Raspberryfisher's Blog

It has been a grey week, freezing rain and some snow. I took the opportunity to see if this warm winter has seen an increase of fresh (chrome) steelhead.  So off to the Salmon River, I continue to swing flies, so I had a good couple of days of fishing and a couple of days of no catching.

The freezing rain did bring some solitude, but was a little frustrated-disappointed with some other nymph fishing-people low-holed me (or effectively stepped into my swing (lower fly fishing zone)). I eventually walked away and found some good water under little pressure.

I got a couple of tugs off a black with green-chartreuse speys. I keep with with my Scandi on Sage Z-Axis 7136 and used tips from tips weights of 3, 6 and 8, fishing from small to large. My forward casting is getting better, but I need more practice.

As far as those who caught and landed fish, here are my observations:

• Saw people dragging out some sorry Coho.
• Steelhead were dark, saw one chrome jumper.
• No Browns.
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• Water Temp: 33F and flow was at 500+ CFM.
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• One of my favourite spots, had some solitude. It was also being worked by a fine spey caster with his back in the trees. On walking out, believe I re-meet Rick Kutish. If it was Rick or not, we agreed it was not productive catching. Oh well, if we want fish we would center-pin.
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• Lower Fishing Zone – Top Pool at the Top, River Left. One gentleman from MASS had the best-bad luck, and after 3 hours was 1-10. Said he was using 3x tippet, but was not able to keep them on. With 3x Tippet, he should have been able to pull them in harder. He was rigged with a float and a orange fly 8+’ below.
• Lower Fishing Zone – Top Pool at the Top, River Right – Dave a Musican from NJ (I believe) nymphed below a float landed a nice dark steelhead (with the broke broken to boot).  A find gentleman and great to share the pool with (until I was crowded out).
• OldFarts: The float-nymphers were getting NADA, but across, some nice spey fishing by 3 guys, with a tug.
• Just above Altmar Bridge, a few small dark steelhead were taken. All people nymphing with floats.
• Got a tug late out of School-House. I was only person swinging a fly. 
  • Disappointed people who take the fish and leave it on the stringer, do not humanely kill the fish right away.
• Some some ugly Coho pulled out from the Electrical Towers. Mostly float fishing, and a few spin rods.
• At Refrigerator, met Pat Miura with a couple of clients. A friendly soul, who acts with consideration.
• No-one reported any success at Ellis.
• Saw a bright steelhead jump at the Pineville Bridge.
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• I believe I found a “chute” at Pineville USCG reporting station which strip and eventually ripped the head off my fly line. I had to recreate a loop head and eventually buy a replaced tip. I lost a Blue Heron. Also dropped a Lady Caroline (duh) and earlier placed a Blue Spade in the trees across the river.

The snow and freezing rain continues.

A view this afternoon from the office.

Last, when winter is too much, how about some indoor carp fishing?