Fresh fish arriving on the Miramichi

With only three weeks remaining here on the Miramichi, anglers still have hope a decent run will arrive in the river in time to hook up. And hope just might be here, as emails were sent out from the Miramichi Salmon Association about an increase in fish numbers this week.

Much better reports from the Miramichi Salmon Association for returns of salmon this week is giving fishermen hope. Nola Chiasson sent out back to back emails letting anglers know that an increase in numbers of fresh sea lice covered salmon were heading up river.

Monday numbers jumped from 0-3 fish to 7 salmon and 3 grilse. Tuesday they put another 8 salmon and 3 grilse at the Millerton counter on the Main South West Miramichi. Nola said it is estimated that 7% of the salmon heading up river go through the trap, which is around 140 fish each of the days.

The Cassilis trap on the North West Miramichi  was not as good as there was zero fish put through each of the days.

The rain we got over the weekend unfortunately only helped the lower stretch of the river and missed the upper parts of the river where we really needed it most. Most of the rain had fallen from the Doaktown area downward to Miramichi city.

Chris Edmunds of C E Guiding and Salmon Flies said most fish he was seeing on the North West had seemed to move with the last rise in water. He only saw a few fish on Wednesday night and normally the pools were having some action everyday.

Cains river was up about a foot or more and was very fish-able on Tuesday and Wednesday. I fished the Cains on Tuesday at Moores Pool but only got a trout about 16 inches and never saw a salmon. More rain was needed to keep the river level up.

Mountain Channel Lodge fished the lower stretch of the Cains and got a few salmon and saw more. Water conditions were very good but had dropped off very fast according to guide Wesley Curtis.

Wilsons Sporting Camps in McNamee said water was low but temperatures were good. They were hooking a few fish each day on a regular basics. They were even getting a few bright fish.

Derek Munn of the Ledges Inn said the water was still low in the Doaktown area and rain would be greatly accepted. Fishing was still not bad for the low water conditions and many guest were hooking fish each day. Doc Boley starting hooking a few fish on a number 16 double Mighty Mite fly. And after he gave the secret fly out several others starting hooking fish on his secret pattern.

Country Haven Fishing Lodge are still landing a few fish regularly. Gary Colford landed a fresh grilse on Monday covered with sea lice. Gary said water levels were good both on the Miramichi and Cains.

Fredericton Outfitters still has three spots available for there Fly Casting Clinic at the Ledges Inn this Sunday in Doaktown. April Vokey of the TV show Fly Nation will be putting on the Casting Clinic. For more information and to sign up please give the shop a call at 506 450 4044.

The weather on the river looks very promising for fishing as more rain is expected for Monday. And with a run of salmon on the way and a little more rain and high tides we could have an amazing end to the season.

Flies of choice for the week were a mixture of patterns ranging from number 2 to 16 in size. Almost worked well in small sizes, green butt bear hair in small sizes, shrimp patterns were very good, undertakers, GP'S and I even had a few that I tied that didn't have names that I got a couple on. Dry flies were still working well too.

So while were patiently awaiting on the Miramichi for a fresh run of salmon as the season gets close to the end, could our prayers finely be answered on the Miramichi. Only time will tell in the next few days as more fishermen get out on the water.

Until next week lets have tight lines and screaming reels as you hook that fish of a lifetime.

Nice steady rain today on the Miramichi

We're getting a nice steady rain on the river today here in New Brunswick. Water temperature is 55 degrees (F) in the river.

Were still hooking a few fish in the Ledges Inn pools. But not seeing any fresh looking fish in the Doaktown area yet. Although down river they are getting a few bright fish everyday I am told from guides at Black Brook.

We are landing some nice fish in the 15 to 20 pound range the last few days. They are taking dry flies, while others are taking a mixture of patterns like green slimes , GP's, red francis and green widows.

I posted a photo of Scott Patrick Carr of Oromocto with his first ever salmon. Scott is new to the sport and was very excited to catch one he could keep. Way to go Scott and hope you catch many more.

Garry Tanner of Vermont landed a nice salmon up in Boistown. Garry has the blog The Rivers Course. I can't wait to read about his fishing trip on the Miramichi at Tuckaway. His fish is posted below too.

Now with the river up a little from the last rain, let's hope this boost it up a little more and get some fresh fish up river further in the system.

A little tip for the fall fishing is just try any fly in your box big or small! I do and it works.

I hope this quick update will help you out some and get your reels screaming out on the river.

Tight lines,
Rodney

A few fresh fish in the system

Your weekly angling report for the Miramichi river. Yesterday we finally got some more rain in the Miramichi river valley. Was it enough to get some fresh fish into the system, we will have to wait and see. 

 Nola Chiasson of the MSA (Miramichi Salmon Association) said even though there only putting a few fish through the trap, the ones they are putting through are fresh salmon from the bay with sea lice and not ones that have been laying about. 

There have been some bright fish hooked on the lower stretch of the river that have sea lice. And where the MSA only counts a small percentage of the fish that goes up the river each day. Perhaps a bit more fish are moving upstream than we all know about.

River temperatures are very good and seem to be averaging in the low 60's (F) and even down into the high 50's most days. River levels are still very low. Hopefully we get another raise in water from what rain we got yesterday. 

The lower stretch of the main SW Miramichi is at a pretty good level for fishing. The Middle and Upper stretches are low but with a little boost in water from this storm we should be fishing some pools that were not fish-able all season. 

Temperatures on the NW Miramichi are about the same degrees as the Main SW. Chris Edmunds of CE Salmon Flies and Guiding said he was hooking a few fish every trip out and most pools he fished had fish showing. Flies of choice were Same-thing Murray, peach bomber (crevette) and yellow wing butterfly.

Mountain Channel Fishing Lodge finally started seeing some fish this week. After a long run of only seeing a few fish weekly, they were seeing upwards of 15 to 20 fish per day. Boyd Curtis landed a grilse yesterday, but said it was a dark looking fish. Boyd said he saw a few fish jumping that were very silver looking and said they had to be fresh fish coming in from the bay.

Country Haven Lodge on the lower stretch of the SW Miramichi was having not bad fishing. The past few days they were seeing fish in most pools. Ken Vickers landed a 28lb salmon that was a bar of silver and covered with sea lice. It took a peach coloured bomber. Gary Colford was on the NW Miramichi and landed a salmon and saw a few more fish on Monday. Pete Randall caught a salmon on the Cains River and saw several more fish. Conditions were very low for the Cains and rain was badly needed.

For us at The Ledges Inn we are having a little luck. We only saw a couple fish that looked fresh. So know sign of any sea lice on a fish for us yet. We are hooking mostly salmon with the odd grilse the past week. We had a couple 20 lber's and many in the 15lb range. Hopefully this rain will give a little raise and get more fresh fish up from the bay. Flies of choice were christmas tree bombers, blue smurfs, green Widows and black ghost.

Sutters Salmon Club were also hooking a few fish this week in the Doaktown to Boistown area. Shawn Betts and clients were hooking many on dry flies. Daryl O'Donald and client hooked a 21lb salmon on a smurf pattern. Other flies that was working was christmas tree bombers, blue bomber and brown bombers.

Fishing near the Mouth of Cains River was also pretty good this week. Zachery Colford landed a grilse on a orange bomber. Merle Colford landed a huge salmon that had sea lice on the tail. Jamie Colford landed a grilse on a undertaker.

Donald Colford guide at Black Brook Salmon Club said fishing was not bad as some days they landed 9 fish. Many fish they were catching was high up in the pool and was a good sign that the fish were moving upstream. Donald said fish were taking many flies from big to small. Green slime patterns were working well as Dave Ledley hooked several on it. Many fall patterns were working and bombers of different styles. 

I expect after this rain we will see more fish coming into the system. Over the years we usually get a good fall run somewhere around the third week of September, so I'm thinking positive here and asking the fish Gods to bring them in. 

For those of you that are waiting for the season to turn around maybe this is the time to get back on the water. Be optimistic and catch some fish. There might not be as many as last year or the year before, but there is fish about in the rivers if your on the water fishing them. 
So with a much better report than previous weeks for you, tight lines from the Miramichi River.

Temperatures drop and fish start to take on the Miramichi

Sunset on the SW Miramichi River

Fishing is starting to improve on the Miramichi as the river temperatures drop. Many fishermen are taking advantage of the action as the fish move upstream or out into the pools.

Guide Andrew Anthony and Trudy McBrine-Cox with her 20lber

The temperatures at nights have fallen to single digits and dropping the river temperatures to the low 60's (15.6) to high 50's (10.0) degrees and have got the fish taking again. The river raised about 6 inches near the first of the week but is almost back to where it was again now.

Reports starting with the South West Miramichi River.

Here at The Ledges Inn this past week we have had very good fishing. Mostly salmon and some grilse with a few hitting the 20 pound mark. All the fish we are hooking are dark fish that have moved out from the brooks. We have yet to hook or see any sign of a fresh run salmon this fall.

Terry Cox with one of his salmon.

 Terry and Trudy McBrine-Cox were the hot rods the past few days landing mostly salmon on there catches. Trudy landed a 19 and 20lb salmon while Terry wasn't far behind with fish from 15 to 19lbs.

Jim Brennan with a 15lber 

Durck Dewinter of Sussex landed 2 salmon and a grilse on Tuesday. While Peter Brennan landed 1salmon and a grilse. Jim Brennan landed a 15lb salmon and a grilse. Larry Doggan landed a grilse and lost a salmon. Bud Maclillen both landed a grilse.

Guide Lloyd Lyons & Miguelle Goguen  releasing a grilse! 

Flies of choice for us for the week were Ally Shrimps and Tippet Shrimps, Blue, brown and christmas tree bombers, green butt bear hairs, glitter bears, carters bug and butterflies.

Guide Kenny Vickers & Nigel Blackley of Macllesfield, England

Country Haven Lodge had hooked several fish this week mostly on christmas tree bombers and whiskers. 17 salmon and one grilse. They landed 4 that had sea lice fresh from the bay. Guide Kenny Vickers with client landed a 20lb salmon. They were also seeing some fish on the Cains River. Guide Gary Colford said they were also hooking a few on the North West Miramichi.

Guide Jeremy Vickers & Graham Birnie, Scotland

 Anglers around the mouth of Cains River are picking up a few fish and some very fresh. Small red butt bear hairs were the fly of choice for a few locals.

Black Brook Pool

Black Brook Salmon Club were still seeing lots of fish and hooking a few too. Bombers, small black flies and green machines seem to be the answer for most sports. Some fish were well over 20lbs and a few with sea lice. David Ledlie of main was throwing tight loops on his cast and hooking a few as I watched from across the river.

Cains river is still very low but there are a few pools on the lower stretch that have fish about. There was a lady came in for dinner at the Ledges Inn yesterday and said she landed a salmon and said it was very bright looking fish at salmon brook.

Renous River in Pineville

Renous River also very low with a few fish being seen in the middle section of the river.

Jim Brennan of Halifax releasing a grilse.

The North West Miramichi. I am having a tough time getting reports from the NW Miramichi. If anyone would like to help me out with information weekly I could add your name and business for you if you like in my report. I am looking for river temperatures and levels for the most part and your catch would be great too. I do not need the pools names unless you want to give it. You can contact me at miramichifishingreports@hotmail.com Thanks.

 Miramichi Salmon Association (MSA) said counts at NW Cassilis and SW Millerton are between 0 and 2 fish per day coming in. Nola Chiasson said she is being flooded by calls wondering if the fall run has arrived.

This is Joan Wulff tying a fly on.

The 2012 Annual Salmon Hall of Fame Dinner at the Atlantic Salmon Museum is this weekend Saturday September 15th. If you need tickets please call 506 365 7787 or email. The 2012 inductees are Joan and Lee Wulff, Clinton and Daisy Norrad, Renate Bullock and Debbie Norton.

With some fish being hooked on the river this should get you in the spirit to knock of early and head to the river this weekend. And don't forget to support the local fly shops in the area as they are always eager to point you in the right direction to catch a fish.

Tight Lines,
Rodney Colford

Pools to reopen on the September 3rd

SALMON FISHERY ON THE MIRAMICHI

Moncton – August 31, 2012 - Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) today announces that the following salmon fishing pools will reopen to angling on Saturday, September 3, 2012:

Confluence of Salmon Brook and Cains River, and the waters of Salmon Brook upstream from its confluence with the Cains River to South Cains River Road;
Confluence of Otter Brook and Cains River, an area locally known as Brophy’s Place;
Confluence of Butty's Brook and Renous River, and the waters of Butty’s Brook from its confluence with the Renous River to South Renous Road, an area locally known as Duffy’s Brook;
Waters of the Renous River surrounding the pump house located at N 46.86483, W 65.67698 (WGS 84);
Confluence of Gray Rapids Brook and Southwest Miramichi River, and the waters of Gray Rapids upstream from its confluence with the Southwest Miramichi River to Route 118, an area locally known as Pete’s Brook;
Confluence of Morse Brook and Southwest Miramichi River, and the waters of Morse Brook upstream from its confluence with the Southwest Miramichi River to Howard Road;
Confluence of Black Brook and Southwest Miramichi River, and the waters of Black Brook upstream from its confluence with the Southwest Miramichi River to South Cains River Road;
Confluence of Donnelly Brook and Southwest Miramichi River, and the waters of Donnelly Brook upstream from its confluence with the Southwest Miramichi River to the South Road Bridge;
Confluence of Betts Mills Brook and Southwest Miramichi River, and the waters of Betts Mills Brook upstream from its confluence with the Southwest Miramichi River to Highway # 8;
Confluence of Porcupine Brook and Southwest Miramichi River, and the waters of Porcupine Brook upstream from its confluence with the Southwest Miramichi River to Story Town Road;
Confluence of Big Hole Brook and Southwest Miramichi River;
Confluence of Mill Brook and Southwest Miramichi River.
Please note the following salmon fishing pools will remain closed for the remainder of the 2012 angling season;

Confluence of Sutherland Brook and Northwest Miramichi River, and Sutherland Brook upstream to the Highway 420;
Waters of the Southwest Miramichi River in Quarryville, 300 m upstream and 300 m downstream of the Quarryville Bridge, including Indian Town Brook from its confluence with the Southwest Miramichi River, upstream to Highway 108 bridge;
Confluence of Wilson Brook and Southwest Miramichi River, including the waters of Wilson Brook upstream 100 m of its mouth, an area locally known as the Bear Den.
Please refer to Gulf Variation Orders 2012-069 and 2012-070 for further details. The Fishery Closures / Variation Orders Registry is available online at:
http://www2.glf.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fam-gpa/cp/ord/index-e.php

Orders Registry

For more information please contact your local DFO office.

Tight lines
Rodney Colford