Spring Reconnaissance...

Dad, Joe, Bill and I decided to take a run to the Den today to check things out after the over long winter.. In fact, you'd think it was still winter with the amount of snow and ice up there. We saw dozens of deer on the drive up - it was sure nice to see that some made it through the crazy winter we've had here in NB. Bill had ANOTHER new camera for the trip up and got some great pictures! The pics started on the 123 when we saw a male and 2 female spruce grouse. It was pretty cool to see and Bill got some great shots!

Here's a quick video Bill also managed to get - it only shows a male and 1 female, there were actually 2 females and that buck grouse was in his element strutting around while the females gathered small stones.

This video will look much better if you click the link and watch it on Vimeo instead of watching it here:

Click this link for best viewing:

https://vimeo.com/92395698


Spruce Grouse from Salmo Salar on Vimeo.


We stopped in Doaktown to get a few pictures of the high water - the town was on flood watch for good reason and from what I understand they issued a voluntary evacuation order later that afternoon. The Miramichi's a powerful force of nature and nothing can stop a river and it's ice during spring break up.

Here's a picture from Blackville looking up at Doctor's Island:
(yes, still under construction!)

 

Finally arrived at the end of the road for motorized travel - we were able to walk in on top of the snow as it was cold enough overnight to freeze the 2-3 feet of the stuff covering the road in. It was only about a 10 minute walk to the camp. On the way out I used my snowshoes and took a short cut which takes only about 5 minues ;)

I once stepped off the hard pack by the ditch and went past my knees... there's a TON of snow left up there!

This is where the snow truly got deep! In some places 2-3 feet of snow, and in the yard of the camp, 3-4 feet of snow!

 

 

Joe arriving at the camp:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Time for a soda!

 

 

Joe and I checking out the river:

 

 

 

The ice certainly left it's mark this spring. With more to come, hopefully we won't lose any more trees. Although losing a tree is pretty minor when you consider what could happen during an ice jam - so I can accept the occasional tree loss!

 

 

More ice scour across the river:

 

 

 

 

Most of our side is lined with ice like this:

 

 

 

 

Random Ice cake:

 

 

My Favorite picture of the day - again supplied by Bill! (nice job man!) This is looking down river towards one of the hot spots:

 

 

With all the ice and high dirty water, I insanely decided a quick bit of fishing was in order. I went up to the powerline where there was no ice hanging on the bank and stepped in. Well, it was more of a climb on teh scoured, frozen bank. The water was darned cold and I fished for about 30 minutes before my sanity returned... Fishing is a tough compulsion to deny, no matter the conditions!

 

I should have mixed a drink with all the ice floating down:

 

 

 

 

Alright, enough of this foolishness!

 

 

So the conclusion from our recon trip is basically that it'll be at least 2 weeks, maybe 3 or 4 before we can drive into the camp. We've got some great upgrades to work on but we need to be able to drive in before we can start working. Fishing-wise, I figure by the time this weekend rolls around things should be a bit more fishable ... will I stay away from the river until I can drive in to the camp? I highly doubt it... in fact, the urge is back already... for anyone venturing out any sooner, be safe and don't forget there are some pretty big ice jams that will move sooner or later. Also, for the shore fishermen, that ice built up on the banks is dangerous stuff... don't put yourselves in any situation resembling the coyote and road runner cartoons!

Another buck bug video...

Bill was over yesterday with his new toy -- a fancy schmancy Canon camera, what a rig! We decided to do another fly tying video to figure out how his camera works and also to practice our filming, production and editing skills. We've got a long ways to go but yestedays effort turned out quite ok. Vimeo only allows me one HD upload per week so I'll have to wait a few days before HD is available so this SD version really shows off the capability of Bill's new rig. He setup with maximum zoom on his telephoto lens and operated the focus in manual mode. The lighting wasn't quite ideal but things look pretty good just the same:

Another 'Wulff Den' style buckbug... April 5/2014 from Salmo Salar on Vimeo.

A few flies that didn't make it to auction boxes...

.. who knows, maybe i'll get to swing a few of them! :)

Billy and I'll be switching gears this afternoon with a spring fly session - he wants to hook some fish on his own flies and I know just the type he needs to tie -- bunny strips! Stay tuned!

The ADG Special

Gramp was a fishermen, not a fly fisherman, rather, he preferred to chase brook trout with his spinning gear. A small flashy spinner with a worm on it was his favorite way to catch a 'feed' of trout. This is also how I started out fishing, spinning gear and digging worms. I remember trips with my Dad, Gramp and uncles always chasing brook trout with our flashy spinners.  I learned to love fishing and no matter how we caught them it was all good.

I've been puttering away at the vise tying up some spring streamers and it occurred to me that if Gramp ever got into salmon fishing he would have only had patience enough for spring fishing when the kelt bite was aggressive and almost always "on". I wanted to tie a fly in his honor that would be a good kelt fly, something that he'd tie on and leave on until it had been chewed to pieces and then ask for another. I posted a beta version online and my buddy Pete suggested it needed a couple grizzly hackles to set it off... Well I tried it and really liked the look of it so this fly, more or less, will now be known as the "Albert Douglas Gould Special". I think I can forego the usual formality of hooking a fish before naming it in this case. I'll also get back to the vise and tie a tidier version  but for now,
here's beta 2!

Daiichi 2271 size 1

Mustad 36890 size 2/0

                         

In Memory of Albert Douglas Gould, 1931-2014.

I'm going to miss you, Gramp.

Thanks for that day when we were out duck hunting in the driving rain when I was 7 or 8 and you let me stand under under your raincoat to keep dry. Through this and countless other ways, you showed Dad and you showed me the joys of hunting and fishing and I don't think I ever said thank-you...

http://www.brenansfh.com/obituaries/85849

And a few more for spring....

Spring flies are usually what it takes to get me away from deerhair and it seems to be working... I can't wait until April to give these a swing! The next thing I need to pickup is a dark green cape so I can tie some actual deep green beauties :)