The salmon angler’s code of ethics is not a fishing regulation. However, in order to maintain a harmonious relationship with other anglers, internal guidelines require compliance with this code of ethics, so that everyone can practise their sport fairly, equitably and in the best interest of the salmon. Any breach of this code of ethics may result, among other things, in the withdrawal of membership privileges in the APSB, in accordance with article 9.04 of the general by-laws.
Taking turns (mandatory rotation)
- The rotation concept must be respected by all anglers (wading or canoeing) throughout the river’s ZEC territory. This means that no pool (whether identified or not) may be monopolized by one or more anglers.
- The last person to arrive must follow behind the person at the starting point, i.e., upstream/top of the pool (whether identified or not).
- When the wading angler has reached the maximum length of his or her line, he or she must step through the pool by one metre for each cast. The anglers must keep a distance of 20 to 25 metres between each other.
- When the canoe angler has reached his maximum line length, he must drop about one boat length (26 feet). Note that when there are 2 canoe anglers, the rule is one drop per angler. The anglers must keep a distance of 20 to 25 metres between each other.
- Once you’ve reached the bottom or the end of the pool (whether identified or not), step out of the river and head upstream to start a new rotation.
- When a salmon comes up to the fly but does not take it, you are allowed to stop in order to change flies and make 5 more casts without losing your spot in the rotation. At the end of these 5 additional casts, if the salmon refuses to take the fly, you must continue moving downstream of the pool (identified or not).
- When a salmon is hooked, all other anglers must stop fishing. If the salmon is lost after a fight or caught (kept or released), the angler must move to the back of the rotation.
- For dry fly fishing, the rotation applies in the same way as when using a wet fly, but going upstream instead of downstream.
Fishing both sides of a pool using a canoe or wading
- If a pool (whether identified or not) is fished from both sides, wading or canoe anglers from both sides must observe a single rotation and maintain the same distances from each other as if they were all fishing from the same side of the river.
Catch and release (Best practice)
- Use single hooks with pinched barbs.
- Limit the duration of the fight, especially in warm water and during low-water periods.
- Don’t beach the salmon on the bank.
- Use a net (ideally rubber) with small mesh and no knots. Handle salmon with care and for as little time as possible.
- Do not touch the eyes or gills.
- Remove the hook gently or cut the line if the hook is too deeply set.
- Do not expose salmon out of the water.
- Always keep the salmon’s head in the water.
- Limit time taking pictures.
- Hold the salmon facing the current and allow it time to recover. No back-and-forth movement.
- Limit to 2 releases per day.
- It’s important to declare all releases.
Catch
- Limit yourself to one grilse (small salmon) per day.
Underwater periscopes (Look-à-tout) and fish finding mirror devices
- Periscopes and other mirror devices should only be used to locate salmon in the river.
- One must ask the permission of the other anglers sharing the pool before using it.
- Periscopes and other mirror devices may not be used as fishing aids for hooking salmon. Therefore, its use is forbidden when there is an angler in action in the pool.
Fishing tackle
- When the river flow is 25 m3/s or less, all sinking fishing tackle such as tube flies (except plastic tubes), sinking leaders, sink tips, poly-leaders, sinking/intermediate fly lines, etc., are prohibited.
- Only floating fly lines are allowed when the river flow is 25m3/s or less.
Note : Flow is determined by the Bonaventure River hydrometric station of the MELCCFP’s Centre d’expertise hydrique et barrages.
Report poaching
- Report all poaching incidents to SOS Poaching at 1-800-463-2191
Lastly, for everyone’s safety, we ask recreational anglers to temporarily cease fishing when canoes and other watercrafts are passing.