Sinclair Crown Reserve (part 1)

It's been a while since I've posted any updates.. mostly due to slow fishing and depressingly low salmon returns across the entire Atlantic Canadian region... The last time I was out seriously fishing was in early July when I hooked 3 and landed 1 within an hour... talk about getting your hopes up! Sadly, we just managed to pull off one of those right place, right time deals where we managed to catch a pod of passing fish. I did get to spend a few minutes of quality time with this beauty though and she was safely returned to the river to continue her mission to pass along her genes to the next generation..

Sorry for the aside, now back to the Sinclair trip!

This would have been my first time to this stretch and I made a promise to myself it won't be the last! It's yet another beautiful salmon river (North Pole) located in the rugged wilderness a long way away from pavement. The bonus --- no cell signal --- !

Bill, Paul, Steph and I packed our stuff and headed to the woods - I have to say, even though this year has been such a depressing salmon fishing season, I was extremely excited to be going on a crown reserve trip with close friends. Crown reserve is special, if you haven't been on one and you're a resident of NB do yourself a favor and book a trip. Even if there aren't many fish around the scenery makes it all worth while.

The view from the camp:

(((CLICK PANORAMA IMAGE FOR A CLOSER VIEW)))

We didn't waste any time after arriving and soon decided on a plan - we'd all head to the upper pools closest to the camp. Bill and I to one and Paul & Steph to the other. 

Things were fairly uneventful at our first stop. We didn't see any fish so we headed down river to the next pool. It wasn't long before I raised a fish on the old faithful blue bomber.. I wasn't 100% sure it was a grilse or trout as it took in fairly quick water .. I kept at it and managed to hook up solid to a nice grilse! It was a good scrap with quite a few jumps and I probably shouldn't have landed the fish but we managed to somehow:

(safely released)

There was a pretty decent rain shower and we managed to get soaked so we headed back down to the camp.

We finished up the rest of the evening uneventfully.

I just can't get over this view from the camp... what a place!

We woke up the next morning to some chilly temps, in fact we had ice formed on the vehicles both nights... Fall is definitely in the air!

0.0 degrees Celsius!

Our plan for our full day (day 2) involved heading up river ... the logging that goes on up there is depressing... why can't we protect the headwaters of our salmon rivers?
(((CLICK PANORAMA IMAGE FOR A CLOSER VIEW)))

(((CLICK PANORAMA IMAGE FOR A CLOSER VIEW)))

(((CLICK PANORAMA IMAGE FOR A CLOSER VIEW)))

Apparently they don't want fords across this bridge... thank goodness we weren't driving one!

I think I'll leave off here for now... Part 2 to follow in the coming days!

Trip update, part 2 - Squirrel Falls Crown Reserve

After Paul and I fished the afternoon we arrived back at camp and finally heard from the rest of our party (Freddy & Jeff) who had everything possible go wrong on their way up. Flat tires, trailer hitch issues, you name it the lads had it. I'm not sure they've ever experienced relief of that level or had a can of beer that tasted so good after a day long journey from Moncton... We've all had days like that eh?

Jeff chillin' on the porch

We decided the next day to take the wheelers to explore the upper stretches. It was a fun ride but fishing wise not really worth it, although Jeff had a good pull at trash heap (Brandon, don't believe everything you read in the log). The upper stretches would fish better in higher water. The river itself is very pockety. If you decide to explore the upper stretches keep in mind it's about a solid half  hour (plus?) run by bike and you should also take your GPS. It can be a little disorienting your first time through the maze of roads and trails.

This stetch definitely requires a wheeler as the camp is nowhere near the river. If you plan to walk it each time, pack a lunch and bring lots of drinks because everywhere you go is up hill. The river is small and not really what I prefer in a salmon river... fishing it is very tight and intimate and there are few places to overhead cast ... roll casting/single spey with single handers will serve you well. Having said all that it is absolutely beautiful and everywhere you look is a kodak moment. It's tough to decide what to take a picture of.

Jeff at Bridge Pool

Random beauty:

Freddy at Long Falls pool (one of the better and closest pools)



Jeff at Long Falls Pool:

Paul at Long Falls Pool (Revenge!):

(this picture was posted to instagram and twitter last week @nbsalmon1)

Me at Long Falls Pool:

(this picture was posted to instagram and twitter last week @nbsalmon1)

My favorite pool was McNaughton (sp?) I managed a small but beautifully bright salmon in this pool that has turned out to be one of my most memorable fish -- I was by myself when I hooked it (8-10lbs?) and this fish took me around that little pool 5 times with as many feisty and spirited jumps - what a scrap! Sadly, fighting and tailing this fish were all I could handle and when I tried for my camera I lost my grip and I got splashed in the face --  I won't soon forget that fish or the fight!

This picture was taken minutes before hooking that fish:

(this picture was posted to instagram and twitter last week @nbsalmon1)

And a bit better version: (see that big white submerged rock? *wink*)

Altogether we managed 7 fish (plus a bunch of trout) between us with very few fish pictures as we fished solo much of the time due to the size of the pools. Would I go back to Squirrel Falls? Well, with more water and fish - most definitely. Our foursome was a good bunch of fellas and I'd definitely go fishing with anyone of them anytime. Freddy and Jeff, it was a hoot! And Mr. Elson, well it's always a pleasure bud!

Oh and one major post script -- Freddy lost a brand new Hardy angel reel while driving back from the upper stretches. He is offering a $100.00 reward for its return. I don't have his number but if you come across it please get in touch with me here and I'll track him down.



Trip update part 1

Well, it's been a heck of a week (or so) on the rivers. Ended up with 2 crown reserve trips and some quality time spent at the Oxbow in between. UPPER OXBOW ADVENTURES

2260 Rte 420,
Sillikers,NB
Canada
E9E 1T3

GPS Coordinates
N 46°57.223'
W 065°51.644'

Mailing Address:
Box 291
Red Bank,NB
Canada
E9E 2P2

Phone: 1-888-227-6100
Fax: 1-506-622-7691
Email: adventures@upperoxbow.com
Again, I can't say enough about Dale & Debbie and the wonderful staff and guides at the Oxbow. Do yourself a favor and book an adventure - fishing, hunting, canoeing - they do it all!
This trip started out with a ton of planning, packing, tying and anticipation. The story of the summer has been drought and low fish numbers and our trip coincided with the tail end a beautiful raise in all rivers, but would we find fish??

Trip Preparations:

After a dramatic thunder shower on Saturday that threatened to delay my Wife and Son's departure for Winnipeg I was finally on the road.

Outside of Sussex on the old TCH:

After a quick night at the Den I was off to meet the Elsons at the Oxbow.

While there Paul and I were treated to some one on one time with a master spey caster named Walt. He is a Hardy/Airflo guy and he hails from Massachusetts. The few times I got to hang out with Walt I was able to figure out all the things i've been doing wrong -- and trust me, the list is LONG!!
Paul and Walt walking to the 'Home Pool'

After being spoiled at the Oxbow it was time to head to Squirrel Falls Crown reserve

If you've ever wondered what it's like to drive behind a 'Fishinnut' on a dirt road, you've come to the right place! The going joke is that all these fast driving, dirt road loving types have graduated from the Brett Silliker School of Driving -- I think Paul was one of his star pupils!

Random beauty (that stuff was everywhere!)

Finally arrived!

Jeff and Freddy hadn't arrived yet so Paul and I hit the river -- I mean what else are ya gonna do?
There were lots of these fellas around:

An unfinished panorama at the 'Squirrel Falls' Pool:

And that'll just about tie up part 1 ... time to step away from the PC for a bit but be sure to check tomorrow for part 2! Thanks for following my adventures, folks!