The Joy of Fly Fishing in New Brunswick

Look at Jamie’s face in the image on the left. Doesn’t he look a bit shocked to you? You will see the reason in the picture below.

I have been fishing pickerel here in New Brunswick for about 30 years now and yeah my arms are sore. Seriously though, my first experience pickerel fishing was in Cassidy Lake near Norton with my fishing buddy Roland.

His first day out and he caught a record 26″ pickerel and kicked my 24 incher out of the lead. That’s another story about an unexpected catch.

Jamie found me through my web site back in the spring 2008. He asked if I would give up any good bass fishing locations he could take his kids to. That started a relationship that has been growing ever since.

Catch of The Year 2009

It was dark when we left home and it was foggy. A very thick fog, the kind of fog that makes things look mystical. I was looking forward to stopping at the Cannan river to snap a couple of pictures. However, when we got as far as the river the fog had lifted and was completely clear.

Chipman was like a ghost town, nothing was stirring at all. We passed through Chipman and headed to our first fishing spot for the day.

We launched Jamie’s canoe from Redbank as it gave us a great starting point for hitting the coves along the Salmon river. Sure helps having a trolling motor, especially on those windy days.

We usually catch plenty of pickerel and even some perch at this spot, however on this day we paddle over to the culverts as there is usually at least one fat pickerel lying in wait.

Jamie made the first cast, only because my back was to the spot, lucky for him. The pink plastic worm Jamie had on hadn’t even hit the water when it disappeared in an explosion of water.

Jamie had hooked into a huge smallmouth bass, in a spot I have only ever caught pickerel. We were both shocked, surprised and laughing like fools. He fought it for a little bit and then landed it. He had a new record. Show off.

The first cast of the day and Jamie kicked my butt.

Jamie is so excited he wants to scream, I know it.

I’m still jealous and probably will be until I manage to catch a big bass for myself in this spot.

You will discover plenty of destinations with fantastic fishing in Canada. My special Canadian preference is for fun fishing New Brunswick. NB has a exclusive spot in my heart because that was the place I experienced the beauty of fly fishing.

BTW: For many people it really is the fly rod or nothing however for me personally while I love fly fishing , I really like making use of my baitcaster as well as spinning gear for big bass and pickerel.

Atlantic salmon Angling in New Brunswick

New Brunswick is known world-wide for salmon fishing on the fly. It is also also the main reason I made the decision to stay in New Brunswick for the previous thirty years.

Trout Fishing in New Brunswick

Brook trout fishing was initially a genuine interest for those first 5 years right after I moved to New Brunswick. I found part time work at first so I stored my rods, reels and fishing equipment in the car. I could finish work and in just fifteen minutes I could be angling for brookies. Brook Trout brooks are around every turn all over New Brunswick.

I’ve encountered times when I’ve netted my limit of brookies without moving ten feet from the spot I got in.

Of course I’ve encountered a lot of times in the exact places in which I just hooked 1 or 2.

Chain Pickerel Fishing in New Brunswick

I have to mention pickerel has become my goal for the past couple of years. Pickerel are a whole lot of fun to fish, especially while wading.

The Chain pickerel, acting so much like the Pike, are a wild, toothy and powerful fish, truly able to give you a thrill. Be sure you have a sturdy rod and heavy line or somethings gonna get broken.

Fishing Smallmouth Bass in New Brunswick

Smallmouth bass are generally explosive and will have you on your toes for that next attack. And once they do it’s game on.

The powerful bass can move at lightning speed. Then of course they will try to wrap your line in and around every obstacles so it’s most effective to use a medium to heavy action rod and some heavier braided line to hold up against all the punishment it is going to get.

Note: I carry pretty much the same baits for Bass and Pickerel, it has has helped me save a great deal of dough.

Sturgeon & Musky Fishing in New Brunswick

I have never experienced the pleasure or thrills of angling for muskie or sturgeon to this point although I will have the opportunity at some point.

The reason I have not fished these two monsters is their strength. I haven’t got the tackle or fishing gear that will withstand their assault.

Related articles

• Getting One More Day of Pickerel Fishing in New Brunswick Before School Starts (thejoyofflyfishing.com)
• Sunday’s Pickerel Fishing Results (thejoyofflyfishing.com)
• Chain Pickerel on a Feeding Frenzy Make For A Record Breaking Day (thejoyofflyfishing.com)
• Hot Lake George, New Brunswick Smallmouth Bass on the Fly (thejoyofflyfishing.com)
• Another Fun Day of Fishing in New Brunswick’s French Lake With Casey And Jamie (thejoyofflyfishing.com)