In the past Indian Bay was famous for its large numbers of huge mud trout
(a.k.a Eastern Brook trout) but overfishing has reduced the stock. Still
we usually manage to pull out a few good trout (in the 12" to 16" range) for the frying pan.
Currently a local development group is working to help rebuild the fishing in the area to its former glory.
Finally the time slowly ticks by and the long weekend arrives. From St. Johns
its about a 3 hour drive on the Trans Canada highway to our first turnoff at Gambo and from
there another 1 ½ hours to where we leave civilization and asphalt behind at Parsons
Point. This is where the trip really begins. The first stretch of dirt road is not too rough
but this quickly changes as we move further in country. The road gets narrower
and the potholes, rocks and washouts get larger. They say getting there is half the fun and
we all enjoy this bit of 4-wheel adventure (especially Keith who usually leads the pack).
As we near the campsite we come across the handiwork of a family of beavers who have
flooded the road. We can see where the road enters the new pond and we can see where it
comes out but there's a lot of water in between. After much discussion Jake and Rob wade
out ahead and the trucks follow. Since many of the local fellows use this road regularly everyone
agrees that the beavers stay in the area is not likely to be a long one.
Finally we reach our destination on the shore of Backup Pond and
start to set up camp. Being hardy souls, most would say foolhardy, we are braving the
elements of the Northeast Coast of Newfoundland in only nylon tents and sleeping bags.
Our accommodations might be spartan but no other convenience appears to have been
overlooked as our gear spills out of the trucks. Besides there is plenty of "Old Sam" black
rum to ward off the cold.
There is never any fishing done on the first night. Once the tents are pitched and firewood gathered its
usually time to get the first meal of the weekend ready. By tradition we always start with fresh
Newfoundland Lobster and B.B.Q steak (sometimes with vegetables, sometimes not). This
is not a weekend where you want to get your cholesterol checked on Tuesday. Later in the
evening we sit around a blazing fire, have a few swallies of rum and swap stories.
 | "With great skill Jake demonstrates that a fly fisherman can tie a fly under any conditions. The Mickey Finn being tied here accounted for several trout over the weekend and a couple of salmon later in Labrador." |
Early mornings are not appreciated in Indian Bay so everybody gets
off to a late start. Due to the large size of the waters most fishing is done by trolling from a boat
using either spinners or flies (fished with a sinking fly line). In this area the ponds contain smelt which the
trout feed on so silver bodied flies like the Mickey Finn and silver spinners work well. When the weather
cooperates there is no better way to spend your day than out on the pond trolling for the big ones. This is a
very laid back mode of fishing until you get one on. When you hook into a big mud trout and he's digging
down deep for the bottom this is as good a fight from a trout as you are going to get. In these cold waters
the fish are fiesty and battle to the end. Sometimes they win and sometimes we do.
Back on shore Chef Keith is ready with his cast iron frypan and salt pork to fry
up part of the days catch. Sitting around the fire, eating fresh trout and having a drink with friends. Heaven
must be in Newfoundland.
The time passes too quickly and soon it's time to pack up and head for home.
At least there's always next year.
