Just before I moved to the Philippines, it would be a long time before I got to go fly fishing in Canada or perhaps this could be my last time.

My mom and dad are both from a tiny town (still tiny) of Boeistown New Brunswick Canada Eh! Most everyone lives close to the Miramichi River! If you go away from the river in either direction you are in true wilderness. Moose, very large white tailed deer, black bear, mink, partridge and many other ubundant wildlife seemingly everywhere. Every year I would spend the two months of school summer recess there with my family.

Most all of my in this area. When my wife and I were called by God to full time missionary work in the Philippines, I made sure we made a trip to one of my favorite places on earth, visit my relatives and fit in a little trout and salmon fishing.

My tackle:

• An 80 plus year old Saint John Hardy fishing reel. This reel was owned by my father’s oldest brother. Uncle Fred. Still working great!
• 8 weight 9 ft Orvis Clearwater fishing rod.
• Double taper floating casting line 9 weight.
• 150 yards of 30 pound test backing line.
• Brown bomber fly.
  Photo from fishmadman.com
  

Photo of the reel from Vintageflytackle.com

I had to download these photos from the internet as my gear is with my family in Canada and USA. Perhaps I will get my fishing gear sent here and I will introduce fly fishing to the Philippines.

A few things I love about going here.

• Little or no cellphone coverage
• No internet
• Only 40 houses in about 30 square miles.
• People are friendly
• Home made molasses cookies, assorted pies and homemade bread and rhubarb pie. The smell of home cooking.
• People still leaving their car keys in the ingnition, homes unlocked, neighbors watching out for each other’s kids.

And not least of all, lakes with only native trout, steelhead and Atlantic Salmon Fishing with a Fly Rig.

If you look at the first photo, what do you notice? No houses! You can be fishing and see a moose walk to the river to cross or just come for a drink. Same with mink or black bear and very large white tailed deer. If you are on the water, usually the wind will blow up the river keeping off the black flies. My wife @ronafe was watching me fish along the bank and I was telling her about the bear and other wildlife. I told her that, “Hopefully. If a bear did come, it would not be hungry for Asian cuisine”. Some say that was mean spirited as she is from the Philippines. Lol!

So this post is not just a fish story. I have photos and I have an eyewitness to what I am telling you! My wife was not eaten by a bear and she will back up my story.

I had been visiting family and the fish were not running yet as the water level was low. But towards the end of our trip, it rained for about three days. I was catch lots of trout and quite a few nice ones, but my desire was for Atlantic Salmon. In my estimation, the number one sport fish, especially for the fly fisherman.

During the three days of rain the river rose almost 3 feet, then the rain stopped and the water level receded. I got up early and went it a fishing hole that is below where my maternal grand parents lived. I had on some waders was gong to fish without a canoe. Many times I go out with a canoe, but this day, just waders, my uncle Rick and my wife in tow.

As soon a we made it near the water, about a 12 pound salmon jumped completely out of the water and made a big splash. After a few casts, I hooked a first year Salmon specified as a “Grilse”. This would be the first year this fish returned to its birthplace to spawn.
Summer fishing for salmon is incredible. The Salmon are powerful and the Atlantic Salmon does not die after spawning. They just keep coming back every year and they are larger each year.

Just so you can reference the size of this fish, I put it next to my wife’s leg so you can see judge the size. This is a small one about 7 pounds or 3 plus kilos.

I caught two Grisle this morning. This photo is with my uncle Rick.

My wife is the photographer on this one. She also took the photo of me fishing in the river.

The part of the fishing story you need to verify with @ronafe

The law during our visit allowed us to keep to Grilse and we were no allowed to keep any larger salmon. On my last visit to Canada I actually caught the largest salmon I have ever caught in my life. It was 23 pounds or over 11 kilos in weight. Such a beautiful fish! Up to this point we did not have a camera with us. After landing the large fish, I had it in the water waiting for it to revive as it was very tired. My uncle got in his vehicle and went to get something for a photo and the fish revived to rhe point I could not hold it any longer. So I let it go!

I caught one Grilse, then the big salmon and later another Grilse that morning. A time to remember and some of the best memories in my life, especially with my dad, is time fishing together.

Fly fishing for salmon. The best of the best.

Thank you for your time.
Daddy William