Atlantic Salmon From The Caines River New Brunswick

They have been called the “King of Sportfish”
and salmon fishing has been touted the “Sport of Kings.”

In moving to New Brunswick recently, the thought of going fishing for salmon brought with it much apprehension and anticipation. Would I have the opportunity to go out? Would it be expensive? Would I see any salmon? I had these questions and many more consuming my fishing thoughts on a daily basis.

Initially I thought that my first autumn in New Brunswick would be spent researching the ins and outs of salmon fishing and figuring out where I would go next year. I needed to be patient; the fish would still be there next year. Those thoughts all changed, however, when I contacted Jim after reading his “Joy of Fly Fishing” blog. Jim was keen to get out fishing as soon as possible and he didn’t mind that I had no salmon fishing experience. I could hardly believe it when I got an email on Sunday saying “How ‘bout later today?”

Out we went to a spot Jim knew and had fished previously on the Cains River. Jim had good luck at this spot in the past but hadn’t been there in a few years. True to his reputation, Jim was on the water and casting before I even had my rod together. It wasn’t long after that when I heard the sweet sound of a successful fisherman. “Fish on!” Jim said. The fish jumped several times and ran aplenty testing the reel’s drag and Jim’s skills before he was able to land it. What a fish! The closest I had ever been to an Atlantic Salmon previous to this was in the grocery store’s seafood aisle. Now I had a live, wild one right in front of me. Jim’s first impressions were correct; it measured too big to keep. The salmon was returned to the water, revived and released and we had our lines in the water once again.

I couldn’t believe it. Not only had I been taken to a salmon river but I had witnessed the majestic fish jumping and had seen one landed and released. What a day! I could have left for home right then and been satisfied. OK, that might be a bit of a stretch. Of course I would have liked to have caught one but I wasn’t expecting it. “The fish of a thousand casts” wouldn’t reward me on my first salmon fishing outing. I could be happy with seeing one landed. I was jolted from my daydream though because next thing I knew, Jim had another one on. This one fought hard though Jim felt it might be just under the size limit. Upon measurement, Jim was pleased to know he’d be taking home some food for the dinner table.

I wasn’t counting my casts throughout the day but I could feel my arm starting to get sore. Being used to my little 3 wt, this bigger and heavier rod was an adjustment, both in timing and exertion. But cast I did and I continued to change flies to see if I could elicit any interest from the river’s swimmers. Then, unexpectedly, I spotted a boil where my fly had been. That was a fish! It took my fly! Holy smokes, “Fish on!” I yell. My heart is pounding, I’m nervous and excited. I try to relax and play the fish like I would any other. But this fish is like no other. This is no trout or bass. This fish has serious power. When it wants to go, there’s no stopping it. My forearm starts to hurt as my rod flexes even more. The salmon goes for another run then turns and comes toward me. “Reel him in, reel him in!” I hear Jim saying as I go for my reel and try to turn it as quickly as I can. After what seemed like a great battle, the fish was released and continued on his journey to his birthplace upstream.

Your first salmon is undoubtedly an experience indelibly etched in your memory. I’ve been playing the scenario over and over in my head and reliving the moment the fish took, the runs, the battle, holding the fish, then releasing it. I consider myself lucky and fortunate to have had this experience and am thankful Jim helped make it happen. Hopefully the river will give me the opportunity to experience another encounter with the “King of Sportfish.”