There's something about the start of salmon season and I'm lost without it

For just the third time in 26 years, I won't be salmon fishing onNewfoundland's "far west coast" during the first few weeks of June and I'm missing it already.

I feel lost without it.

Salmon runs are usually earlier in rivers there than most other parts ofthe province, and if you're an avid angler, this is the place to be whenthe season begins.

No matter how miserable the long-range weather forecast may have beenover the years,or how tough water levels were gonna make it for fishing,I was goingcome hell or high water.If I wasn't already there waitingfor theJune 1 season opening, I wasn't more than a couple of weeksbehind.

You see, salmon angling is not all about the catch. It offers so, sooomuch more:relaxation, excitement, stress release, camaraderie,campfires and fine feeds are only part of the adventures, be they fora few hours or a few weeks.

I booked this year's accommodations at Sunny Hollow Cottages inRobinsons before we even headed home from our last trip there in June 2022. In April, though, work and family commitments for two of my fishing buddies left them with no choice but to give me the bad news quitehesitantly, mind you that they couldn't go this year.

And I'd been waiting nine months!

I wasn't completely shocked, although I was certainly disappointed. Theprice of gas, food and accommodations didn't afford me the opportunityto go alone, so I'll be sitting in front of my computer and checking myphone several hours a day over the next few weeksto let me live it throughsocial media reports and photos from anglers out west.

While I've always called it far west as opposed to the CornerBrook and Deer Lake area being just west most of the rivers we usuallyfish in June are actually on the southwest coast, including Codroy,Robinsons, Crabbes, Southwest Brook and Fishells.

I had every intention of heading to Southwest Brook on the first day ofour planned June excursion this season because in recent years, earlyreports from anglers indicated that was the river which had beenproviding the most hookups.

Even while putting this very piece together, I found myself stopping afew times and shaking my head upon realizing that I was writing a columnabout NOT going fishing the first few weeks of the season!

Something wrong with this picture

Oh, I'll make up for it with trips to the Humber, Torrent, River ofPonds,Piper's Hole, Exploits and possibly Gander rivers during Julyand August, but something doesn't feel right about missing myregular four or five days in and around the Bay St. George and CodroyValley areas.

Those who haven't spent any significanttime in this part ofthe province are probably familiar only with the Wreckhouse and itsreputation for powerful wind storms. Most people only ever passthroughthe region on their way to or from the Port aux Basques ferryterminal.

Too bad, really. They're missing out on some of the province's mostpanoramic views, a landscape photographer's paradise.

For scenic tourism, it's probably the most underrated part of theprovince.

Although my main focus every June is fishing, I usually manage to stopand smell the roses. I'll take the long, or "inside" way from one riverto another wherever possible.

I sometimes get lost. Intentionally. And Ienjoy it.

I welcome the opportunity to drive slowly through and admireall the beautiful, peaceful communities, often stopping into smallstores for an ice cream. In some spots, particularly along the highway,I'll pull over for a photo or some footage of the spectacular mountains.

Then, after taking an hour and 30 minutes to get to a river thatshould have taken less than half an hour, I'll put my rod together, tieon a Lucas Special or whatever fly the locals recommend, and go fishing.

Occasionally I'll hook a salmon; most times I won't.

But there are countless other ways to help make each and every trip awonderful adventure, which is why I never have nor ever will measure thesuccess of a trip by the number of fish hooked.

Best of luck to all you early-season anglers.

I'll be thinking about you.

Really, I will.

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