Land & Sea goes trouting for the big ones in western Newfoundland

Anyone who is familiar with the west coast town of Howley in Newfoundland and Labrador knows that community has an affection for moose.

Howley is where the hungry herbivores were introduced to the island way back in 1904.

The town is proud of that part of its wildlife heritage and, come springtime, there's another reason Howley is on the map for outdoor enthusiasts — trout!

The Land & Sea crew headed out to Howley this past spring to talk to avid trouters about the Victoria Day tradition and their love of the outdoor pastime. 

The story comes at a time when there are fewer people taking up rods and reels in the province. 

Thirty years ago, the number of active anglers in Newfoundland and Labrador was roughly 135,000. Ten years ago the number had dropped by 25,000. And, according to the most recent statistics available from a decade ago, the average age of anglers has risen from 36 years to 52 years of age.

Despite the decline, every May 24th weekend you can be sure to find an eager group at the water's edge or in boat at Howley Narrows. 

The gorgeous sandy stretch on Grand Lake is an area that Roland Loughlin knows well.

He was born in Howley and, at 82, he still casts his line out in hopes of a nibble.

"It's been a great place to fish and we're lucky to have such a good place," said Loughlin.

Linda Hartson and her husband have been trouting at Howley together since they got married.

They live in Corner Brook but always make their way to Howley for the long holiday weekend. 

"I just love being out in the air and just being out in the country and just the peace and the tranquility of it," she said. "If the sun should happen to shine, we can get our vitamin D as well. So there's health benefits."

The scenery is stunning, but most barely look up from their rods. 

They've got their eye on the prize because at Howley Narrows, there's always a chance of hooking into a big one. 

Twenty-year-old Brayden Coish says trout are consistently over one and two pounds but there are also large land-locked salmon in Grand Lake, which trouters are allowed to catch with their license. 

"It's just so different than catching a river run salmon," said Coish.

"They just go absolutely ballistic when you've got one on that's eight to 12 pounds, because they are here and there's bigger than that here but the odd time that somebody does land them, it's a fun time, it's a happy time, I'll say that."

Coish's fishing buddy, Matt Barney, isn't as focused on the size of his catch. He enjoys the surroundings and the break from social media.

Barney encourages others to take to the woods.

"Throw away your video game and appreciate it. Your phone makes you content laying in your bed doing nothing," said Barney. "So I don't understand why you'd be on your phone instead of being out here on the glass calm lake with two of your best buddies."

In Land & Sea's new episode, Getting Out for Trout, you'll meet more avid trouters and wildlife officer Nathan Spence, who explains the differences in the varieties of trout found in Newfoundland and Labrador. 

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