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