Fishing New Brunswick: First Eel River Lake

I was lucky enough to be asked to go away fishing last weekend to First Eel River Lake, which is near Woodstock. We left at 5 am Saturday morning and we arrived around 9ish as we met the 3 other guys at the Big Stop at Salisbury. I have never been to this lake but Matt had been there plenty of times and said the bass and pickerel fishing was very good so I was excited to get on the water. Matt said he usually fishes the lake a little later so he was not sure how the fish would be.

Matt and I fished in his 12 foot aluminum and the other three guys fished in a 16 foot aluminum which was set up very nicely. I am use to my canoe so being in a boat that was wider was very nice. We were able to take turns standing up to fish, which is great because it gives you a chance to stretch.

Saturday morning was a little chilly and it rained off and on for the first few hours but then the rain stopped. We went to a certain part of the lake that the guys knew produced fish and it was not long before the guys started catching bass. We also saw a few pickerel chase the baits. As we moved down the banks we got to one spot that I had a few big pickerel hit my baits but I did not land any. It actually took me a few hours to land anything. I used some of the new baits I bought just for the trip. I used a jointed hard bait and also a skitter pop. This bait worked very well for everyone. I put on a rubber frog and Matt said I must be going after the pickerel. I told him I was just going to give it a try. To his surprise I caught 4 or 5 bass with the frog and also had a few pickerel chase the bait.

As we made our way down the wind picked up some and we decided to go back to the lodge for supper around 6pm. I was hoping we may fish around the lodge after we ate but it got very windy and actually quite cold.

We sat around and watched TV and I think were all asleep by 10pm( We are getting older :) )

We woke up around 6:30 Sunday morning and I was very happy to see the water very calm. We ate and organized our things but as soon as we set out on the water the wind picked up and did not let up. We went to the same spot hoping the trees would block some of the wind but the direction it was blowing, the land did not help. We fished for a few hours. Matt caught 3 or 4 bass and I caught one pickerel but the conditions were not very good at all. We decided to go back to the lodge and pack up to leave.

I had and excellent couple of days on a new body of water and having the chance to meet some new friends. I certainly hope Matt will have room for me again next year and hopefully the wind will cooperate.