The Rain Gods answered our prayers (and with a vengeance I might add) because low July water levels have been replaced by excessive amounts for August, so much so that wading is next to impossible – except for river fishing of course. This means that most casting is done from boats, making it more of a challenge for anglers because all big rocks that serve as hideaways for those squaretails are underwater.

Coupled with that, one must remember that the time of year is now approaching for brook trout to begin its reproductive cycle meaning all interest have been more or less suspended from the eating/gorging stage to the romantic stage, and subsequently, a defensive mode. So wonder no more when anxiety gives way to frustration for anglers when in a brook trout’s world they’re telling us to “stick your bombers, muddlers and wooly buggers where the sun don’t shine – we have other things on our minds.”

It should be noted though, a male brook trout and a male char in its spawning regalia with its crimson underbellies is a sight to behold for those of us fortunate enough to experience it. You just don’t know what you’re missing!

Woody’s and Halfway Outlet appear to have been rejuvenated as landings have been up substantially with at least two seven pounders landed in the past week.

The Penalty Box at Minipi and The Honey Hole at Little Minipi have produced some unusually big fish as 5, 6 and 7 pounders are very common replacing the 3 and 4 pounders, which have been the norm for years.

A fly out to Minipi would be incomplete without a trip to the Gorge, from where success is often measured in numbers. This breath-taking sight is one where tons of water pours through the Great Minipi watershed itself enroute to its mother river, the mighty Churchill.