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BlueCharmNF.jpg
Newfoundland Blue Charm by Jim McCoul

More Fish, More Fishing

 

Last week we learned that the Nova Scotia Salmon Association`s (NSSA) acid-rain mitigation project on the West River Sheet Harbor has demonstrated that Atlantic salmon can once again reproduce successfully in that stream. That`s great news, showing that other acidified and barren Nova Scotia streams could once again support self-sustaining populations of Atlantic salmon and sea-trout. NSSA, with help from government and NGO agencies, has shown strong and committed leadership in this project.

 

NSSA has also shown that, if we are to reverse the decline in Nova Scotia`s Atlantic salmon populations, we need a plan, and the plan must be a positive plan. Thirty-five years of volunteer work with NSSA and other conservation organizations have shown me that negative measures like cutbacks and restrictions achieved nothing. Fish populations are in more trouble today than ever before, if we are to believe DFO stock assessments (which I don’t). But the result of negative management is no salmon fishing this year. What a mess!

 

A new organization, the Eastern SportFish Association (ESA), sees things differently. Their motto is:

 

More fish, more fishing!

 

NOT less fish and less fishing, DFO’s management strategy over the past 3 decades. These negative measures actually may have helped precipitate the decline of Atlantic salmon on Nova Scotia’s Eastern and South shores. How? By using cutbacks and restrictions rather than positive programs like stocking and water quality/habitat improvement to increase salmon populations. In addition, volunteer fishing and conservation group memberships have seriously dwindled due to loss of interest. What we see now is the result of a failed strategy. We need a new one!

 

The Eastern SportFish Association sees economic and social benefit in a positive strategy. More fish and more fishing means economic prosperity and a healthy social climate for rural communities – like it used to be! ESA`s website is www.sportfishns.ca, where you can learn more about the new organization or join up. 

 

My buddy at the local fly shop tells me that salmon flies are selling well, but they are being sold mostly to customers who will spend their fishing vacation dollars in Quebec, Labrador, Newfoundland or New Brunswick, rather than here in Nova Scotia. What a shame!

 

One of the most popular flies for Newfoundland grilse is a small Blue Charm. This one was tied by master fly tyer Jim McCoul. Jim ties it with a grey squirrel wing, but some Newfoundlanders prefer a wing of moosehair or white calftail.

 

NF Blue Charm

 

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

Hook:                          Mustad 3399A in size 6, 8, 10

Tag:                            X-fine oval silver tinsel, marigold yellow floss

Tail:                             Golden pheasant crest

Rib:                             Small oval silver tinsel

Body:                          Black floss

Throat:                        Silver Doctor blue hen hackle fibers

Wing:                          Grey Squirrel tail

Head:                         Black thread finished with glossy head cement

 

Please stay on the line …