This trip report is from a "rank" amature so take it
with a grain of salt if you will.
We, three of us, arrived mid-day wednesday, set up
camp on Russell Brook (just outside of Cooks Falls).
Water on both the brook and the main Beaver was clear
and low. Fished the evening at Horton Brook Pool, saw
fish coming to the surface but didn't see too many
bugs! Did see an occasional monster March Brown
floating by totaly un-molested!
Thurs. Mid-morning made the pilgramage to Cairns.
I've avoided that spot in the past due to intimidation
but figured what the hell this time! Only way to
learn is to jump in feet first! Well, this was a
strange day! About every 15 minutes, we'd see 1/2 doz
fish come out of the water for about a minute and then
it would go completely quiet for another 15-20. I
finally got a spot at the head of the pool, just as
the rapids break up, tied on a caddis emerger (as
advized and supplied by an angler just below me) and
picked up my first fish. 15 or so inches. Then
everything went quiet so we went back to camp for a
late lunch and to stock up on emergers.
Plug time: The Butternut Grove campgrounds lets a guy
sell flies out of their office. Nice ties, $1.50
apiece.
Back to Cairns for the 5:30 to 7:30 session, armed to
the teeth with Red Quill & March Brown emergers tied
with a parachute wing. Ginked the wings, and fished
the RQ. Three good trout on that. One buddy fished
the MB emerger, and got nothing until he switched over
to the RQ. Then he started picking up a few fish.
Did have one strong hit the next morning on a MB nymph
but wasn't fishing it with confidence, looking around
to see what others were doing and missed the SOB.
Tried GRHE, BWO's, Gray Fox, Elk Hair Caddis and some
other unidentified flies. We didn't get one trout on
the surface although there is one older gentleman that
fished Cairns everyday and perhaps all day that did
have some luck on some sort of light colored dry.
On the light side: Saturday, while taking a break on
the bench at Cairns, an older guy joined me and we
started talking. His name is Bob, 80 years old and
has fished the Beaver for 65 years. He gave me some
advice, told some stories about Harry & Elsie Darbie
(including the fact that he took Harry for his final
trip to the hospital). Then he went back to his ride,
pulled out his vest and gave me a selection of flies
and advice on how to fish them!
On a final note: 1400 mile round trip, $160.00 in
fuel cost.
For some reason, my casting was flawless, which makes
up for my ineptitude on entomology.
Met the old gent, met another guy that gave me the
caddis emerger, got his email addy. He's from
Parksville so I'll get some good stream reports.
I got close to home, gave my folks a call to let them
know I made it OK. My mother said "just in time for
your anniversary!". Oops, a quick stop to the forist
and a card shop and the day was saved!

Sorry for being so long winded. What about the guys
at the Baxter House?

Bill in Va.