Nov 30, 2017
4 - Fishing
Banner image : A good day of fishing on the LaHave. At Sutton's Cottages, Wentzell Lake. from Paul Harmon , courtesy of Wayne Sutton
Background
For over 10,000+ years, fishing has been an important part of the LaHave.
Salmon have traditionally been the most important fish. There was a thriving salmon fishery prior to Confederation and log drives.
By the early 1900s, recreational fishing was a growing activity. Americans could take the ferry to Yarmouth, catch a train to Bridgewater and soon be fishing along the LaHave.
The recreational salmon fishery thrived until the 1990s. Occasionally, you will still see fishers along the river casting their lines. More common in 2017 -- Chain Pickerel and Bass as well as the Kayak fishery each spring at Cook's Falls.
Interested in more about the fish along the LaHave? Check out this Department of Fisheries document. Also the LaHave River Salmon Association
Long before the Europeans arrived in North America, the Mi'kmaq had a well developed fishery. Check-out the First Fishers display at the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic in Lunenburg.
When we asked our readers if they could remember fishing stories from along the Lahave, Sharon Drillio Oakley wrote ... I do remember, which is a common thing still with fishing and hunting, never tell anyone that comes that I got a fish. And he would never tell anyone where he got it of course, which rock he was on. I could not understand that, as i was so excited when he caught a fish.
I use to love helping him scale them.
The fish warden was always checking our freezer and Jerry Suttons across at the Anglers Rest.
It was so funny, the expression on their faces. The Americans use to see Dad catch the fish and then call the Warden. They became great friends. It was funny to the men. A game to see how long it took for the Warden to get there.
The funniest thing is that the Warden knew how honest Dad was and Papa but they came out for a visit and laugh.
Dad taught me how to fly fish on the LaHave and one of my sons. Very disappointing to him when the river closed as it was his best thing to do in the world. He then became the warden (unofficially ha ha)
Wayne Bruhm wrote ... I can remember when I was a kid dad would take us to lug the bags of fish up to the car they would get smoked for winter treats this was in the 60s.
Questions ... comments ... suggestions???
Please send them through our Facebook Page or the Contact Form on our website
Created using
