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Your local river in February

4K views 29 replies 14 participants last post by  chainsaw510 
#1 ·
It's been an interesting and easy winter here in the North East

Gave me a chance to try out my new TFO DC 4/5 Spey that I picked up for a song (second time I've bought it and the last time) what a joy that rod is

What's your water look like when the snow should fall?
 

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#4 ·
I hope this works, it is a photo from last week om the Tweed at Upper Floors beat, my friend is fishing from the boat & (as there was a strong downstream wind) & the boatman is standing upstream on the bank roping the boat down the pool.

Apologies for the poor photo, it was taken with a phone camera from the opposite bank & the Tweed is a pretty big river here.

I hooked, played & lost 2 salmon that day (1 from the boat & 1 whilst wading), but it didn't hurt as much as it might have as I caught a 9 pounder (sea liced) the day before & lost another, both whilst deep wading - which is my preferred approach as I fish from the boat when necessary, but it's never my first choice.

Regards, Tyke.
 

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#9 ·
Great pictures!!

Tyke, I really like the story. That is big river water for sure. Lucky dog you can swing this time of year for sea liced!!!

Xchrome I am not is know where to begin fishing the Niagra. Would love to hear how to go about it
 
#11 ·
Yes we're lucky with the Tweed - it has a 10 month long season , from 1st Feb to 30 Nov. There is the chance of a sea-liced fish on any day of the season - OK, you have to be lucky to get a pull at all in February (kelt's aside) & in late November you have to be very lucky to get a licer amongst the coloured fish, but it can happen!

There is currently a possible switch in the fish runs, historically the Tweed used alternate between predominately spring or Autumn runs on around a 30 year cycle; the current dominant Autumn run has lasted a lot longer this time but there are signs that they may be due to change - either way I'll be fishing it on a number of trips throughout the season, so hopefully I will catch up with the fish on some of these whatever the timing of the run.

Regards, Tyke.
 
#10 ·


Excerpt from email to a friend.. summary of the day.


Made the water yesterday there was not a single track going into my access point, which is right on the end of a roadway dead ended by huge snow/plow banks. About a 1/2 hour plus walk from there just to arrive at the river and get started. Without snowshoes it could not have been done. The shelf ice was horrible! Dangerous task to even get in the river and once I did, my line was catching on it constantly. On the first run I spent fair amount of time busting the stuff loose and starting it downstream. Naturally a giant piece went in & locked up the head of the best portion of the pool! Went back up and fished from the head on down and just as I was reeling up to move it broke free and went down. Still no takers..

Arriving after a lengthy walk to next pool found same conditions, ***** of a time busting a path through the ice to reach open water. Very glad I had the heavy noeprenes! Abused them badly but their shot anyway. Had to use my knees smashing chunks of the ice out making slow progress.. Down in the tail of this pool after I'd about given up I get a good solid take.. was careful not to strike to soon and waited for line to move out then came back into authoritative good weight. Unsure whether Steel or Brown, fish surged hard downstream then turned and ran full tilt back up passing me only a few feet out no signs of slowing and jumped.. a nice Buck Steelhead! Strong battle and he was brought to hand for a quick photo. Could not get another, battery died on the spot with spare out in the vehicle. Fortunate for one.. Went on to next pool, normally the best one, and fished entirely. Could have swore there was a fish 'licking' the fly twice but nothing solid.. By then there was a steady parade of icebergs to try and place a cast between or avoid. Went back up to first pool and fished through again with no results. Time to go.

Great day to be out but conditions not the best.. The water was unbelievably cold! I feel VERY fortunate to have stumbled onto a fish willing to play. The ice is hard on flies, if you got caught on it a lot of times it would shred the body up when pulling off. First run I had a nice fresh great looking tube on and promptly cast across stream and lodging it on a small corner of ice.. breaking off attempting to free it. Then cursed like hell ..LOL...
 
#12 ·
Shotgunner this is hilarious

""Naturally a giant piece went in & locked up the head of the best portion of the pool!""

Felt like I was there. Wish I had amigos that took the time write their escapades with such candor. Your friend should make an effort for Greys Sporting. Vivid and fun!
 
#13 ·
Wow, much appreciate the kudos J James.. get me an email I'll cc them to you in the future ;) There's more on my long neglected blog. Planning at least two fresh articles but needing to locate some pics and now the scanner has crashed.

Tyke, if I'm ever fortunate enough to make the U.K I'll be contacting you to see if there's "room at the inn". Always enjoy your fishing reports :smokin:
 
#14 ·
You'll be welcome to join the unruly mob of us on our various trips if the timing suits you. You won't be the first speypages member from across the pond to do so, Stampsteelie joined us on our November week for two years running when he was studying/ working in the UK.
It was very interesting to compare fishing gear and methods, he also tied some lovely flies & there is no doubt that some of the steelhead dressings will work just fine for Atlantics, & the opposite way around too I should imagine.

Regards, Tyke.
 
#17 ·
Fish Tech; looks like the kinds of places I'm drawn to.. down low in the system, more open, less gradient. First crack at new comers! Best part is the wind never blows up this type venue ;) Is this in the DSR?
 
#20 ·
Shotgunner,

Read through your blog. Enjoyed it immensely!! Fourth generation on the original homestead is pretty damn cool!! Many kudos. It takes grit to live up there. Envious of the water access you have and the fish pics are well done - just gorgeous animals. I was sad to hear that Michigan recently outlawed bjs - that's got to be tough! :)

Look forward to more of your entries. I can empathize with a lot of your sentiments. The draw is strong almost more like a craving and speaks loudly when drawing us into the natural simplicity of the outdoor sportsman lifestyle

I tip my hat to all of you who take the time to to dedicate your experience and what are now memories of your endeavors and give vivid life to them through thoughtful words
 
#21 ·
Every river that is open to fishing in western WA is high and dirty, or even higher! Too thin to plow but too thick to drink. Rivers all blew out Thursday night and have only risen higher since. Four straight weekends the rivers in my area blew out of shape. The key seems to be having the flexibility to fish on Tuesday, Wednesday, or sometimes Thursday. A strategy I will adopt beginning March 1 by retiring! Be my luck that the rivers will be fishable on weekends for the remainder of the winter season then, hah!

Sg
 
#24 ·
Salmi congrats on retiring. What a feeling of freedom, accomplishment, and pride that must bring

Enjoy every moment
 
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#22 ·
I just came home on my local rivers, I drove out with a freight sled carrying 14 10 foot railroad ties and a barrel of fuel along with Boss and some supplies. I came back Sunday with just Boss and some empty fuel drums so it was a light load returning. The local rivers here are the winter ice roads but we use snowmachines and snow cats on them not trucks. The Iditarod runs right up the rivers until it is past Skwentna then goes overland also.

The distance to the cabin via frozen rivers is 75 miles and I drive back and forth all winter long. There are a few patches of open water and I always think I should take a rod just because I could...............
 
#23 ·
As ever I remain thoroughly impressed Ard

I really enjoyed our correspondence

Be safe out there and if you there is anything I can offer be sure not to hesitate to ask

Sincerely, don't be afraid to ask
 
#25 ·
J James, I am humbled by your kind praise.. it is inspiring. Sincere thanks friend.

speyforsteel; that looks more like early May according to what I'm used to. Nice.
 
#27 ·
Local river in NZ

Hot, low summer flows, wading wet, cicada everywhere, tied some foam skaters ( Todd style) that were hit dead swing or slowly twitched, fantastic day. Used self made skagit mini head which was great for getting under the over hanging vegetation.
 

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