Welcome back to our weekly river and fishing reports . Time passes so quickly, it seems like just yesterday i was writing the last report for the 2018 season. Maybe it has something to do with getting older, that’s what they tell me, lol.
Our fine group of guides ready for the new season, from Left to right, Renaud, Alex, Frank, Jean-Marc, Pat and last but certainly not least Clement.
I have no idea of what the rest of the season will bring but we have sure started with plenty of water! All our rivers are running high and stained. Winter was long with more snow than I can remember and the spring has been cool with no major heat to speak of. Our snow is melting slowly in the hills and maintaining our water levels above normal for this time of the season. The Grand Cascapedia levels fall during the day and rises night due to snow melt. non stable water levels make catching difficult, salmon take better in stable or falling water levels.
The Grand is running high and stained. This shot was taken Wednesday, its come down a lot and looking much better and fishable.
The Bonaventure is flowing at 80 cubic meters per second, normal for this time of the year is 40 to 50 range. The Petite Cascapedia only opens on June 15th but is flowing at 75 cubic meters per second, normal is 40. The Grand Cascapedia is at 150 where it should be in the 50 range. The Grand was in the 300 on June 4th, its falling quickly.
Thankfully we can fall back on the Bonaventure when the Grand Cascapedia is not fishing well. The bony is high but getting clear.
Enough about the weather and water flow, we’ll soon be praying for rain. The first week is always a exciting, everyone is looking for that first big fish of the season. This time of year we are fishing our high water pools from top to bottom, you just never know where a fresh salmon will be holding. This was true for Fiona Gillfillan from Ottawa who hooked into a nice fish on the lower end of Grassy pool on the Bonaventure. . Unfortunately after five minutes on the line and a couple of big head shakes it was gone. She redeemed herself the next day with a nice 12 pounder at Kelly pool on the Bony
Fiona Gilfillan plays a nice fish on the Bonaventure, way to go girl!
The high tides of June began on Friday and will continue through next week, this should bring in our first run of big salmon. salmon are entering the Grand Cascapedia on every tide, catching has been a challenge.
Big Water and a the pull of a big salmon, unfortunately thats the way the story ended.
Toby Gray with his first salmon from this side of the Atlantic, congratulations Toby, well done!
Fly’s of choice have been the Nagli, Silver Rat, Stone Ghost and the Picasse in Sizes 2 and 4. Spey fly’s also work well at this tim of the season in sizes 1.5, 3 and 5. The Green Spey, Picasse and Jones Special are always good choices.. Sorry nothing to report on dry’s yet, water’s still too high and cold.
Hugh Smith came all the way from Australia, with water levels are slowly returning to normal, Hugh managed to land this nice one on the Grand Cascapedia. great job Hugh!
Until next week,
Tight Lines,
Glenn
