Episode 1 - The Leaper

Wild Atlantic salmon once thrived in the U.S. from Long Island Sound to the Canadian border. Today the species is hanging tough in a handful of Maine rivers. In Episode 1 Charlie and Caroline look at the life history of this incredible species and the factors driving survival.

People and wild Atlantic salmon have a relationship that reaches deep into history. From the first people, to the first settlers, to the first anglers taking this 'King of Fish' on tiny flies, wild Atlantic salmon have left an indelible mark on civilization, past and present.

Blocked by dams and harmed by pollution, wild Atlantic salmon in the United States have faced an uphill battle for centuries. Today, a dedicated corps of conservationists, scientists, and volunteers are re-opening rivers and keeping Maine's unique salmon populations alive. But can the species persist in the face of warming waters and a changing climate?