Is it too early?

Good stuff found trolling around on the Costa website.

I know I have almost an entire fishing season at home to look forward to before I set off on this trip, but I'm already getting excited. Belize is gonna be friggin' awesome.

I've already gotten into tying some patterns for tarpon. I figure if I do 6-8 flies for tarpon, bones & permit per week between now & the trip, I'll have 'er beat & pretty much be set for life.

Tarpon Bunnies are the easiest pattern of life to tie, so I will have my quota of those tied up by next week before moving onto some Whistlers, Cockroaches, Seaducers, and whatever else people might recommend to me.

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Some technical updates: Instagram for Android came out! As such, my tumblr page, The Angler's Android & iPod, has now become shortened to The Angler's Android.

Lots of random pics of gear coming through the fly shop's doors, flies & other odds & ends are being posted to the tumblr page via Instagram, so check it out if you're so inclined.

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I haven't really put much thought into if/where I'll be fishing on opening day on April 15th.  had thought I'd be away for work for most of April, including the first week or two of the season, but that hasn't happened yet.

Last year, the first two weeks were fairly unproductive, with rivers blown out due to spring runoff. This year: who knows? That stretch of insane 25°C temperatures for a week in mid-March took care of snowpack, and rivers are already subsiding from flood stage; by next Sunday, they could be quite clear & wadable. 

Sea-run trout were being caught in the Nashwaak during the first week of the season of 2010 due to low runoff, perhaps we'll have a repeat of that.

Here's some music:

That whole shale gas thing...

Things have been heating up recently in New Brunswick over shale gas exploration & extraction via the technique known as hydrofracking.

Here's a collection of headlines concerning this saga:

11-Mar-11: (cbc.ca/nb): No N.B. hydro-fracking moratorium: Northrup

21-Jun-11 (cbc.ca/nb): Maliseet chief calls for hydro-fracking ban

22-Jun-11 (cbc.ca/nb): Northrup refuses a hydro-fracking moratorium

23-Jun-11 (cbc.ca/nb): Northrup unveils new hydro-fracking rules

09-Aug-11 (cbc.ca/nb): Seismic testing trucks blocked by protesters

09-Aug-11 (canadaeast.com): Group fears hydro-fracking will be done in city

10-Aug-11 (cbc.ca/nb): Shale gas protesters to end blockade

10-Aug-11 (canadaeast.com): There will be no hydro-fracking in city - mayor

10-Aug-11 (canadaeast.com): Letter of the day: Lack of fracking court cases a misleading fact

11-Aug-11 (cbc.ca/nb): Shale gas protesters confront Northrup

11-Aug-11 (canadaeast.com): Demonstrators say fight will not end

12-Aug-11 (cbc.ca/nb): Alward unwavering in shale gas position

12-Aug-11 (canadaeast.com): NDP questions donations

12-Aug-11 (canadaeast.com): Shale gas exploration moving ahead: Northrup

12-Aug-11 (canadaeast.com): Gov't not backing away from shale gas exploration

12-Aug-11 (canadaeast.com): First Nation joins chorus protesting shale gas industry

More headlines will be posted in the near-future.

My thoughts:

• the natural gas isn't going anywhere; why not wait until studies & impact assessments can be proven?
• the natural gas isn't going anywhere; why not wait until the price of natural gas increases?
• why was the Progressive Conservative party (the governing party) so adamantly opposed to uranium exploration (something far less risky) but is so supportive of this industry (something far more risky)?
• why are our royalty rates for natural gas so low?
• why do people believe there will be abundant jobs attached to this industry? Most specialists in seismic exploration, drilling and pipelines are coming (temporarily) from out of province.
• why won't the government acknowledge the majority of New Brunswick residents DO NOT WANT THIS?

Anyway...just throwing this out there.

It should be an interesting fall in New Brunswick.

Sincerely,

Mat Trevors, B.Sc

1. Very serious (catch & release) angler

2. Conservationist

3. Geologist

4. Holder of a shitload of economics courses

The next, logical step(s)

Time/Date: 0900, 12-May-11
Location: F'ton...very soon to be elsewhere...

A little bit of a housekeeping post to update folks with some recent & upcoming happenings.

1. I'm leaving today...
...for roughly 3 weeks. Quick little contract up in northern Saskatchewan; I figure since the fishing conditions are so harsh right now in NB from a brutal spring, I might as well go somewhere more brutal, weather-wise, and make a little bit of cash to finance this uber-fun fiasco that is my life.

2. I'm not all that dumb...
...seriously, I'm not. I took an exam last week & scored a 96% on it. Really, I did.

What exam, you might ask. Well, it was my guide's license exam.

That's right: I am now a licensed fly fishing guide in the province of New Brunswick. It's not going to be a main source of income for me (just yet), but it's something I'm going to look into as time progresses. As in, the near-future.

It's a logical next-step...

3. Logical Next Step #2
It's my view a person can't be totally, 100%-dedicated to fly fishing without being an advocate for conservation. I've been a member & supporter of the following groups for the last little bit (I urge you to join as many as you can):

• Miramichi Headwaters Salmon Federation
• Nashwaak Watershed Association
• Miramichi Salmon Association
• Atlantic Salmon Federation
• Bonefish & Tarpon Trust
• Stripers Forever!

I want to do whatever I can to help these groups conserve fish habitat & make sure there are healthy populations of fish stocks. It's in my best interest: I can't catch them if they're not around, nor can any of my future clients (see #2, above).

But unfortunately it can't all be yummy dinners & silent auctions: people need to get some skin in the game and start doing more positive things.

So, a month or two ago (unbeknownst to me due to being in Senegal or Mexico) I was named to the Board of Directors of the Nashwaak Watershed Association.

I love fishing on the Nashwaak River. I'll do anything in my power to keep being able to fish the Nashwaak.

Fortunately for me, a lot of people involved in this group feel the same.

So, as you see: it was a logical, next step (even though I didn't know I was on the board until last night).

Please see below the music for an important note from the President of the Nashwaak Watershed Association on natural gas exploration in the Nashwaak river valley. Thanks!!

4. FOA's SPEY SPECTACULAR!
Fredericton Outfitters is having a huge blow-out on switch & spey rods, from $50 to $300 off on all sorts of models.

If you ever wanted to get into swinging two-handed rods, this is your opportunity to get in at a decent price.

Be sure to check out the Spey Spectacular here.

5. Music
I just really like this song. Best enjoyed up loud & while singing along. Trust me.

6. Nashwaak Watershed Association President's note...
...on natural gas exploration in the Nashwaak River valley:

The Nashwaak valley is now hosting visitors from the United States, here on business. That business is to fracture the ground under our feet in order to develop wells of natural gas from shale deposits deep underground. To accomplish this they wil require millions of gallons of our water, to which they will add chemicals and then pump it down the holes under extreme pressures in order to fracture the shales and thereby force any existing gas (or oil) to the surface along with our now toxic water. The water will then be stored in containment areas on the drill sites. Some of this water can be used again in the second or third try at fracturing, because not every attempt yields a well, and not every well is viable. Even those that are initially producing wells can be useless in as little as a couple of years.


According to the company's own internet site, there are no jobs of any significance to be had for New Brunswickers, and natural gas is currently at rock bottom prices in North America. Western Canada is awash in natural gas from conventional wells right now, and the United States is estimated to have reserves of natural gas in their own shale deposits sufficient to last for centuries.


So... let's take a minute and add this all up. Shale gas requires millions of liters of our fresh water to be rendered poisonous and left somewhere on the ground for us to clean up in order to maybe find a resource that is currently in such abundance that no one wants it, and no one is likely to want it for a couple of centuries, unless of course we intend to give it away (since we appear to already be prepared to give away the water and the responsibility for the long term clean up).


Whatever royalty regime the provincial government has been offered is most likely attached to the selling price (market value) of natural gas, and as we know that is rock bottom, that pool is likely shallow from the get go.


Now, lets see... we lose millions of liters of fresh water, we accept long term responsibility for a cleanup on who knows how many sites, we have no expectation of employment or business opportunities, the resource is currently surplus to need, and as such royalitites are not likely to even offset the cost of the water.


We should always welcome vistors to the valley. It is the hospitable thing to do. I doubt, though, that anyone should expect our hospitality to accommodate so many permanent losses and long term costs without any significant benefit to those of us left to do the work. It is my suggestion that if you, like many of us looking at this type of venture, are having a hard time finding a good reason to support it, then maybe you could send a note or make a call to your MLA, Kirk MacDonald, asking him to represent your opinion in the Legislature, as forcefully as you feel necessary. You may also wish to send notice to The Ministers of Energy, the Environment, and Natural Resources


You may also post a comment of your own on this page to begin a discussion on this or any other matter of interest to people in the community.


Thank you for your time, 
Paul McLaughlin, 
President Nashwaak Watershed Association


Please feel free to share this with anyone you want. Knowledge is power.

Next post will be from Northern Saskatchewan!

Mat

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Just one more cast

Time/Date: 2240, 08-May-11
Location: F'ton

Following a fairly successful debut in New Brunswick's bass circuit last week, this past week was spent looking (and swearing) at various weather reports & hydrometric data on my beloved Nashwaak River.

Last year, we were catching some gorgeous sea-run trout within a week after the season opening. This year...not so much.

Nashwaak River Hydrometric data: leading cause of swearing for past 24 days

It pretty much dawned on me these past few days that I will not be fishing the Nashwaak whatsoever before I take off on Thursday for a 3-week work tour (strange & exotic location this time around: Northern Saskatchewan. At least the odds are in my favour for not having machine guns pointed at me this time around).

What's an addict to do to get his fix?

Start driving, that's what.

350km, with gas at $1.38 per litre...that's $5.46 US per gallon, my Yankee friends...

First stop:
My beautiful gf & I went to the seashore. I packed my 8wt & 10wt rods...just in case...

The seashore & the little seaside village we visited were very nice. Very small, but nice. The few lobster boats in the harbour were getting ready to head out once the tide was high enough (Bay of Fundy tide primer here).

But I didn't bother unpacking the rods. I should have, at least for more casting practice. But whatev...

Second stop:
A certain area in southern New Brunswick known for possible congregations of striped bass, sea-run trout, smallmouth bass, and, though off-limits in this particular region, Atlantic salmon.

Result: Let's just say I half-expected Noah to float by at any minute. Road signs stating "Caution. Water Covering Road Ahead" had prepared me for this emotional kick to the groin.

It was a decent place to hide behind a tree to take a leak. And that's about it.

Third stop:
Totally unplanned. I had resigned to hauling ass back home & not fishing. But when crossing the bridge over <CLASSIFIED> Creek*, near the village of <CLASSIFIED>, I saw...no flood waters...and people fishing...standing in water up to, not their necks, but their knees!!

I jammed on the brakes and pulled over to the side of the road, hopped out & cooly (not really) sauntered over to the bridge.

Me: "Hey, how's it goin'?"
Fisherman 1: "Not bad. Got me a couple."
Me: "Hmph. Mind if I slide in upstream of you fellas?"
Fisherman 2 nods.
Fisherman 1: "Fill yer boots."
(note: In these parts, "Fill yer boots" is a way to say "yes." As is: "Have at 'er" and "Give 'er.")

With that, I sprinted cooly sauntered back to the truck, asked my beautiful gf if she minded if I fished for a little bit and geared up.

I caught 3 nice little trout, 13" to 16" long, in the first 15 minutes being out there. I thought to myself after releasing the third, "Don't be greedy. Just cooly saunter back to the truck, thank the two guys for letting you fish upstream of them, and tell them their secret of the little stream is safe." But that little red bastard on my shoulder was whispering in my ear.

Just one more cast.

I got greedy. And fished for almost an hour and a half more. Without catching anything else. While my beautiful gf waited in the truck (lesson learnt. Trust me. Oh god, please trust me. Guys: do NOT do what I did).

Just one more cast.

The line somehow got wrapped around the tip of my rod on the fourth (& last) trout. I blame the trout, though I'm sure I assisted in the process. It seemed so very clear to me, especially since I was talking myself through it the whole way. Out loud.

• "I can lose the fish or the rod, what's more important?"
• "You seriously want to sacrifice your fly rod for what could end up being a 12" trout?"
• "Well, it's a TFO rod...great warranty...I'll just chase trout with my 3wt & the sea-runs on my 8wt...it'll all work out."
• "Don't do anything stupid just yet. Think this through."
• "I'm obviously thinking this through; I'm having a conversation with myself about this debacle, for Christ's sake."
• "Quick! He's turned upstream. Do SOMETHING!"

I did do something. I landed that trout. Another 16 inch-er. And I didn't break the rod.

I cooly sauntered back to the truck, smiling at my awesomeness, and high-fiving the little red bastard on my shoulder.

Just one more cast.

At the truck, my (self-appointed) awesomeness quickly evaporated. 

I had some apologizing to do.

Sorry, sweetie. It won't happen again. Promise xo

* - This is NOT a spot-burning blog. I will say 'the Nashwaak River' or 'the Miramichi River' or 'the Fundy Coast' as they are each well over 100km long. DON'T BURN SPOTS ON THE INTERNET!

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For the first time since I started writing this blog, I had a hard time picking out music for this post. Usually I hear a tune on the radio or my iPod on shuffle and think it's totally appropriate for that certain time, place & activity. But, due to someone who will remain nameless' choice of radio station(s) in the truck today, I'm stuck with Britney Spears' new song in my head.

SO...to figure out music this time around, I opened iTunes, went to my purchased folder, pressed shuffle & skipped ahead 8-10 songs without looking at what I was skipping.

This is what it ended up at. Enjoy.

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Rough Start to 2011 (for me, anyway)

Time/Date: 1410, 21-Apr-11
Location: F'ton

Day 7 of 2011 Fishing Season.

Number of times fishing: 0.

Yup.

Excuse list: Rain. Snow. Freezing rain. Ice pellets. Wind. Blown-out rivers. Broken trucks.

Of course, spring salmon fishing on the Miramichi has had good reports so far. But one would definitely need a vehicle to get there and would prefer to have a boat. Mine is still on a showroom floor. Or, most likely, in someone's garage. As in, I don't have a boat...yet. Besides, trolling streamers for Salmon in a weakened state isn't really my cuppa. I like casting. Wading. Spotting fish, or at least spotting where fish have a likely chance of being.

(To see Doug Underhill's Miramichi Fishing Report, click here)

In more positive news, I have received my gear order this week! I would really like to be able to give you a full review on it, but....see above. In lieu of actually fishing, I will do a post soon on my updated quiver of fly rods.

*****

Here's some great music from Matthew Good. Try not to relate it too much to my 2011 fly fishing season to date.

(Click here if you can't see the video below)

Stay warm and tight lines...

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Home Water: Nashwaak River Love

Time/Date: 1825, 01-Sep-10
Location: Still in Ouaga...

Seems my lovely Nashwaak River has been getting some press while I've been gone. Some of it is good (salmon counts), some of it is bad (littering. And more littering).

As a semi-active member in the Nashwaak Watershed Association, I spoke to the president regarding the issues of overuse & littering. I applaud the group's efforts of trying to educate users of the river system and putting forth the idea of designated access points.

I'm hoping this winter the NWAI will accept my offer of improving their website and online presence in a bid to increase membership & further raise awareness of the river system. But that doesn't mean I'm raising awareness of my fishing spots. There's 113 km of river out there, get a map, like we did.

I'm all for fun & shenanigans, but I hope some of the tubers will become active stewards of the Nashwaak. There is no place for littering anywhere in the year 2010.

Some pics of my home water & a musical interlude are below, enjoy!