Upsalquitch River, a New
Brunswick gem
July 18 - 21, 2007
Nothing like a sharp bend on an 8 wt
rod!
Four days on the Upsalquitch
River in Robinsonville, NB, just about as close as a
person can get to heaven on earth! I had the good
fortune to spend some time at BDN Head Guide Rick Warren's
Millbrook Lodge in mid-July with good
friends. The water temperature ranged from 64
- 66, water levels were good, the air temperature was in the
low 70's with partly sunny to overcast (light rain) skies.
The Atlantic Salmon gods looked kindly on our group as 4
grilse (under 25") were landed. I was fortunate enough to land 3.
I was also lucky enough to fight a salmon for a couple
of minutes before he decided it was time to end the fun.
Rusty & Silver Rats, Undertakers and the ol' standby Black
Bear Green Butt tied on size 6 and 8 double hooks seemed to
be the flies of the week.
Head Guide Bill Murray holds my 2nd before a successful
release
The food was great, the
guides Bill, Sonny and Johnny did their best to get us in
the right spots for a chance at the king of game fish.
The icing on the cake was a stop at the famous salmon fly
shop, W.W. Doak's Fly Shop in Doaktown, NB. Wow, what
a place! For more pictures,
click here.
Erika and her big ol' bucketmouth
Sunday, July 8, 2007
Erika and her buddy
Erika Haulk landed her
personal best 21" largemouth bass Sunday on Stetson Pond
while fishing with new husband Ryan. She used a
black Jitterbug to entice this bucketmouth from the weeds.
After a picture or two she released Mr. Bass to fight another day.
Yeah baby, that's what I'm talkin'
about
Thursday, June 28, 2007
You tell me, would he rather be working?
Jim, Master Maine Guide Charlie Bowe and I
headed out for a day of fly fishing for smallmouths on the Penobscot
River. The day started with a wonderful breakfast at Charlie's
W. Enfield digs. The weather was nearly perfect, not too hot,
little or no wind and an occasional sprinkle. Jim struck gold
with a Sneaky Pete on his 6 weight custom built rod and a floating
line. I used a new 8 weight, floating line and a white and red
"Plipper" (more to come on this little gem), Somehow Jim
was able to call it a day at the office as he picked up a
subscription sale!
Click here for more pictures.
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Shakedown Cruise on Hermon Pond
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Following a Graduation Bash for Megan and Morgan,
Mike, Josh and I headed to Hermon Pond for a little "Golden Hour"
fishing. Mike set the bar high as he caught a fish on the
first cast with Josh's new rod. The boat recorded a Hermon
Pond Grand Slam, landing a pickerel, crappie, perch and bass.
Mike fished one of his custom built 6 weights with a floating line.
His "go to" fly for the night was a little chartreuse and white Clouser Minnow stripped slowly through the weeds. I fished my
ol' favorite, a custom built 7 weight with an 8 weight floating line. I stuck
with foam poppers and enticed one fairly nice pickerel to the boat.
Josh fished his new ultra-light spinning outfit with a chartreuse
lead head jig.
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ARF Rod Building Class
Sunday, April 29, 2007
The Annika Rod and Fly Clubhouse was the " hot bed" of rod
building Sunday with the first official class of the year. The
best instructors that money can buy (Dan and Mike, along with yours
truly) nurtured 4 eager students (1 absent) in the fine art of
custom rod building. Two students actually stayed and applied
their first coat of rod finish!!! The others will be applying
their first coat in the near future.
For pictures of the days events, visit our
online photo album.
The next ARF rod building course will be on Saturday, May 19.
For more information or for a private class contact
Don.
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Classic Atlantic Salmon Class
February 11, 2007
The Dry Fly Clubhouse was the hot bed of Classic Atlantic Salmon fly
tying on Sunday, February 11, 2007. Once again, world-class tyer Ed Muzeroll
kept the students on the edge of their seats as he dazzled them with
a full dress married wing Green Highlander tied on a 5/0 blind eye
hook. His nurturing teaching style combined with his thorough
knowledge of the history of Atlantic Salmon flies combined to provide
a day the students will not forget.
Class started around 9 am and people finished up their flies around
5:30 pm. Ed demonstrates a step in the construction of the fly
then ensures that everyone completes that step before continuing to
the next. No one is "left behind".
Tying with Ed provides those attending with a unique tying
experience. There are many techniques that Sensei Muzeroll teaches
during the day long event. Many will significantly improve your
everyday tying experience. If you have the opportunity to take
a class with Muz in the future, give it a try, you won't be sorry.
ARF head chef Diane displayed her culinary skills
with an apple crumb cake for "snack time" (just like kindergarten)
and then a wonderful beef stew complete with dumplings for lunch.
Plans are already in the works for another class in March. If
you want more information please contact
Don .
