My Outdoors:

This past summer I was fortunate to be among a group of fly fishers who visited the lodge of St. John's realtor Jim Burton at Flower's River, Labrador.
It is the Northern-most Labrador river to maintain an annual migration of Atlantic salmon, and the lodge is located only 20 kilometers from the ocean. It was originally built as a 'getaway' for executives of the Bowater mill in Corner Brook.
Jim bought the operation in the late 1990s from his dad, Vince Burton, a long-time Labrador outfitter who has also operated lodges on Igloo Lake and the Eagle River.
In a departure from the normal operating strategy, Jim decided in 2002 to make his lodge a total hook-and-release operation for Atlantic salmon. It was a decision not made lightly because many of his guests wanted to return home with a large, multi-sea winter salmon.
Any retention was limited to Arctic char and brook trout.
Jim told me "As the only outfitter on the river, I felt an obligation to become the steward of the resources that kept me in business. Too many large salmon were being taken by my guests each season."
It took a few years for the policy to bear fruit, but Jim noticed a larger number of multi-sea winter fish returning to Flower's River and being hooked by his clients. It was common to see fish in the 20-30 pound range being released, and some which his guides swore were 40 pounds or more were seen.
The hook and release policy was bringing results.
Len Rich is an award-winning freelance writer/photographer. He is the 1991 recipient of the Canada Recreational Fisheries Award and 2007 recipient of the OWC Jack Davis Mentorship Award. Mr. Rich is also the eastern director of Outdoor Writers of Canada, website: 'www.lenrich.net'.

For column see this week's issue of The Southern Gazette.