Nova
Scotia Salmon Flies
Several salmon flies that became standards
worldwide were designed in Nova Scotia. Wet flies like the Cosseboom, Big Intervale Blue, Ross Special, and the Black, Brown
and Silver Bomber were all designed in Nova Scotia.
The Interceptor, MacIntosh Dry Fly series, and Phil’s Favourite
originated on the St. Mary’s River.
Phil’s
Favourite was created by St Mary’s River guide Phil Turner, who had a fly shop and outfitting business in Smithfield.
Originated
by the late St. Mary’s River guide Dan MacIntosh in the 1930s, the MacIntosh is usually tied to fish both wet and dry.
St Mary’s River anglers rotate popular pools, often waiting 2 hours for a turn. Fishing the same fly both wet and dry
gave these anglers a significant advantage, because if they raised a salmon either way they could then change to the type
of fly most likely to catch the fish. I’m never without a Pink Lady or White Hackle MacIntosh on any salmon pool.
Interceptor
Always searching for “something different”, anglers
Ray Buckland and Ted Mayfield created the Interceptor in the early 1970s. It was a great success on Nova Scotia’s LaHave,
Margaree and St. Mary’s River.
A wing of fine
pine squirrel tail gives the fly a great action as it sweeps across a salmon pool. The golden pheasant tippet tail provides
a bit of bright colour to an otherwise sombre pattern, a time-tested concept employed by many great salmon flies. Sombre coloured
flies are widely thought to be the best choice for hard-to-catch fish that have entered the river weeks or months ago. Specifications
are as follows:
Interceptor Wet Fly
Hook –
Wet fly hook such as Mustad 36890, Partridge ‘M’, or Tiemco TMC7999 in sizes 2 - 12
Thread –
Black
Tag
- Fine
flat silver tinsel, 5 - 6 turns
Tail -
Golden pheasant tippets
Body – Wine
or dark claret wool yarn
Wing - Pine
squirrel tail
Hackle - Black hen hackle
Head
- Black thread finished with 2
coats of glossy head cement
Please stay on the line … 
