Villains and Victims

This past week had its share of villains and victims. Villains included pedophilic clergy, coyotes, for an attack on a Guysborough woman, DFO, for its continuing saga of Atlantic salmon mismanagement, and Darrell Dexter, for his budget’s HST increase and refusal to subsidize the Cat.

Victims included those permanently scarred, or worse, by pedophiles, those attacked or spooked (including a school) by brazen coyotes, Atlantic salmon, sport fishers and aboriginals – all victims of DFO fisheries management, and Nova Scotia taxpayers, Yarmouth residents, Darrell Dexter and coyotes.

Coyotes made both lists because a woman in Cape Breton voiced her opinion that coyotes are victims, harmless agents of pest control, and subsequently found a dead coyote hanging on her property, complaining that her right to free speech had been violated by the act.

Darrell Dexter felt victimized by Nova Scotia’s previous government actions and the recession, although many, especially Yarmouth residents, didn’t see it that way.

On the bright side, we’re spotting the odd mayfly, so the hatch may happen 2 – 4 weeks earlier than normal this year. Already, trout are rising to the early hatch of small grey stone flies. That’s all good news for trout anglers who seek solace in the wild, far from news of villains and victims.

Bill Williams of Sheet Harbour, NS, ties the very popular Purple Drummer wet trout fly with a difference. For example, he uses a hook with a longer shank than the standard pattern, bronze merganser flank feather strips instead of grouse in the wing, and the result is definitely a fishier looking fly.

Bill’s Purple Drummer

Thread:                      UTC G.S.P. 50 Denier red thread

Hook:                         Tiemco 2302, sizes 6 - 10

Tag:                            Fine flat gold tinsel

Tail:                             Red cock hackle fibers

Rib:                             Fine oval gold tinsel

Body hackle:              Brown or wine cock saddle hackle

Body:                          Wine floss

Wing:                          Purple goose shoulder strips over bronze merganser flank strips

Head:                          Red thread finished with 2 coats Angler’s Corner Clear Wet Head Cement

Please stay on the line …