The Rod Held High

Dave Greenwood and I managed to get out for a quick fish yesterday with a bit of success catching those WILD Atlantic Salmon.  “Living life with the drag set light and the rod held high”

Why is my Hat on Fire?

People make fun of my mosquito coil … but it works. As rings of smoke rise from my hat, many anglers have run up to me while fishing saying my hat is on fire … and then burst out laughing. I remember the day when I was a youth (25 years ago) fishing the Gold River and decided there had to be a better way to keep the black flys and mosquitos away. At age 14, my entrepreneurial spirit came through and I decided to tape a coil on my hat. Lots of other anglers made fun of me until they realized it worked. Over the next weeks, some of my fellow anglers that made fun of me even showed up at the river wearing them. I had started the FLY COIL TREND. I thought I was onto something and in 1990 I made a trip to the patent office in Halifax and tried to convince them I had the next BIG idea. Due to safety reasons (a fire on your head) they quickly dismissed my venture. However, I still wear the Fly Coil … but I must confess that I have caught my hat on fire, and burned a few holes in my fishing jacket. A little dangerous, not pretty, but it works!

Fly Coil on Hawke River

Fly Coil on Pinware River

Dancing Goat & Margaree Salmon

Dave Greenwood, Jim Lawley, Dave Stewart and I fished the Margaree the past couple days.  We had a few hook ups but the fish just don’t seem to be around.  We never saw any amount of fish, and many of the local fisherman are not experiencing angling success either.

On another note, whenever we are fishing in the Margaree, we always try to make an appearance at The Dancing Goat.  A gem along the Cabot Trail … The Goat is a favourite amongst locals, and you know that’s always a good thing.  They specialize in espresso-based coffees, baked goods, and soups and sandwiches. Everything they serve is at least very good, and a lot of it is excellent!  I say they have the best sandwiches in town … Greenwood says they have the only sandwiches in town (which is true).

holding a Dave Greenwood salmon at the Forks

Dave Stewart getting ready for some Grub

“Atlantic Salmon Magic” by Topher Browne

My friend Topher Browne recently launched a new bible of fly fishing for Salmo Salar.  When and why does a salmon take an angler’s fly—and what does the salmon actually see?  These and other essential questions are answered thoroughly and intelligently in Atlantic Salmon Magic by Topher Browne, the most complete book on the subject in a generation.  Get your’s today at http://www.wildriverpress.com

Atlantic Salmon Fishing 2011 (FALL)

We usually fish Nova Scotia during the FALL (Sep/Oct) time period.  We spend most of our time fishing on our favorite river being the Margaree.  We also play on the Baddeck, Middle, Wests’, East, Philip, and Wallace just to mention some.  This has been one of the better years that I seen in a long while.  Great times spent with Dave Greenwood, Mike Crosby, the Udle(s), Dane Thompson and many others that have crossed our path this fall.  Here are a few salmon that we were able to capture with a photo.  Tight lines and looking foreward to the 2012 season.

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look at the teeth (JAWS)

I had to share this photo … Look at the teeth on this Atlantic Salmon!!

Thanksgiving Weekend – Fishin’ with La

Laura and I went to the Margaree, Cape Breton for Thanksgiving weekend with Dave and Darah.  We did a little fishing and had a few laughs.

opening day in Newfoundland (Jun 1, 2011)

Opening day in Newfoundland brought Dave Greenwood, Mike Crosby, and myself a few fish.  We had a great time fishing in and around the Bay St. George Rivers.

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Atlantic Salmon Fishing 2010

this was the first year in 12 years that I was unable to make it to Newfoundland or Labrador salmon fishing.  I did have the opportunity to fish the Cape Breton Rivers, and North Shore Rivers during the fall salmon season.  Dave Greenwood and I also had the company of Phil and Debbie (tarpon guides/outfitters in Florida) join us for a few days on the Margaree.   I did have the opportunity to land a 30lbs. 42″ memorable fish on the Magaree with my friend Al Poole.  Here are a few pictures of fish throughout the fall.

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“River Talk” by Mike Crosby

“River Talk” is a compilation of tales and tips that could only stem from a lifetime of fishing on the river.  Mike Crosby has spent more than 35 salmon seasons wandering Atlantic Canada and the Gaspe Coast of Quebec. He is known amongst friends, family and colleagues as “The Legend”.   If you would like to purchase a copy for your fishing friends or clients, River Talk is available at http://www.mikecrosby.com