There have been steady reports of fish being hooked on the Miramichi over the past week. The Main South West Miramichi River was hit hard with heavy rains and thunder and lightning storms on the upper, middle and lower stretches of the river and the water raised about 3 feet last Thursday and Friday. Since the rise in water things are now starting to get back to where it was. The middle stretches of the river from Boistown to Doaktown was almost back to perfect conditions on Tuesday, so by the weekend and without anymore heavy rains it should be awesome fishing in that area of the river. The lower stretches of the river from lower Blissfield to Quarryville area is still very high and could use another 2 feet of a drop if not 3 to be ideal conditions. Temperatures the past week were from the mid 50’s to high 60’s degree F.
On the North West Miramichi the past week anglers were still reporting lots of fish in the river but could use some rain anytime. Many fishermen are telling me they are seeing both salmon and lots of grilse in the river and tributaries of the North West Miramichi. Most anglers this week were hooking there fish on small flies size number 6 and 8. Water temperatures were much the same as the South West.
Fishing and catching the past week was good as Ken Macleod, Paul Hammond and myself were into some nice fish just after the heavy thunderstorm on last Thursday evening. We managed to hook five and land a grilse and a salmon using a fly called a King Rat. We also had one take a brown bomber on a dead drift and skating the fly. Monday evening Ken Macleod and Rick hooked two fish and lost both on a King Rat pattern. Then on Tuesday evening after an all day heavy wind we saw some fish below jump and not long after Rick was into his first grilse of the week on a number four green machine. After landing the grilse, Ken made his way through the pool and raised a grilse on a black cossaboom number 2/0 which on the 2nd rise struck the fish. Then about 5 minutes later he had a nice salmon take the fly before he spit the hook.
Derek Munn of Ledges Inn landed a salmon on Monday using a Will Taylor Special pattern. Derek said that the water was about a foot higher than it should be on Tuesday when I was up looking at the beautiful pools of the Ledges Inn. I told him it was like a kid in a candy store as he showed me all the great looking pools they had at the Ledges Inn. Derek said fishing should be good by the weekend. There is plenty of space available if you’re looking to get out on the river, give them a call to fish the middle and lower sections of the Main SW Miramichi River.
Other reports up and down the river are anglers at the Upper Blackville Bridge Pool were hooking up several times this week. And the Sullivan Pool below the bridge was also having good luck as a few anglers from Country Haven Lodge were fishing it. There were also some fishermen between the Upper Blackville Bridge and the Mouth of Cains River hooking a few on white tail green machines. Down near Keenan`s Siding anglers were also hooking a few fish as Alley and Johnny Keenan both got into a couple salmon. There Brother Donnie landed a grilse and their fly of choice was the green machine white tail. In the Blackville Pool some local fishermen were hooking a few as Jamie Gillespie landed his first grilse of the season.
For more day to day reports check with your local fly shops in the area as they are always on hand to give you advise on the river conditions. Shops like W.W.Doak in the Doaktown area.Curtis Miramichi River Outfitters in the Blackville area and along with Herb`s Fly Shop in the Blackville area. George`s Fly Shop in Renous/Quarryville area. And in Miramichi check out Miramichi City Surplus for your fly fishing reports. And if you’re heading up the North West a must place to stop or call is Trout Brook Fly Shop for some great tips and advice. And you can always drop me an email anytime for a report of the river.
Until next week keep your lines tight and your reels screeching on the Miramichi.
