Miramichi River levels are good for August

River and Fly fishing conditions on the Miramichi the past week is still very good. Anglers are happy with the temperatures of the water and the fish they are seeing. Water temperatures are staying very good in the 60 degree (F) which is very good for salmon fishing. 
This is Zachery Colford with his first salmon of the season. This photo was taken about a month ago.


The level of the river also is very good for the middle and upper stretches of the Miramichi. The lower section is still on the high side as most of the pools need it to be low water for the fish to take better. But the majority of anglers are still hooking their share of fish throughout the river.

This is Brad Kersing
of  Austrailia

With high water on the lower stretch of the Miramichi it is making some anglers see how well Cains River fishes all summer. High water conditions this summer has made the Cains fish very well and reports of fish are being hooked or seen jumping in pools over the entire river.

Me holding Marc Bedards fish.

The North West Miramichi is still fishing very well. Heavy rains made the fish very active and one angler had some very good dry fly fishing. Marc Bedard of Moncton hooked 9 fish over 3 days. He said barbless bombers were his fly of choice. Marc said most of the fish were dark and no sign of them being fresh. This is a fish Marc got at the Ledges Inn back in July when I was fishing with him.

The Ledges Inn the past week has been still hooking a few fish. We have not seen very many new fish except for one day one of the guest landed 4 straight with the 4^th one being very silver. We are fishing mostly dry flies and a few hooked on small wets. Derek Munn and his guest were hooking most fish in early mornings.

Celtic Beauty by
Gary Tanner

The next week is looking good for fishing for those who like the rain. The weather man 
is calling for rain and more rain the start of the week so put your swim suits away and get your rain gear out and get fishing. And for those who never fished before it’s never too late to start. I had an 82 year old lady start fishing this week and she enjoyed it very much. She said it was hard to fish with so much beauty around the Miramichi and NB as rainbows and eagles were in the sky.


And for another week of fly fishing on the Miramichi may your lines be tight and your reels be screeching.

Extraordinary fishing in Cains River

Extraordinary fishing in Cains River for early August. The lower stretch of the Cains was fishing very good Tuesday as many anglers were hooking up or limiting out. Peter Beardsworth and his sons Adam and Chris were fishing with me as we hooked into several salmon and it seemed like every second fish was covered in sea lice. We landed 9 salmon and hooked another 6 all on dry flies.

We returned yesterday and I hooked 4 and landed 2 by noon. My son Zachery landed a 20lb, 15lb and a grilse in the early afternoon also on dry flies. I also saw several locals fishing and many with fresh fish being landed. Flies of choice for many were brown and orange colored bombers and a few on green machines.

Steven Moody of Wades Fishing Lodge was also hooking a few fish. They were hooking fish in the home pool and on the Cains he said. His father Peter who never fished before landed his first on Monday using a bomber. I also tailed two salmon for Lester Vickers on the Cains River, he was using a white tail green machine.

On Lower stretch of the Main SW Miramichi River fishermen at Mountain Channel Club were hooking a few fish even though water levels were on the high side.

The Hershey Pool was fishing very well as Doctors Island were hooking fish almost every day there. They were also hooking fish at their home pool in Blackville.

Black Brook Salmon Club near the mouth of Cains River was having very good luck both on the Miramichi and Cains. Most fish seem to be running on the Camp side and heading up the Cains River.

In the Doaktown area Derek Munn of the Ledges Inn said fishing was good and there were good numbers of fish in all of their pools. He also said fish were getting very selective to fly patterns and they had to go with smaller flies to hook up. Flies of choice were green butt bear hairs, brown and blue bombers.

Local anglers on the North West Miramichi are still hooking a few fish. Between the bridges fishing has slowed down as it is hook and release, but anglers who do get out are seeing their share of fish they tell me. Fishermen fishing near Trout Brook are also hooking some fish. Trout Brook Fly Shop is the place to stop at while fishing the North West for that certain fly or type of gear that others may not have. It is also a great place to get the best fish report on the river as many guides and anglers are in daily.

Local fly shops on the river are always on hand to help you. Check with Curtis Miramichi River Outfitters, Doaks Fly Shop, Herb Barry’s Fly Shop and Georges Fly Shop for the gear you need. These shops all carry different gear so call or check them out when fishing.

When on the River fishing and your limit out early, places to check out is the Atlantic Salmon Museum where you will see lots of history on fly fishing. They have a great selection in their gift shop and such items as the Miramichi River Map, Doug Underhill’s new book Salmon Country along with much more.

McCormack Adventures in Boistown said fishing was very good last week. Many guest said they saw or hooked fish in the mornings. They also reported that tubing in the afternoons was going good while the fishermen take their rest. They also have canoes and kayaks available.

The river temperature is almost perfect and averaging in the 60’s (F). The river levels are a bit high for the lower parts of the river, but it makes it very good for the middle and upper stretches of the river and keeps the fish moving with this high water. Flies of choice are still the summer favorites’ like the green machines, green butts, undertakers and all sorts of bombers for the dry flies.

Until next week keep your lines tight and your reels screeching on the Miramichi.

Several fish in the system

Your Miramichi river report for the past week has had some ups and downs but there are several fish in the system to fish for if you decide to get out on the river.

Starting in the Quarryville area with Goerge Rutledge’s Fly Shop. George said fishing was slow except for a few guys hooking fish in early mornings. He also said this rain should pick things up again.

In the Blackville area at Curtis River Outfitters shop said fishing was average for this time of year and with the heavy rain yesterday it should start getting good again. Canoeing was very good last week and there are always extra canoes for rent.

Mountain Channel was still hooking fish in the mornings but only a few fish were running through.

Country Haven Fishing Lodge was hooking fish everyday in some of their pools. They were also doing well on the Cains River and Renous River.

Pool 66 near Black Brook Pool was fishing very well all week and yesterday in the rain it was fishing extremely well as many huge salmon were taking the fly. Danny Munn of Doaktown landed 2 salmon and a grilse by 10:00 am yesterday on a few of my bombers. My son Zach lost 3 on brown bombers and saw many more fish.

The Bridge Pool in Upper Blackville was fishing in the early mornings and the fly of choice was a green butt moose hair.

In the Doaktown area at the Ledges Inn fishing has been very good the past week in early mornings. Head Guide Derek Munn said the fish were getting more selective in the low water. Derek fished the past couple of weeks with Dr. Scott Boley and his wife Sanda (Sonny) Boley from the Bronx, NY. Dr. Boley said he fished here the past 53 years and can’t remember ever seeing so many fish. Scott told me he was to Russia several times and nothing compares to the Miramichi. Scott and his wife hooked over a hundred fish in 18 days fishing at the Ledges Inn with Derek.

The past week we had some very hot conditions at the Ledges Inn. We decided to take advantage of the cooler mornings and very late evenings. Most mornings we hooked or rolled fish, Andrew Anthony, Lloyd Lyons and I rotated the pools and many mornings we hooked up with our clients.

The River conditions were from 61 (F) in the cold water pools to 76 (F) in the late afternoon in the hot days. Now since the rain yesterday the water is starting to rise and fish are starting to take the flies. Last night the river temperatures were in the low 60’s (F). This rain is a great boost for the month of August. I have seen there be sensational fishing from the rains in August so get out on the river this August or call and we’ll see if we can take you out on the river.

Mathew Doak of Doaks Fly Shop said there were fish taking the regular flies like the green machines and shady ladies.

Cains River is still fishing very well for some anglers. Gary Colford hooked several fish this week at the Brophy Pool and Moores Pool. Tom LeBlanc of Moncton fished the Sabbies Yesterday on the Cains and had no luck. He then went to the Main Miramichi where he hooked a few salmon. Glen Keenan hooked a nice salmon on the Miramichi on one of my bombers.

Flies to take with you that worked the past week are Green Machines, Undertakers, Shady Ladies, and bombers. I also fished the Mighty Quinn, a fly I got from Ralph Goodwin of Minto, NB. Ralph has a Fly Shop there where he carries several fly fishing and spin casting gear. So if you’re in route for the Miramichi drop in and see Ralph at his shop. You can check out my photos of the past weeks fishing or send me your photos and I will add them to my Blog at www.miramichifishingreports.blogspot.com

For another week on the Miramichi keep your lines tight and your reels screeching until next time.

Morning fishing has started to take play

Fly fishing conditions on the Miramichi the past week is slowing down and early morning fishing has started to take play most days we fish. There are lots of fish up and down the river and mostly every pool has fish holding.

The upper stretches of the SW Miramichi has been fishing very well except for the few warm days Monday and Tuesday. River levels are good but a good rain would not hurt one bit.

The lower stretches of the SW Miramichi is at a perfect height. Mountain Channel is fishing very well, as it is a low water pool on this section of the river. They are seeing big numbers of fish through-out the pool.

Country Haven Lodge said fishing is fair and all their pools have fish. They also have been fishing the Cains River where their seeing a good number of fish and landing a good number too. Guide Gary Colford said fishing was good at Moores Pool and Sabbies.

The Hershey Club just below the mouth of Cains River is also fishing very well.

Local fisherman near the mouth of Cains River had great fishing up until the warm weather hit and said early mornings were the best as fish were holding in the brooks the rest of the day.

In the Doaktown area many local fisherman are fishing and reports are very good the past week. The Mill pool was fishing very well and so was the Museum pool.

The Miramichi Salmon Club said on Tuesday some fish moved in one of their pools over night and they hooked 13 in the morning.

The Ledges Inn was fishing very well the past week and mostly every fisherman were hooking fish up until Monday and Tuesday as the heat was a factor. Veteran Guide Lloyd Lyons showed us younger guides up as he had fish both warm days. Brian Forbes of Riverview fished with us last week and returned hoping to hook up again but the warm weather made conditions very tough for us. Angler Luc Gaudet of Moncton hooked a grilse and hooked himself to dry fly fishing on the weekend as I took him to Big Hole Brook. Big Hole Brook had several hundred fish holding near and on the other side of the river from the brook. Dene and Cicile Losiera fished Floe’s Pool where Dene limit out on a couple days and Cecil hooked her share as well. Flies of choice were shady lady and green machines.

Wilson Sporting Camps said fishing was good and water height was perfect. They were hooking their fish on small number 8’s and 10’s.

Don’t forget to check your local fly shops on the River for reports of the river and for a great selection of gear for salmon fishing.

If you’re out on these hot days fishing try and hold your fish closely to the water before taking your photo as they need their oxygen after a great fight, you could also pinch your barbs and have the hook come out easy.

Flies of choice are undertakers with jungle-cock eyes and bombers. Sizes depend on the pool but for the most case in this warm weather size 8 to 12 works well.

The weather over the next week looks very good with rain so this could help the river stay cool and keep the fish running. So if you’re looking to catch an Atlantic Salmon this could be the time.

Until next week may your lines be tight and your reels be screeching on the Miramichi.

Fish biting on Miramichi River

Fishing on the Miramichi River the past week was spectacular despite the warm weather that hit us for a few days.

We then had rain and thunder storms that got the river back in the low to mid 60s F. We did have a couple days that got up over the 70 degree mark, but by fishing early mornings and late evenings we managed to do very well. I will start you out where I guide and fish at the Ledges Inn. Guides Derek Munn, Lloyd Lyons, Andrew Anthony and myself managed to land 175 salmon and grilse since last week.

The area we were fishing was from Ludlow to lower Doaktown. We had many days that guest were limit out with four salmon per day. Just yesterday alone, while guiding Mark Ferguson, Bob and Scott Darling of Darling Construction, we hooked 12 and landed six using a No. 8 smurf pattern.

On the lower stretch of the river, fishing is also going well. My son Zachery, 13 years-old, landed his first salmon of the summer season on his own tied dry fly. Troy Adams of Moncton netted and weighed it for him and said it was 20 pounds. Troy also landed a grilse.

Most pools on the river are fishing very well, like the pool at the Upper Blackville bridge where many anglers fish. The Quarryville Pool is fishing well too as anglers from all over New Brunswick come to fish this famous public pool. The North West Miramichi is now hook and release. Many anglers had reported landing fish on the North West, Sevogle and Little South West Miramichi River the past week.

The North West is a great place to fish if you like releasing your catch as many anglers will be fishing the Main South West River so they can fill their tags. I will keep you posted on the levels of the river next week.

With over a foot raise on Tuesday night on the South West Miramichi, you should see good results on the weekend for fishing. Keep checking with all the local shops for up to date river reports.

W.W. Doaks, Curtis Miramichi River Outfitters, Georges Fly Shop, Trout Brook Fly Shop are many of the local outfitters on the river who all mostly write their report.

You can check my own blog at miramichifishingreports@blogspot.com or Derek Munn's report at the Ledgesinn.com.

Flies of choice for the past week were green machines, blue smurfs, bombers, undertakers, red butt moose hairs and the mighty Quinn tied by Ralph Goodwin of Minto. Until next week, keep your lines tight and your reels screeching on the Miramichi.

* Rodney Colford is a third-generation salmon guide on the Miramichi. He has been guiding fishermen for 28 years. His column appears every Thursday.