The Joy of Fly Fishing in New Brunswick

Image via WikipediaI live in Moncton, New Brunswick and love it. A small enough city that I still enjoy it. New Brunswick has a lot of lakes, beaver ponds, rivers and streams that makes fishing here so great.

Atlantic Salmon - My favorite species to fish in New Brunswick has to be the Atlantic salmon and the salmon is the main reason I moved to New Brunswick from Ontario. I certainly had no shortage of species and locations to fish in Ontario but the Atlantic salmon is a powerful reason to move.

Trout - Even though I enjoy fly fishing for salmon I also enjoy a few other species, like brook trout, brown trout and rainbow trout. Most places here you can fish trout with a spinning rod or on the fly but if it’s fly fishing only don’t get caught with a spinning rod.

Nothing is more fun than using your favorite dry fly for trout.

Smallmouth Bass - I also fish smallmouth bass and for bass there isn’t much more fun that throwing a few top water lures that cause the bass to go bonkers. The explosions are heart stopping.

I love taking new friends bass fishing because we are almost never skunked no matter what the weather conditions so my friends are very seldom disappointed.

Chain Pickerel - From a float tube you can’t beat the fun a pickerel will give you, quite often spinning you in a few circles before you land it.

The pickerel is very similar to the pike I used to fish in Ontario but they don’t grow as big, they only fight like they are that big.

Sturgeon - The dad of big fish here in New Brunswick. The strugeon is so prehistoric looking that you will have to look around you once you see one to make sure you haven’t been transported back in time a few million years.

You don’t want to be fishing sturgeon from a float tube because they may just run you right out to sea.

We also have rock bass, sun-fish, perch and other species that don’t get fished a lot by me. When my son was little we fished more small species but when I am with my fishing buddies we fish the species mentioned above.

Fishing in New Brunswick has been exciting for the past 30 years or so and I don’t see it stopping any time soon, as long as we protect our waters.

Living in New Brunswick Canada I have never fought a Carp but I have seen the action on TV and it looks like something that would be cause a day of laughing and hollering.

Frustrating as it is, carp fishing is awesome. Carp are really good at sucking in and blowing out suspicious baits. It’s such an excitement to see the whole action in a fraction of a second as you hang on for dear life while the reel is trembling with a loud noise.

Carp happily devour on the surface as long as you keep the pellets, biscuits, chic peas, bread, and re-hydrated corn coming in, and these are inexpensive baits as well. Just attach them to the hooks, most preferably the bread. Have the biscuits softened by dipping it in the water for about 2 minutes, then, place them in a sealed sandwich bag for about an hour. Since different brands have different textures, just experiment to know which is firm enough to cast. Another way to hook baits is super gluing the pellet into the shank.
Once they get into feeding, let them feel comfortable around the bait. This gives more opportunity for the fisherman since they begin to not feel picky. This tactic can be useful for zig rigs.

As soon as they’re feeding, cast the bait but make sure not to drop the bait directly onto the feeding carp. Cast away from the feeding area then slowly draw it in position. While the bait is till hanging, keep the food coming in so as to keep the carp from going away.

How to Set-Up

• Use a hair rig to increase your chance of catching. As carp taste food first, if they don’t like the taste, they won’t come near it.
• You may also use a Spider Line, 50 lbs test, then use a leader material that fits the situation.
• Thread the bait on the baiting needle and hook the hair loop. You may also use foam dipped in a flavor as this enhances the attractiveness of the bait.
• Also make a baiting needle by just straightening a long shank hook. Slide the bait on the shank, then slide the bait from the needle onto the hair.
• Using a float is also an advantage because it adds weight for further distancing and the location is easily identified.
• Don’t forget the controller float rig. A leader can be used which is attached to the swivel to its mainline of at least 3 feet length with a 10lbs Drennan double strength. A low diameter mono will do just as long as it floats well enough for visibility.

As experts say, it is not the bait that catches the carp but the method in which the bait is introduced. Pre-bait everyday, in one spot for a few days. This makes the carp think that there is a regular source of food for them and by “word of mouth” there’ll soon be a school of fish around. Just be patient and it will all work.

Image by fyunkie via FlickrI remember archery fishing with my big brother when I was about 8 years old. I learned a lot from him, not all good things though but fun.

Archery fishing, also known as Bow fishing, is a sport wherein a fisherman uses archery equipment to fish. In our case my brother made his own bow which is nothing like the bows you see today, but he caught fish, nice big pike.

A regular hunting bow can be used for fishing by simply attaching a reel to the front of the bow grip.

Archery fishing is especially favored by regular hunters when regular game like deer are off season. This way they can continuously hone their skills for whatever season it may be.

Before engaging in archery fishing, one must first take into consideration the following:

1. A fisherman must be duly licensed. Some states require that an individual have a state license to fish.

2. Equipment. Most states have a predetermined set of approved equipment for archery fishing.

3. Archery Safety Course. Still, some states require that an individual go through an approved safety course for archery fishing to ensure that the individual is well versed with the proper safety precautions and information regarding applicable laws in fishing.

4. Seasons. Bow fishing in some states can only be done in certain seasons. This is to allow the fish to spawn.

5. Species of fish. Some states have rules forbidding archery fishing for some species of fish.

The following skills are necessary for an individual to obtain and practice:

Knot tying. Though it may seem like a simple task, tying knots that will not slip (line for the arrow) are crucial in bow fishing.

Tuning. Tuning is making sure that the bow is at its best working condition. To ensure this, one has to continuously adjust the rest and calibrate the nock.

For a faster tuning process, one may shoot a regular bow-fishing arrow (without the tip) onto a target made of cardboard.

Marksmanship or targeting. Bow fishing and bow hunting, though similar on some aspects, really do differ on many things. Arrows for bow fishing are heavier, have larger arrow tips and, the most obvious one, has a string attached to the arrow.

And since fish are shot in the water, resistance differs as when compared to shooting in the air (for bow hunting of games)

There are various methods or ways of archery fishing. This includes the following:

1. Still hunting. A fisherman selects a place by the lake in which he would wait for passing fish to shoot its bow at.

2. Stalking. This can be done on foot or while on a boat. One is in constant motion in an attempt to locate fish.

3. Ambush. Fish that are best ambushed are the ones that are spawning since they tend to crowd thus increasing chances of target.

Image via WikipediaAs a kid I lived in Ontario Canada and did a fair bit of catfishing near the back of our farm. When I was in my 20s I moved to New Brunswick Canada and have never hooked a catfish since. I miss that.

Way back then I just used a metal pole from an electric fence, some line from my brothers rod and a hook with a worm on it. It worked great but not all catfishing is done the same way as I did for those little foot longs.

There are a few basic methods that are effective in catching catfish. Bear in mind that specific methods are applicable to specific kinds of waters. That is because techniques and baiting mixtures are formulated for specific targets.
The following methods are simple, yet proven successful when used:

1) Rigging method - Depending on the bait used, loop the bait holder or the treble hook from a line to a preferred distance to the end. Bait movement is not suggested; therefore, a weight must be used to allow the rig to be still. A good distance shall be about 18″ to 24.”

Same as the first method, using the Slipweight to make the bait stable is also effective. The weight does not matter as long as it can slide in the line. The fish will not feel any weight and it will be late until they realize that the bait is fake.

Multibait technique allows multiple catches at once. Simply place three-way swivel along the line. As it draws more strikes it makes a great choice for catching more catfish at the same time.

2) Bait - Experts opt for chicken livers or medium sized shrimp from groceries. The shrimp’s tail and skin must be removed and body should be big enough to slide up in a number 6 hook. This is simpler than the chicken which necessitates the use of pantyhose. A diameter of a quarter is wrapped in a piece of pantyhose leaving a tag end then attach it through the treble hook. Blood worms, minnows, catfish paste, night crawlers, snails, living or dead small fish, and dough baits are also good choices of baits. Remember that the best baits are always those that nature produced.

3) Chumming - Fishermen catch more catfish with this method. This is simply throwing balls of mixtures of natural recipes in the fishing area. This attracts more catfish; the trick is that the mixture should be right enough for the catfish to feed heavily. The hook that will be used to fish normally must have the same recipe for the bait. Adding a good smelling flavor into the pasty mixture attracts catfish more.

4) Tackling - Although the technique involved in this method is by far effective, it’s still the bait that attracts and brings the catfish in. As simple as it is, the tackle should be about 6 feet long with a spinning real. Choose heavier lines to allow more battle between the fisherman and the catfish. It doesn’t necessarily have to be expensive. The experience you get from a cheaper tackle is no different from an expensive one.

Make sure the grip is secure hooks are removed by pliers after catching the fish. Avoid being stuck with the fins as some are poisonous. Just simply sliding the hand up to its belly from tail, placing the fingers behind one side and thumb behind the other can remove the catfish from the hook without any harm. Happy catfishing and good luck!

I was watching a TV show a few weeks ago and these guys were in the water but they had no fishing gear. Then one guy went under and a minute later came up with about a 30 or 40 pound catfish attached to his arm. Then the other guy did the same thing and caught another huge catfish. This is a technique you wouldn’t want to try for pike.

Image via WikipediaWe have been married 26 years today. My wife says it’s time for some new fly fishing gear including waders and felt bottomed boots.

I have lost 60 pounds since my last purchase of fishing waders so I kinda just float in my old waders. Plus they have seen better days.

The multiple patches make them look like I got caught in a cross fire.

My felt bottomed fishing boots basically have no felt or bottoms any more so they gotta go as well.  Duct tape worked to hold them together for the last couple of trips but now they are just gone.

I have always been one to wear things until they have paid for themselves. I guess it’s the mentality of being broke through my entire youth. No one seemed to mind when it was my blue jeans but my fishing buddies just can’t stand to see my waders and boots any longer.

Smallmouth Bass are one of my favorite species for sport fishing on the fly in New Brunswick. I have caught them up to 4 pounds but only a couple of times. I usually max out in the two, two and a half pound area but I don’t mind because they all think their 4 pounds.

Smallies a blast whether your using a baitcaster, spinning rod or Fly rod. My personal preference has to be using my Fly rod for smallies. I do keep my spinning rod available for those days that the wind is taking the fun out of fly fishing.

I have mentioned a little hot spot for smallmouth bass that I go to when it’s too windy and it also makes a great place to learn how to fly fish as there are plenty of spots one can cast from without hooking up in a tree or a bush.

I have a little spot I go to when it just too windy elsewhere so I get to use my Fly rod here most days. I try to keep my favorite spots a bit hush hush and in the past 20 years or so I have only told two people where this spot actually is. One of those people is my son and I am sure he won’t tell any one.

The smallmouth bass in this spot only seem to grow to about 14 inches but what a day of fun you can have with light action gear.

Another reason I love this place so much is that it’s only about an hour from home and I am within about 15 minutes of trout fishing and pickerel fishing and even Atlantic salmon fishing. Can’t beat that with a stick.

These waters don’t require you to fish using a fly rod like a few other places I fish so those that are just learning can go back and forth between a spinning rod and the fly rod.

Come and go fishing with me, as long as you don’t mind wearing a blindfold while getting there.

One of my favorite fly fishing TV programs is Sport Fishing on the Fly. I see from their website they are starting a new season which is great because I get bored with re-runs.

I read a post earlier today on the FlyFishing Fanatic’s website about using throat pumps on fish and then later in the day I was watching SFOTF and as Brian Chan, the king of Chironomid fishing, was using a throat pump on trout. It made think that perhaps I should have my own post on throat pumps.

I have seen people murder the poor fish as they cram the pump in their mouth and down their throat right into their stomach. A few tips can avoid this.
I have watched Brian Chan use a throat pump dozens of times and it’s an important skill that every fly fisher should learn to do correctly. I have learned from watching SFOTF is why and how to use a throat pump on a fish. I know how to do it correctly now thanks to Brian Chan, the king of Chironomid fishing.

Why use a throat pump in the first place?

You can scan the water and turn over rocks to see what is available to the fish at any given time but it doesn’t mean that’s what the fish are feeding on. This is where a good throat pump will come in handy but it has to be done correctly or you will cause harm or even death to the fish.

How to use a throat pump on fish.

Take a minute and think about someone sticking a throat pump down your throat. What precautions would you want them to take?

Before the main points start I feel that I should mention, because so many forget, wet your hands before you touch your fish.

1. Don’t use a throat pump if your fish is smaller than 12-14 inches or 30-35cm. Always keep the safety of the fish in mind.

2. Make sure that your pump isn’t damage and that it has no burrs that could harm the fish.

3. Put your pump in the water and so it’s wet.

4. Squeeze the pump and hold it. Then gently slide the pump into the throat, not the stomach, of your fish. Be careful not to enter the stomach.

5. Once in the throat you can slowly release the pressure on the pump bulb and then you can remove the pump with the same care you used putting the pump in.

At this point you are done with your helpful fish so give it a little kiss and a thank you and release the fish.

Having a glass container to put the contents in will allow you to see them a lot better than just putting them in your hand. For this reason I carry a little vial with a cap on it.

Now you can see what your fish has been seeing and eating.

Time to change up that fly I guess.

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