For centuries Atlantic salmon fishing was referred to as the sport of kings, mostly because royal families owned the fishing rights to most of the prime waterways. I interpret the phrase to mean an angler needs to be as rich as a king to afford to cast flies for this renowned game fish.
Since the rights to many sectors of the best salmon rivers are still privately owned by individual people, corporations or the provincial government in Canada, average fishermen would have to take out second mortgages on their houses to lease fishing rights for a week.
Cost for a guide, boat, accommodations, meals and the right to cast for bright, fresh-run Atlantic salmon on private pools during the summer runs upward of $1,500 a day.
But Mainers have a less expensive option nearby known as black salmon fishing. Black salmon are Atlantic salmon that moved from the ocean into their home river to spawn during late summer and fall, and then spent the winter in that river or its feeder lake.
As soon as the rivers are free of ice, these fish, often referred to as kelts, slinks or runners, begin returning to salt water, and the fly fishing is fabulous for a month or so. The salmon have lost up to a third of their weight during the winter, so they are ravenous, and will take flies readily during late April and May as they retreat to the ocean.
The Canadian provinces boast dozens of salmon rivers, and New Brunswick and Quebec are the best answer to a Maine salmon angler’s prayer.
It’s possible to catch half a dozen a day, and totals topping a dozen fish daily aren’t unknown, unlike during the summer months when the salmon are far more finicky.
Despite black salmon being thinner, they jump out of the water and fight doggedly. The high, fast river water gives the fish extra leverage. Some black salmon are from 36 to 48 inches long and exceed 20 pounds, which translates to a lot of action at the end of a fly rod.
The most dependable black salmon rivers are the Miramachi and its tributaries in New Brunswick, and the Restigouche and Matapedia rivers in Quebec. A 2 ½-hour drive from the end of I-95 near Houlton and the nearby border crossing will have anglers at any camp or outfitters lodge on these waterways.
Daily prices for spring salmon fishing are very agreeable, especially with more than a 30 percent exchange rate on American money. Guides, who are required on most rivers, come with reliable equipment and plenty of knowledge of their local waterways.
Most guides also have a box of surefire flies to land rookie anglers their first fish, just in case their own flies don’t work.
A 9-foot, 9- or 10-weight rod, and a reel that will hold 200 yards of backing and has a sturdy drag system are a must. A full sinking line or a sinking tip line with a lead core weighted tippet and 20-pound test leader material will get the fly down deep in the fast, tea-colored water.
Colorful flies and smelt patterns with lots of silver and some crystal flash, on huge 2/0 to 5/0 hooks are the perfect size for enticing, hooking and holding spring salmon.
Precision and long, delicate casts aren’t necessary to fish black salmon because they aren’t spooky or line shy as they often are during summer runs.
Even the private pools on these famous salmon rivers are open to everyone for spring black salmon fishing, and the guides will know the pools well and anchor the boat to allow moderate length casts and the best line swing in the current.
Even novice salmon anglers will experience good fishing.
Bright fly patterns produce excellent results on spring fish. Mickey Finn, red and white, rose of New England, rainbow, Renous special and a governor are proven colorful patterns for dirty, debris-filled rivers. A Gray ghost, silver rider, Herb Johnson special or smelt streamer, all of which imitate smelt or bait fish, are top rate flies as well.
Atlantic salmon are king of the freshwater game fish and any devout fly fisherman who hasn’t spent time in a cedar canoe floating a tree-lined waterway casting for salmon has a hole in their angling resume.
Under current regional salmon fishing circumstances, black salmon fishing may have to fit the bill for several more years, but be assured that you won’t be disappointed.
The Canadian rivers are fairly close to Mainers, the price is certainly fair and the fish take flies fast and furious from mid-April through May. It may be your first black salmon trip, but I’m betting it won’t be your last.
