Salmon Lodge opens on June 7th – Our sister lodge, Camp Bonaventure was pleased to host our annual Spey Casting and Salmon fishing school again this year. Over the years it’s become a very popular event attracting anglers, both beginners and experts from around the world. This years school was hosted by professional Spey casting instructors, Mr. Niel Holding and Guideline Director, Mr. Stien Thorvaldsen from Norway. Days were spent on the river fishing and casting while evenings at the lodge were informative and a lot of fun. Guests had the opportunity to cast and fish with the new guideline rods and lines. Everybody enjoyed their experience and many are looking to return next year. If you are interested in joining us in 2016, we will be hosting an “all ladies” School at Salmon Lodge from June 1st to 5th and another for everyone at Camp Bonaventure during the same dates.
Neil Holding fishing the run above Camp Bonaventure.
Stien Thorvaldsen plays one at Poirier pool on opening day.
Our rivers are in great condition and water levels are perfect for early season. The Bonaventure is flowing at 70 cubic meters a second so wading is not yet recommended. Spey rods work fine but not everywhere yet, canoes are the best way to fish at the moment and probably will be for the next week or so. The Bony is clearing well but it’s not at its “renowned clarity” for the moment. The Grand Cascapedia is running over 90 Cubic Meters per second and rising after the rain we received last night. Wading the Grand and even the branches is a bit of a challenge. The water is stained or tea colored and will be for the next week. The Petite Cascapedia is in the best shape and running at 55 Cubic meters per second. The Petite open on June 15th, by them it should be perfect. The weather man is calling for rain and cooler tempertures for the week.
Camp Bonaventure regulars, Mac and Dale Fox fishing the first drop of 2016.
We have been seeing fresh fish in the Bony since day one and the Grand Cascapedia has reported catches on all sections of the main river. Our head guide Mario Poirier was guiding Mac and Dale Fox on Friday they had a big one to the fly but didn’t connect. Rene Barnes from Labrador hooked a nice fish on Malin Pool only to loose it after a few minutes and a couple of long runs. Stien Thorvaldsen landed a nice one on Poirier pool on opening day. Our season just opened and we are just beginning to see fresh salmon entering the river. The first week is always a bit more of a challenge some years are great while others are a bit slower. The good news is we have salmon in the river and are ahead of last year already!
Gerard Pichot from France tries his luck on the Grand Cascapedia.
The fly’s of choice this time of the season are usually bigger , this week we had action on the Green Spey, Silver Rat and John Olin. Sizes from 2/0 to 4 seemed to spark the fishes interest. It’s still a bit early for dry’s but as the water warms up ther will be close by.
Ready to go on opening day!
That all to report for this week, I will be posting regular report and weekly photos every Sunday during the season. If you are interested in fishing with us next season please contact me early. We are sold out at both lodges for 2015.
Until next week,
Tight Lines,
Glenn
