmon Frankey estimated @ 18lbs! Once again on a Bomber.

2010-08-09T11:49:00.003-04:00

Charle's son Alex has arrived during the night. He's an entertaining sort, fun and easy to be around, share some laughs. He lives in a world so far removed from mine it may as well be another planet. Makes it very interesting to get him telling stories.

Morning puts us back on our upstream pool. Frankey keeps Alex over on the north bank and the rest cross over to the south. The water may be slightely up, it's still at a good temp. Not far into the day I hook and land a nice bright smallish Grilse on, you guessed it, small Brown Bomber. Alex is hooked up briefly but fish soon shakes loose.

John is back on the upper reach looking for that good riser again. It turns into his day of the trip. I'm near enough to witness the initial hook up and fight of a nice very bright Salmon.. The fish of his dreams jumps into reality. A 12lb Henfish, he's on such a natural high it would be impossible to miss. Well done friend.

Evening on the camp waters provides some social time more than anything.

Some precipitation is appreciated

2010-08-09T10:44:00.008-04:00

Monday night I was awakend by rumbling thunder in the distance. With eyes now open there was also a bit of a light show. Seems strange now thinking back on how hard I willed the storm to come our way. It eventually did and when the first few drops struck the old tin roof I was very tempted to run outside and share in it. I wimped out when it abrubtly shifted gears and started driving down pretty hard. It was nice while it lasted but over all to soon, maybe 40 minutes tops, hopefully areas upstream recieved more. Daybreaks peek out over the river showed no rise in level.

Clifton was soon there, we went out and hit up the upper run with nothing to show for it.

Afternoon on the upstream pool showed a marked inprovement! The spate had charged things nicely here. Dickey had been taking frequent temp readings and advising me but I made no notes and can't recall accurate. It was quite a significant drop though.

Back over on the south bank John went up into the head to ply the dry tactic, his chief interest with the trip. As a diehard Trout fisherman [we first met on my home waters, the upper Manistee, a decade ago..petite gal places hands on hips "FISHING! How does anyone meet FISHING!"] he couldn't continue to resist the stories I'd told him of fishing the Miramichi.. especially of fish measured in pounds rather than inches willing to take a dry fly. Over the course of the evening he had a couple fish move to the fly. A good one in the extreme upper end on the rock weir had him wound up and wishing for more light and better insect repellant.

When the boat hit the north bank there was very skinny light left. A fish broke the calm surface.. John wordlessly handed me his rod.. second cast brought a taker up.

Pointed upstream

2010-08-08T15:25:00.005-04:00

Monday morning found us on our upstream pool with Mike joining. The water was ultra low.. very depressing. There were a few fish around the inlet but grim conditions on the south bank. Frankey took John under his wing as is customary here for new comers. I had to chuckle a bit.. John is a very experienced fisherman, just a little unsure of what to expect from Salar.

I went into the head area being sure to stay well back from the waters edge. Fish quite often hold very close here. Tying on a small Brown Bomber [my confidence fly] I start working the run upstream. Midway up an hour later I had a fish boil on my fly. I dropped down giving him a short break and cast back to him. Several casts and no rise, time to move. before I do though I pile a small tier of rocks from my casting position. Finishing out the run takes fair amount of time. Walking back down, again keeping well back from the waters edge, to the spot marked.. slowly ease into position, strip some line, aeriel measure correct length over the bank.. once back and ahead touching the fly down soft.. BOOM! he blows up on it so fast it's amazing! A nice fat Grilse instantly airborne head shaking, back below the surface digging and comes unbuttoned. Good enough! Very nice take, I'm left smiling with the fly dancing on tight line downstream.

Late in the a.m. I glance across to the north and see [barely*] John with a bent rod. Not much longer and he's initiated as a successful Salmon fisherman with a 7-8 lb fish. Fly was Shady Lady Wet, Orange Butt**. A sparse wingless tie that works well for us.

Evening on the Camp water is a repeat of Sundays efforts.

*I've yet to replace my eye glasses which were ripped from my face by an errant coil of running line that jumped off the casting deck odd hooking the corner of them, launching them about 10' out into heavy December current while Steelheading last winter. Very frustrating.

** Shadylady Orange Butt
Hook: # 8 - 12 Wetfly
Tag & Rib: Silver Tinsel
Tail: Hackle fibres
Body: [aft] Orange Antron
Body: [fore] Black UV Ice Dubbing [loop dubbed]
Hackle: Soft Black hen, palmered & brushed out.

Departure and first delay

2010-08-07T17:32:00.006-04:00

We left Michigan early a.m. on 07/16 and headed for Canada. At the border we were subjected to the most intense thorough search by customs I've seen yet and hope won't be repeated.. not just soon but ever. It started with the toll booth officer, a VERY attractive younger gal asking questions. All was fine until asked "and how did you all meet?" Charles answer; "Fishing". She exits the booth entirely, placing hands on hips "FISHING! How does anyone meet FISHING!" That was the start of our inquisition, which did end fine, but unpleasant additional stress. After digging through a ton of gear one of the officers asked in all seriousness "What are you guys, professional fishermen?" That struck us as quite comical and went a long way relieving tension. In contrast returning to the States in Houlton ME, when asked same question Charles gave same answer. The officer replied "Been up on the Miramichi?" He then launched into the fishermans lingo, telling us how closely our report mirrored his favorite land locked fishery..LOL.. Border crossings are so much easier with an officer that understands.

We arrived in camp to find very low warm water conditions. Depressing situation but not terribly surprising. I'm already mentally doing a rain dance and praying for cooler cloud covered skies. That afternoon John & I walked up to the pool and sat over it watching and talking. He saw one fish porpoise, a good sign. We did get some clouds, unfortunantly it was overnight which seemed to seal the heat in and not cool the air much if at all.

Charles and John on the pool

Sunday was our first crack at the river. I was blessed with optimism after seeing a fish break just before we went upstream. John started on the lower water working a dry. Charles and I swung our way down through it. In short, morning and evening produced zero takes / sightings.

Mid morn I noticed someone walking upstream towards us. Clifton asked "How long do they build those rods??" ..LOL... in his opinion our 11' ish rods are more than enough. It was NB Rob from the Speypages forum board, toting a 15' stick. We spoke briefly, shook hands, and he was in the water fishing. As I watched him fish down it was obvious he's a fair hand at casting. I asked him later what line he was using, thinking it an Airflo Scanhead [by color] and was surprised when he told me it was a 65' Carron! He worked that line in tight, very nice and effective. So much for the myth you cant fish a long line very well short..

After one pass and some socialising he took Charles off on a tour of some other waters. I was mildy envious [seeing/fishing new waters ranks high with me] but glad Charles had a chance to go. I know he enjoyed it from his commentary later. Especially a certain pool that borders a popular outfitters water.

Playing of the Ace..

2009-08-10T13:26:00.017-04:00

Weds 07/22 was starting with rain, heavier than the norm had been. I'd really been hoping for overcast with minor sprinkles kinda day but how often does a guy get what he wants with weather? You just roll with whats dealt hoping for the best.

Arriving at the river it was already a hood up & zipped proposition. Why even slow down, I just grabbed my stuff and went. The guides were on hand and ready so over the hill we headed. Water looked great yet, didn't appear to have risen much if any since I saw it sunday afternoon. Recent rains seemed to have been just the right amount to sustain levels without increasing them at all. That trend was about to change.

Mike Heally, whom we fished and stayed with in 06 and fished together again in 08, was meeting us here with two of his friends, Dave and Jeff. They had been staying quite a ways upstream at Mikes camp up on Bloomfield Ridge. With many miles between us and no functioning tele we hadn't heard much from them. This is good sized broad water with a large island / gravel bar in the mid, cold water inlet above on the south and generous sized trib on the north bank. All kinds of great fish holding water.

Guide Frankie storey poled us across to the south bank. Fish hungry and looking for the shortest path to connecting I immediatly headed upstream and rigged a small wet, the Shadylady Green. The rain had subsided a bit and there were a few fish showing starting the adrenaline trickle again. It's interesting to see a fish break and try to catgorize. Since meeting them in 06 the guides have been adament that other than the visual theres a fish [which can be huge] seldom are they worthy of covering. The one you want they refer to as a "taking break" or "nice break" which to me looks alot like the lightest sip a trout makes when picking off a midge from the surface. Just a slight dimple, nothing more. I'd seen a couple of these and began wondering if I wasn't making a big mistake fishing wet. Today was best chance for a fish on the dry. 2/3 the way through I get a pull and come up connected. It's a hot Grilse, jumping twice before dropping in and running on the current. He slugs it out a bit then jumps again.. End of the line, he's gone. Finishing the pass I go back up and decide I'd better make the transition if I'm going to. The water looks like it's starting to rise. Frankie has gotten me onto smaller dries, which coming from a Trout fishing background I tend to agree with. Last summer he gave me a sz 8 White Wulff that rose a few fish and he also endorses similar sz of Bomber. MJC [Red Shed] gave me a couple in advance last summer and it's one of these I tie on. Same small Tan W/ White Wing I fished in Quebec. Fishing upstream is pleasant here, it's fairly soft even water with a plenty of submerged rocks/boulders creating seams to target. The rain is coming harder again, tougher to see the fly. As always, when least expected I'm treated to a nice rise. Either a small Salmon or Grilse, the seemingly slow head and shoulders porpoise. As it was starting down I lift into.. nothing.. Telle est la vie! I don't even slow, one false cast to dry and set the fly back down. Frankie comes by and gives me a good szd Brown Bug with Orange hackle and simply states "try this one, it will show up alot better". He's so intuitive I find it amazing.. with eye sight to match. The Orange hackle literally glows out there. About 20 minutes later I hear some commotion way downstream. It's Charles with a bent rod! Finding a grass clump amidst the rock to place my rod I start jogging down there with hopes of a photo opp, and if none maybe razz him a little before coming back up. By the time I arrive the fish is on a short line and Frankie is on stand by with the net. First shot scores a nice Grilse.. congrats are in order, great to see one in hand. It's getting late in the morning. The water is rising and the fish have stopped showing. I resume fishing the run where the rod was left, trying to make it upstream where a good fish showed a few times earlier. Looks like the rise I was gifted may have to be enough. I'm almost up through the run when I hear commotion, it's Charles again! When I make the scene the fish is barely starting to tire.. You watch and wait, praying that things stay together and connected. Fish finally presents an opening and Franky makes the shot. I find myself wondering just how many fish this man has netted over his sixty some years? Very nice Salmon.. I'm a bit envious. It took a Pompier Dbl.

Afternoon arrival finds us with -you guessed it- more rain. Mike wanted to fish the Brook mouth so I went back across on the south bank. The Brook mouth is such an interesting place to work a fly.. Theres a very defined seam well out into the pool proper. 20' depths scoured out of bed rock by glaciers and the ice from countless spring runoffs. Fish will hold from it's start to where it can't even be defined by eye. They know it's there though. It's a great place to fish a long line in a probing fashion. Get near, in, or the best ..if you can make it.. across the seam. Pull a few short smooth quick paced strips then pick it up and do it again. All the time holding your breath with anticipation. I'd took my first memorable Salmon there July [24?] 06 late on our last day.. after giving up. My casting had completely fell apart, steadily worsening all afternoon. Guide Dickie Storey goaded me into a final attempt before calling the trip quits. Poling me back across to the mouth he started quietly coaching me, it really helped. Within a few minutes it had started to come back around decent.. About then I got a light pull that lifted into a strong fish. Dickie kept up the easy banter and coaching, really helping to keep my mental as well as physical state in check.. I was exploding inside! We could hear light noise on the stairs and I made some comment about an audience, which can create apprehensions for me. The fish was on a short line now, all but whipped. One more snubbed charge and he was netted. Instant rush of relief! I turn and look behind and there are about a dozen and a half guys there! Turns out they were on a leg of a ASF Salmon tour covering the Maritime Provinces, what are the odds? One of them shot the only couple pics I have. That single event has done more to drive the fact home than any other, or others combined, NEVER ever give up. Stay strong and keep faith to the last breath.

By now I'm about 45 minutes in and halfway down the run when I feel life again. Another vibrant Grilse on a long line. You can't imagine the fight in these fish. Pound for pound they fight harder than MSW adults. Vibrant and bright with thich shoulders that are testement to supreme health. Two jumps and some give and take wrestling and he's netted. Edit: Got the pic Dave, Thanks! Starting back up in the head I get back into the easy relaxing rhythm of swing fishing a fly. SO much less intensive than fishing the dry.. a flowing pattern you can lose yourself in until.. you get hit again! Another Grilse dancing on the end of the leader. If the fish returned no larger I'd still come to fish over them. They are a true treat to play with. By now its starting to darken and I'm midway down the south bank. Kinda no-mans land between the two defined/named pieces of water. The wind has been a significant factor all day and refuses to be ignored, often it destroys a cast. Slight lull and decent shot goes out, just as the fly is turning a fish takes. This feels heavier, a few more seconds and that thought is confirmed! A nice Salmon clears water.. all I can think is my new 'Light dry Rod' is too light for fish like this. The more I play it the better it seems to feel though, just different. As the fish is worked in close Dickie readies. The last couple short charges and just as he starts to lower the net, before it even touches the surface, sickeningly the rod springs straight. My first tippit loop failure over countless hours on the water. Adding insult to injury I'd looked at it earlier and knew it would be cheap insurance to replace it. And so I got bit in the ass.

Theres not much time left now but I'm going to go out fishing rather than licking my wounds. Re-tying and starting just good spitting distance above where I'd hooked up I resumed. Casts were sailing out nice. In just shy of ten I hook up again for an unreal gift from above. This fish jumps and throws a bit of the spook factor in.. it's clearly bigger than the last. Fortunately I've got a better feel for the light rod after the last go around and things are going well. Still she's a hot handfull and I'm running the bank trying to keep the line short as possible. Starting to tire.. both of us. Not far from the beached boat now and I try to hold her up. Dickie starts to make a go and she'll have none of it, shooting back out. Now she's right in with the boat making me pretty nervous but a couple assertive lifts and she's clear of the outboard. One more snubbed run attempt and Dickie nabs her. How incredibly fortunate.

It was a great day on the water. Worthy of celebrating Charles 25 years of fishing the local. Through thick and thin.

Charles and I fished the camp water thurs 07/23 but it was pretty barren. The water had risen 18" minimum and what fish were holding fled upstream with nothing fresh arriving to replace them. Jeff and Dave took two Grilse up at Mike's camp which we were glad to hear.

The Miramichi: Old friends and Charles 'Ace in the hole' piece of water.

2009-08-07T22:34:00.015-04:00

Leaving St Jules 07/19 at 7:00 a.m. put us back into the lands where a mono-lingual guy was comfortable by early afternoon. One more bit of excitement on Rt 8 just outside Doaktown.. At approximate 60 mph The car in front of us STOPS in the roadway. There had been a string of oncoming traffic in the other lane and someone dove out and right back checking clearance for a possible pass. Now anyone stabs the brakes but to come to a complete halt with no regard for whomever happens to be behind you is very un-kool! Luckily Charles was totally on top of things and instantly applied the brakes.. HARD the vehicle broke traction for a fraction of a sec until the anti locks took over. All I could see was us coming up on this minivan like a freight train as I yell "Go around them, Go around!" Charles calmly rides things out coming to a halt about 6' from them and states "I knew I could get stopped". I'm hugely relieved but wasn't so sure at the time.

Stopping by on the private water for a chat with the river keepers we got some ill news. The pool is in corporate ownership and theres always a possibility of being "bumped" from your schedule. We get word that were clipped at the knees.. two days of our original four are shot. The guides are sympathetic but it's out of their hands. They did have good news for us, the water downstream near our camp [above Blackville] had been totally on fire for the past several days. The Storeytown water was just starting to show a fish here and there with outfitters calling down from upstream wondering if anything had shown yet. Once again enjoying decent luck with the timing. We had a good visit and headed for the camp down river.

Trouble on the second front, the guide we had booked for the camp water was called back to work, an opportunity not to be ignored. We were glad for him. He did arrange for another guide but now there was a considerable rate hike that had been undisclosed earlier. These kind of troubles are irksome and serve to illustrate the independance Quebec offers by not requiring a guide. It caused Charles an unwelcome headache.. problems on two fronts combined with the near serious crash. Eventually [thankfully!] things were worked out. In the morning fishing would resume.

I'd fished the area last summer hard. Charles and I put out a strong effort with him bringing only one fish to the fly for the time invested. Feeling a bit more confident in light of the good reports I started down the run with a #8 Glitter Bear. About mid-way down in one of the better holding areas I get a strong grab and lift into it instantly feeling life on the other end. A short but spirited fight and the guide netted a nice Grilse.. I'm finally on the boards! I finished out the run and walked back up further into the head for the second pass, still keeping with the same tie.. It's treated me well, in the past as well as today. I'm working a bit more line now and about 2/3 the way down I get a nice take.. swinging on it a bit early.. Kicking myself I continue on. After completing this pass the guide suggests we get back in the boat and drift the soft/flat holding water below working a Bomber. I'm all for that. We no more than get started and I have a bright Grilse come to the fly, no hookup but still very nice. We fish one more spot briefly before mid day break.

In the evening we start out on same pool I took the Grilse on. No go there in a pass and guide suggests we go up above for a look, more dry waters. Sounds good to me so off we go. Crossing one bar we bump a nice Salmon and a Grilse, looking good. First spot we try I work it hard full length, fast paced, set the fly down and pick it back up and re-setting, never riding more than a few seconds after touchdown. Sure enough a grilse comes to the fly. I never attempted a set as he never took it, just swirled hard. Next stop was fished hard with no takers. We then dropped back down to the earlier pool for another wet fly pass. No interest from the fish but there are a few showing in the distance here and there. Charles had spent his day up at Storeytown with no luck. Things were still slow going.

7:00 a.m. were on our way back up to the wet fly pool. I start way below in flat-soft water working a small Tan white winged Bomber. Charles is coming down, fishing a nice line. Time moves along.. "THERE IT IS" rings out. I look upstream just in time to see a nice Salmon jump. Tossing my rod in the bushes I run up there for the show. The fish was strong, it had backing moving out at a good clip and no sign of slowing. Charles began following it down, reeling, trying to get it back on the short leash. Even once he did the fish wanted no part of us. Every time it was brought up along the breakline he'd RIP another hard charge out into the current starting the process all over. I was begining to fret the knot.. Long battles can be tough on them. Finally it started to tire some and I entered the water readying to tail it [no net today] after a couple short ins and outs I made a grab and had it, what a relief!

For the evening we were slated for a new peice of water. One I'd heard about, talked about with guides and others, and map scouted. It's not far above the Ace in the hole water. I was pretty excited to give it a go. For access you drop over a steep bank by a flight of steps. It's pretty much a cliff face right at your back in the head. I started out speycasting with a sngl hand 10' 6wt rod. They were flying out pretty decent for a change. My casting has a tendancy to come and go but lately I seem to have made some minor advances. Note to self: Keep finges crossed. The water was very nice, quick in the head and even paced throughout the entire mid some slowing down at the end. I'd started midway down and finished the pass without a bump. The head area 'felt' alot different and not far down my Shadylady Orange wet was grabbed.. but no connection. There were fish showing at a good rate, the water appeared to still be rising and they were moving through. Next pass in the mid I had a pluck. Casting back a couple times brought nothing but I did mentally mark the spot. I noticed there was ledge rock in spots allowing you to wade out a bit further which I started doing. It was a long shot across and I wanted to cover as much as possible. Third pass down it's starting to darken and the no-seeums were some fierce, makes it tough to concentrate like you should be. When I neared the mental mark my casts were going long and halfway through the swing I got a good grab and came up connected. This fish was hot, ripping line through the water producing that tearing sound thats so kool to hear. It was a Grilse, he jumped hard three times before allowing me to gain on him any. Soon he was up on the short, guide Brian Peterson made a nice shot on him and he was landed.

The Grand C.. Headwaters of a historic icon

2009-08-07T11:07:00.013-04:00

Right click any pic and select 'open in new window' for full size.

Thur 07/16 found us rising later than we should have been. By rights we should have been up around 3:00 a.m. had coffee and a bite, leaving by 4:00 as it's 45 minutes [approx] to the fishing. That was just to much even for me.. The travel drive extracts a fee and the interest hadn't been paid yet. On the plus side things had been rainy and overcast so not near the worry as bright sunny days are.

We'd located the pool last eve which made things simple to drive directly to it. Looking very promising, a nice deep chute down the center with rock edges providing additional seams and rest areas. At the tail of the chute there were two huge boulders in the center, quite deep, then transitioning into a smoother pool with a few scattered boulders that I'm sure would hold fish. First thing I went up and was going to cross above the upper rapids and fish from the other bank. Charles loaned me his collapsable staff which really helped but without the Korker soles I was still at a HUGE disadvantage. Again it came to a total commitment of going for broke.. After the soaking on the Bonny yesterday I turned back. Continually I assessed a growing cash value I'd be willing to give for my studded soles placed in hand.. By the end of the Gaspe' stay it was up to 50.00..LOL... Their abscence was a serious oversight on my part. I was very fortunate to escape spills and soakings [broken bones?] during the wading, rock hopping and river crossings I made over the next few days. Dropping back down to Charles I returned his staff. He suggested to try the tailout, well down below the pool proper. I did so and finally made it across, but only just. Fishing was alot different from this bank and covered the water from another angle... with same result. I managed a couple small resident Brookies. When I crossed back there were two guys talking with Charles at the Shelter shack. Incidentally, these are pretty kool welcomed feature [not on all pools] A small screen house with a ladder against the roof allowing a guy an elevated peek at the waters and an option to get out of a down pour or serious insects. Anyway, these guys were familier with the area and fishing of it. According to them the water was low. Not terribly so but still low enough that likely most of the fish had moved up or more likely dropped back to the main branch. Not welcome news but we'd had forewarning from a couple people of this exact scenario. Sorry, no pics, I guess I got caught up in the fishing.

Evening fishing we had two pools. We'd scouted both of them after leaving the a.m. pool. We optioned to split forces and cover both. Once again I was faced with treacherous crossings.. fun / fun. Charles couldn't resist ribbing me about my soaking the day before. Since his water was downstream of mine he told me he'd be ready to help when I came floating down! This was a great looking pool, nothing ever comes close from pictures vs first hand sightings. That spill is actually a 5' plunge drop with a roar so loud you can't hear yourself think. The run formed and extended from the middle to the opposite bank with considerable length. The tail area had a couple big boulders mid stream creating some interesting lies.. I had alot of confidence in this spot. The Grande' C is known for big fish. At the shop they'd already recorded four fish over 40 lbs, biggest 43 and 13 ounce, along with several between 37 and 39 lb. Also one that had been lying, and still was, in the same position for a few days.. several guides swore would easily exceed 55 lbs! Just thinking of that calibre of fish keeps the adrenalin trickling.

07/17 Intimacies of the Salmon Branch

Early a.m. found us driving down through an active gravel pit. It was a good thing we'd scouted this pool in advance because it would have been VERY decieving in the dark. The path in had fresh Moose tracks and wound through the bush a good distance before arriving on the banks of a smaller trib with a completely seperate personality from the Lake Branch. Charles and I had a new plan. Rather than waiting for one of us to get down stream enough for the other to start, he began at the head while I went down to the tail area and began fishing a dry back up. I love a dry, especially on skinny or low flow waters. Charles was a bit skeptical on their effectivness for this system but I believed. The piece of water was fairly lengthy, almost two seperate entities. I'd attained the gut of the lower piece when out of the blue I get picked off.. At first I was unconcerned as there are chubs, resident Brookies and Salmon parr, but this felt a bit better. Turned into a decent little Seatrout which I was elated to see!

Charles started a second pass and I went off to attempt to locate the other two sections of water that were affiliated with this one. It turned into more of a search than I expected, and naturally included crossing, but eventually figured it out. Along the way I ran across this amazing rock that had been obviously hydro-sculpted same both sides. I've never seen anything similar anywhere. It reminded me of an anvil. Very kool. Thats an Altoids candy tin with a few bugs for contrast. The upstream pools were gorgeous but sadly, obviously low. You could just SEE what a shot of water would do for this little gem. The walk through the bush and flood plain was well worth the effort for us. Quite evident this area sees very little attention. At the first stop was an old weathered post but any sign was long gone. There was a game trail leading upstream with a couple ancient looking blazes on Spruce trees. Bear, Wolf, and Moose tracks were all noted.

On the drive back down to the camp I noticed a guy playing a fish on the mainstem so Charles wheeled the vehicle around. He was obviously tired but had the fish up on a short line. A few more short runs and the guide had it netted and promptly whacked it on the bank. I waited for a pic but no opp was offered so we left. As we drove back by the guide was carrying it towards the Canoe, I'd guess 15 - 16 lbs.

That eve we had a productive looking long depthy soft water pool. I had high hopes here but only Trout and Parr came to the fly. The head area was a spill from some serious rock and there was significant depth with two big boulders submerged. We both worked it over hard.

Morning- 07/18 Back on the Lake Branch.

The water was very promising and dropped through some boulders / rapids forming another nice pool below. Normally these secondary pools didn't carry depth but this one was an exception. The head of the primary was once again a serious plunge from rock / rapids, but expanded quite wide with length. We'd both taken a decent resident Brookie earlier when I saw one deep, belly up on the rocks. Concerned but couldn't imagine it was the one I'd just released I nudged it up shallow for a look. It was bigger than mine or Charles [12"] so some relief. Indicated there must be a decent amount of residents nearby. Not much later down in the gut a nice Salmon showed. I was up at the head fishing from a rock so Charles got into position and fished over him. I came down through from the head and covered the water also but no luck. Turned out to be the only Salmon sighted over our 3 days on the branches.

Evening had showers in the air. We were walking in sealed up and very glad that this site offered one of the screenhouse / shelters. A few minutes spent rigging and sitting inside, the rain subsided to heavy mist. This pool was pretty spectacular.. the kind that make me breathe heavy.. Long with perfect even flow containing submerged rock along her course. I firmly believe if a guy was hele dropped here in the dark he would be hard pressed to tell he wasn't on a coastal Oregon trib. These trees have the same type moss I've seen out west. Heard something here that could have been a fish rolling but with the hood up couldn't say 100%. If I ever make it back up this pool will be on the roster for sure!

In summary, we both really enjoyed the explorations and freedom of fishing without a required guide. The people were great.. I'd loved to have had basic command of the French launguage. Very impressed with Evan and Reynold Sexton. Great down to earth people who went out of their way [multiple times] to help. Reynold also manages Middle Camp on the main stem and advised to contact him for anything from a extended stay to a simple single day on the water. A great option to keep in mind as fishing the Grand Cascapedia shapes up to be something best done on the main stem if you want to increase your chances for a fish or two. The Branches, although breath taking, appear to be extremely water dependant.

Head of famed Forks Pool:

'Bonaventure' translation- Good Adventure

2009-08-05T19:50:00.009-04:00

To view pics as meant to be right click them and select open in new window.

Charles and I left for the summer Salmon trip early a.m. 07-13 after meeting at Dan's [Danimal] where I left my old truck until return. Big thanks again Dan... even though your wife sicked the dogs on me later..LOL...

This time going out Charles decided to make the trip through Canada rather than the standard route east across 90 then following the coast north into New Brunswick. I was tentative having never traveled it before and thinking why mess with the tried & true? Charles reasoning was that since we were headed for the Gaspe' Penninsula of Quebec, by computed estimates it was 2.5 hrs shorter. Looking back I'm glad we went that route even though we lost our 2.5+ in Toronto over a 410 rush hour incident. I've NEVER experienced traffic like that and hope to avoid it in the future. Anyway, the drive was much more relaxing than the southerly route. Less traffic and none of the P.I.T.A. tolls to contend with. That part alone is huge. Went through Montreal late night with the dashboard navigator proving it's worth directing me to the multiple exits/connections to be made. For city driving I'm now a big believer in these. Concerning remote rural stuff I think I'll stick with my own program.. They can cause you some grief, like directing you across some skinny / hilly rough roads only to end up at a washed out bridge that judging by the road appearence it's obvious has been gone for quite some time. Scariest is the fact that the unit had been updated just a couple days prior our departure.

Driving into Quebec things started to noticably differ. Stopping for fuel and coffee drove home my disadvantage. Zero command of the French language. I had joked about learning some before hand but didn't, so the joke was entirely on me. It was what I consider quite a handicap. Most of the people we encountered along the way, while there [St Jules, Qc] and especially on the water were very friendly and would have gladly socialised other than that huge barrier. Stopping and having breakfast in the town of Rimouski was a great bonus. Right on the St Laurence Seaway with the river and well known fly of same name in attendance. The river was considerably smaller than I'd imagined but none the less very attractive. With a chance I'd have gladly have tromped along her banks for miles just looking ahead to the next bend. Leaving the Rimouski following the seaway to Mont-Joli then turning south, we traveled over the hills/divide and down into the Matapedia valley. What an outstanding place.. Charles has much history with this watershed and it's been the topic of many long over the road driving hours. It exceeded any expectations I had imagined.. drop dead gorgeous waters.. from the upper reaches in Causapscal dropping into the famed Glenn Emma sector, and down into the lower reaches near it's confluence with the Restigouche where Charles has done most of his fishing on her. He pointed out the Hotel Restigouche as we passed, a place where he has friends and has lodged/fished many times. Had he turned in there I'd not have argued at all.

Landing in St Jules the first stop we made was the Cascapedia Society office to complete our licensing. Very nice place! Attatched Museum & Gift shop with small caffe' included. All the staff were super friendly. Once again I was reminded of my own small town history when Tammi tried to telephone Sexton's fly shop and had no answer then simply went to door and yelled up to there recieving reply! Not often you see that these days. Next stop was the flyshop. Charles had arranged for lodging with the Sexton's, we would be staying in the Sugar Shack. Evan met us at the door and we were off at breakneck speeds up 299 I've got no problem running hard but this was our first drive up a road that tightly follows the curvy river.. hang on! Reynold Sexton had only told Charles that it was a Maple Syrup facility but had been fixed up to lodge hunters & fishermen as well. We had no idea what to expect.. Turns out there was no need to worry, the place exceeded any of my needs with room to spare. Literally. It was huge for only two guys. Very modern & comfortable.

We'd landed a day early, as hoped, and had to make some fast choices in order to get our 'Bonus' day of fishing in. The only thing available on the Grande' Cascapedia was the exact pool we were assigned to start in the a.m. of our first day, 07/16 ~ Our next option was to branch out to the east and consider the Petite' Cascapedia or Bonaventure. After some quick mental weighing we left for the Bonny's Zec office. Conflicting estimates of travel time really had us wondering but we arrived with time to spare for a picture.

We found the girls here just as friendly and capable as earlier at the Cascapedia Society office. Very patient with our multiple questions and took the time to advise us with the help of a big exploded map on the wall. We bought one day each for the open water, unlimited rods, which allowed us to fish in three complete sectours. Laymans terms- ALOT of water. We drove to the river just above the Zec office for a look at the 'Bridge Pool' which is not very far above tidewater. There were 3 guys fishing it when we arrived, it looked great, I'd of had no qualms getting out and making a pass or two. Especially since we'd heard from multiple sources that it had been fishing very well. We headed back for St Jules and stopped back in at the fly shop, this time Reynold was there. Great guy, I instantly liked him. He talked a bit about the fishing and when we told him we'd bought a day on the Bonny he seemed pleased and gave us directions 'the back way' through the hills and onto the upper river. Saves a ton of miles vs going back to the Zec office and turning upstream from there. One huge thing that sticks out on the Gaspe' is how early it gets daylight! They're on eastern std same as I've always been, just my extreme western edge to their extreme east. It was getting light by 4:20 a.m.! We took off through the hills finding our way relatively easy, crossing the Petite' Cascapedia right at it's Zec office and an old covered bridge. I should have stopped for a couple pics then as it was well after dark before we returned. A short while later we arrived in our sectour of choice with no one on the first pool. To me that was an omen.. We pulled in and began rigging up. It was by my standards a very becoming pool, including a nice cold water inlet at the head and broadening into a softer run below, ending with a set of rapids.

We fished for close to two hours seeing one fish rise and another roll before some other people arrived, a man and his wife. He came up and started down the run behind me while she sat for the time being. I fished down through most of it then got out and started up towards the head where Charles was waiting, feeling fortunate that we'd had such a nice pool to ourselves for so long. The next couple pools had what I consider enough people on them already, so we went on. Arriving at the first one unattended I was bound and determined to fish it even though Charles advised against. It looked pretty simple from our elevated position, the river was basically split by a center gravel bar with a fantastic looking pool 100 yds above. Certain I could cross the tail and walk up to fish it I convinced Charles to go on without me and see what else he could find and fish it. I wasn't long finding a couple of flaws in my plan. A: I should have remembered the Bonny's ultra clear waters, and B: Worse yet, I had forgotten my Korker studded soles and had no staff. I tried it anyway getting oh so close.. It came to either a leap of faith from one boulder to the last with certain access.. or turn back. It was located right in the head of some fairly serious looking rapids so I opted to return. All should have been well other than I got in a hurry and didn't retrace my exact steps. It only made a few feet difference but it involved enough additional depth to spill over the tops of my waders a bit. Just a friendly remeinder to keep my act together. When he returned, Charles couldn't suppress smiling at me sitting in the sun with everything spreadout to dry, but was pretty lenient with comments. About then two guys and a gal arrived and said to Charles "Oh-oh, someone got wet" to which he replied "yeah, he's fine but his canoe just went down around the bend" They got a surprised funny look but said nothing as we left. I had all I could do to keep a straight face!

We then moved into the pool scouting mode which was great fun but not getting much fly swimming time in. After walking in and looking at several and fishing one for a bit we headed back down to one Charles had scouted and was adament I get a look at. It was drop dead.. by far the best looking one as of yet. The same four people were still fishing it. These pools by law are rotation, we were invited in but declined for the time being, instead dropping down to the pool below which looked very nice but was extremely tight quarters with no wading, it dropped to depth immediatly. I could see possibilitys for a Skagit floater. Charles fished it for a bit while I went back up on the ridge and scouted for access to the bend below. When I returned he was pretty much ready to go. On the way out we noticed one of the vehicles was gone so we decided to go back above and fish the luscious water. Just as we arrived the other people a man and woman were on their way out as well. We would have some elbow room!

Head of the pool:

Being attractive water it wasn't long after our first pass that other folks arrived. Some did the same as we had earlier and simply moved on even though they were invited in. Another couple arrived and once again I was at a loss to communicate. We managed well enough that they were elated when I indicated they should get in ahead of me and fish. I'd never realised just how fascinating it is to observe others and how they go about fishing a piece of water. They both rigged up with good sized Bombers. Hers was smurf blue, a color I'd not seen used yet in dry format. She started down the run first doing a fine job, after an appropriate gap developed he stepped in and started. It was soon evident that she was his master in the casting arena. Charles arrived back up at the head after finishing on the tailout. While we were talking two young guys arrived and asked about getting in. Charles gave the green light to get in ahead of us which they made clear was much appreciated. Now the interesting part.. One of the guys produced a periscope and began scouting from the head of the run while the other waited. After three looks with the negative signal he saw something he liked and motioned his partner out. Now things got really interesting, as the caster stripped out line we noticed he had a sinktip line and streamer fly. As he cast it was obvious that the tip was 10' - 12' long and not of the light variety. The spotter stayed with the periscope as the cast was made. On the end of the swing the caster would strip the fly rapidly until the spotter got his eye on it, then line length adjustments were made. We were skeptical at first but Charles was first to notice that to their credit they did not overcast any holding fish. Two casts, scout the next lie, two casts, they kept moving. Interesting.. I've heard of, and done, spotting from elevated position but never through a periscope.

After this show two guys arrived with one of them toting a Double Hand rod fit with a nice Perfect.. First Two hander I'd seen so far. Turns out they were from Pittsburgh. They had been on the first pool we fished and stated "It's loaded with fish"

There were occasional fish showing throughout the entire pool keeping the vigil for each cast high. The little french gal was determined! They had switched over to small wet flies. I was impressed with her drive for a fish. My guess is that passion for Salmon fishing within this couple weighed heavier on her end of the scales. I found myself wondering if it was something her father had introduced and shared with her that never waned. By now it's starting to darken with the no-seeums driving me near the brink of extreme tolerence and giving up.. The repellant was a long ways out in the vehicle. I only had a short distance to complete the pass and so bit my lip and stuck to it. A nice cast went across and just started to swim when it was grabbed. Dropping the tip to it for a second then sweep setting produced a slack line. Swing and a miss.. I made the final few casts finishing the tailout area and reeled up, said good byes to the french couple and started up the ridge.

"Picture perfect" a scouted pool on the Bonaventure. There was a fish holding just our side of the submerged rock: