A Shot in the Dark in the Summer of 2000

We arrived at Jewel’s house (Damien’s father) in Juniper in the middle of the afternoon. Damien’s family and friends gathered around the yard. The yard became dotted with old fast cars and big trucks which seem to be a big favorite in these parts of New Brunswick. A few beers and a bit a whiskey was had and plans were being discussed of getting up early and heading up river. Denny, Damien’s cousin, showed up excited about all the fish at one of our favorite pools upstream. Learning of the fish excited us to the point where we decided to head up river that night. It was a about a 3 hour trip in the dark. The dark and the rocks and the shallows were bad enough, but the bats swooping at us was the real challenge. I didn’t think Damien was scared of anything but trapped in a canoe having to pole over the shallow rapids in the dark with 500 bats touching your hair proved to be the real challenge. As Damien swung the boat pole wildly at the bats, the boat lost its position in the current and floated downstream and up against the bank. I thought we were goner but somehow the canoe stayed upright. Loosing the gear in the dark was not in the plans and I am glad we didn’t have to deal with that in our condition.



This book will surely kindle your sense of adventure!

Deer Ville

Spending time deep in the woods has its benefits in getting great nature pictures. This one was easy because the fawn was running along the highway near Sussex, N.B. I slowly drove beside him for 500 meters before he got discouraged from crossing the busy highway. Perhaps his plan was to reunite with his mother who may have been on the other side of the road.

River Report April 30,2007

Some areas of the Miramichi is reporting some very successfull spring salmon fishing. If you like catching salmon then you might find it worth braving the elements. One fishermen caught 22 salmon in one day this week. I bet he had a sore arm. Don't be jealous of this guy. Get your own sore arm.

visit other outdoor pictures at http://picasaweb.google.com/Rays.Gonefishing/GoneFishing

Fishing Memories

Through the years:

Through the later years of the 1990s and into 2001, Damien, Denis, Marvin, Craig and I traveled by canoe on various occasions on the upper reaches of the Main South West Miramichi. These three and four day trips are among our favorite memories. The trips came to a screeching halt when Marvin passed away, Damien moved to St. Stephens and Denis is now working out west. It is funny how thing can change so fast. To many memories do I have to list them all so I will post but a few on an ongoing, occasional manner.



The wait.

We sat in welcoming heat of spring not so patiently awaiting the expected phone call. Until Denny calls informing us that the trout are in the upper reaches North Branch of the Main South West Miramichi, Damien, Marvin and I hold tight and wait with great excitement. Reviewing gear requirements and envisioning our coming three day fishing trip only seem to intensify the agony of the wait. Denny usually waits until one of our comrades hooks a big one then in the midst of the excitement calls us on his cell. He knows the excitement is more then we can take so he can expect our arrival within a day or two.




The cell phone ring, a voice screaming “get the net” can be overheard from my lawn chair situated five feet from where Damien holds his cell phone to his ear. “Get the net” are those familiar words that are yelled with excitement to signify we hooked a big trout or maybe even a salmon. These words we grew to love for it is a symbol of our excitement and gives testament that the greatest game has begun.




As we load the supplies in the back of Damien’s green Ford truck I wonder how we are going to fit all this gear in two canoes. Damien is not worried about it. It is not that Damien has the space thing or anything else planned out; it is the fact that he does not really care and that is his way. He does not care if he even takes a sleeping bag, all he knows is we are going fishing and that’s all that matters. Nobody really expected him to live this long and I can see why. Damien hales from the Juniper area. He is a crazy one alright. It is guaranteed that going fishing with Damien, Marvin and Denny will make for a great time with a lot of laughs.




Final supplies are picked up at Lyon’s store and we continue our way up the 126 heading for the waters of the upper reaches of the Main South West Miramichi. The closer we get to the Miramichi the louder the music, the quicker we drink beer and the more we laugh. The release of our daily pressures is welcoming. My guilt for leaving my family for three days now subsides. My dreams now transform to reality; a joy that only a three day fishing trip with great friends can conjure.

Miramichi black salmon fishing.

I visited the Miramichi on the weekend. There were still some chunks of ice left floating down the river. As expected, the ice melt and run off littered the river with debris and silt. Last week many salmon were trapped in the pools by the ice. Quarryville had a few fishermen who said they didn’t catch much, however they had their hopes held high for the moving of fish by the end of the week. We will see what the end of this week brings.

The best time of the year to fish

I get asked the question, when is the best time of year to fish and where. Here is my answer.

The Miramichi is made up of many different streams and rivers. Good fishing depends largely on when and what river you want to fish. Yes… July can be very good and the salmon are usually through much of the river system however there are some rivers that make up the Miramichi that does not have a run of salmon until fall. Example the Cains. So you think this is complicated; allow me to throw in the facts about the weather change. As we know the water levels have changed with the change in our weather. Once very predictable, the salmon would be at certain places in the river system at certain times of the year. The salmon has changed their habits. Last year a large amount of salmon made their way up river the first chance they got. It has been said by the elder local fishermen that they believe they are adjusting to the changes in the water levels and warmer temperature. For sure things are changing even for the salmon. In short if you want great salmon fishing it depends what time of year and where you go. Of course this is the Miramichi which is one of the best salmon fishing in the world so you should be able to find yourself some fish. Please note that if you fish for salmon in N.B. and you are from out of province, you require a guide. I am a guide. Ad a comment that you would like my service I will pick it up and get back to you.

Fishing season is opening tomorrow

Fishing season is opening tomorrow. It’s the final count down. Looking at the clock I will be fishing in 12 hours. After the long winter I am happy it’s here. Ice stills covers many of the pools. We had a very nasty spring. As a matter of fact the worst of the winter was the last couple of weeks where we had two of this winters worst snow storms. It remains cold but I am going to brave the elements and try a little fishing anyway. It’s not all about catching fish anyway. I wish you all the very best for the coming season.

Catfish

This was emailed to me a few weeks ago. We don't have anything like this around here. I thought it would make for an interesting posting.





A Fish Story
>>A local resident in the area saw a ball bouncing around kind
>>
>>of strange in a nearby pond and went to investigate.
>>
>>It turned out to be a flathead catfish who had obviously
>>
>>tried to swallow a child's basketball which became stuck in its
mouth!!
>>
>>The fish was totally exhausted from trying to dive,
>>
>>but unable to because the ball would always bring him
>>
>>back up to the surface. The resident tried numerous times to
>>
>>get the ball out, but was unsuccessful. He finally had his
>>
>>wife cut the ball in order to deflate it and release the hungry
catfish.
>>
>>You probably wouldn't have believed this,
>>
>>if you hadn't seen the following pictures...
>>"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some
kind of
>>battle."

A Tribute to Atlantic Salmon

When the leaves fall from the trees in fall, the salmon settle into their new home on the upper reaches of the rivers. There they spawning and house themselves under the shield of the winter’s ice. In spring they head down river to the ocean and feed for the summer. They make their way to the coast of Green Land and back to the very spot where they were hatched. On the way down the river these fish are easier to catch. Being a guide I can take you to these incredible fish. I practice catch and release and try to capture the salmon, take a picture and release it back in its realm as quickly as possible. A speedy capture and release help ensure the fish’s survival on its journey to Greenland. Maybe next year you will catch it again after it gains 20 pounds.