It’s almost impossible to catch the instant of the fish taking the fly, but on this rainy evening the fish were coming up for the dry fly so well that I turned on my camera to see if I could capture it. It happens on the sixth cast. A little farther into the video the salmon makes a couple of exciting jumps.�

Ginnie’s Atlantic salmon taking a dry fly on the Restigouche River, New Brunswick, Canada from Eldridge Hardie on Vimeo.

I’m having withdrawal. Wearing my Kedgwick cap helps some. Ann and I just got back from fishing for Atlantic salmon at the historic Kedgwick Lodge on the fabled Restigouche River in New Brunswick, Canada.  I was there to gather research in the form of photos and videos of the landscape, the lighting at different times of day, the guides and their canoes, and the fishing for a commissioned painting of one of the river’s famous pools. It just so happend that the fishing was very good while we were there. Our hosts made it an especially enjoyable time that seemed all too short. There were only seven of us at the lodge, so it was an intimate time of relaxing between morning and evening fishing and after we came in at dark for cocktails and dinner. There was always a welcoming fire in the “walk-in” fireplace. We had been to Kedgwick nine years ago in June when Ann landed a 27-pound bright hen salmon fishing a wet fly. Back then I had studied the fishing logs and was intrigued by entries later in the season showing many fish being taken on dry flies because of lower, warmer water. I can report that it is more than exciting to see those big fish attack the fly! I missed so many takes by not striking the fish quickly enough, yet it was still the best salmon fishing we’ve ever experienced. Ann’s casting reached a new level when she learned to shoot her line to extend her range and took a beautiful bright hen fish. I landed three large salmon and three grilse (a male salmon that returns from the Atlantic after only one year–the bigger salmon have spent two or three years in the ocean before returning to spawn in their home river.) All fish are released to fight again.

Here are some images of our week that I think do much more than words to describe this very special sport and place:

Before

Forty years ago this coming Fall I moved into my new studio above the living space of our Denver home to make room for our second child Tom. As it became more and more filled with the things of a painting career, the thought of refurbishing my studio became more and more daunting. There were always other priorities. Last summer I spent two weeks removing a tremendous accumulation, but it was hardly noticeable!

Underway

Now I finally feel I have the time and a strong motive to finish the task. The studio is worn out. So here I am in the throws. The carpet is coming up to be replaced by a hardwood floor and the walls patched and painted a new color. There will be less clutter, and it will be a fresh beginning. (To be continued.)