Article content“We’ve been going to a cottage since he was a newborn, so he would have been fishing, rod in hand, as soon as he could hold them”, says Adam Buttars. Article content Sixteen-year-old Colton Buttars of Howie Centre displays some of his handmade flies and lures he makes for his Facebook shop called CB Flies. The young man has been fishing since he was old enough to hold a rod in his hand, according to his father Adam, and the experienced fisherman has a good idea of what lures and flies attract the fish. Photo by ROSEMARY GODIN /CAPE BRETON POSTArticle contentColton said they moved to Howie Centre from another province and the sport fishing in the area was fly fishing. Article content“Just being able to make your own flies and lures interested me and then I just started selling them online,” he said. Article contentThe younger Buttars started his own shop called CB Flies. It can be found on Facebook. Article contentHe makes his own flies for the fishing trips his family now takes to the Margaree area. Article contentHe says he discovers which ones work well for the type of fish he or others want to catch. And they have names such as: Mickey Fins; Wobblers and Woolly Buggers. Article contentHe says flies work when they imitate something the fish wants to go after, Article content“Some look like eggs, others look like what flies would be in the water.” Article contentAnother teen vendor at the outdoor show was Callum MacDonald who spends his summers in Albert Bridge. The 14-year-old has been crafting items such as baskets, buoy dog pulls, and floor mats out of brightly-coloured fishing rope. He says he learned how to weave the rope from his father just last year. Article contentArticle contentMacDonald says he spends his summer weaving the rope and crafting and he loves to fish. He also sells some of his items at local small shops and the Centre 200 annual Christmas Craft Show. Article content Representatives of the the Moose Conservation Association of Nova Scotia staffed a booth Saturday at the Cape Breton Outdoor Show. Above, association president Al Muir and his wife Darlene were answering questions from the public about issues such as the state of the moose in Cape Breton’s Highlands and the association’s opposition to a wind project at Eigg Mountain in Antigonish County where moose live and gather. Photo by ROSEMARY GODIN /CAPE BRETON POSTArticle contentINFORMATION BOOTHSArticle contentAl and Darlene Muir were staffing a booth for the Moose Conservation Association of Nova Scotia (MCANS). Al Muir is president of the association and author of Bucks, Bulls and Boars: Then, Now and Going Forward, which details the evolution of hunting deer, moose and bear in Nova Scotia for over more than half a century. Article content“We work with the mainland moose and the Cape Breton moose,” Al Muir said. “We’re not a preservationist society; we’re a conservation group.” Article content“People are probably aware of what happened north of the park (Highlands National Park in Cape Breton) where there were too many moose and they damaged the habitat. Article content“The problem on the mainland was there’s not enough of them.” Article contentHe said you need hunting to keep the population at levels with the habitat. The government did a cull in Cape Breton, but he said it was done too late. Article contentArticle contentMCANS is committed to the protection and preservation of moose populations and their natural habitats. Through conservation efforts, educational initiatives, and community engagement, it aims to ensure a sustainable future for moose in Nova Scotia. Article content Fishing rope is hard to work with, but Callum MacDonald, 14, who summers in Albert Bridge, has found it to be a perfect medium for crafting. Last year, MacDonald learned how to weave the rope into durable, sturdy baskets and door mats as well as using it for yellow buoy-inspired dog pulls. The teen sold his work at Centre 200 during the Christmas Craft Fair last year and was back with his work for the weekend’s first Cape Breton Outdoor Show. Photo by ROSEMARY GODIN /CAPE BRETON POSTArticle contentOver the past year, the MCANS has been concerned with the Eigg Mountain Wind Project at Arisag and Maryvale on the mainland in Antigonish County. According to the association, the project’s proposed location is at the center of an extremely sensitive area with extensive wetlands and stands of old growth forest, both being vital to the survival of resident moose in the area. Article contentJust last month, the MCANS asked the province’s auditor general, Kim Adair, to conduct her planned audit of environmental assessments of onshore wind energy projects as soon as possible. It asked Adair to give particular attention to the concern of moose and wildlife presence and safety. Article contentThe Muirs spent their time at the show educating people and hoping to interest more people in membership. Article contentVandermeulen says over a dozen outdoor businesses, individuals and organizations participated this year and he hopes the Cape Breton Outdoor Show can only grow from here. Article contentRosemary Godin is the Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for the Cape Breton Post, a position funded by the federal government.Article content
Cape Breton trade show highlights outdoor recreation, safety
