Fishing First Pond in Spaniard's Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador

• Overview

  In Newfoundland and Labrador, First Pond falls inside Spaniard's Bay. This is mixed forest country. At roughly 2 hectares, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. It is a small entry by Spaniard's Bay standards. Spaniard's Bay is the closest place, 1.5 km off. The nearest city of size is St. John's, 44 km away. Two sets of local rules meet not far from this water.

• Where to Fish on First Pond

  No published figure covers depth, so learn it as you fish. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. Survey and observation records for Spaniard's Bay include American eel and Atlantic cod. Several of these carry legal protection or closed seasons; the rulebook comes before the rod. On First Pond the first feature you find is usually worth a session.

• Seasonal Patterns

  August is the warm end of the year here, averaging about 16°C, while February sits near -5°C. Expect a real winter and a strong spring after it. Firm cover through the cold months, then open water from late April. Average temperatures cross freezing around late April in spring and again near late December in autumn. From the thaw to midsummer the fishing improves week by week. On First Pond that shapes the whole year.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. Nothing is mapped in the way of a ramp or car park within a short radius. Keep the gear simple: light line, small hooks, split shot and a couple of proven lures. A landowner's word beats anything printed elsewhere. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. For a change of water, Second Pond is 0.8 km distant. For First Pond in particular, ask before you travel.