The Joy of Fly Fishing in New Brunswick

Image by mrcd@sbcglobal.net via Flickr

I was a foster kid from age 5 up and hated moving from home to home, trying to make new friends that didn’t want to be friends with a foster kid. Fishing was my way of getting away from all the crap life seemed to be dishing out to me. I could lose myself in happy thoughts for a short while.
I started fishing catfish and that was no challenge at all. It wasn’t until I started brook trout fishing that I started to learn that fish aren’t always everywhere in a stream.

I learned how to scan the water and see all the potential feeding lanes and structure. The fact that I caught brook trout in the places I thought they would be gave me confidence on new waters. I could read the water in just a few minutes which made the difference between catching and just fishing.

I learned that in the spring the fish were in different areas they weren’t in later in the year. I also learned that the trout like well oxygenated water that is cool. This lead me to learn where other streams and springs feed the streams and brooks I fished so that I knew where the coolest water was at any given time of the year.

When I take friends fishing I try to teach them a little of what I have learned over the years so they can enjoy sport fishing New Brunswick as much as I do.

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 Flickr

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 Wikipedia

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.

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.

If you are looking for great prices on flies and don’t have the time to tie your own look at our fly fishing supply site.

After my heart attack I started walking. I was only able to walk 3 minutes the first time and was really scared to death to leave the house but I did it.

The next day I walked a few more minutes and kept doing that until I was up to 30 minutes a day. It took me a bit longer but I eventually reached 40 minutes and at that time I requested a stress test as it was the only way I was ever going to get the okay to go fishing again.

Well we lined up the stress test and when I arrived I noticed the wall where the treadmill was was a huge scene of a river that I am sure I saw a salmon or two jump while I was being tested.

Even though the scene was inspiring and I was willing to go until I dropped the heart specialist stopped the test mid-way. I just was ready to push the limits.

That was another year of no fishing for Jimmy. Bummer, to day the least.

I continued walking and change the area I walked to one that was more hilly. Wow, what a workout.

The next time I went for my stress test I passed with flying colors but by then we were broke because I could no longer work so I still didn’t get fishing that year. Another bummer but if we can’t afford to do other things as a family I don’t feel right about going fishing. So I stayed home, all summer and fall.

Now it’s four years later and I have make a living on the internet now and I am ready to go fishing, but…

… today I went for my first walk since the snow and ice started. I can’t go outside if the weather is too far below zero. My muscles lock up and I just can’t function.

Well long story short, my legs need more walking. I’m exhausted but I feel great. A week or two of walking again and I will be ready for a day on the water with my wife’s blessing as well and my doctors.

Image from Wikipedia

Twenty years ago I literally lived a stones through from this fishing spot. It was right in our backyard, our property went 32 feet right out into the lake.

Other than on a fishing trip in northern Quebec I haven’t fished for northern pike for more than 30 years now. I really only miss fishing in Ontario when I think of the great pike and muskie.

We don’t have the pike here but we do have the chain pickerel. They may not grow to the 48 inch toothy monsters that we grew in Ontario but I still find a 26 inch pickerel quite the experience.

My favorite fishing buddy Roland still has the record for the largest pickerel we have caught, at 26 inches. 24 inches is my record but he is going down this year. He just doesn’t know it yet.

Our first pickerel spots are about an hour’s drive giving us time to recall the great experiences we have had fishing pickerel but as we draw ever closer there is always a silence. I know that I am planning how I will kick my buddies butt and I am sure they are thinking the same thing.

Fishing in New Brunswick is awesome and the pickerel is just one of the species we fish from the float tube.