Timing is everything
After a last minute cancellation of my yearly spring trip to the Restigouche & Matapedia rivers, my salmonitis seemed to turn chronic. The upcoming Canada day holiday gave me the window I needed to alleviate my symptoms, at least for a while.
A 48 hour lottery draw to fish a limited rod sector on the Malbaie river proved to be fruitful. A quick call to my good friend Lorenzo, who has also been burning the candle at both ends, confirmed our 2 rods for sector A of the Malbaie River on July 1!
We left Tuesday evening and arrived just before the rain started coming down. We set up the pickup truck tent and managed a couple of hours of sleep.
We awoke to a slight drizzle and perfect conditions to keep salar happy and playful.
A 48 hour lottery draw to fish a limited rod sector on the Malbaie river proved to be fruitful. A quick call to my good friend Lorenzo, who has also been burning the candle at both ends, confirmed our 2 rods for sector A of the Malbaie River on July 1!
Sector A on the Malbaie River
We left Tuesday evening and arrived just before the rain started coming down. We set up the pickup truck tent and managed a couple of hours of sleep.
Lorenzo's pick up tent
We were greeted by a couple of salmon jumping on our arrival to our scheduled beat for the day. It seemed like everything was lining up in our favor. The timing couldn’t have been better!
This year's salmon runs on quebec rivers seem to be going well thanks to the good numbers of fish that spawned in 2011. It was the case for this river as well, as it was loaded with salmon. This gave me the perfect opportunity to fish with a variety of different flies. I started with a Black Dose which got one particular salmon's attention but no commitment. Then went through the run with a Gold Riach and then a Picasse, but it wasn't until I swung a Logan's Silver Tip that I got that bolt of electricity up my arm that only a good, solid take from a salmon can provide!
The salmon fought hard, but I brought it quick to hand for an even quicker release.
Lorenzo raised a salmon twice using a Green Machine, but it lost interest and he never did manage to hook it. He also got one going on a bomber which also refused to commit.
Next out of the box was a Culdrain. It raised a salmon on its first swing through. It felt iron and although we tried, we could not tempt it again.
We stopped for lunch and a well deserved rest until the evening session.
The relentless rain was starting to get a little overbearing, but it was quickly forgotten when we got back to the river.
Next up, an Ackroyd. A deep swing through the pool brought a real solid tug, but nothing more. Time for the hitch!
A freshly tied Glitter Bear seemed to be calling out, "pick me! Pick me!", from the box. The long two handed rod and the perfect current made the fly hitch effortlessly. It wasn't long until a bigger wake formed behind the fly. The salmon swiped, but missed. It was obvious it wanted that fly so I immediately cast it out again and it made no mistake. I handed the rod to Lorenzo who fought it expertly. A quick pick and released to swim another day!
Here is a Video of the fight!
That was it for me as rules state a 2 salmon quota for the day.
Lorenzo fished the rest of the evening and raised 2 more salmon, but they seemed content to only look at and not taste his offerings.
Once in a while, we get the timing right and get these magical days! Couldn’t think of a better antidote for my salmonitis! Although most of the symptoms have subsided for now, there are still some lingering effects that will never be fully cured! Will have to fill another prescription real soon.......
A selection that swam through the gauntlet
The salmon fought hard, but I brought it quick to hand for an even quicker release.
Keep them in the water
Lorenzo raised a salmon twice using a Green Machine, but it lost interest and he never did manage to hook it. He also got one going on a bomber which also refused to commit.
Next out of the box was a Culdrain. It raised a salmon on its first swing through. It felt iron and although we tried, we could not tempt it again.
We stopped for lunch and a well deserved rest until the evening session.
Homemade sopresata
The ones that got salmons' attention
Next up, an Ackroyd. A deep swing through the pool brought a real solid tug, but nothing more. Time for the hitch!
A freshly tied Glitter Bear seemed to be calling out, "pick me! Pick me!", from the box. The long two handed rod and the perfect current made the fly hitch effortlessly. It wasn't long until a bigger wake formed behind the fly. The salmon swiped, but missed. It was obvious it wanted that fly so I immediately cast it out again and it made no mistake. I handed the rod to Lorenzo who fought it expertly. A quick pick and released to swim another day!
Here is a Video of the fight!
That was it for me as rules state a 2 salmon quota for the day.
Lorenzo fished the rest of the evening and raised 2 more salmon, but they seemed content to only look at and not taste his offerings.
Once in a while, we get the timing right and get these magical days! Couldn’t think of a better antidote for my salmonitis! Although most of the symptoms have subsided for now, there are still some lingering effects that will never be fully cured! Will have to fill another prescription real soon.......
Very nice! I'm glad you got to scratch the itch!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Ben!
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