Monthly Archives: November 2003

Chota Nunavut II Marsh Boot

This Marsh boot will outlast a mudroom full of wellies. I’ve had a pair since late Summer’s trip to the Matapedia for Atlantic Salmon. The boots were great both around Cold Spring Camp and in the 26 ft Sharpe Canoes. They provide great support and durability we’ve come to expect from Chota’s other products. I’m currently using mine to walk the dog out every morning in corn and bean stubble and they don’t look any worse for wear.

Theaux Le Gardeur

Turkey Haze…

With the flow at ~167. The river is settling down. Good reports over the weekend point to the section between Masemore through Falls Rd as a likely spot to connect with dries.Elk hair caddis sized #18-20 and Griffith’s Gnats are a good bet. Bunkerhill down through Big Falls was less crowded and folks picked up fish on attractor nymphs, Copper Johns sized #16 and streamers , wooly buggers in black and brown sized #12-8 through this stretch. Those interested in fishing Olives should make it up here while it’s nice and overcast.

The shop will be open Friday from 10AM till 6 PM and we hope that everyone is able to take the day off and get out of the house to wet a line after the “Turkey haze” wears off.

Note: Turkey feathers are the foundation for great hopper patterns.We have several matched Ozark Oak Mottled Quill sets in stock.

Thanks all around…

Many thanks to PPTU, MDTU, and the CCA for hosting my recent talks on Atlantic Salmon and Albacore.Now for the news that you’ve been waiting for.

The fishing has been consistently good,(even with the high water from Wednesday) and folks were out today chasing fish between Masemore and Bunkerhill Rd.Water temp is still in the low 50S and with a few warm days ahead why would’nt you fish dries? Try CDC Caddis and Olives sized #18-20 above Falls Rd. and Terrestrials from Bunkerhill downstream through Big falls. If you wind up at Masemore try a Griffith’s Gnat in a #20 on a 14 ft 7x leader and know frustration. It is a great searching pattern for difficult fish. If you’re as blind as I am fish an ICSI midge-that orange post really works.

Nice report!

Water is ~127 Cfs, clear and dropping a bit to 51 F. Following is another nice report on fishing along the Gunpowder.

Had a great day Sunday.Caught a dozen browns below Falls Rd. including a fifteen incher (!) on an Irrisistible #16 dry. Water below the bridge used to be very flat and slow. With the flows as they are now, and with the downed trees crossing the river, this stretch is really producing! Thanks for keeping the site up to date. Nothing’s more frustrating than local info that’s six months old.-Andy

Since the weather has cooled a little since this report we’re starting to rely on nymphs and streamers a little more. Pheasant tail soft hackles sized #14-16 and brown-flash -a-buggers in sizes #8-#12 are good bets. With rain in the forecast for Wed, bring along a few San Juan worms and hit the undercut banks between Bunkerhill and York.

Note: When nymphing, make sure that you’re getting hung up on the bottom every half-dozen casts or so. If you’re not, add a little shot about a forearm above the fly to slow the whole rig down a bit.

Caddis and cooler weather…

Water is in great shape at ~167Cfs and the fish are still looking up. Paul was in today after picking a few up on a caddis and we both agreed that the fishing has been mighty good.

With cooler weather approaching, red butts in the morning hours should provide a lot of excitement.Try a #14-16 with a pheasant tail dropper in the same size and hold on. Dry fly folks should get out about midday and work flats and back eddies with caddis and olives in the #18-20 range.

Note: …If you thought Gunpowder trout were tough, ask me about Bonefishing in the rain.

Indian Summer…

You could’ve fished in your shirt sleeves today.The water was coolat 52 F and flow was acomfortable 175 Cfs and dropping. Folks are still moving big fish with streamer patterns and small dries…

CDC Olives , Elk hair caddis and small letort hoppers are working fine. As the wild fish start clearing redds, please limit your wading and give the fish a chance to do their thing. Most redds appear as whitish “bright” areas of gravel along the stream.They can be dinner plate sized and larger and desrve your respect.

Note: Soft hackles such as a red or orange butt sized #14-16 are very effective searching flies.