In the 1970s, my husband and I, along with our two wee daughters, headed for St. John’s, NL, our latest military posting. As with every posting, we delved into customs and social activities of our new environment. We were informed that the first full moon of June is a special moon along the east coast of Newfoundland, for on its high tides the capelin begin to scull. In the outports and coastal communities, men, women and children watch the shallows and beach surf for the surging, glittering bodies of the capelin come to spawn. They watch closely because the arrival of the capelin is one of Newfoundland’s most significant events. Numbering in the billions, these smelt-sized green-silver fish swim from their various offshore wintering grounds to the coastal headlands and into the bays.

When the month of June came along, our family along with many others headed off to Marine Drive. There was an element of excitement in the air that reached from the youngest to the eldest…all voicing ‘The capelin was running’ and time to gather nets, buckets, plastic bags, even a rubber boot that would help you dip and catch these tiny smelt-like fishes. The fishermen waded into the water and scooped capelin by the truckload. Many were pickled, dried and even put on gardens as fertilizer with the majority used as bait for the cod trawls. They were delicious to eat as well as being a special treat for our cat Minou.

It was June 1971, when our youngest daughter, who was merely three years of age, had her first and last taste of capelin. As we were all gathered on the shore of Marine Drive with a large group of people, with our medley of receptacles, dipping and taking in these fishes, she piped up; “Are these fish good to eat?” to which we all answered “They are delicious!” She then proceeded to pick one up from the bucket and put it raw and wiggly in her mouth to taste this acclaimed delicious morsel. Immediately after, you could hear her little voice in disgust say; “This tastes awful, Mom!”

I believe that to this day, the above experience dictated her dislike of fish in general. Memories of days gone by are so wonderful!

Diane R.Unger
Cooks Creek, MB