Playing of the Ace..

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.

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

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

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: