2009 Atlantic Salmon Season

I attended a ZMAC (that’s DFO-speak for Zone Management Advisory Committee) meeting on Thursday, April 30, 2009 in Sherbrooke, hoping to help formulate a recommendation for the 2009 salmon angling season. That was accomplished, but only after hearing a lengthy scientific presentation that, boiled down, reported that the 2008 returns to the West River St. Mary’s were only twice that of 2007. To me, that shows clearly that their assessment methods are inadequate. I’d suggest that our biologists would learn far more by being out on the river than they can crunching numbers in their offices.

Anyhow, we did agree to recommend that the 2009 season be the same as that of 2008, but we also learned that no seasons for salmon angling anywhere in Nova Scotia will be announced until DFO (our federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans) deals with a request to the Minister of DFO for special consultation with an organization representing the Chiefs of Nova Scotia’s First Nations. As of April 30^th, no date had been set for this consultation.

So, it seems we salmon anglers aren’t the only folks unhappy with DFO’s handling of the fishery!

The Pink Mystery

Although the Pink Mystery is a vintage trout wet fly, it is still popular with trouters in eastern Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. I’ve had success with the fly while fishing brook trout, although it is typical of wet fly designs that the British call “sea-trout flies”. It is very effective, in my experience, for locating and catching our sea-run trout.

It has been suggested to me that the Pink Mystery is of British origin, and its style and construction supports that opinion. If you happen to know the background of this fly I’d appreciate any information you might provide. 

I’ve noticed that most fly fishers I know are wearing smiles as they walk with a spring in their step that just wasn’t there a few weeks ago. No longer do their eyes have that “far away look” now that spring is finally a reality. Soon the early mayfly hatch will be on!

Pink Mystery

Hook –               3399A, Sizes 10-12

Thread –            Black

Tag –                  Oval silver tinsel

Tail –                   Golden Pheasant

Body –               Pink floss ribbed with oval silver tinsel

Hackle –             Pink

Wing –                Grey barred mallard or teal flank

Please stay on the line …