End of an era

Last night, despite a 9 inch rise in the water here, the HMS Pizzed Up was carefully dismantled and put in position for it’s winter birth. Whilst we can still go fishing from the boats in the evening it won’t be quite the same.

Matt P with one of the two from the day

Yesterday the fishing was very slow as the river came up. Gordon M had a good size fish from Snake Pit and Jon P and Matt P had 2 each from the upper river. Whilst a rise in the river keeps us boating it does give the fish every chance to run and this reflected in our 5 fish for the day.

 

Caught and released

Up at Pana they had 10 fish for the day on account of sterling work from George S with 7. Matt took to the water with Guy R on the float trip and did not touch a thing showing that even seasoned professionals need a bit of luck when the fishing is tough. Over at Kitza they landed 11 fish for the day.

Jon P's second fish

The river has remained clear and is currently at 16 degrees so we are still fishing full floaters and long leaders with small doubles in size 8,10 and 12. The weather is still unpredictable with regular showers and cold winds. The most important things to have for next week are bug spray and a sense of humour. We’ve had a tremendous week for jokes and laughs despite very difficult fishing.

Matt P's second fish up river

Tomorrow we close Kitza and Pana and I am off to Murmansk to collect the last of the Middle clients. I will give a week round up on Sunday morning.

Jack Selby

Rod Snapper

This week has involved some heavy and late nights. So it was very welcome to get a little snooze yesterday morning. Less welcome was being woken up by Phil who had snapped his second rod tip of the week. He was looking to exchange the broken tip for a new one. At this rate he may well be going through a rod per fish.

Phil not breaking a rod

After yesterday’s thunder storm and down pour the river has risen and we had a mild and over cast day. Having made the call of lunch at camp the sun came out briefly but proved that sticking to the plan works as it hammered down during lunch and everyone was thankful of a roof under which to enjoy their sausage rolls and soup.

 

Up River lunch team

Matt P had misjudged his capacity for white wine and took the day to recover meaning Jon P and I fished Fortress in the afternoon. All the water we fished felt perfect both in height and speed but sadly nothing showed interest in our flies.

 

Beach

At Pana Guy R got 1 in the tail of Lagoon, Peter P had 2, Alexander M had 1 from Ponzoi, David H landed 1 from Grannies, George S and Willie G had 1 each on the float trip. Matt also reports lots of mozzies like here.

 

Fish from Bear

Kitza stats were pretty amazing but the detail show’s it was a little one sided. They landed 20 yesterday. Paul R landing 13 of them: 3 at Red Cliffs, 3 from Beaver Pit  and 4 in rock pool! Francisco had 2 one from Sasha’s and one from Kitchen. Reynout K had 3 from Sasha’s, Reel and Green Glide.

 

Dodging rocks

This morning we have more showers and the river has risen another 3 inches. My big boat was due to be removed from the water last night but seems to have had a short reprieve. I’m glad as I’ve become quite attached to the old girl.

Jack Selby

Thunder and Lightning

Yesterday was cooler and overcast. There was enough of a breeze to keep the mosquitoes at bay most of the time. Here at middle we had a better day with 11 fish landed. Jon P had 2 before breakfast and lost a very good fish in the day. Caleb S had 3 from the upper river including a fish of about 12lbs.

 

Catch of the day

This morning Daniel B proclaimed that all the action he and James have had has been in the afternoon. This is almost certainly down to the fact they have not yet fished in the mornings.

 

Phil W with a lovely fish up river

Ian B had the catch of the day. He suddenly spotted the smaller camp dog swimming towards him and stripped in to try to avoid a disaster. He unfortunately hooked the dog in the process which proceeded to take 300 yards of backing and land itself on the top of the island where it unhooked itself and was safely released.

 

Pre-lunch snooze

Kitza had 18 yesterday, Francisco caught 5, with 2 from Beaver Pit, 2 from Rock Pool and one from Green Bank. Jose caught 4, 2 from Chopper Island one from Toms and the other in camp! Paul R had 6, 3 of which were from Old Dam, he also lost a fair number in there too. Pana landed 5 fish with Guy R landing 2.

 

Ivan releasing a fish from the boat

This morning we awoke to a massive thunder storm that seemed to rock the cabin. With it came fairly heavy rain though this has had the effect of cooling the river and a slight rise. Everyone this morning agreed that it was the largest and longest storm they’ve ever witnessed. Luckily it has blown through but the forecast is for more rain so we will see what happens today.

 

Sunset during evening fishing on the party boat

Late into the night last night we fished Party to no avail. Matt P, Jon P and Phil W were all upon the boat and we fished hard. As Daniel B pointed out there was a mist rising off the water and our chances were low but we had a jolly good time, a few beers and many laughs.

Jack Selby

An unusual mix

We had scorching sun all morning yesterday and then things started to cloud over and the wind got up. With the wind came some heavier clouds but none of us predicted rain showers. The fishing was definitely better as the cloud came in.

 

Philip W with his first Russian Salmon

We had 8 fish for the day with Rob L catching 2 from the same spot. As ever Alan E and Jim S caught one each. Ian B had a nice fish at Picnic. Philip W caught his first Russian salmon at Simmon’s.

 

Daniel B with a hard fort fish up river

Pana landed 10 fish for the team. George S had 2 fish as did Alexander M. Willie G had 3 fish for the day and 1 each for David H, Charles M and Peter P. Much more important to Pana were the football results!

 

Into the net

Kitza have yet to confirm but it sounded like they were on 10 before supper with Paul R having the bulk of the sport again.

 

Much debated Forget Me Nots

Here at middle there was much debate regarding the name of the little blue and yellow flowers that are growing everywhere between the cabins and Generator. James S went with Forget Me Not but Daniel B was having none of it. A photo was quickly dispatched to Mrs Anne for confirmation and James S was declared the winner!

 

Azar taking the lazy crossing option

This morning the sun broke through briefly but the cloud cover seems to be rolling back in. The forecast was showers but I fear they actually arrived last night so we will see what materialises today. The water temperature is 16 degrees and the river only dropped 1.5”. Jon P had 2 fresh grilse from Bear before breakfast which has spurred everyone on. Well almost everyone.

Jack Selby

You never really know what's coming...

Yesterday we had roasting hot sun and hot water temperatures. Millie finally had her swim in the river which gives an idea of just how warm it was. At 4pm the river was at 18 degrees and dropped by 2 degrees by 8pm. This has certainly had a detrimental effect on the fishing with only 4 fish caught during office hours and 4 caught in the early morning or late into the night.

Jon P with a Grilse from Bear

Kitza held up it’s run of good fishing by landing 15 yesterday. Paul R had 7, 3 from Red Cliffs, 2 from Beaver Pit, one from Tom’s and one from Green Bank. Jose M had 2, Sasha’s and Gold Mine. Francisco P had one from Gold Mine also. Antony B had 3 out of Sasha’s, Piddling and Gold Mine.

Nice Grilse from Generator

Up at Pana fortunes were slightly better with 12 fish landed. George S got 3 up on the float trip, Charlie M got 2 from Rockface and Ponzoi, Willie G had 2 from Pontoon and lost a fish estimated to be 20lbs. Peter P and David H landed 2 each. Whilst the conditions did not effect Pana as much the report was that there were not many takes or loses for the 12.

 

Beautiful view down river

Today has started hot again but there is a breeze and the forecast for tomorrow is cloud and Wednesday rain. As with any wilderness you never really know what’s coming but the change from last week has been staggering. Our water is at 14 degrees this morning and the air is 20 degrees.

 

Caleb S with a nice fish from Robinson's Folly

There has been no sense of urgency from 2 of our guests this week who seem to relish a late start as the sun really gets hot. This seems to be contagious with 4 guests still having breakfast at 10:15. Let’s hope those who have headed out early have done the business.

Another for Jon P

Jack Selby

What a difference a day makes

Yesterday when we got up for the helicopter there was not a breath of wind and not a cloud in the sky. A total reversal from the day before. The mosquitoes were out and about and the river was gently dropping. After Friday’s heavy up stream gales and over cast skies we now have a hot still blue sky day. The air temperature is up to 19 degrees already and the water up to 14 degrees. Almost everyone has opted for tiny flies, long leaders and full floating lines.

Karen C with a fish from Simmons

Steven H with another at Golden Hole

Friday at middle produced 7 fish with Brendon G getting 2 fish from Generator and 1 from Pasha’s. Karen C caught a lovely fish from Simmon’s. We totalled 84 for the week in cold and windy conditions. Kitza ended on 131 fish with 16 on Friday. Bryan P catching 3, 2 from Long Pool. Alan had 2 with one from Green Glide and one at beaver Pit. Paul B had 2 from Gold Mine. Richard G had 2 from Green Bank (very apt) and Josh C had 5 for the day with 2 at Chopper Island. Pana had a further 8 fish on Friday making 64 total for the week.

 

Steven H with yet another at Golden Hole

Charlie C at Peartiha

There was a fairly relaxed approach to fishing round the island last night with much red wine drunk by many rather than fishing generator. That said Jim S and Alan E had one each and Jon P had a fish from Bear and another offer. All three fish were fresh grilse and taken on small flies. George S had a fish up at Pana and so far no word from last night’s action on Kitza but it sounds like Ollie got stuck into a few in the morning.

Brendon G selfie king

Charlie C overtaking his father

Jack Selby

A better day

Yesterday saw better catches over all three camps. The weather remained largely mild here and the wind held off a fair bit. There was a cold shower just before lunch but the stiff upper lip came through and we had a great Peartiha picnic bathed in lovely sunshine. For some the morning had been good including Steven H who had 4 from Golden Hole. He then managed a 5^th from Clarks despite it having been thoroughly fished in the morning.

Charlie C with a cracking grilse

There has been no particular pattern to what has been working other than “fly in the water”. Steven had his fish on a cone head snaelda and Kevin on a tiny little green bodied willie gunn double. Some are fishing intermediate tips and others are fishing full float with a poly leader.

 

Peter W putting the Scandi to good use

Will G yet again doing the business

The thing that has surprised me most this year has been the weather. At the beginning of week 3 it was shorts weather and now here we are still layered up and wrapped up against the cold and wind. Whilst today is better there is nothing to say it wont change and there is still a chill in the upstream wind.

Steven H with one of many

 Pana have reported the river has finally stabilised much like us. The river came up another 2 inches yesterday but has since lost a half inch. Up at Pana they had 9 fish for the day with 3 from the float for Charlie T. Graham T had 2 and Patrick H got one from Ponzoi. James J had 2 on the home beat and James P had one.

 

Ralph C up river

Over at Kitza they had had 15 on Wednesday and yesterday fortunes were up with 18 fish. However Ollie reported that the fishing actually felt less fruitful with less fish hooked and lost for those they caught. Bryan P and Richard G had one each from Clay View and Richard went on to land 4 from Shute and Spey Bank. Ian B had 2 from Gold Mine. Alan M had 3 from Boat Pool as did Mark L.

 

Kevin C with a splendid deep fish

There must have been something in the air last night as both Kitza and Middle had a Kitchen Party. Ollie’s team seem to have dressed him up as a girl and put lipstick on him. I look forward to seeing the pictures. Here the team looked a little jaded this morning but all went out with true grit and determination.

 

Only blog safe image from last night

For those heading out today layers and bug spray is the key and a flexible set up because what 2018 has proved is there is no predicting the weather, river or fish.

Jack Selby

Up a foot

Once again Kitza held it’s own yesterday mainly due to the lake that feeds the bulk of the river protecting them from a sharp rise. We had sparse moments of glory but the river rose all day meaning for many fishing was tough. The nice gravel bars we had been fishing are now too deep in most cases but the likes of Birthday and Peartiha are now back in play and for Brendon G this was a winner banking 2 fish over 10lbs in weight. Will G got a fish in the morning from the upper river and Peter W christened his new line with a brace from Dunkery Corner.

 

Brendon G with a cracking fish from Generator

There were certainly a few fish running yesterday with reported sightings right through our beats but they were not hanging around to chase flies. We are all hopeful that the rise in water will bring a few more of the pods of fish into our beats to replace those running up.

 

12" rise in the last 48hrs

Ralph C with a lovely fish from up river

If the fish are running hard I hope they are heading for Pana as they had another tough day yesterday with 3 fish for the team. Conditions were very tough with cold air temperature and a rising river all day. Patrick H and James P were up river on the float section and landed one each and James J had a fish before a picnic lunch.

 

Brendon G with Peartiha fish 1

Brendon G with Peartiha fish 2

The weather yesterday was pretty cold but lunch at Peartiha seemed to be in the only warm spell of the day. We had a lovely sunset last night so Will G, Charlie C, Jason S and myself took the big boat down to Party to skate a sunray. We did have a fish boil at the fly but it missed by a mile and eventually we decided a beer by the fire was the smarter choice.

 

Azar once again joined us for a picnic at Peartiha

This morning it is milder and the sun is out. The water is currently 9 degrees and with the rise in the river we are fishing slightly heavier with larger flies. Whilst it’s great for boating and certain pools I’m just crossing everything that it brings a bunch of new fish into the system and more over all the beats.

Jack Selby

Up she rises

As predicted the river has come up 7 inches since yesterday morning. The rise will make boating easier but wading trickier. The recently introduced water has also forced the temperature down to 9 degrees. Whilst the rising river did not stop us catching it certainly slowed things up added to a very strong wind. For those who know the river well Clarks corner can be very tricky in strong wind with it seemingly coming at you from every direction.

 

Will G with a lovely fish from Party Rocks

Kevin C and Karen C toughed it out up there in the morning until the cold took it’s toll and they returned for a well earned rest by the fire. In the afternoon it was also extremely cold and windy but they fished the full session and Kevin was rewarded with 2 lovely fish.

 

Kevin C and Sasha with a lovely fish from Fortress

Jason S took top rod for the day with insider information from Will G for two fish at Party rocks and a fish from Snake Pit. I waded out to the middle of the river to see Peter W who seemed to be struggling with the wind. It turned out someone had “Custom Tuned” his shooting head and one cast showed me it was not well weighted to the rod. I waded back and brought him my Rio Scandi head which he declares is an utter pleasure to cast. Think that line will be heading home with Peter.

Ralph C all set to go

Another cracking selfie from Brendon G

We ended on 13 yesterday but somehow it had felt like more. There was certainly a pod or two of fish about and there were quite a few fish lost for those landed. I imagine the rising river triggered a few fish to run. Now we just have to hope enough of these new fish stick around for the next two weeks.

 

Camp pets are nesting on cabin 3

Steven H showing off his Snap T

Kitza had a slower day but still managed to land 18 fish. They reported heavy rain in the morning followed by heavy wind. Ian B had 6 fish with 3 from Clay View, Bryan P had 4 also with 2 from Clay View giving them a boat total of 10 fish. Josh C caught 2 with a 15lbs fish from Rackmans. Charles W had 3 from Beaver Pit and Sergei’s. Pana reported 6 fish landed due to the rising river.

 

Jason S with a cracker from Party rocks

This morning it was sunny with a clear sky but still 7 degrees. There is a down stream wind and it’s slowly clouding over. We are however having a picnic lunch at Peartiha again unless the heavens open.

Jack Selby