Opening of the 2011 Salmon Season

[Dave G]

Ah Opening Day - what a grand time of the year! A well-used 9-weight Orvis rod, a pair of neoprene felt soled chest waders, and a sporran full o' nightcrawlers.

[Jock Scot]

Ah Opening Day - what a grand time of the year! A well-used 9-weight Orvis rod, a pair of neoprene felt soled chest waders, and a sporran full o' nightcrawlers.

We tend to use, if using a fly rod at this time of year, a 16ft double handed rod with a 12 wt sinking line and a three inch tube fly. Not a tooth pick.

What I wonder, are night crawlers?

[sydnie7]

We tend to use, if using a fly rod at this time of year, a 16ft double handed rod with a 12 wt sinking line and a three inch tube fly. Not a tooth pick.

What I wonder, are night crawlers?

Was hoping for a picture, but must rely on text lifted from Wikipedia:

"Nightcrawlers are a form of earthworm. Prized primarily for use as fishing bait, nightcrawlers are generally known as either Canadian or European.

Canadian nightcrawlers are the larger of the two, measuring up to 14 inches (35.6 cm) when fully extended. Fishermen enjoy the Canadian worm more because of its size. It can be easily secured to a fish hook, and stays lively while submerged in water for up to 5 minutes. The Canadian nightcrawler is used for catching largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, carp, trout, catfish, sunfish, walleye, and other freshwater fish. The Canadian nightcrawler will not survive in temperatures above about 65 °F (18.3 °C). Therefore, bait shops must keep them refrigerated and attention must be given to ensure that the worms are not left to rest in the hot sun while fishing.

Canadian nightcrawlers are harvested in certain locations in North America. Most come from Canada's Ontario region, while many millions more are harvested along the Appalachian Mountains - from western North Carolina up to New York. The worms are collected by headlamp-wearing hunters. The worms come out from the ground only at night (or when the ground is deeply saturated following a decent rain fall)."

Must say that the phrase "a sporran full of nightcrawlers" gave me pause. . . but is sure to crop up regularly on this forum in the future!

[auld argonian]

You guys are getting me jealous with this heavy artillery...my max rod is a 9 foot six weight and I haven't had occasion to use that one yet...it's sitting in the closet getting old.

...and aren't you supposed to carry those nightcrawlers around in an old Hills Brothers tin coffee can...? Though the can is probably worth more as an antique now than the rod is worth.

Best

AA

[Dave G]

We tend to use, if using a fly rod at this time of year, a 16ft double handed rod...

Ah, in other words, a caber.

Only jesting. I have a 13 ft. 12-weight Spey rod, but unfortunately, I have very limited use for it here in Maryland. But I have to admit, it's awfully fun to go out once in a while and wave it around, giving the water a good thrashing in the process.

I have to admit that a sporran full o' nightcrawlers rather limits the wading to slightly above the knees because I haven't been able to teach those worms to hold their breath for any length of time.

Which brings up the question, is it a significant breach of etiquette to wear the sporran around one's neck?

[Jock Scot]

Dave G.

On some rivers in the UK, using a worm to catch a salmon is likely to cause a mass heart attack to all the locals and you may not live long enough to worry about the niceties of where to wear the sporran,by even suggesting it!

[English Bloke]

Superb picture.

[Ozark Ridge Rider]

Dave G.

On some rivers in the UK, using a worm to catch a salmon is likely to cause a mass heart attack to all the locals and you may not live long enough to worry about the niceties of where to wear the sporran,by even suggesting it!

Aye, Jock, some rivers in the US that way, too.

Dan

[Woodsman]

Sure, the fish don't stand a chance!