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October 31st is the last day of salmon angling in Nova Scotia, and marks the full end of the season in Eastern North America. It’s been a pleasure serving as Rivernotes editor this season. Many readers caught spectacular, memorable fish or had special experiences on their favourite salmon rivers. It’s been uniquely rewarding to share those stories.
Of course, it’s no secret that it was a rough year for salmon runs in much of the region. Scientific counts and angler experience both indicate alarmingly low returns on many rivers. We know that the experience of salmon angling is so much richer than just catching fish. But we all want to see healthy, vibrant runs of wild Atlantic salmon. That’s ASF’s mission.
ASF and our partners are working hard every day to make things better for salmon. From the tiny tributaries where they’re born to their high-seas feeding grounds, we’re carrying out evidence-based conservation work that we know makes a difference.
It’s not enough to simply hope next season will be better. Wild salmon and their rivers need more allies and more support. ASF has the big thinking and bold vision that wild salmon need. But we can’t do it alone. It’s easy to become an ASF member and there are many ways to contribute. Together, we’ll ensure a bright future for wild salmon and wild rivers.
Toby Gow reports:
“In the early hours of October 28, Cape Breton was dusted with snow, more so on the northwest side of the island. Although water levels across most Cape Breton rivers are considered to be low, there is still a moderate number of fish being hooked. Fish seem to still be coming up the rivers as it is close to spawning time for them and the clock is ticking.”
Lisa Matte of the Nova Scotia Nature Trust reports on a recent event on the Margaree River:
“On Saturday October 19, the Nature Trust had the distinct pleasure of visiting the Margaree Valley to celebrate the protection of 371 acres of forested headlands Margaree conservation lands . This property marks the first Nature Trust conservation land in the area and although the Nature Trust is primarily a land-based conservation organization, we all recognize that a healthy river needs a thriving watershed. Together with the Margaree Salmon Association, the Nova Scotia Salmon Association, and the Atlantic Salmon Federation, we welcomed the community to join for a meet-and-greet and guided hike along the river and into the neighboring woodlands.
Working together to gain more knowledge and local understanding strengthens the whole complement of conservation work for the region. The Nature Trust’s work to protect ecologically significant parts of the province is complemented by the local research and work of the Margaree river groups to identify important tributaries and cold water refuges that are critical for salmon health, which is critical to the long-term health of the entire Margaree River Valley ecosystem.
Of course, Cape Breton did not disappoint. Surrounded by the glowing autumn foliage we enjoyed a morning of discussion and collaboration below the valley slopes and had the opportunity to introduce ourselves and our work to those who live there and know these lands best. The Nature Trust looks forward to furthering these partnerships and contributing towards a shared vision of a beautiful and protected river valley that will be there for generations to come.”
In Quebec, rules for the 2025 salmon angling season were recently announced. Program Director Charles Cusson provides a synopsis of the changes, a full end-of-season report, as well as a video message to conclude the season.
“En date du 28 octobre 2024, le ministère de l’Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs (MELCCFP) a publié un communiqué de presse au sujet de ses intentions concernant les modalités de pêche sportive au saumon atlantique pour la saison 2025.
Pour les grands saumons (longueur de 63 cm et plus):
• Remise à l’eau obligatoire dès le début de la saison de pêche (incluant donc les rivières Moisie, Saint-Jean Côte-Nord, Natashquan et Causapscal).
• Aucune rétention à compter du 1er août 2025 pour les rivières normalement admissibles.
Pour les petits saumons (longueur de moins de 63 cm):
• Remise à l’eau obligatoire dès le début de la saison de pêche dans les territoires fauniques structurés (TFS) tels que les zecs, réserves fauniques et pourvoiries sur les rivières à saumon de la Gaspésie, du Bas-Saint-Laurent, de la Capitale-Nationale, du Saguenay, d’Anticosti, de la Haute-Côte-Nord et sur la plupart des rivières de la Moyenne-Côte-Nord, ainsi que sur la rivière Kegaska en Basse-Côte-Nord. Une certaine rétention de petits saumons pourrait être autorisée en cours de saison sur certaines rivières si le niveau d’abondance de leurs populations de saumon le permet.
• Rétention d’un petit saumon par jour par pêcheur sur les rivières Moisie, Saint-Jean et Natashquan en Moyenne-Côte-Nord, ainsi que sur les rivières de la Basse-Côte-Nord à l’est de la rivière Kegaska.
Nord-du-Québec :
• Aucune modification des modalités déjà en place de pêche sportive pour les rivières du Nord-du-Québec.
En ce qui a trait à la saison 2024, des données préliminaires sont disponibles, malgré le fait que la saison est terminée depuis seulement un mois. Dans mon rapport final, j’ai préparé une présentation décrivant les informations provenant de 23 rivières. Vous trouverez également les données officielles des 4 saisons précédentes à titre de comparaison.
Ce fut un plaisir de présenter la perspective québécoise par le biais de notre blogue « Échos des rivières » encore cette saison. J’inclus également une courte vidéo pour clôturer la saison et vous remercier d’avoir fait que notre blogue est un environnement agréable pour partager vos expériences de pêche sportive pour notre bienaimé saumon de l’Atlantique.
Je vous souhaite une meilleure saison 2025 et j’ai hâte de partager de nouveau avec vous l’été prochain.
Charles Cusson
***
On October 28, 2024, the Ministry of the Environment, the Fight against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks (MELCCFP) issued a press release regarding modifications to Atlantic Salmon angling for the 2025 season.
For large salmon (length of 63 cm and more):
• Mandatory live release from the start of the fishing season (including the Moisie, Saint-Jean Côte-Nord, Natashquan and Causapscal rivers).
• As of August 1, 2025, mandatory live release will continue until the end of the season.
For small salmon (length less than 63 cm):
• Mandatory live release from the start of the fishing season in structured wildlife territories (TFS) such as ZECs, wildlife reserves and outfitters on the salmon rivers of Gaspésie, Lower St-Laurence, National Capital, Saguenay, Anticosti, Upper North Shore and on most of the rivers along the Mid North-Shore, as well as on the Kegaska River on the Lower North-Shore. A certain retention of small salmon could be authorized during the season on certain rivers if the level of abundance of their salmon populations allows it.
• Retention of one small salmon per day per angler on the Moisie, Saint-Jean and Natashquan rivers along the Middle North Shore, as well as on the rivers of the Lower North Shore east of the Kegaska River.
Northern Quebec:
• No modification to the modalities already in place for sport fishing on rivers of Northern Quebec.
As the 2024 season ended almost a month ago, preliminary data is being shared. In my final report I have prepared a presentation outlining information from 23 rivers. You will also find official data from the previous 4 seasons for comparison.
It has been a pleasure to provide the Quebec perspective through Rivernotes again this season. I’ve also included a short video to close off the season and to thank you for making river notes a pleasurable environment to share your angling experiences for our beloved Atlantic salmon.
Here’s to a better 2025 season and I look forward to sharing with you again next summer.
Charles Cusson”
On the Avalon Peninsula, a group of locals recently formed a new watershed organization. Rex Porter, a founding member, reports:
“On the Avalon Peninsula of Newfoundland, the Watershed Stewardship Association of Rocky, Colinet and North Harbour Rivers was recently formed by local residents. In community meetings this spring SAEN (the Salmonid Association of Eastern Newfoundland) raised concerns about the decline of Atlantic salmon returning to Rocky River—approximately 950 salmon in 2010 to less than 200 in 2023. Data from DFO monitoring of smolts and returning salmon indicated the contributing factors to the decline were primarily in-river. The Association is eagerly looking forward to developing partnerships with all levels of government as well as academia and conservation organizations. We’ll endeavour to take an ecosystem approach to conserving and improving fish habitat in Rocky, Colinet and North Harbour rivers.
In 2024, SAEN conducted habitat surveys to assess barriers to migration, and areas of salmon habitat deterioration; Memorial University conducted research on hybridization between anadromous salmon and Ouananiche (non-migratory salmon); and DFO researched fallback at the fishway as well as in-river distribution of spawners.”
In Labrador, Tony Chubbs, President of the Labrador Hunting and Fishing Association, reports on a cleanup project on the Kenamu River. He writes:
“During the summer of 2024, the Labrador Hunting and Fishing Association Inc. (LHAFA), Happy Valley-Goose Bay, received some funding from the Foundation for the Conservation of Atlantic Salmon and the Atlantic Salmon Federation to enhance and improve the Pleasure Steady Pool on the Kenamu River, a “nearly” pristine Atlantic salmon river in central Labrador.
The site is commonly referred to as Pleasure Steady and Garbage Island, a small island at the end of Pleasure Steady. It is approximately 80 km south of Happy Valley-Goose Bay. This is the site of a former salmon camp established by a local outfitter Horace Goudie, who was in operation for only a few years in the early 1980’s. The log camp and outbuildings have long since collapsed, leaving much debris and garbage, including two damaged fiberglass kayaks, metal cookware, iron stoves, metal bed frames, metal food cans, plastic oil and gasoline containers, metal white gas containers, propane cylinders glass bottles, cookware and other refuse.
Pleasure Steady was accessible only by float plane prior to the construction of the Southern Labrador Highway, Route 510 in 2010. The Kenamu is now angled by a dozen dedicated fly-fishers from the Happy Valley-Goose Bay area, and it is accessible from the bridge that crosses the river 7 km upstream from Pleasure Steady. The dump site is situated in the middle of one of the most productive salmon spawning pools on the Kenamu River. The island floods during spring runoff increasing the likelihood of contaminants and refuse entering the river.
LHAFA executive members (Tony Chubbs, President, Hollis Yetman, Vice President and Dwayne Yetman, Secretary/Treasurer) made several trips on foot and by boat to remove the above ground trash at Garbage Island and the non-biodegradable debris at the abandoned outfitting camp to return Pleasure Steady Pool to a pristine state. The old camp location now has only biodegradable (i.e. log material) wood left on site. Several large canvas construction material bags were filled with refuse and positioned to be slung out by helicopter to Route 510 at the Kenamu bridge where pick-up trucks and trailers will be loaded with the refuse to be transported to the town’s landfill facility.
We hope this work will encourage similar organizations to take responsible actions in a like manner to enhance the salmon angling experience on other rivers while improving the environment.”
NB Program Director David Roth reports on redd surveys and wrapping up the research season. He writes:
“While angling has come to a halt, reports of spawning fish and observations of redds from rivers across New Brunswick have been reported. It is now when many local watershed groups perform redd surveys and invite the public to participate. Therefore, it is an excellent time of the year to reach out to local groups to get hands-on experience in Atlantic salmon conservation. I, along with Wild Salmon Watersheds Science Coordinator Jordan, will be on the lookout for redds and spawning fish in several tributaries of the Nepisiguit River over the coming days.
It is also the time of the year when the ASF research team recovers their acoustic receivers from several rivers in the Gulf region. This year, the team is particularly interested in getting their hands on the detections the stations have recorded as the first findings from newly started projects will become available. In 2023, during our work in Greenland, fish were equipped with satellite tags as in previous years, but additionally, some fish were equipped with acoustic tags. The first of these marked fish will have returned to the rivers during the 2024 season, where the stations will have registered their arrival. Also, data from two new projects will become available in the Miramichi River. In the Autumn of 2023 and throughout 2024, ASF equipped striped bass with acoustic tags to learn about the temporal and spatial interaction of the species with the juvenile Atlantic salmon in the system. Furthermore, in the spring of 2024, ASF collaborated with Anqotum, the University of New Brunswick and the Miramichi Salmon Association to actively transport smolt from the Northwest Miramichi River to a release site close to the river mouth with the aim of improving their survival rate into and through the Gulf of St. Lawrence where the fish were again detected at the Strait of Belle Isle.”
Over the weekend, the Foundation for Conservation of Atlantic Salmon hosted an inter-provincial summit in Moncton. More than 200 people representing organizations throughout salmon country were present to work on strategies to conserve and restore wild Atlantic salmon. ASF’s Nathan Wilbur gave an interview on CBC’s Maritime Noon, and Deirdre Green was also interviewed in a short video piece.
To conclude this final 2024 edition of Rivernotes, we have some thoughts from Andrew Branch, who recounts his first time seeing salmon on their spawning run. Andrew writes:
“I’ve often thought back with fondness to when my cub pack took a trip to Pabineau Falls, right around this time of year. I can picture the changing foliage and the smells of fall in the forest, but the real show was an unforgettable experience.
We departed the Donald Eddy Memorial Hall, named after my great uncle, in downtown Bathurst and made the 15-minute drive to the falls. I was excited to share some of my knowledge of the area with some of my cub pack friends who’d never been. I pointed out where my grandfather’s farmhouse and where numerous relatives had homesteads. A sneaky split in the road left takes you down the long straight stretch that eventually turns to gravel. Almost there…
The sound of water forcing itself through the narrows of the rock that form the falls was palpable. Instructions were to stay together as a group and make our way to a landing close to the falls. Our group leaders instructed us to sit and watch. Before long, we saw one, then another and another: black torpedoes propelling themselves from the deeps in what looked like an impossible task, lunging from the deeps defying what we thought possible.
Our trip was to witness the fall run of the Atlantic salmon up the Nepisiguit. It was an extremely memorable first introduction to the species, and the trip taught us about their epic migration and countless challenges at sea they face to return home. They now have one final test: to pass these raging falls to spawn in the same stretch they were hatched.
It would be 35 years before I went on a salmon trip or threw a line.”
Stay tuned to hear more of Andrew’s story next year!