Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Anglers challenge the high water on the Miramichi

Salmon fishing on the Miramichi is quite the challenge with all the high water conditions we are receiving.

After heavy rains hit our head waters last weekend we got hit again with more rain Tuesday driving conditions up into the alters.

Monday it was starting to pick up and a few fish were being hooked and several good signs of fish around. And Tuesday was also looking good and conditions were not far from being able to wade in pools again. But that all went out the window as Wednesday the river was rising fast. Early morning there were still lots of fish but as we closer to midday the fish were not showing and conditions were chocolate colored. And then we got hit with more thunderstorms Wednesday afternoon.

The past week on the river anglers have picked up a few fish.

In the Boistown stretch of the river Dan Bullock of Bullocks Lodge said they had good fishing last week with several nice salmon caught in the 12 to 15 lbs range. Thursday and Sunday night especially were very productive. Flies of note included Gary Tanner's Celtic Beauty, Glitter Bear and Orange winged streamers. All fish were very bright and fought exceptionally hard with several runs into backing.

River was at flood level after Fridays rain, but is very close to being ideal in the Boiestown area on our pools. Expecting great fishing in the coming days.

Keith Wilson of Wilson's Sporting Camps said anglers won't complain of no rain for awhile. Another huge raise of water .Just when the river was getting down to a normal where one could expect to hook into some of the many salmon on the move this week, we are hit with a big rise and very dirty conditions. It does not look good for anglers for at least a few days . After the drought of 2012 with no water and no fish for most of the summer we will not complain for long about the high water today we are receiving.

Derek Munn of the Ledges Inn said water was high by two feet in the Doaktown area on Tuesday. They were hooking a few and saw lots of fish. Most pools were unfishable with too much water in the system.

Byron Coughlan of Country Haven Lodge below Blackville said there was lots of water but still seeing lots of fish. Landed 4 yesterday. A lot of pools were to high to fish but doing good from shore. Byron said he saw lots of fish moving past the lodge all week, and the positive note the rain and high water is great for the salmon.

Cains river is high but I have several reports of fish in the system and a few being hooked.

Flies of choice are green machines, glitter bears, black ghost, ally shrimps and pacasse.

Anglers may want to start trying a sink tip in this high water to get down to the fish. Larger flies will work and some marabou patterns.

So with so much rain and not many tight lines, it does sound positive about good numbers of fish in the rivers. Lets hope things will improve for the fishermen for a few days so we can hook up.

Until next week may your reels be screaming on the Miramichi.

Rodney Colford











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