Stillwater Slim on the Line …

By Stillwater Slim

In recent years the Atlantic salmon population in the St. Mary’s River has declined to about 10% of the 1980’s population size, according to our federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans assessments. This year, First Nations representatives have agreed once again not to fish the St. Mary’s. Although the Supreme Court of Canada’s interpretation of our Canadian constitution gives First Nations people priority over other fisheries, they have generously agreed to recommend a six-week catch-and-release angling season because they appreciate the cultural, social and economic importance of the sport fishery to watershed communities.

Despite population declines of recent years, this year’s salmon sport fishery is off to a great start with numerous salmon being released on the main and east branches (the west branch is closed to salmon angling in 2008). Several grilse have also been released in the last week or so. These are also exciting times for anglers seeking sea trout. Water conditions have been ideal, and anglers pray that Environment Canada’s prediction of a hot, dry summer does not come to pass.

Two more salmon anglers have joined our ranks, one young and the other, well, looking good but somewhat battered. Brett Jordan released his first grilse at the ledge below the Ford Pool last week and veteran John Cameron Sr. has returned to reside in Stillwater with his dear wife Carolyn from Edmonton, Alberta. 

Atlantic Salmon Wet Flies

For summer Atlantic salmon fishing my first choice is usually a dry fly, but if it fails I’ll try a wet fly. Wet salmon flies can be grouped into 7 types: Buck Bugs, Butterflies, hair wing, feather wing, and Spey or Dee flies, shrimp flies, and streamers. In summer the most popular wet flies for freshwater angling are Buck Bugs, Butterflies, and small hair wings.

My first choice is usually a Buck Bug such as the Green Machine, a great fly that originated on New Brunswick’s Miramichi River. The Green Machine has become known as “the people’s fly”, a fly that works for all of us. It is one of those flies that seem to appeal to a salmon’s playful side, frequently drawing multiple rises or takes to a single cast.

Green Machine

Hook –             Wet fly hook such as Mustad 3399A or Tiemco TMC7999 in sizes 6 - 12

Thread –           Black

Tag -                 Fine oval silver tinsel, 3 – 4 turns

Butt -                A double-butt of chartreuse then fluorescent red floss or Uni-Stretch

Body Hackle -   Fiery brown cock neck or saddle hackle

Body –             Machine green dyed deer hair

Head -              Black thread finished with 2 coats of head cement

Unlike the Bomber dry fly, Buck Bugs require no tail to provide floatation, are tied on heavier wet fly hooks, are sparsely hackled, are generally tied in smaller sizes and have slimmer bodies. In other words, Bombers are tied to float and Buck Bugs are designed to sink. However, many anglers like to fish a salmon fly both wet and dry, so they combine the two designs for energy-saving efficiency, a sign of the times.