After a wonderful first week of salmon fishing on the Miramichi the weather has made a sharp turn and heavy rains hit the river on the second week of the spring salmon season. While relaxing and sun tanning catching Atlantic Salmon was a treat last week. It was far from relaxing when cold rain and sleet was hitting us in the face Saturday through Tuesday.
But up until Tuesday we were still having very good fishing with boats landing 5 or 6 fish a day. Tuesday brought more than we had wished for when saying we needed water as it came up more than 5 feet and still rising by supper time. There was dead trees, debris, grass and the river was the colour of sand everywhere. After all the rain and seeing such a big rise in water one remembers the older guides that have their saying’s about the ice that is left along the shore lines from a drop in water after ice out. They always said the water will rise and clean the ice off the shores that it left, well those guides are correct this season as the water is up and that ice has disappeared once again.

In front of the Ledges Inn Doaktown.

In the Doaktown area Derek Munn of the Ledges Inn was still having very good fishing. Derek thought after the water drops it should be good fishing again as the water is still cold around 42 (C) and should hold some fish in the river for a few days longer. But with over 80mm's of rain and such a big rise in water it will be slow for a couple days.

Zachery Colford 

Monday I had a very good day on the lower section of the SW Miramichi River near the mouth of Cains River as Ray Walker hooked 9 salmon, 6 of which were huge salmon from 36 to 40 inches in length. We also were hooking a few trout from 8 to 16 inch range. Fly was a Grey Ghost with Marabou wing. Allan McCormack and Paul Richards were hooking were also hooking a few on a Elmer Special. Zachery Colford landed a few salmon using his Spey rod with sinking tip casting from shore. Troy Adams of Dieppe landed a grilse and a trout almost as big Sunday on the Miramichi.

Arianna D'Alessio with a nice grilse.

Byron Coughlan of Country Haven Lodge said he was having a very good season and many guest were hooking fish. Tuesday when not expecting to hook or see a fish, his anglers managed to land 16 by noon but said afternoon was tough as water got dirty and with the rise in water the fish stopped taking.

Keith Wilson of Wilson's Sporting camps said anglers better brace their feet with the north-east wind mixed with snow and rain that hit us on Sunday, every guides worse day on the water. He also said their is still a good number of fish in the river and after a few days we should be back to normal conditions again soon.

Andrew D'Alessio with a nice salmon.

Vickers Atlantic Salmon Pools was also having a very good season and said fishing is fantastic and salmon were everywhere in the river. They were hooking fish from boat and shore and anglers were very happy. Flies of choice were Renous and Grey Ghost.

The fishing should be slow over the next few days but should pick up again when the water levels off and starts to drop. Many are questioning the amount of fish and think they are all gone but from reports up river there is still plenty of fish to come down for you to catch in the coming week.

Flies of choice for the week was the Gray Ghost, Renous Special, Elmer Special, Christmas Tree and Golden Eagle. Water temperature’s are in the 40’s degree (F).

If your out on the water please be careful in the high water and make sure you have your life jackets with you. And until next week keep your reels screeching.

Rodney Colford

Salmon fishing is back with a Scream

Salmon fishing is back with a Scream. Anglers were hearing the scream of there reels all day as fish after fish were being hooked on the Main South West Miramichi.


Main South West Miramichi started out very good the first couple days of the season. Many anglers limit out with there daily limit of 10 grilse or salmon. Low water conditions was a bit of a challenge but the water has raised some on Tuesday, which will help improve the boating. But with a rise in water also comes dirty water conditions and slows the fishing down. So anglers that were getting big numbers were only getting a few as results of dirty water. River temperatures were around 49 (F)  or 9.44 degrees Celsius and is normally more colder this time of the year.


Cains river was very clear and low but still had fish in it and they were very active Monday and Tuesday. I hooked fish up as far as salmon brook area. The only part of the river we had to watch out for when motoring was in the area of hells gates pool where it is very low and some changes to the gravel bars.


The North West Miramichi has lots of fish around.Anglers were hooking fish up near McLaughlin pool. Flies of choice were Renous Eagle, Black Ghost and Smelts.


Derek Munn told me that the fishing in the Doaktown area was good and just as predicted opening day was awesome. Many anglers limit out by early afternoon at the Ledges Inn. 


Flies of choice for the week are Renous Special, Christmas Tree, Golden Eagle, Black Ghost, Red Eagle, Green Eagle, Smelts and many more Marabou patterns.


Until next week tight lines.

Green Bomber

This is a video from the World Fishing Network a few weeks ago while I was tying a bomber pattern at the Fly Fishing Show in Moncton New Brunswick.

Low water conditions for opening day

This is off the Upper Blackville Bridge

Cains River at Moores Pool

 Well the wait will be over this Sunday on the Miramichi for the 2012 salmon season opening day. And it can’t come soon enough for many anglers as the river ice let go over 3 weeks ago and many anglers are eager to hook up.

The lower end of the School House Pool

Down River from Quarryville

Up river from Quarryville Bridge

Many fly fishermen are wondering, will the fish still be in the river for the Spring Salmon fishing. I can tell you there are lots of fish in the river as they have been jumping for over a couple weeks now. River conditions are very low and very clear and could make this a very good spring season. I have saw fishing very good in low water in early May so why not with low water on April 15^th. It will also give many anglers a chance to see the fish lying still on the bottom and even better see the fish going for your fly before he strikes it. 

Many places all you will need is your floating line. Some places where the water is deep your sinking lines will work but most places floating lines and a short sink tip should be fine. 

Flies of choice are Renous Special, Red Eagle, Golden Eagle, Blue Smelt and Christmas Tree. I would think smaller flies would be worth a try size 2 to 1/0. This should be a great spring for the fly caster casting to their catch.

Up river near Boistown and Doaktown fishing conditions are very similar with low water. The river came up 8 to 10 inches from the rains and snow we got. Hopefully the warm weather expected this week will melt some snow in the woods and raise the river more.

 Derek Munn at the Ledges Inn said the fishing should be very good opening day. He also thought most fish will stay in the river until it starts warming up more before their return.

All the tributaries are very low as well but all are reporting seeing fish throughout. Anglers must remember to pinch the barbs on their hooks and single hooks only until May15th.

A June Salmon 2011

I am looking forward to hearing about all your hook ups this weekend so tight lines until next week.

Rodney C