Atlantic salmon fishing in New Brunswick vs. Gardening: Why Are We Putting Away our Rods for a Spade?
5th May 2008
I read somewhere that gardening has now surpassed angling as the most popular pastime in Canada among men. This is a sad claim and something that must have to do with the state of our fisheries, and also with the state of our male population. Surly, any real man would rather pick up a fishing rod and head for the river than pick up a shovel and dig a hole to put a flower in. You would think the thrill of hunting Atlantic salmon on the Miramichi or the Restigouche would trump pulling weeds from the ground? I guess this is not the case these days, sad as it may be, but it has left me wondering why this is the case. Something has gone terribly wrong here and I am a little curious to know what it is. Has our adult fishing population suddenly turned into plastic clog wearing, spade toting, Lee Valley Tools addicted gardeners?
Let’s examine the reality of this situation by asking some simple questions. Is New Brunswick known for its great gardening, exquisite plants and mild climate? I really don’t know because I’m a fisherman…but if this past winter is any indication, I think not! Look out the window and view the reality of the situation. Harsh winters, freezing falls and cold springs….not by any stretch of the imagination is this climate one that welcomes gardening with open arms. So why is it that more and more people are choosing to dig holes and grow plants rather than head out on rivers and cast a line?
Again, let’s ask a question. Are there no fish left in New Brunswick for people to catch? Is that why people are choosing to dress up in gardening clogs rather than sport a pair of waders? This is a bit of a tricky question, the lengths of the argument I will not get into here. Let’s just say that even with declines in fish populations, New Brunswick is still recognised for the great number of rivers full of Atlantic salmon and trout. In every area of New Brunswick there are, at minimum, a number of great trout streams to choose from. In many areas in the Province there are still quality Atlantic salmon rivers to choose from. The Miramichi, the Restigouche, and many other rivers flowing through this fine province, contrary to many people’s beliefs, still maintain healthy populations of Atlantic salmon and trout. Sure, the old days are gone, and the stories of days gone by will be told for the rest of my fishing career…at length. Do I believe them? Sometimes I do, but I also realize that fishing is an exercise that rewards patients and always has been. Hooking an Atlantic salmon and landing it successfully has never been anything but challenging even for the most experienced angler. It is an event that is action packed but requires a little bit of time and patients to get there much like any activity that is truly rewarding (except for you know what). Gardening on the other hand, yes it requires patients, but is there any time in the whole process that you could say is “action packed”?
So, it’s not the lack of fish. And it is not that gardening is more exciting than fishing. So what is it? Perhaps, there is a lack of places for people to go fishing? All those great Atlantic salmon streams are packed with American anglers who can afford to pay the high cost of Atlantic salmon fishing at lodges and camps that dot the river of the Miramichi and other rivers in New Brunswick. Yes, it is true that many of our waterways are privately owned or leased for huge amounts of money and that really, there is a limited quantity of quality pools that the average angler can choose from. That does not mean that there are none, or that they are always crowded and fishless. I have fished many, if not all, the public pools for Atlantic salmon along the Main Southwest Miramichi and have been successful by-times. Not always, but who catches a fish every time they go to the river? And would it still be fun if we did?
So to recap, there are fish to fish, fishing is exciting, and we have places available to fish. Gardening in New Brunswick’s harsh climate is difficult, requires manual labour and flowers take a long time to grow, and at best they look good and smell pleasant. So this spring when you wife looks at you, smiles, and inquires as to what you want to plant this spring….smile back, and tell her that you want to plant an Orange Coseboom in the lip of a 20lb salmon. Get you rod, and go fishing.
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- Quarryville - May 5th, 2008
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