14
The bait used for fishing has not changed a lot during the last fifty years. The only large change is, the bait is easier to obtain. In the past people dug their own worms to go fishing, but now they can buy them in a store. Ice fishing bait was different in the past because people could not dig worms in the winter. Most people used salt pork to go ice fishing, and today some people still use it. However, today people can buy worms during the winter to go ice fishing. But some people also use squid and shrimp as bait for ice fishing.15
Fishing Bobber used in the past (Left) and Fishing Bobber presently used (Right)1950-1960
Indian Bay, Newfoundland, Canada
16
The decrease in the size of the fish in the 1970's could have been influence by many factors. One of these factors could have been increased access to fishing ponds in Indian Bay. In the past people had to walk wherever they wanted to go fishing. So they only fished in ponds close to Indian Bay. However, when the Bowater roads were constructed and trucks came to the area people could travel farther to go fishing. Also, today people can use trucks, ATV's, snowmobiles, canoes, and motor boats to go fishing. When people had to walk to go fishing they only went long enough to catch a meal of fish. However, now people can drive to their cabins and fish as long as they prefer. The average fishing trip was only an hour fifty years ago whereas now people some people go fishing for a weekend or even a week. If more people went fishing for a longer period of time, this could have influenced the decrease in the size of the fish.17
Fishing hooks1950-1960
Indian Bay, Newfoundland, Canada
18
Some people also feel that refrigerators could have changed the recreational fishing in Indian Bay. In the past people only went fishing for a meal of trout because they never had any refrigerator to store their fish in. The only way to store fish without a refrigerator was to salt or smoke it. However, today people can catch their limit every day, bring their fish home and freeze them.19
Fishing hooks Presently Used2000-2006
Indian Bay, Newfoundland, Canada
20
Fishing Hooks used in the Past1950-1960
Indian Bay, Newfoundland, Canada
21
Tackle Box owned by the late Fred Barbour1950-1960
Indian Bay, Newfoundland, Canada
22
Some of the older men of Indian Bay also feel that the logging industry closing in Indian Bay had an impact on the size and quantity of fish. When the Bowater logging company was operating in Indian Bay, they placed dams in each pond so the water level would rise to push the logs through. When the water was high in the ponds, the fish may have gone under the banks to feed or get in the shade. However, now the water levels are not as high as they used to be. Therefore, the trout and salmon may not have these banks to go under. Also, when the water level was high the trout and salmon had a larger spawning area. Now the rivers, brooks, and ponds are shallower so the trout and salmon may not have as many places to spawn. Also, because the rivers and brooks are shallower, many people can walk or travel across them on ATV. When people do this, they may be destroying spawning areas or spawn from the fish which would decrease the number of fish produced.23
Tackle Box owned by the late Fred Barbour1950-1960
Indian Bay, Newfoundland, Canada
24
Also, when the water level was high in the ponds the trees hung close to the water. This may have provided a food source for many fish because they could eat the insects that flew around the trees. Also, when the trees were close to the water more of their leaves could have fallen in the water. This would have increased the productivity in the ponds, which would increase the number of aquatic insects. An increase in aquatic insects would lead to an increase in the size and number of trout and salmon because their food source would have increased. Also, if the fish were healthier and larger they may have produced more eggs.However, now the trees are not as close to the water so the fish may not be eaten as many insects as there was before, which would lead to smaller fish. These fish may not produce a large amount of eggs, which would also lead to a decrease in the population of the trout and salmon.
25
Fishing Knife1950-1960
Indian Bay, Newfoundland, Canada
26
Also, when Bowaters operated in Indian Bay there were always logs in the ponds. The fish in the pond could have eaten the bugs and worms that were in the logs. This would have been another food source. Also, the needles and bark could have fallen off the logs into the water, this again would increase the productivity and the number of aquatic insects, which would increase the size and quantity of the fish in the ponds.Also, today people can go recreational fishing whenever the season is open. However, when Bowaters operated in Indian Bay most people went fishing in the summer, after the wood was floated down the river, and the water level was low. When the water was dammed off in each pond, the water level would be too high to go fishing. Also, when the dams were raised, the water flowing down the river was too high and fast to go fishing.
27
Fishing Knife1950-1960
Indian Bay, Newfoundland, Canada
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