Bryant - who was one of those "larger than life" characters on the salmon rivers of the Maritimes - passed away last year. He was the world's greatest proponent of the Carter Bug for Atlantic salmon. I bet thousands of tyers and anglers learned, one way or another, how to tie and/or fish the bug. I met him, finally, back in 2016, on the Miramichi, where he gave me a Carter's Bug right out of his fly box:
Chris Williams, an artist and fly tyer from New Brunswick, created a beautiful image of the Carter Bug as a tribute to Bryant and as a fundraiser - all the funds from the sale of the print went to the Miramichi Salmon Association. I bought one, and then asked Chris if he'd consider donating one printed on good watercolor paper - I'd frame it - but we needed a Carter's Bug tied by Bryant for the framing. Chris contacted Bryan Burgess, also of NB, and Bryan stepped right up to the plate, donating a nice big Carter's Bug. The three of us collectively decided we'd donate the finished framing to the Atlantic Salmon Museum in Doaktown, NB (Bryant is a member of the Museum's Hall of Fame). So sometime this year, the framing will be auctioned to benefit the Museum. Oh, and yes, I made a duplicate framing for myself, with the Carter Bug Bryant gave me that Fall day on the river.
Gary
