Jerome Farnsworth - Author

I love Atlantic salmon fishing. I was introduced to the sport when my Father purchased in 1952 a small lodge on the Southwest Miramichi River called the We-Lovitt-Lodge at Carrolls Crossing near Doaktown, New Brunswick. The caretaker of the lodge was Merle Lyons. Merle loved to fish and tied his own flies. I fished with my Father, Merle, my Uncle John Bartlett, and his son Nathaniel. Uncle John and Merle passed away, and I became more interested in a business career. My Father sold the lodge in 1964 because it was not used.

This was a wonderful period where we flogged the water, caught a few salmon, and had favorite fly patterns to which we were ever faithful. The truth is, we didn't even know what we didn't know. Nevertheless, we had a lot of fun. Happily, during this period, the fish were not always aware of our deficiencies, and we still caught some Atlantic salmon.

In 1998, I retired and made my first trip to the George River, where I stayed at the George River Lodge. I have been a regular customer for one or two weeks every year to the present. Atlantic salmon fishing on the George River, or any other Atlantic salmon River for that matter, is a challenge. So, I started a log documenting things such as time of day, weather, amount of light, fly pattern and size, water and air temperatures, and the number of fish raised, hooked, and landed.

Some of the data ended up in a spreadsheet that documents and compiles some important information about the sun's role in Atlantic salmon fishing. The results of this work are in my book and on the Fishing Tips page on this website. George River Atlantic salmon catching productivity soared from the depths of mediocrity; I realized that my daily log was teaching me about the habits and preferences of Atlantic salmon. I was doing so well, and it would be shameful if I did not share what I had learned with others so they could derive more enjoyment from the sport. This is what motivated me to struggle to write my first and the only book I will ever write: Buck Bug Magic: Catch More Atlantic Salmon.

If the joy of fly-fishing is based on overcoming problems, then I have enjoyed some success. I don't know everything, but every moment spent on the water provides me with opportunities to experience some frustration, overcome some problems, and learn something new.