When was the last time that you spent the day out on the water fishing with good friends? Every year my brother in laws and I head out for a day of Salmon Fishing. It is one of my favourite days of the calendar year. Nothing quite beats a beautiful day with a line in the water and good conversation. This is a big happy place for me, one that I look forward to every year.
It’s not even the actual catching of the fish itself. It’s the entire process, sights, and sounds that make it a notable experience.
Vancouver is a great place to go fishing, there are lots of different types of angling to choose from too: Head to a lake, fish from a pier, rent a boat, take a guided salmon charter, try fly fishing, or land a mighty sturgeon.https://t.co/gU9p6Lmcda pic.twitter.com/IWgGW4Qd4P
— Destination Vancouver (@MyVancouver) July 21, 2021
My alarm going off in the middle of the night can’t come fast enough when it’s a fishing day. The kind of sleep where you are stirring all night as you know the morning is coming with haste and for something you are excited about.
Driving through the city is so quiet and serene when up at such a ludicrous hour to cast a line. The experience really starts once we get to the water. As someone who grew up in the prairies, being around the ocean and nautical lifestyle is still novel and intriguing.
We usually take off from Granville Island, and the boat slowly cruises through the harbour at a reduced speed. As we enter the open ocean, we pick up speed to get to where the fishing is good. The fresh salty air and cold breeze wakes you up faster than coffee. I love that sensation of travelling over the water, wind rushing through my hair and nostrils and waking up my soul.
The toughest part about fishing for salmon? Netting the fish once it’s at your boat. Having the net is a huge responsibility. Whoever has the fish on their line has worn the salmon out after a long fight and their job is done. Now it’s up to you to be calm and make sure you complete the process all the way into the boat. Last year we had two get away from us during the netting process, which still haunts us to this day.
Those are small prices to pay for a day with good friends out on the ocean, and I hope this has made you recall your last picturesque day out on the water.
What is your best fishing story?