Spring salmon are leaping high on the river going into the 3rd week of the
season. Many fish are being hooked with a small percent being grilse. Salmon
starts moving more as the river is warming up into the mid to high 40 degrees
(F) around 5 degrees Celsius. We are seeing some fish jump and even some rolling
to the surface. The River levels are still very good but another rain wouldn't
hurt to keep the levels up where they are now.
I was
out fishing with Peter Beardsworth and Aaron Bourque of Riverview on Sunday. I
would have to say Aarons salmon was the biggest weighing about 12lbs and Peters
just under 12lbs. Both fish put up a great fight and were very silver for this
time of year. Both salmon took a variation of the Green Slime which Peter tied,
I must say.
Guide
Derek Munn of the Ledges Inn said fishing is still very good with anglers
hooking 6 to 12 fish per day. Water levels are still very good for the Doaktown
area. Flies of choice were Marabous and Rabbit Strip's and all on the
cast.
Keith
Wilson of Wilson's Sporting Camps is also having very good fishing with lots of
fish around. Many anglers that can cast good have an upper hand he said and are
hooking some nice salmon. Sinking tips seem to be the line of the week as all
fish were on the cast.
Country
Haven Fishing Lodge is still having very good success on the lower stretch of
the SW Miramichi River. Fishermen are hooking anywhere from 4 to 10 fish per
day. Most fish are being hooked trolling with sinking lines. They are fishing
from The Mouth of Cains River to the Renous area and seeing lots of
fish.
In the
Quarryville Area Chris Edmonds of C E Salmon Flies and Guiding said conditions
have improved. River levels for the area are very good and have the salmon and
the odd trout taking the fly.
The NW
Miramichi River still has some fish around and many anglers are hooking up.
River levels are still good but again could use a little rain to keep the levels
where it is now. Some anglers are hooking some small trout from the 8 to 12 inch
range.
Some
very good news on the river as DFO finally opened a Bass season yesterday.
Anglers can keep 1 bass per day or hook and release as many as they can catch.
The size you can keep is 55 to 65 cm and it is measured from the tip of the nose
to the tip of the tail. Single barb-less hooks and if using bait use circle
hooks. The season will last two weeks from May 1st to May 15th with hook and
release to follow.
Flies of
choice for salmon on the river are Green Slimes, Black Rabbit Strips, Renous
Specials, Mogot Smelts, Grey and Black Ghost along with many Marabou patterns.
Size of hooks seem to vary from 1/0 to 5/0
single barb-less.
With the
opening day of trout season yesterday, things are very active here on the river.
I will keep you posted on the trout over the next few weeks also as we hook
up.
With all
this beautiful weather we are having, and great river conditions it is a very
good time to be Canoeing, Kayaking or Fishing. So if your in need of any gear
for these activities you can contact the local fly shops in the Miramichi River
area. To name a few for you by starting in Miramichi City is Miramichi
Electronics that has fishing gear in the city centre, Miramichi City Surplus in
Derby, Georges Fly Shop Renous, Curtis Miramichi River Outfitters Blackville,
W.W.Doak in Doaktown area, and if your on the North West Miramichi drop into
Trout Brook Fly Shop. Most of these places will give you a river report daily if
you drop in.
And if
anyone has any reports on Salmon, Trout or Bass for the Miramichi area you would
like to have posted please forward your information to me at
miramichifishingreports@hotmail.com and I`ll try my best to include it. I do not
need to know your hot spots just a description of the fish and which river if
you like to include that you have fished. I am always looking for more reports
for my readers.
Until
next week have a great week on the water and tight lines. Rodney Colford
