The Cheticamp River Salmon Association is happy to continue to support youth angling and create opportunities for young people to fish. This year, the Association once again held its spring fishing derby, as well as its annual fly casting workshops for local students.
The fishing derby, held on Sunday, June 8th, at Petit Lac in Grand Etang, was one of many similar events that took place across the province as part of Nova Scotia’s sportfishing weekend. Twice a year (spring and winter), the province holds sportfishing weekends as a way to encourage more people to try the sport by allowing Nova Scotians and visitors to fish without a general license.
As part of the derby at Petit Lac, the Cheticamp River Salmon Association awarded prizes for the largest trout caught by an angler under 16. Luke Aucoin (age 5) took first place with his impressive 3 pound catch. Not far behind, Clemont Poirier’s 2 pound 14.9 ounce trout narrowly edged out Chris Poirier’s 2 pound 14.7 ounce fish for second place. Local businesses generously donated prizes to award the young anglers for their top catches.
Luke Aucoin with his first place trout.
On Tuesday, June 10th, Master Fly Casting Instructor Lewis Hinks and John Hart, former President of the Margaree Salmon Association, helped Grade 8 students from Cheticamp learn how to fly cast. The students learned how to tie basic knots, practiced dry casting, and eventually got to try their hands at hooking a fish.
Lewis Hinks helping students perfect their casts.
John Hart demonstrates how to tie basic knots.
Despite the fact that the trout weren't cooperative - only one student successfully landed a catch - the students learned a lot, had fun trying out a new sport outdoors, and will hopefully try fly casting again in the future!