When Jeremy phoned and told me we had the opportunity to pursue the “king of game fish” on the Miramichi River in New Brunswick it seemed as if the world stopped for a moment. Not only would we be fly fishing for Atlantic Salmon, we would be doing it on the “mother of all salmon rivers” a river that hosts the largest runs of Atlantic Salmon in the world, with an annual return estimated at 50,000 fish. Base camp would be Wilson’s Sporting Camps, a lodge that is steeped in tradition and has been operating for nearly a century and a half. Our host, Keith Wilson is a fourth generation owner operator who has an intimate knowledge of the camp’s six miles of private water. Immediately upon arrival we took our first glimpse of the river and the two 28’ handmade cedar canoes that would be our ride for a few days. You could literally feel that this place was different than any other angling destination we had previously been to. We stood speechless on the riverbank it was totally surreal. The following morning Keith gave us a tour of the buildings, a great historical perspective of the camp and the anglers who have found respite there over the past 150 years. With all of the technological advances in fly fishing it was refreshing to be somewhere that so little has changed. The fish occupy the same runs they have since the beginning of time, the flies we swung were virtually the same patterns that were fished in the 1800’s and we felt a little out of place with our double handed rods, large arbor reels and synthetic clothing. We hooked well over forty fish during our five sessions on everything from the Green Machine to Bombers, the largest ones reminded me of Tarpon as they ran deep into our backing, leaping violently, shaking their heads and tail-walking across the expansive spring fed pools. One of the highlights of this trip was Ernie, a third generation guide who has been guiding sports at Wilson’s for 33 years. You could tell he was tough as nails and probably scooped more Atlantic salmon into a net than anyone that had ever worked that river. Jeremy asked him “what is one tip you could give me about Atlantic Salmon fishing”? We were waiting for the wisdom to pour from this old sage, then Ernie paused briefly and in his Canadian accent exclaimed “keep your fly in the water” We all looked at each other and began to laugh, you can’t argue with that advice. I’ll never forget the hospitality of the Wilson family or Bonnie’s five star cuisine. I remember looking at an atlas years ago and tracing the line that represented the Miramichi with my finger, knowing that someday I would cast a fly into this fabled river, I just didn’t think it would happen this soon.
Book
- Alaska
- Guide & Fisherman
- Guiding: Choosing Your Guide And Choosing Your Customer
- Guiding: Do It Yourself With A Guide
- Guiding: Evolution Of A Guide
- Guiding: Freshwater, More Than Meets The Eye
- Guiding: Friends For Life
- Guiding: Know Where You Are
- Guiding: More Than Just A Fisherman
- Guiding: Mystery Of The Fisherman
- Guiding: Payment
- Guiding: Saltwater, A Different World
- Rough Fish
- Fly Fishing For Rough Fish: Why Do It?
- Introduced Rough Fish: The Carps & Other Invasive Species
- Methodology: Gear & Tactics For Pursuing Roughfish On A Fly
- More Roughfish: Bullheads, Whitefish, Goldeye, Burbot & Drum
- Rough Fish Environments: Where To Look For Rough Fish?
- Rough Fish Species: The Suckers
- Rough fish: A Lifetime Of Learning
- Rough Fish: Fishing For Dinosaurs (Gars & Bowfin)
- Rough Fish: What Are They?
- The Hook: Some Common Rough Fish Fly Patterns
- Spey
- Spey: Applications, Where Can You Do It?
- Spey: Atlantic Salmon, A Significant Fish
- Spey: Defined And Demystified
- Spey: Gear, The Nuts And Bolts
- Spey: Lines, They Are That Important
- Spey: Steelhead, New Traditions & A Modern Movement
- Spey: The Energy
- Spey: The Flies
- Spey: The Swing
- Spey: Two Critical Casts
- Striped Bass
- Striped Bass: Fishing Rocky Shorelines
- Striped Bass: Fishing The Beaches
- Striped Bass: Fishing The Flats
- Striped Bass: Fishing The Reefs
- Striped Bass: Fishing Tidal Rivers
- Striped Bass: Flatwing Swing
- Striped Bass: Fly Line Options & Choices
- Striped Bass: Gear, The Nuts & Bolts
- Striped Bass: Migration Patterns
- Striped Bass: What They Eat
- The Art Of Escape
- Fly Fishing: A Natural Drug
- Fly Fishing: A Validation Of Freedom
- Fly Fishing: Don’t Fight The Current
- Fly Fishing: It Is What It Is
- Fly Fishing: Socialization For Asocial Individuals
- Fly Fishing: The Allure Of The Fish
- Fly Fishing: The Art Of Escape
- Fly Fishing: The Simplicity Of It All
- Fly Fishing: Time Flies
- Fly Fishing: Times You Remember & Try To Forget
Dave,
That was the trip of a lifetime for sure. After all our years steelheading together and talking about swinging flies to Atlantic Salmon; it finally came to be. The Atlantic Salmon is so closely connected with the very roots of fly fishing and it was a humbling experience for me to be able to stand and cast my flies into the waters of the Miramichi; like so many others throughout centuries have done before me. You hit the nail on the head when you said, “With all of the technological advances in fly fishing it was refreshing to be somewhere that so little has changed.” I will never forget our trip and the addictive energy I felt when those Atlantic Salmon would just crush a swung fly. I am hoping to go back sooner than later as I have a score to settle with that moster salmon that taught me a lesson. Ok Dave, great trip! Can’t wait for fishing with ya during this years steelhead season and going on many more Atlantic Salmon trips throughout our lifetimes.
Absolutely great video!! I had no idea the numbers of fish were that high! As many times as I have passed this great river I have never fished it??? Next year I’ll have some pictures to show. The people obviously give the video a feeling of this is the place as generations of familly have been there. I have to go and fish this amazing river. Thanks for the video and story.
Great work guys! The king of fish knocked of the list, but from the looks of the video, i wouldn’t be surprised if your back up for more soon! whip, great article. i loved the bit about Ernie. Congrats boys!
Sweet!
Another great fish tale and video guys.
Must have been cool/different to fish and be apart of an area so rich in the history and tradition of our sport. A perfect setting for your first “Leapers” for sure. Very Nice.
Congrats to you both.
Well done!!! Nice video of the history of that fishery. Everyone should be so lucky to fish that.
Very nice guys!!!! It’s great to hear and see how many Atlantics still make the trip back up the river. It gives one hope that one day maybe the rivers in the Northeast can someday make a comeback as Atlantic nurseries.
Hey guys, video turned out great. I’m so glad you lad’s had fun and it was a pleasure to share with you what I injoy everday. And Jermey, i’ll see ya in a few weeks from what I hear.
Hey Fellas,
Great to hear you made it up this way! The year has been outstanding… lots of fish in the rivers and plenty caught but more importantly plenty released (I was pleased to hear that bit in the video) great job guys. Jermey I am happy the green machine worked out for you. We had great luck on the Sevogle (a trib of the main northwest) back in July… humbled to live in a province where so many of these fish are on our door step.
Great stuff boys diggin’ it. I think my favorite shot is dave with a stogie in his mouth. Very nice. Love the way you put the video together definately alot of history running down the banks up there.
That is some great stuff guys!
That is the DREAM!!!!! Atlantics on the Spey rod!!!! Man, so jealous!
Someday my friend, Some—day!
Dave, what a great read, and video. thanks for sharing.
Man that was one awesome video and it looked like you had an awesome trip up north. Great job and tight lines
Karl, it was great to get out on the water with you. You really have something special up there and it is great to see how many fish are returning as well. I felt privleged to swing flies through those pools.
Very best,
Dave