October 18th, 2016 dawned spectacularly as is usual at this time of year in our part of the world. I was especially excited on this morning. My friend, Joel Robinson, and I were invited on a tour of the Graham’s River near Judique, NS to view the remediation work done there this year by the Inverness South Angler’s Association and funded, in part, by Wild Salmon Unlimited (WSU). Our hosts for the tour were volunteers, Geoff Nishi and David Cameron, from the Inverness South group along with Charlie McInnis the project consultant.
We met at the river estuary and walked along the channel where the river meets the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Charlie indicated how a recent storm had deepened the channel and made for better fish passage. However, he remarked that this area changes often and, at times, dramatically.
From the estuary we traveled to locations up river about 5-6 kilometers where we viewed the armour rock installations that were placed this summer. It became apparent quickly, that they are doing a wonderful job of preventing bank erosion while deepening and enlarging pools. Now, perfect habitat for spawning trout and Salmo Salar. Upstream from here we traveled, under the colourful river canopy, to areas where hand-placed rock deflectors are doing their job of directing river flow to the benefit of all river inhabitants.
One would have to be blind and tone deaf not to notice the exuberance exemplified by those three individuals who work so hard to make a difference. Geoff and David continually investigate funding sources, do hands on work and communicate with the communities through which the river meanders. They know that by-in from those along the river course is imperative and there could be no better example than this project. Charlie exhibits a love of the outdoors and a quiet confidence in what he does. The community, wild salmon and all of us are indeed fortunate to have all three. Good work guys.
The image attached to this article includes from left to right,. Charlie McInnis; David Cameron; Geoff Nishi and Joel Robinson