Of all the types of outdoorsmen, anglers and hunters tend to be a unique breed unto their own. Superstitions, traditions, individual habits, personal customs, cherished possessions and favorite places play a big part in each and every sportsman’s seasonal activities. Each one of us in the cast and blast fraternity know several boat buddies or camp companions that display at least one or perhaps all of the foibles. Truth be told, we are that character.
Now be honest and fess up! If you’re a devout fisherman, you have a favorite stream, and I’ll bet there’s a special go-to fly pattern. Upland bird gunners always have a particular breed of dog they prefer to hunt behind and even own. Trap and skeet specialists favor specific brands of shotguns just as each and every deer hunter has a specific caliber rifle near and dear to their heart. Do you have a special meal for good luck before heading afield? Is there a good luck charm or piece of clothing that just has to be on your person to inspire elevated confidence? How many others have a small, special pre-outing ritual all their own?
Tom Tardiff of Robinson is as crazy about salmon fishing and the Matapedia River as writer Bill Graves, and they visit whenever possible for solitude, ambience and big salmon.
(Courtesy of Bill Graves)
Spring trollers have a pet tandem streamer pattern or tried and true lure for that special ice-out waterway they visit spring after spring. Waterfowler are died-in-the-wool believers in the tone and tenor of one specific style and make of duck or goose call. Name a manufacturer or style of rod, reel, rifle, revolver or any other piece of outdoor equipment and it’s someone’s favorite. Often there’s a story behind the choice or perhaps it’s part of family heritage, but whatever the attachment, it’s truly unique for each of us.
How about those special outings afield or afloat that turn into lifelong memories, or unique outdoor success stories with special families and friends that will remain in your heart and in your head for a lifetime. Did you have your shirttail cut off and nailed to the deer camp wall as part of a first whitetail tradition? Have you got a photo or taxidermy mount of a very special fish, fowl or big game animal? Is there a particular keepsake from Dad, a brother, favorite uncle or a dear mentor that floods your heart and senses with fond recollections each and every time? If you’ve yet to bask in some of these wonderful, life-etching sporting moments, you’re just not experiencing enough outdoor adventures or you’re hanging out with the wrong boat, blind or camp buddies.
Just in a case you’re wondering what’s coaxed these normally inner feelings and reminiscences to the surface, it was a recent special outing of my own. Throughout my life, I’ve been fortunate to visit and fish many beautiful and exotic waters all over the world. Oddly, my favorite waterway lies fairly close to home and in it swims what I consider to be the king of all fresh water gamefish — the Atlantic salmon. If God truly created any portion of earth in the vision of heaven, it has to be the picturesque and tranquil Matapedia Valley in Quebec and the cobalt blue Matapedia river that flows there.
After a two-year hiatus I was able to return there two weeks ago and again cast a fly along several beloved pools. My Dad introduced me to this wonderful waterway when I was only 20 years old and we fished it hundreds of times, even our last-ever outing together for salmon when he was 81 years young. This magnificent, winding, gurgling, iridescent ribbon of blue and its rising, green wooded valley walls is a place dreams are made — night or day!
The hard-fighting, high-leaping fish are a challenge to coax to a fly. Many days are fruitless of action, but one strike and line sizzling downriver run and leap and the thousands of unfulfilled casts are forgotten. I caught two fish on my recent visit and Tom Tardiff, a fishing companion who cherishes the area, the quest, and the feelings as I do, landed four and lost two. At several times I saw and heard in my minds eye my dear, departed Dad, as I always do on the Matapedia. Visions of old, long retired guides and bragging size salmon played through my mind as well, all from years past but as fresh as the new run fish moving upriver from the ocean.
My favorite time on any salmon water is just as the sun drops behind the tree-lined ridges, the air begins to cool and the whispering water slides along the canoe hull. I actually laid my rod down for several minutes, sat in solitude and listened to sounds of the present while reviewing visions of the past. My French-speaking guide turned inquisitively to glance at me a couple of times but seemed to understand and chose not to break the reverie.
Two days was too little time and far too fast, but long enough to add more memories and mental pictures for future reminiscing. My resolve to not skip another season is set. I wish that every outdoorsman, regardless of age or experience might have their “Matapedia moments” in some form. If you don’t have a special place, heartfelt memories, and a few unforgettable companions, you’re doing something wrong! It’s not too late to start however, so grab a rod or a rifle and head out to create precious memories and places in the heart.
