Camp Brûlé's peak season is considered to be between the last week of June and the middle of August. The peak periods are dependent upon the weather and water levels. This past season did not see good fishing until the first week of July, however, the season before had excellent fishing from the 22nd of June on.

   On the Grande Cascapédia fishing was poor in June of 2002, but in 2001 good fishing was had from the first day of June on. Cold water temperatures and a late spring were to blame for the late arrival of many salmon in the three rivers in this area. Fishing on the Little Cascapédia continued to be good right up until the last week in August. September can also be an excellent month cooling water temperatures can perk the fish up.

   Traditionally, we use 8.5 to 10 foot, 8 to 10 weight fly rods with equivalent reels and tapered floating lines. Leader strength is dependent upon season and traditionally 12-15 lb tippets are used in June and early July going down to 8 lb test or even 6 lb test tippet by August. On the Little Cascapédia, I have found the fluorocarbon leaders to be more effective in the 'gin' clear water, although I do prefer the stiffness of the Maxima "Chameleon" leader most of the time, especially on the more tannin colored Grande Cascapédia.

   Chest waders are very convenient most of the time, although by mid August it is possible to fish many pools with hip waders. In June and early July some of our sports fish from the canoe and usually wear hip waders.

   Brand names like Sage, Orvis, Loomis, Thomas and Thomas and Hardy are considered by many to be the top rods on the market. I personally use Sage and find their lifetime guarantee to be of great advantage in the outfitting business.

   Reels are an entirely different matter and many brands are available depending on cost. I have found the Orvis "Battenkill" to be a very capable, inexpensive reel.  The key issues are getting at least 160-200 yards of backing (20 lb filament) on the reel along with a decent drag system, or at the worst a palmable reel. Many fish have been well handled by the old USA Pfleuger 'Medalist' over the years. I suspect that many the Bogdan owner started off with an old Pfleuger. Beware plastic gears on a drag system as a good fish could melt them smooth.

   Finally, some bug repellent, look for 25% DEET, and 25 to 30 SPF sunblock are also good items to include. There is a Jean Couteau pharmacy in the area should you forget any of your kit, as well as Sexton & Sexton's, an excellent tackle shop.

   Worst-case scenario, the camp and guides have tackle and flies available.

   Fly sizes and patterns are a crucial element to any successful fishing trip. Here is a list of flies that have worked well in the past; sizes usually range from 8-4 with some streamers as big as 2'0 in late June mixed in.

Wet Flies
   Magog smelt (streamer), Green Highlander, any of the Rats (silver, rusty, green, blue, black), Nighthawk, Muddlers ( the traditional deer hair (good in the rain). We have had luck on a green (Lime) muddler). Machines and buck bugs (green with red or orange butt works pretty good) can also be very effective, especially if they are hitched up. The list continues with Purple spey fly, yellow canary, Roger's Fancy, Black bear green butt and Black bear red butt, also Squirrel tail red butt, Green and black stonefly, Black Dose (my fathers favorite), John Olands, Green Pearl, and Undertaker are some of the many good patterns that I carry. The Grey ghost and Lady Amherst are good in dirty water, essential. These are some of the standards that come to mind. Green flies seem to do really well, could be due to the greenish hue of the water.

Dry flies
   Any Wulff will get the job done. Brown bombers are the old faithfuls either with the green butt or not. White cigar bombers (hair straight out from both ends with a single hackle wrap down the body), white ends with red, green or orange hackles are nasty buggers for salmon and trout. Traditional bi-wing bombers most natural colours work well. Recently I had great luck with a smurff (bright) blue bomber with brown and white wings and brown hackle body wrap). When it comes right down to it I prefer to fish with dry flies and carry quite a pile of all different kinds.

   Good trout flies include, the wooly bugger, black or dunn, a killer, and most traditional salmon flies will attract trout. The orange and white cigar bomber that I describe above drives them bananas when I skip it across the surface. Also just about any eastern trout pattern i.e. red ibis, mayflies, small dry flies, nymphs, etc.

   Good rain gear (including hat) and a warm sweater or fleece is a must, as is dry socks. However, light clothing for hot weather is nice to have too. Bring along some dressed up casual wear for the evening's meal. Not necessarily a tie and jacket, although there was a time when this was considered the norm. Long johns or waders at the dinner table would be considered in bad taste during any meal. Don't worry about towels or face cloths, as the camp staff will keep a good handle on the laundry.

   Tipping is the biggest concern to many of our sports when they are getting ready to go home. Guides, the cook, and any cooks assistant or cleaning hands, are the biggest concerns. A good standard would be $25.00 US ($40.00 cdn.) / person/day to the guides, $15.00 US ($25.00 cdn.) /person/day for the cook and cleaning staff. Other staff, like the shoreboy, should be compensated for any major efforts they make on your behalf (ex. $5-10 for cleaning lines, etc.). Tipping can be a touchy subject and if the sport is unhappy with the service, he/she may want to reflect this through the tipping. This also can work in the opposite, if the sport is very happy with the service he may want to go above the suggested rates to show his appreciation.