Making Memories Fishing The Miramichi

Having a laugh at the Ledges Inn with the Campbell group 

Many memories are made salmon fishing on the Miramichi river, and fall salmon fishing is a time when many are made. So many of those memories are not from catching several fish, as it is to that particular fish that may have caused a heart stopping moment that you'll never forget for the rest of your life. For many, just to be there on such a beautiful river, watching the foliage change, perhaps seeing a deer or a moose come down to the rivers edge for a drink, having a beaver swim only a few feet from you, before slapping his tail to say this is my turf. All this and more is part of Atlantic salmon fishing on the Miramichi river.
 

Ledges Real Time Monitoring 

Keith Wilson of Wilson's Sporting Camps said they saw a few older fish and catching a few too, but know sign of any fall run. Keith said they usually see the fall run any-time from mid to late September and with all the high water hoping a bit sooner.

Martin Depuis and myself on the Cains Wednesday

The past week at The Ledges Inn was very slow with lots of rain and high water. We had a couple days that we were blown out and decided not to even fish. We started seeing a few fish on Monday, but was Tuesday before Veteran Guide Lloyd Lyons broke the ice when his client landed a grilse on a Yellow Ally Shrimp at the Car Pool. Guide Andrew Anthony ran the Cain's with a couple guest but had no hook-ups but saw several fish. Andrew said there we're many anglers fishing the Cains around Sabbies River and Salmon Brook. Notice the picture above from the Real Time Monitoring System. Normal conditions this is high in dry on land. Please check this site out at Miramichi River Environmental Assessment Committee if you haven't already.

Fishing Moores Pool Wednesday on the Cains

Country Haven Lodge on the lower stretch of the Miramichi said fishing was slow with the raise in water. They started hooking a few fish on Monday and a few more on Tuesday. Cains was treating them very good with a few fishermen.

Linda Warren of Princeton, MA

Dan Bullock of Bullock's Lodge in Boistown said angling was very challenging the past week. Dan said they had some success before the raise in water hooking a few fish and rolling many on Glitter Bears. Dan also said a monster male hook-bill 38 inches in length was landed by Linda Warren of Princeton, MA. Linda may have won her battle with this monster salmon, but her Sage Z-Axis was not so lucky, and may need to have some warranty work done on it. Fly of choice for Linda was created and dressed by her husband Bob Warren called the Cuttysark. That's a great memory Linda WTG! Dan also said he hopes we received our quota of rain for the season and expects good fishing in the coming days.

Fishing around the Mouth of Cain's River area is very slow with very high conditions. Anglers are picking up a few and seeing a few fish but conditions was very slow overall. River levels are at least 3 feet above normal conditions for this area of the river.

Remember back in July when we asked for more water to work with, when our river was low and warm. Well we got that wish since late July and that is a memory that will be with us for awhile to come.

http://www.mreac.org

Miramichi river levels were very high over the weekend again and looked more like spring fishing than fall fishing conditions. Conditions have improved and looks very promising heading into the weekend. There are a few fish around and may be even a few that have been hanging around in some pools way to long. Temperatures are awesome hoovering in the 50's (F).



So what excuses do we have this time salmon fishing, we can't say if the water was lower we could work with it. We could have more fish in the system for sure, but there are fish around to hook. Time is running out for 2013 salmon season and with know more time for excuses, it's time to get your lines tight.

Rodney Colford

River up in the Alders on Miramichi

Well if you were fishing on the Miramichi River the past week, you would not have to get in the water to get your feet wet.

Four inches of rain fell and put the river up into the alders. Leaving many anglers going from wading to boating to hook up. Salmon pools that were to low and warm to fish were now to high and dirty with debre to fish.

Just before the river started to raise, fishing was very good. Many anglers were hooking fish and some limiting out with 4 per day.

Byron Coughlan of Country Haven Lodge of the lower stretch of the Miramichi said the river is full of fresh fish since Sunday. Fishermen were having very good luck. Fish seemed to be moving through and the ones they were hooking was close to shore. Water conditions are still high for the lower stretch. Cains river was still to high, the upper Renous was fishable, lower Renous was still to high.

Guides Donald and Eddie Colford of Black Brook Salmon Club said fishing was very good the past week. Many sports limit out on many different patterns of flies. Conditions are still to high for the Mouth of Cains river area but lots of fish moving.

Derek Munn of the Ledges Inn in the Doaktown Area of the river said fishing was good. We landed almost 50 salmon at the lodge this week, one weighing 27 pounds. Conditions seem to slow down yesterday, but rumours of fresh fish down river is great to hear. The river raised Tuesday night about 6 inches. Flies of choice were pacas, green machines, shady ladies and smurfs. At our Mountain Channel Lodge we were picking up 2 or 3 salmon per day.

Keith Wilson of Wilsons Sporting Camps said salmon anglers are never ones to complain about a nice raise of water in late July but this is a little much. Heavy rain brought the water up in McNamee app 3 feet and was very dirty. Keith said the MSA reported the best numbers of the season coming through the Millerton trap net this past week, so combined with the big raise in water we should see much improved fishing going into the month of August.

Dan Bullock of Bullocks Lodge in Boistown said they received 4" of rain in past week. Water is high, but very fishable. Probably 2-3 days away from ideal height for our pools.
We did land a few fish last week, including a salmon on the RBM Muddler tied by Renate Bullock. Looking forward to what should be excellent fishing next couple of weeks.

Chris Edmonds of Miramichi Fish and Game Club and C.E.Salmon Flies and Guiding was hooking a few fish. Conditions were very good on the NW and should be awesome by the weekend.

So with lots of water in the system for the Miramichi river and tributaries we should see some great fishing over the next few days as the water drops. River temperatures are in the low 60's (f) which is ideal.

A few flies to try while your out this weekend on the water is green machines, undertakers, smurfs, green highlanders and try some dry flies in this high water. Tight to shore with those dries you'll see, you might just catch a whopper.

Until next week keep those reels screaming on the river.
Rodney Colford

Miramichi River Salmon Fishing Improving

Salmon fishing is picking up on the Miramichi and all the tributaries have fish in the system.

Many anglers are hooking or seeing fish on the river and though we have high water conditions, fishermen are managing the river levels very good.

Dan Depres of Fredericton Outfitters

In the Blissfield area of the Miramichi at the Miramichi Salmon Club Evelock Gilks landed his first of the season. Myles Woods of Ludlow landed his first of the season. Merle Colford of Blackville landed a salmon around the mouth of Cains river area. Peter Doiron landed a salmon on a yellow wing butterfly below the Cains River.

Evelock Gilks

Derek Munn of Ledges Inn in Doaktown got into a few fish the past week. Andrew Anthony landed a nice hookbill on the Dungarvan river. Barry Storey landed a grilse and saw a few more fish.

Derek Munn on the Dungarvan this week

Keith Wilson of Wilson Sporting Camps said the river is still higher than normal with cool air temperatures and all good for fishing. Great reports up and down the river.

Myles Woods of Ludlow

Renous river and its tributaries have produced several salmon over the past week. Levels are still on the high side though. Dick Tucker said he was hooking a few and saw lots of fish moving through the river.

Bartholomew and Cains river is high and with no reports of any salmon hooked or landed doesn't mean there not there. There is good reports of trout on the Cains. Peter Clark landed several trout on the lower stretch of the Cains in the 2-4 pound range.

Byron Coughlan of Country Haven Lodge said water was high but were still catching some nice fish from the river bank. Two salmon and a grilse were landed.

The NW Miramichi is starting to get down to a good level again. Anglers are still landing fish from miners bridge down and a few reports of grilse hooked. I tailed a nice salmon on the NW for Ray Whittle last Thursday, he was using a black ghost.

Scott Cormier with number 6 of the season, WTG!

Friday I landed this salmon below and Tiger Jeans lost a salmon and a grilse. And Gordon Holloway lost his salmon after a great battle of having his line untie from the backing. I yelled for Tiger to grab the line which he did, after a charge through the fast water to grab it! (which he did). I told Gordon to put the line through the guides which he did, and I retied it on. Mean while the fish was still jumping while I was holding the line. Gordon and Tiger both laughed and said they would have never believed that this could happen if they didn't see it first hand. We had the salmon almost to the net before he won the battle and got away.

Tiger Jeans and myself on the NW Friday

Gordon Holloway and the one that got away

The Little SW and Sevogle river should be at a good level by the weekend. There is reports of salmon landed on the Little Sw the past week. And this is the time of year these two rivers start fishing so expect good reports over the next week.

The NW Miramichi the past week

River temperatures are very good for the mornings in the high 50's and the later time of day in the low 60's. The conditions are very clear on the river. Looking forward to seeing more of the great pictures of salmon over the next week.

Tight lines Rodney Colford

Just like clock work a few salmon have arrived on the Miramichi

  Just like clock work a few salmon have arrived on the Miramichi. And still many fisherman are on the look out for more shiny chrome salmon to arrive and get their reels screeching for the Summer Bright's which we call it here on the Miramichi, of the 2012 season.

There have been a few reports over the last week of fish being landed in some tributaries of the Miramichi River. Most salmon seem to be on the North West Miramichi area of the river, which is not uncommon for earlier runs this time of the year to appear. There have been also reports of a few salmon hooked on the Little South West Miramichi River aswell. The Main South West Miramichi River has also had some salmon reports from Quarryville, Mouth of Renous River, Upper Blackville, Doaktown and all the way to Boistown area.

Sea Run Trout seemed to have gone through the lower stretches of the Miramichi as reports have trout up on the Upper Stretches of the Cains River and on the Upper Stretches of the North West Miramichi River. Last weekend for a couple days there were trout on the move as fishermen were getting them on the lower stretch of the SW Miramichi. I have heard that trout from 2 to 5 lb range have been hooked and released on the lower to the middle section of the Cains River the past week. Lets hope there is still some hanging around or more yet to come in.

I talked to a guy from Grand Manan that caught a 10lb salmon on Friday on the upper stretch of the North West Miramichi. There was also a report of a local angler landing a salmon at the Bridge Pool in Upper Blackville on a green butt moose hair pattern.

I fished with my brother Ryan and son Zachary on Sunday morning for awhile on the NW Miramichi but never saw anything. I fished Sunday evening on the Main SW Miramichi and rolled a salmon 5 times before he touched the fly and that was the end of the fun. I also landed a stripe bass about 4 lbs at the mouth of Cains River the same evening and must off saw 10 more bass splash the water around the same time. If it had been later in the evening I would of just thought they were Shad splashing. Speaking of Shad there are starting to be a few Shad in the river now and should be more and more over the next week. Local Guide Vaughan Arbeau of Upper Blackville once told me the Shad are most plentiful buy June 10th most years and he is usually right on the money each year as I always remember. I also remember he ties a pretty good Shad Fly too.

Chris Edmonds of CE Salmon Flies & Guiding had some luck rolling a few fish on the North West and Sevogle but nothing landed for salmon or grilse yet. He has been hooking a few trout in the 10 to 14 inch range. Flies of choice for Chris is Echo Beach and WT Green Machines.

In Doaktown at the Ledges Inn Head Guide Derek Munn said fishing was still slow for the most part. He rolled one and then struck him 3 cast later which he thought by the look of the take was a salmon. He also saw some Shad in the Doaktown area this week. Great news for the Shad fishermen in the area.

River temperatures have cooled down to 54 to 55 degrees ( F) on Tuesday evening and with lots of rain in the forecast for the Miramichi River System we should have great conditions in the coming week. The high tide for this week with a full moon on the 4th is High tide -1.71m at 6:17 am and on the 5th High tide-1.74m at 7:10 am. Lets hope some fish will make there way in with these tides this week.

 As of Tuesday the lower section of the Main Miramichi was still high and could use a bit of a drop in water to improve conditions. The upper stretches in the Doaktown to Boistown area was in very good condition as is. The North West Miramichi was low and could use a bit of a raise to improve the fishing. Cain's River was in good condition and salmon and trout could possible be in the river early again this June like last season on the lower stretch of the river. Sevolge River was very low and could use a raise to improve the fishing. Renous River was in pretty good condition as is.

Also don't forget to check with your local fly shops and guides in the area if your planning on fishing and want some fish gossip, as they know what's going on in their area of the river and can point you in the right direction to fishing and of course some new gear in the shop which we all like. Places to check out are WW Doaks in Doaktown, Curtis Miramichi River Outfitters in Blackville, Herb's Fly Shop in Blackville, Georges Fly Shop in Renous, Miramichi City Surplus in Miramichi on route 108 Derby Junction, Trout Brook Fly Shop in Trout Brook on the North West Miramichi. And on your way from Fredericton stop in at Fredericton Outfitters and Anglers. If I forgot your shop just give me a shout and I will gladly add it for you with my reports each week.

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

Winds from the east fish take the least

Salmon fishing on the Miramichi River was amazing the past week for many fishermen. East winds were the big topic and most fishermen know, that saying winds from the east, mean fish take the least. But this was not the case on many parts of the river as anglers and guides teamed up and done the right things to get there lines tight and fish in the net.

On the middle stretches of the Miramichi fish were on the take at Wilsons Sporting camp. Keith Wilson said many big fish were caught and the east wind did not slow down production as Sunday was their best day for awhile.

Downstream a bit at The Ledges Inn head guide Derek Munn said the last week was remarkable fishing and the theory that fish don’t take in the east winds are only a myth. Many of our guests had 2 and 3 fish and some limiting out with 4. Derek guided Doctor Scott Boley to a 22lb salmon and which he thought at times the fish was going to be victorious over the doctor. Scott said in his 50 years of fishing on the Miramichi he can’t believe how many fish are in the river. We had over 80 fish landed this week by Tuesday night for the Lodge. I fished the Cains at Moore’s Pool and landed a salmon and grilse. In the last couple days we landed and saw several fish on the Cains and at Moore’s Pool alone there were several fish showing.

Below Blackville at Country Haven fishing was very good too. Fishermen were hooking fish on the Renous, Cains River and The South West Miramichi. Byron Coughlan said they were having very good luck at the mouth of Sabbies River at Valentines Pool. They were also hooking a few on the Renous each day. He also said fishing was slow on Tuesday as the water was high and dirty. He said they fished the North West and conditions seemed to be on the high side as they did not get into a fish.

Cathy Colford of Curtis Miramichi River Outfitters fly shop said things were slow and not many fish were being hooked. There were a couple anglers in that said they had some luck on the North West but not much news from the other rivers.

Flies of choice the past week were mostly the fall patterns like Ally Shrimps, GP’s, LT Specials #2, we also used some different Irish shrimps, the Peach Tree was very good, many Marabou Patterns were working like the Green Slime, the Leech, purple grape and Same thing Murray.

River temperatures are getting very cold as yesterday it was 8.8 degrees Celsius (48F) and averaged for the week around 13.6 (56F).

The weekend is looking very good as some nice weather is moving in so this may put the fish in a very good taking mood. Just maybe those big 25 pound plus hook-bills we are seeing will start taking our flies. The hot spot to be fishing this weekend would have to be our famous Fall River the Cains as I saw so many big fish there this week well into their twenties. This is also the time of year to be trying your sinking tip lines and trying to get down to the big males. Try the intermediate sink and keep going heavier until you find the correct depth for the pool your fishing.

You should be able to get them to take with enough trying of different techniques, casting angles and fly selection. Good luck and tight lines.

Our fall salmon run

The beautiful fall colors are coming into affect on the Miramichi River and so are our fall salmon run. The last few days we have saw several fish moving throughout the river system. River levels are about perfect for fishing and boating from pool to pool when required. And even with the few warm days the river temperatures stayed very good around 60 (F) and is almost perfect for Miramichi salmon fishing.

Some good size hook bills are being caught throughout the river. And many anglers are happy to see the fresh fish or at least have the fish moving again. The past couple weeks the fish seem to stop taking the fly and us fishermen call it lockjaw when this happens. Well this week they seemed to open there mouths or eyes and started taking some of the flies we threw at them. I was thinking it was my fly tying that was the problem for a moment; thank the fish Gods for getting them on the take again.

          In the Doaktown area we have saw many fish moving though out the river. The pools at The Ledges Inn are full of fish. You can look down or up the river as far as you can see in some places and see fish jumping, what a sight. Jay and Carol Fargher of Sarnia, Ontario had some great fishing. Carol landed a few grilse and a huge hook bill weighing 16lbs. Jay landed several fish too and one weighing close to 20lbs. Todd Youmans landed a nice 16 to 18lb hook bill. Dr Ed Baker landed a few grilse and a salmon this past week at the Ledges pools. I hooked 4 salmon in the Home Pool of the Ledges Inn and landed two of them for the first ever landed in the Home Pool, something great to remember. I fished with Dr Scott Bolie this week for an evening that had landed a salmon on Tuesday with head guide Derek Munn of the Ledges Inn. Total fish for Tuesday was 16 hooked and 12 landed at the lodge, pretty good after some hard fishing the past couple weeks. For photos of these fish check out our new Facebook page The Ledges Inn.

             In the Boistown area at Tuck-away Lodge Gary Tanner had a good week landing a 37 inch 20lb salmon, a 12lb and a 10lb using his new pattern the Celtic Beauty. 

             Cains River is still fishing well as my father Gary Colford is hooking and landing fish almost every day at Moore’s Pool near Shinnickburn. Richard Lac of Connecticut landed 2 grilse on Monday and Tuesday with a white tail green machine at Moore’s Pool. The River is getting very low on the Cains and we need a little rain to improve the fishing for the rest of the season and get some monster fish up there.

           Fishermen near the Quarryville Pool are still seeing lots of fish and hooking a few too. There are a few hookbills being seen one fisherman told me and still lots of grilse. Anglers are hooking a few on the Renous River the past few days. Country Haven Lodge had been hooking some almost everyday on the Renous, Cains and Dungarvan Rivers.

             Pool 66 is fishing very well as Zachery Colford landed 3 this week on dry flies. Damir Sehic landed a few also on wet and dry flies. The pool was getting to be a perfect level and some big fish were there.

            Weather the next week is looking good for fishing as some rain on the weekend should bring 15 to 20ml if we’re lucky enough to get it and bring the river up a little. The Cains River really needs a raise to get a few more fish up and have good water levels the remainder of the season.

             Well if you’re planning to get out on the water the last few weeks of the season now could be the time. Fish are in the river, levels are good, temperatures are good and the weather is great what else could you ask for. I could tell you what kind of flies we are catching the fish on which is a little help for you. Flies of choice is the Christmas tree wet fly the summer version, White Tail Green Machines, Shady Ladies, Tippet Shrimp, Copper Killer (old school fly), Purple Grape and dry flies were Black Bomber with white tails, Orange and black hackle, brown with brown and white ends and the Blue Bomber with white ends.

            Good luck out there fishing this weekend be safe and tight lines and don’t forget to send me your pictures for my blog at www.miramichifishingreports.blogspot.com and a little note about the catch.

We're fortunate to fish for salmon

Who would think Eastern Canada would be the hottest spot for Atlantic salmon fishing in all of North America.

Fishermen from all over the world travel to our eastern rivers for our Atlantic salmon. And yes, New Brunswick is the place to be from April 15 to Oct. 15.

Only 176 days until we get out our fly rods. And who would be counting the days for a fresh new season of fresh silver salmon and hearing that old Hardy reel screeching? Readers like you I hope? How lucky we are to live near the Miramichi River.

Salmon fishing officially ended today in all of New Brunswick for 2010 season.

The Nepisiguit River was the only river that had an extra week of fishing this fall.

I had a chance to give it a try this week, but had to say no to a wonderful offer from Ron Godin. Sorry to hear he did not have very good luck as the water was too high and the weather was cold and windy.

The last few days of the season on the Miramichi were very tough as heavy winds made it hard to cast. Cristian Stathis and I only had four fish for the last week and did not see many fish. Most fish we saw seem to be very dark in colour.

I also fished with Country Haven Lodge last week with guest Willy Wood and Richard of Maine. We landed three salmon and lost another fish at the Sabbies pool using Ally Shrimps.

Country Haven said they had a pretty good season under the extreme hot weather conditions this summer.

Trout Brook Fly Shop owner Syd Matchett said the last couple weeks on the North West Miramichi was not too bad. One lad hooked five fish at Blacks and Allison Pool on an Ally Shrimp and a Copper Killer. Syd said there were not many fishermen about as the weather stayed cold the last week.

Curtis Fly Shop said they had a good year and sold a lot of flies and gear. There were not many reports of big hook bills being caught, or none with proof with a picture.

They will open up the shop for anyone at Christmas time. It would be best to call ahead if travelling a great distance.

Have you ever wondered how many fish are hooked and landed each season in our rivers?

I have and I hope someday we will be able to go to a website and check out the numbers of fish hooked, landed and tagged each day.

Many rivers in Scotland (if not all) can tell you their salmon counts per season. What pools produce and which ones will have the best chance at hooking up. Just something for our new government of New Brunswick to think about for future seasons.

They do it for deer, moose and bear why not for our famous Atlantic salmon? Let me know what you think of this idea.

I almost forgot to tell you the story of the grilse that was in the net and found a hole to squeeze through to get back into the Cains River again.

Louis Cormier is from Memramcook and a fly fisherman that is a victim of the netter of Sabbies. We saw many fish at the Sabbies pool whilst there had to be 15 rods fishing on both sides of the river each of the last two days.

* Rodney Colford is a third generation salmon-fishing guide on the Miramichi River and has been guiding fishermen ranging from greenhorns to some of the finest fly-fishermen in the world for 27 years. His fishing reports appear Thursday in the Times &Transcript.

Good Fishing Winds Down

After a windy week of fishing last week anglers were still hooking fish on the river.

Green Slimes, Ally Cascades, Ally Shrimps, GPs, LTs, Undertakers and Purple Allies were some of the flies that were working well.

The Ally Cascade which is very new to some anglers has been on the river for a few years now. I have had good luck on these flies for four years now and it is a fly to have in your box for fall fishing.

The yellow and orange blends very good in our rivers and makes it a hot fly for Atlantic salmon fishing.

And with a good fly you still need the conditions of the river to make a salmon take. River levels are very good and with today and tomorrow left it should be an end to a very good season of salmon fishing. Temperatures are in the low 50s Fahrenheit (10C) and many fishermen have turned to using sinking tips to get down to the fish as they are not showing much at the surface.

Fishing on the Cains River was very good this week as we landed fish every day at Moore's Pool. Cristian Stathis of New York landed a 25-pound salmon the first night of his trip using a GP. He landed another at Pool 66 on Tuesday.

Ken MacLeod of Nova Scotia landed a few fish on one of my Green Slimes on a No. 2 hook on the Cains.

Willy Wood, staying with Country Haven Lodge, landed fish almost every day on the Cains and Southwest Miramichi. Many fish were taken on the Ally Cascades. Other anglers were hooking fish at Country Haven and Valentines Pool was one of their hot spots on the Cains.

Wilsons Sporting Camps has been hooking fish on the middle stretches of the river in the Doaktown area this week. Fish were travelling they thought as they landed some hook-bills that looked to be in the river for just a few days.

I have no reports for the Northwest Miramichi this week.

Don't forget to attend the Dieppe Fly Fishing Forum March 26-27, 2011. It's the No. 1 trade show in New Brunswick for salmon fishing so let's see you there. Contact the fly fishing forum or Jacques Héroux for more information.

With another year of Atlantic salmon fishing behind us we will start the countdown to 2011 about two days after this season ends, or at least I will!

And with that I would like to say thank you too all who have read my reports and the ones I have had the pleasure to write about this season. Let's hope next year we all will have tighter lines and bigger fish to look forward too.

(You can follow me on my blog www.miramichifishingreports.blogspot.com for pictures of fishing this season 2010 and the upcoming season.)

Until next year, tight lines.

* Rodney Colford is a third generation salmon-fishing guide on the Miramichi River and has been guiding fishermen ranging from greenhorns to some of the finest fly-fishermen in the world for 27 years. His fishing reports appear Thursday in the Times & Transcript.

Big rise in water levels

Miramichi fishing reports for the morning of October 8th. We have a good rise in water this morning on the Cains, it must be up almost 2 feet in Shinnickburn area. We saw some fish jumping but had none that were interested in our flies. The Miramichi is up on the SW about 18 inches or more on the lower stretch, and salmon are still not opening there mouths! The guy I am fishing with had a pull this morning but only from me sneaking behind him and pulling his line as we laughed from being beat from these Atlantic's again.

If you take notice on my last report I added it and it dated October 5th. There are some nice photos to see there. I am not changing it as it takes to long to reload the photos. Have a look and I will add more to this section tonight. Tight Lines, Rodney Colford

Salmon move upstream

Salmon fishing on the Miramichi is going well and there is good signs of fish in the river. Water levels are very good and temperatures are in the low 50s F the past week. The river had a good rise from the last storm and some fresh salmon decided to make there move upstream so we can have our last chance into hooking a beautiful hook-bill.

Cains River hook-bills are well on there way as anglers at the mouth of Cains are hooking fish and seeing good signs of fish. Black Brook Salmon Club this week are catching a few fish and one hitting the 26-pound mark by Jeff Shearer.

<---Jeff also limit out the day before on the same fly, this fly was tied out of purple marabou on a 1/0 hook.

Guide Donald Colford with the net weighing Jeff's fish.

Other fishermen were hooking fish on GPs, LTs, green slimes, allies orange and purple and bombers, yes bombers. We are still getting fish on bombers in late afternoons. They are also hooking fish at the Island pool on the Cains about a mile up from the mouth.

Johnny Vickery of Bangor, Me. landed a few salmon this week on bombers at Pool 66. David Miller of South Carolina fished six days and hooked a nice 15-pounder on his last evening of fishing. He was using a purple ally shrimp Number 6.

Rob Strange landed a couple grilse on a under-taker at Pool 66. Anglers at Wade's Fishing Lodge was hooking a few fish and one fish was well over 25 pounds and was hooked on a Allies Cascade. Ken MacCloud of Nova Scotia landed a grilse on a GP.

<----Joel Kitchen with a nice hen salmon on the Miramichi!

Country Haven Lodge are hooking fish everyday in the Main SW and also on the Cains. Guide Gary Colford was hooking two or three fish a day at Moore's pool near Shinnickburn and saw many fish running through. Vickers Salmon Pools are hooking a few fish and Marty Vickers landed a grilse at the Washburn Island pool on a streamer pattern.

I fished the North West this week before the rise and had no luck. Water was low and had not raised up, sorry I have no report from the NW after the rain.

With periods of rain for today this should set up the rivers for the last week of the season pretty good. I expect to see many anglers on the Cains this weekend and keeping there fingers crossed for some big fish.

So get some good flies for the last run at them, and try those marabou patterns as they do work very well in this cold water.

Let me know of that fish of your dreams caught on the beautiful Miramichi. So keep your rods high and your reels screeching until next week have tight lines.

* Rodney Colford is a third generation salmon-fishing guide on the Miramichi River and has been guiding fishermen ranging from greenhorns to some of the finest fly-fishermen in the world for 27 years. His fishing reports appear every Thursday.

High river levels on the Miramichi

Update on the river levels on the SW Miramichi river for October 3rd 2010. Water was very dirty today on the main river and the Cains. The levels were very high and must of been a 2 foot rise at the most, it was still rising at noon today. There were leaves and debris in the water and very murky. Not many fish showing but there were a few if you had patients to stay for a while. I fished the mouth of Cains river this morning and only heard of 2 fish being caught at Black Brook in the cleaner water coming into the river.

My father Gary Colford guiding for Country Haven fished the Cains river at Moore's pool and only saw one fish at the lower end of the pool.

Why are the fish not taking? any theories on it? Have the fish been in the river too long, or is it they are spawning, is it our methods of fishing changing as to patterns, is the water now too high or too cold to warm. Is there a fall run yet to come into the river and where are those big hook-bills? Let me know your thoughts by using the comments on the bottom of this post.

Tight lines and tighter loops!

Rodney Colford

Salmon fishing shows vast improvement

Salmon fishing and river conditions on the Miramichi have improved greatly over the past week.

Colder nights have put the water temperatures in the 50F (10C) range and the height of the river is very good for the lower stretches, but could use a bit of rain to raise the up river levels.

Everyone is asking if the fall run is here?

Well there are some big hook-bills landed and even some fish landed with sea lice. Last week at Black Brook Salmon Club they reported landing 114 Atlantic salmon and many were sea lice covered fish. There was a report of a 40-pound salmon being landed at Vickers Pools this week.

Troy Adams from Dieppe landed a 25 & 28-pound-plus hook-bills on Tuesday. Richard Lac from New Hampshire fished with me this week. The first day we saw lots of fish from many sizes, but could not hook up. Then on Tuesday Richard landed two grilse weighing about five pounds each on a Ally Shrimp No. 8 single hook at the Half Bar pool.

On Sunday, Jim Corrigan landed a grilse while his buddy Axel raised several fish on Ally Shrimps at the Swett Pool. Damir Sehic landed two grilse on Saturday at Pool 66.

Ken MacLeod landed a grilse at the Nash Bar pool on Sunday and lost another on Monday. His friend Jeff Mosher also landed his first Atlantic salmon on one of my yellow body bombers at Pool 66 in Howard. Then on Monday he lost a 25-plus salmon as he took his fly in the very first run. Bill Moore and Ron Falusey each landed a grilse and Clark Hallman landed two grilse at the Swett Pool all on Alley Shrimps.

A great story of a young man's life being ruined by fishing Atlantic salmon this season as Jason MacCallum from Moncton was introduced to salmon fishing by Andrew Clark (also of Moncton) and has the fever very badly as he landed a fish each of his three times out fishing.

Andrew said it's nice to ruin someone's life with instilling the passion for salmon fishing on him. Way to go guys and thank you for the update.

Other rivers like the Cains River is still fishing slow as fisherman are not seeing many fish from above the Sabbies River. Reports from the Northwest Miramichi had fishing improving over the last week and water levels were still pretty good with river temperatures in the 50sF.

The race is on for Canada's Ultimate Fishing town on the WFN on. So visit the site and vote for Miramichi as your fishing town (http://www.wfn.tv/ultimate-fishing-town/miramichi). Lets go New Brunswickers and get back in this race for the best fishing town in Canada. We only have 6,642 votes so get going and vote.

Also register soon for your booth at the Dieppe Fly Fishing Forum 2011 at http://www.flyfishingforum.ca/info_exhibitors.htm and contact Ron Godin.

Let me know of that fish of your dreams caught on the beautiful Miramichi. So keep your rods high and your reels screeching until next week have tight lines.

* Rodney Colford is a third generation salmon-fishing guide on the Miramichi River and has been guiding fishermen ranging from greenhorns to some of the finest fly-fishermen in the world for 27 years. His fishing reports appear every Thursday in the Times & Transcript.

These are 'tying' times for fishing

On the Miramichi River system this week, there hasn't been much fishing to talk about except the weather. Heat was the topic and early morning dashes to the river seem to be the most excitement for most fisherman during the high humidity.

Most anglers took the time to tell stories on the banks of the river or practise their casting. Others said tying flies at times like this made for better days and gives the fish a break.

We all know the weather is very important topic when it comes to fishing and the heat is not the best topic for Atlantic salmon or us anglers when fishing. But after weeks of dry weather with only a few showers to be heard of, 40 to 50 millimetres of rain (about two inches) are forecast for this weekend.

Well that's enough to get excited about. It gives us hope that conditions will be much improved next week.

If the heavy rains come, what can we expect from our rivers?

With the rivers being so low and the water temperatures so high, it has to be better for the fish whatever precipitation comes from Hurricane Earl.

I would think the first day or two from a raise in water it will be very dirty from all the algae we have on the bottom of the rivers at this time. Let's hope when the rain comes it rises the water and puts lots more fish in from the bay to tighten our lines.

There were a few fish landed last weekend after a couple cool nights on the lower stretches. Saturday and Sunday morning seemed to be the first mornings that the fish wanted to take in a few days. Local anglers at Pool 66 hooked fish with one weighing in at 20 pounds. There were a few more around the 15-pound range and a couple of grilse. Flies of choice were brown bombers and small black patterns for the wet flies.

Black Brook Salmon Club also hooked a few fish Saturday and Sunday morning with the brown bomber with white ends being the fly. They said there were plenty of fish holding at the brook and early morning was the better time to fish as fish moved throughout the pool.

Monday at Pool 66 Steve Smith landed and released a grilse on a blue bomber and was netted by Dennis Grant. Joel Kitchen had a couple friends from Ontario fishing with him and landed a 35-pound salmon at Pool 66. They also lost a grilse. The fly of choice was a woolly bugger. I told him he must of been trying everything he had to get to the woolly bugger. It worked and that is all that counts under these conditions so I think I will dig mine out - if I can find them.

Wilson's Sporting Camps said there are plenty of salmon holding in their pools and are taking very well in the mornings. They urged people to take caution in the heat and to break fish off after the hook-up. Bombers were working best in the pools.

Curtis Miramichi River Outfitters had a good event over the weekend as Dennis Grant hosted a fly-casting school. They had a very good turnout on each day including myself for Saturday afternoon. It was a fun time for beginners to the more experienced casters. They said fishing was very slow but a lot of fisherman were in the shop getting flies. There were a few anglers that hooked fish on bombers and bear hairs but most were waiting for the weather to change.

The Cains River is very low and fish are holding in the cold water brooks. The Renous River is also extremely low and warm with fish holding wherever there is cold water flowing in. The Northwest Miramichi has fish holding in the cold brooks and there are rumours of fish in the tide waiting for a raise in water to get them moving upstream.

I hope this is the last of our hot humid weather and conditions will soon improve for your fall salmon fishing. The forecast for the next couple weeks is below seasonal temperatures so things are starting to look up with the rains we are expected to get. September is always a big fish month, so I look forward to hearing from you for that big fish being landed.

A tip for the anglers who have boats anchored or seats/benches out on a gravel bars - keep an eye out as the water may rise quickly and these items could be gone the next morning.

Let me know of that fish of your dreams caught on the beautiful Miramichi. So keep your rods high and your reels screeching until next week have tight lines.

* Rodney Colford is a third generation salmon-fishing guide on the Miramichi River and has been guiding fishermen ranging from greenhorns to some of the finest fly-fishermen in the world for 27 years. His fishing reports appear every Thursday in the Times & Transcript.

Grilse numbers are huge on the Miramichi

Fishing on the Miramichi over the past week was very good for most anglers up and down the river. Different days we saw fish jumping as we were traveling from pool to pool by boat. And although there was a late decision on closing certain parts of the river to help salmon up and down the system survive the warm water conditions, things worked out very well for most anglers with there decision they made. The weather for the next couple weeks seems to below seasonal temperatures and a couple days rain. If we keep our fingers crossed and temperatures stay low the cold water brooks and pools will stay open.

On the lower stretches of the river from Quarryville to Howard anglers were catching fresh fish with sea lice. Most anglers were having better luck in early mornings when temps were in the lower 60's through to lunch time. The warmer afternoons did get the river back up to some high levels near 78 to 80 F. Before the water dropped off fisherman were hooking up almost every time down through a pool near the mouth of Cains River area. Green machine in the faster water seemed to be the fly. And in the slower pools almost any dry fly was getting there attention. Fisherman in this stretch of the river that hooked up were Glen Keenan, Donnie Keenan, Raymond Clowater, Dwayne Hollier, Alex, Johnny, Jonathan, Donald, Danny, Merle, Pat, Rick and my son Zachery Colford and myself.

I fished last Tuesday with Norman Perreault and son Nick. They both landed a grilse each by 10:30 am.

I fished this last week on the lower section of the Miramichi around the mouth of Cains river. Bob Rebmann and his good fishing buddy John Baird and myself were fishing. As the first day started things were not looking very good as the water was very dirty. We fished for a couple hours before calling it a day and wait for things to improve. The next morning brought some hope as anglers near the mouth of cains river at pool 66 were into fish on almost every cast. Fisherman on the Islands at the mouth of cains were hooking and rolling fresh sea run grilse with sea lice on them. We were fishing up from the mouth as Bob hooked his first salmon and lost it after a few seconds. I told Bob he would hook up again, and when we get the first one it would not be so hard after that. And it wasn't to hard as he hooked into another one which he

landed. We ended up with 5 fish for the day. The next day we also got into a couple fish, and many other locals hooked and landed fish.

At the end of the week the guys from Tennessee Bob Redmond and Author John Baird hooked 19 fish and only two was a salmon with the rest being grilse, most with sea lice. In front of the camp at the Hogan Pool we were hooking a few fish. Joel Kitchen landed four on a number eight blue charm before telling me I think your fly is falling apart that I got from you. I laughed as I told him there not guaranteed for life, but I will replace the wing just because you took your green machine off and hooked four fish on a different fly pattern. I would think after the four fish hooked, that fly paid for it self for sure as we laughed.

Country Haven had a couple very good days as they limit out on Saturday and Sunday and all pools were fishing very well. Dry flies and green machine seem to be the most popular pattern.

Derek Munn of the Ledges Inn was also into fish on all of there pools. Anglers were reporting seeing several fish in the air almost every time you look down river. They also had a couple 20 pound fish but for the most of the fish they were grilse reported being caught.

Keith Wilson on the Upper Stretches at Wilsons Sporting camps were also hooking several grilse. Most of the fish were taking small black flies and green machines, but for the dry fly enthusiast almost any pattern did the work. Keith also said the water was getting up into the mid 70's so they were hooking most in the mornings.

Fisherman on the Renous were also hooking fish and saw several good sign of fish jumping and rolling. Ronnie Steeve's and his brother Dale and Dale Gildert all hooked up last week. There were great reports of fish in Quarryville at the moth of Renous.

Cains River had reports of fish all the way up to Moore's Pool near Shinnick Burn. Salmon Brook, Cold Brook and the Brophy Pool all had fish in them. Anglers were hooking some on dries and wets. Tyler Coughlan hooked a few on dries at the Brophy Pool and more on the Miramichi.

The river reopening came into effect on Saturday, and includes salmon pools located at the confluences of: Gray Rapids Brook and the Southwest Miramichi River, Salmon Brook and the Cains River, Butty's Brook and the Renous River, Morse Brook and the Southwest Miramichi River, Black Brook and the Southwest Miramichi River, Donnelly Brook and the Southwest Miramichi River, Betts Mills Brook and the Southwest Miramichi River, Porcupine Brook and the Southwest Miramichi River, as well as the Southwest Miramichi River surrounding the pump house.

On the maligned Northwest Miramichi River a policy of hook and release recreational angling remains in place on much of the river system, which recorded startlingly low spawning requirements in 2009.

For another week of fishing on the Miramichi lets hope next will be as good as the last. Once again until next week keep your rods up and your reels screeching.

Rodney Colford

Times & Transcript

Salmon Rolling Like In A Dream

Colfords Miramichi Fishing Reports for the middle of June. Fish are in the rivers! Oh yes, Fresh Atlantic Salmon!

I started out fishing the week on the SW Miramichi with a good friend of mine Damir Sehic of Fredericton. We fished a while and saw a salmon jump near the mouth of Cains River. That was the only one we saw there as we decided to motor upstream to Blissfield area and fish our way back in public & private water pools.

On our way we stopped and talked to guide Kenny Vickers. They saw 3 fish at the Brophy Pool and also a few fish this morning and things were looking better.

As we headed upstream we saw a few geese around and some ducks and ducklings, and pair of Eagles soaring over head in search of dinner. We then talked to a couple anglers from Salor Haven Salmon club and they saw a couple fish but had none hooked at that point. Also meeting up with Bob Burgen and his son, and they had not saw a fish all morning.

As the day went on we fished several pools and nothing was showing. I saw several shad scouting from under the boat as we passed down stream and hoping they were salmon!

After fishing several pools on our way back we tried pool 66 and saw 3 salmon jump again. Daryl Wylie and his buddy was also fishing there. We all fished for a couple hours and things happened like you would only dream off! The pool was on fire with fish! The run was here! beautiful salmon jumping and rolling everywhere.

And then Daryl from Harcourt hooked into a beautiful salmon on a dry fly, his first on a dry fly. We joked telling him that it was a shad and not a salmon! ha ha! we knew and he knew because when it jumped and took line of the reel that it was no shad! It was as chrome as a bumper on a 57 Chevy! Must of been 20lbs we figured, man a nice salmon as he released it on his way.

Also over the past week we have saw lots of rain hit us! The Main SW Miramichi River was dirty and very high to fish on the lower stretch. But the upper stretches were taking advantage of the higher levels and Guide Derek Munn of the Ledges Inn netted a nice salmon for his client and saw a few other fish.

Down river near the Mouth of Renous at the Quarryville Pool anglers were saying there was some fish around and 5 or 6 were caught.

Up the Renous anglers were seeing some fish and the odd one being hooked. Rod Hallihan hooked a salmon and had it on for a few minutes before he came loose or quick release we say! Ranger Kenny Louis saw some fish at the mouth of Renous. He also saw several Stripe Bass being hooked in the 4 to 6 pound range.

Daryl Wylie and his salmon in this photo.

Zlacko and Bruno of Toronto fishing the high water on the SW Miramichi last week. They enjoyed some lobster and steak after the long day fishing in the high water.

Ian Fortune was fishing the Bartholomew River and was still catching trout in the 1/2 pound to 4 pound range using bombers in the fast water as he striped the fly through the current.

On the North West Miramichi last week we had great water conditions before the rain hit and Yes! we saw a few fish and also with a fish being caught here and there. Some fisherman were catching a few trout in the 10 to 12 inch range and said that the big run of sea trout had gone through. Dale Steeves had a salmon on for a few seconds and he was gone. Dale also hooked another salmon and again lost it on Saturday! Dale said he saw a few fish rolling and some moving through the pool. He said there were lots of fisherman about and one other guy had landed a salmon. Dale Gildert landed a few trout in the 12 to 14 inch range.

Chris Edmond's tried the Quarryville Pool the other night and saw one pushing 25lbs he said. He said he missed 2 fish at the Wayerton Bridge Pool on the North West with a Colburn Special on Monday and he also saw one at the Allison Pool on Tuesday, and he then said the wind picked up so bad he could not fish anymore. he said there are a few fish around but nothing major, he figured another week or two.

Jim Steeves fished the Sevogle and said the water was low. He had rolled a few in front of his camp on the Main SW but no hook up. He was using Black Ghost, Undertaker, and Green Machine.

Norma & Brock of Curtis Miramichi River Outfitters of the SW Miramichi said there seem to be a lot of fish around but not taking very good. Lanny Burke of the Rapids landed a grilse with a Sugarman Shrimp and saw a lot of grilse jumping. Lester Vickers of Cains River landed a grilse at the mouth of Cains on a Green Machine. Also saying the water is a very good height and very good for canoeing. Norma said there does not seem to be much rain in the forecast.

Flies of choice were bombers, white tail green machines, undertakers and Sugarman Shrimp.

This report is now in the Times & Transcript news paper every Thursday.

So with a pretty good week all in all and fish in the system this is Guide Rodney Colford with your fishing reports for the Miramichi River & Tributaries.

Anglers hooking fish this week on the Miramichi

Colfords Miramichi Fishing Report for the Lower Stretches of the Main South West Miramichi River.

Prime fishing season is now upon us and the cooler temperatures are starting with them. Now all we need is our fall runs of salmon too get us hooked on the fall fishing! But even though the fishing is slow on most parts of the river some fisherman are hooking or rolling fish. Most fish are very dark and little sign of the fall hook bills are being seen.

I fished the Pool 66 mostly all week, and while most of the other pools seem to be empty too fish or fish running through Pool 66 had hundreds of fish holding. And after many many flies being thrown the angler gets lucky and hooks into one!

Fish Catches
Anglers hooking fish this week were Ross Brophy with a couple grilse, Damir Sahic with a grilse, Zachery Colford with a grilse, Bobby Stulze lost a grilse, John Colford also lost a grilse, Danny Colford landed a 15 pound salmon, Gary Colford landed a salmon, Tom & Mark from the Edmunston area lost a salmon and rolled a few more, Louis Cormier and his buddy landed a couple salmon at Hogan's Bar, Emil Sahic lost a grilse, also fisherman from the Black Brook Club had a few grilse and a couple huge salmon one being a 2nd in the last two weeks hitting the 38 pound mark! and another being 25 pound. Both fish this week 25 and 38 were caught by two sisters at the club. So on this little stretch of the river this week the woman were the top anglers. This is a photo of Emil Sahic with a grilse on.

I was also up to Salmon Brook this week and saw several fish there but again no takers. The Brophy Pool on the Cains River was also holding fish and some anglers had rolled a few on dry flies. Moores Pool on the Cains had a few fish holding and we managed too roll one on a bomber.

This is a photo of the famous Pool 66 and anglers waiting there turn at many hundred of fish lying in the section of cool water that comes in from the Cains River and Black Brook. As you can see anglers laughing and telling fish stories to each other and some that just met for the first time. This is a great pool to try when the fishing is slow and many lies that are priceless!






This is a photo of a Osprey that flew into this dead tree and collapsed and hung upside down for at least 3 minutes before coming too and flying away.





Other River Reports

Doug Underhills Miramichi Fishing Report for Thursday
We've turned another page in the calendar and are headed for the home-stretch of the angling season. However, the fall runs have yet to appear. The heavy rains last weekend did not affect the Miramichi system as it did others. Read More.
Country Haven Report
Byron (Byzie) Coughlan's clients hooked a couple fish this week on the Miramichi river. Read More.

Flies of Choice
Bombers of every color pretty much but the blue with white ends and brown hackle seem to be the best. Green machines number 4's were working good with a green or red but and some flash. Some fish were rolling too Ally Shrimp patterns. You should soon see the green slime start to work too. One fish was hooked on a yellow subermarine with white tail, very simular too the white tail green machine.

Weather & River Conditions
As you can see in this photo of anglers fishing in the morning fog the fall weather has approached us. The weather for the next week will be from 16 C to 22 C and lows of down to 7 C. There is some rain expected (10 ml) for the Friday the 11th. The river level from my experience is getting very low and even though the lower stretches requires low water it really needs a raise in the level to help the fish and the pools up stream. Tides for the next week please check the link to the right and you can find the predictions. The water temperatures are in the low 60's which is very good.


That's all for the weekend and hope too have better reports in the next few days on the river.

Tight Lines,
Rodney Colford
Colfords Guiding Service