20th April 2008 Water level remains about the same and has yet to reach normal spring run off levels. Steady stream broken ice floes, a nuisance for boats.

10:00 hr this date checked Hayesville (Tugtown), a clear channel is now through that ice jam, must have run during the night. There is a lot of ice in the back channels which will either melt in place or run if we get a significant rise in water level.

River open to Doaktown Bridge and below. Catching a few fish Doaktown area, too much continious ice in upper stretch for boats.

19th April 2008

A major portion of the ice has run, however there are still miles to come from upriver including at least one major ice jam from the Tugtown area, so with the warmer weather there continues to be frequent periods throughout the day of ice pack working down river and that does interfere with any fishing.

As for fishing in this area, a single boat on the river yesterday, dodging ice floes all day, touched no fish but having a great time in the sun.

Water remains low for spring although rising slightly each day.

17th April 2008

The main ice has run from Boiestown to below Porter Cove Bridge with sections continuing to break off and work through from above Boiestown. A check this date, finds deteriorating ice and open sections Porter Cove to Holtville Bridge. Heavy Ice jam since December in the Tugtown area above Holtville Bridge, so up river ice will behind it and may take a few days before that jam releases.

In short there are local areas one can fish if they continue to watch up river for heavy ice runs and position themselves so they can leave the river quickly if using a boat.

Water level is not high but slowly rising.

In this area little shore ice but 2-3 feet snow on the ground and in the fields making river access difficult. One easy access area is from the driveway of our cottage (Moonshadow), down the steps and into the river with little to no shore ice at this time. DO NOT LEAVE BOATS ALONG SHORE LINE OVERNIGHT, much ice yet to come.

And don't forget, Spring Fishing 2008, barbless hooks.

15th April 2008

Ice is still holding in the river. From Boiestown to Doaktown there are open stretches here and there, however for the majority the river is still iced in. Speaking with Doaks, Blackville to Doaktown still appear iced in. The water is not at spring level and two feet +/- of snow remain on the ground in the Boiestown area which will make it difficult to access the river for those wishing to put boats in.

10th April 2008

Can we put a boat in yet? The answer is "no."

Although numerous glades in the sunny areas and it looks like there is little holding ice in, the river is still solid Norrads Bridge upstream with only segments open along the shores toward Doaktown. The water has come up a few inches but not enough to start any type of ice movement.

If the weather holds, we should evaluate again toward 19th-20th April.

Deer can still be seen picking their way back and forth across the river daily, although much more carefully.

6th April 2008

Spring is arriving: Lots of migrating birds showing up, Canada geese, robins, red wing black birds, ducks etc.

Snow is melting away still fair amount in fields but roads for the most part are clear. River has lots of glades along the shore and in this area not much holding the ice, it doesn't appear too thick in this pool but may have some depth in the deeper pools and there was an earlier ice jam up river which will have to work it's way through.

At this point in time if the weather holds we may see the river open well before the end of April depending on what the melt situation is down river.

The deer are still picking their way back and forth across the river around the glades.

30th March 2008

It's been a long winter but signs of spring starting to show in the past few days with the warmer weather. Water level low but will rise with an exceptional amount of melting snow. Glades along the river edges from Boiestown to Doaktown. If it continues at this rate there is still a chance of open river by season's beginning.

Partridge, fox, river otter, bob cats and lots of deer out and about. On the down side the road conditions along Rte 8 and side roads are poor to bad, lots of frost heaves, broken pavement and ice with some flooding on secondary roads.

Our cottage is up and running, all new appliances, currently rented, which is a good sign, now for some green grass and salmon and we will be all set.

29th February 2008

Two queries today about booking for spring fishing. Wendy & I recommend that potential clients monitor this site, rather than be disappointed by finding the river still iced over. In 2007 we contacted our clients and suggested they take a later booking due to ice conditions. They actually tied nicely into a run.

I will provide updates closer to mid April, with the understanding rentals are on a first come first served basis. A number of summer and fall dates are already booked.

Normally this stretch of river is clear of ice by April 15th when the salmon season opens. In 2007 the river opened around April 26th and took a couple of days to clear, in 2006 the river never opened until end of first week in May, so at this point in time it is hard to gauge if the river will be open April 15th 2008.

There is a lot of snow on the ground compared to the last two years, approx. 4.5 ft., with 9-10 ft. high banks in places and another 25 cm expected over the coming weekend, so winter is not over yet.

February 17th 2008

Slowly workiing through winter, largest amount of snow fall we have had in several years, approx. 4 - 5 feet on the ground with a strong sub-crust, 8 foot plus snow banks. One of the best seasons for snowmobilers in years with lots of machines out enjoying the numerous routes in the area.

For those fishermen out there, reports on the radio this morning that the Robins are three weeks ahead of schedule in Florida, that may mean an early spring, as they are enroute back.

Deep snow is taking a heavy toll on local deer as they opt for the plowed roadways and compete with vehicles.

January 9th 2008

We are three days into a January thaw, a large amount of snow has disappeared and there is water over the river ice.

We have seen foxes and otters with lots of deer and some bob cat tracks.

Snow is very packy, heavy at this time.