Recapping the Hammond River Classic

This past weekend I ran the second of two sister derbys that I am the sole organizer for here in New Brunswick - the Hammond River Classic.   Together with the Eco-Logicial Adventures NB Paddler's Derby (held in June) they are the only two derbies of their kind in all of Eastern Canada.   


These events are intended to foster growth in canoe and kayak fishing, encouraging experienced anglers and novices alike to come and spend a day on the water together in a stress free, not very competitive setting.  Parents are encouraged to bring their kids, and everyone is expected to socialize and help each other out on the water.

Anglers are tasked with catching the widest variety of fish they can, measuring only their longest for any tie breakers.   During this weekend's event one angler (Sathe) caught 7 different species, while 4 others landed 6.  Between everyone 10 different species were landed during the day, showing just how diverse our river systems are!

Prizes were gathered through the year from many wonderful and generous sponsor companies, and I laid out all donations across several tables.   The first place finisher was given an opportunity to pick one big prize, plus somethign from a table of smaller items, then second, and so on.   By not front loading the prizes we were able to give everyone a chance to pick a prize worth at least as much as the price of admission!   A huge thank you once again to all sponsors for making this possible!

After the prizes were all awarded, we gave out tickets to all participants, even the kids, and randomly drew a number.   The winner was then presented with the grand prize - an Old Town Predator XL kayak donated by Old Town!    The kayak draw really generated a lot of interest as everyone wanted to win this battleship of a boat.    Congratulations to Bob on winning the Predator!

Bob spent the day in canoe with his Grandson and was swamped by an ignorant motorboat driver near the end of the day.   He lost a GoPro, a Fish Finder and other items but having won the kayak, he still went home with a big smile!

We had 57 anglers on the water for this event Saturday, a huge growth from 36 last year and 18 the year before!    These numbers really show the growing popularity of our sport in this region!     Just over $1100  was raised for the Hammond River Angling Association which I believe may be directed into the purchase of a couple of new youth fishing kayaks for their summer camps!    What a great cause!

Sturgeon Season is coming!

Yesterday I had the pleasure of taking a couple guys out to Sturgeon Alley for a day of guided kayak fishing.   Rowan joined us once again as he never gives up a chance to catch some fish with his dad!   Well, 10 year old John, visiting family from Alberta wanted to catch his first New Brunswick Sturgeon and wasn't able to last weekend.   However he wasn't about to be denied yesterday!

John caught 3 sturgeon through the day!   None were big but they were sturgeon just the same and he did a fantastic job landing them on his own!    Neither the current (which got to be quite strong), nor the sharp scutes were going to prevent this young man from landing those fish on his own!

Jake, his uncle landed a smallmouth bass, some yellow and white perch.    Rowan caught the only eel on the the day to go with yellow and white perch, while I caught 2 sturgeon and some perch.    All in all it was a great day!

John also had the biggest catch of the day, and most entertaining one.    Thinking he had on a very big sturgeon, the line held stationary.   Obviously it must be stuck on bottom I thought.   "It's a fish, I can feel it swim!", John declared.     Well eventually he was able to reel up the catch... a very long and heavy piece of board, plus a yellow perch on a second hook!

My biggest of 2 sturgeon on the day turned out to be 41 inches, a nice fish which I'd love to catch again next week at the derby.   It would have a great shot at winning the lunker award!

While this isn't exactly sturgeon season, there are some out there.   If you want to get out to catch one of these dinosaurs, check out my guided fishing service and contact me soon.    Several dates have already been booked!  

Been gone way too long!

It's been several weeks since I've posted on here, the longest stretch perhaps I've ever gone between posts!   After getting back from a fantastic Florida experience of fishing and attending ICAST, things have been extremely hectic here around the house and at work, I'm still trying to get everything in order!

I'll post a better recap of this and that a little later, for now, know that I'm still here, and I'll have more good content coming soon.   I have another short video here for now of my Florida fishing on the day after ICAST where I catch my first hardhead catfish, and my first few pinfish.   I also catch another manatee coming over to play with me in the kayak.

Since I've been back I've been out fishing for pickerel, tried to find my first big Atlantic Sturgeon (nothing but eels that day!), and I've gotten Anna out in the kayak a few times.    I also took a young teenager and his older relative out for their first kayak fishing experience on the Hammond this past weekend, so I have been busy!

Coming up in a few weeks is the big Hammond River Classic fishing derby!   Tell your friends and come out to enjoy this fun event and perhaps you could be the random winner of the new Old Town Predator XL kayak!