N.B. salmon season starts strongly

Fishermen in Bathurst, N.B., are enjoying a strong start to the salmon season, thanks to the mild weather.

The season opens every April 15, but normally there are still chunks of ice on Middle River and the fish don't appear until later.

This year, however, the salmon are already moving downstream to start their long journey at sea, said Frederic Butruille of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.

"The fish don't follow the human calendar, they follow more the weather conditions," he said.

"This year is a bit different because the season is quite early. The ice was gone really early this year and that has an impact on the fishing," because the salmon begin to migrate earlier.

Sam Gauthier, who's been fishing for 30 years, agrees it's an unusual season.

"I don't think I've ever seen it this early," he said. "To tell the truth there, I don't think we've been out as early as we are this year."

Gauthier fishes twice a day during the season — usually at rising tide and falling tide.

The season ends May 1, but the salmon will likely be gone before then, Gauthier said.