River Conditions are improving on the Miramichi

Miramichi river conditions are improving everyday, weather conditions and the river dropping is a big factor in getting the level back to late ideal summer conditions.

Beautiful Rainbow

Alanda Harrison with a salmon

With fall on our doorsteps, and cool mornings showing fog on the river already. It's beginning to look like fall fishing conditions in August. I've noticed several salmon that were very coloured and some looked like they were hook bills as they leaped through the air.

The last couple days should be bringing a few fresh fish in the system as high tides on the full moon usually does bring some runs, in late August.

Kelly Channel

I asked many fishermen what they do when the water is too high to fish.
And many anglers said they take the time in high water levels to Ty fly patterns that there out of. While many say they enjoy canoeing on the water in the afternoons, taking advantage of the beautiful weather were having in the later part of August.



With river levels dropping and pools starting to show their form, anglers are starting to land a few fish.



At the Ledges Inn in Doaktown were having some luck. I had clients Alanda Harrison and David Harding of PlasterRock land a salmon and a fresh sea liced covered grilse yesterday. Lloyd Lyons guided his clients to a 15 lb salmon using a GP. Conditions in the Doaktown stretch of the river is almost perfect.


Our Mountain Channel Lodge fished Cains River and client Tom Kleeman landed a nice fresh salmon at Moores Pool.

Tom Kleeman with a Cains Fish

Dan Bullock of Bullocks Lodge had a slow week in Boiestown with high water. Level has been improving and some fish are starting to show. Dan is expecting good fishing the next few days, and hoping to get some better conditions for dry fly fishing.

David Harding & Alanda Harrison

Country Haven Fishing Lodge in the Blackville area of the river said they had a very good week. Overall with the high water conditions they landed salmon everyday, but only a few grilse this week. Some fish are sea lice covered and more fish were showing the last couple days. Cains river was fishing good but fish weren't showing until taking the fly.

Wilson’s Sporting Camps said they are happy to report that the river is still much higher than normal for mid August. Combine this with cool nights and a good run of salmon, the result is better than average fishing in most areas . We are still getting mostly salmon, some very dark but some very fresh. One angler fishing near Bloomflield Ridge in Boistown on Friday and Saturday had exceptionally good fishing in deep fast moving water on a size 8 Bonnie Belle . The pools are starting to take shape again so it looks like a good week ahead for fly-fishing Atantic salmon on the Miramichi River.

Miramichi Salmon Club in the Blissfield area said angling was slow the last week with not much sign of any fish. But the last couple days things starting to improve with some fresh fish being landed.

Alanda Harrison with a close up of her salmon

Anglers near the mouth of Cains River were hooking fish on dry flies but said water could be down a foot too a couple feet to improve.

If your in the area and fishing gear is on the menu drop by WW.Doaks for all your fly fishing supplies and local fishing reports.

Canoers high fiving after falling out of the boat.

Flies of choice again seems to be a mixture of what you throw at the fish. Dry flies are working, I landed a few on glitter bears, a few on a Dylan Spey, apache shrimp and green machines.

With the third week of August in the books and looking very good for the last week of August. We should see some exceptional salmon fishing for late August through September moving forward.

So if you can get time to throw a line, it should be very promising results the rest of the season.

Until next week may your reels be screaming on the river.

Rodney Colford

Prayers being answered for Rain on the Miramichi

The hot topic on the Miramichi river is high water. Anglers were praying for rain all of July, and were their prayers ever answered for August. River levels are very high and leaving many pools barely fish-able for the most part. 

Temperatures are hovering around the 60 to 65 (F) and the clairity is tea like, which is always good color for fishing. 

Evelock Gilks of the Miramichi Salmon Club in Doaktown area said the water was very high and fishing was slow. They only landed 12 salmon with 12 anglers the past week. 

Derek Munn of the Ledges Inn said Miramichi River levels were very good for the month of August. Fishing was very good at the beginning of the week but slowed down the ladder part of the week. Hardy Rep David Bishop fished at the Ledges this week and had very good success using the two handed Hardy Spey Rods. 

Mountain Channel Lodge on the lower stretch of the river had good fishing the past week on both sides of the river. Water was high for the most part but we managed to pick up 3 or 4 salmon per day. We still have lots of openings available at very low special prices. Were only a few minutes from the tide water and fresh fish are always close by, so give a call or email for more information.

Keith Wilson of Wilson Sporting Camps said river levels were 6 inches above normal and was perfect for their section of the river, and they are hooking fish. Keith said don't forget the great deals on for August.

In the Boistown area of the river Dan Bullock of Bullocks Lodge said they hooked 6 salmon last week on the Morrison bug. Water was perfect, but raised another another foot to 18 inches since the weekend. Also raised a few fish on dry flies. We saw a few salmon jump yesterday but river needs to drop a foot to improve.

Byron Coughlan of Country Haven Lodge had some luck this week on a few rivers. Cains River and the SW Miramichi was the place to be for some of his clients as they landed a salmon most days this week. Salmon were up as far as Moores Pool on the Cains River in the Shinnickburn area of the river. Flies of choice were the Francine pattern that looked like a green machine and Red Francis. We only had one salmon with sea lice.

Paul Gillespie of Doaktown had very good luck fishing this week. Paul had some friends fishing with him and hooked well over 20 fish on dry and wet fly patterns. 

I landed a few salmon this week at The Ledges, and a couple had sea lice. Laurent St. Pierre of Montreal landed a 16lber on a glitter bear. I also landed a few on the Jon Olan pattern. Most pools are very high on the river and needs to drop in river levels to improve conditions.

Flies of choice for the past week have been a mix batch of patterns from small to big patterns, and a mix of sizes from number 8 to 1's. The pacasse yellow and orange, Green Spey, Green Machines, Glitter bears, Ally shrimps, GP'S and many bugs and a few bombers. 

Well with lots of water in the system and cool nights started. We should be set up good, going into the back part of the season. And looking like more rain in the forecast the next few days.

 So having your prayers answered for rain the past week its time to get up of your knees and go fishing, because we have enough water at the moment on the Miramichi River and tributaries. But if you decide to ask for bigger runs of fish, please do.

Until next week may your reels be screaming on the river.

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

High water slows the fishing for a day or two

Conditions on the Miramichi went from warm and low water conditions to very high and muddy conditions.

As the heavy rain subsided the river raised and raised! Trees, benches and even a few boats were on the free flow in the murky water.

The last couple days before the rise saw the river (SW) have great reports of hook ups. Many fishermen were saying that fresh fish were being landed with sea lice.

Miramichi Salmon Association and Atlantic Salmon Federation both had good comments that good returns are in the rivers.

The river started dropping Saturday evening and a few fish were already reported being landed in the Doaktown area.

Flies for a few were GP'S size #2, yes a fall pattern some would say? But, fish them they will work is what I say!

Well got to get back to reading some more Salmon Country. A Great book if you don't have it by author Doug Underhill. Find his site on my link section and get his amazing book.

Until next time keep your reels screaming on the river!

Rodney Colford

Fresh Atlantic Salmon runs are arriving on the Miramichi River

Fresh Atlantic Salmon runs are arriving on the Miramichi River as many fishermen are hooking up. Reports of salmon and grilse over the past week have been landed on the North West Miramichi, Little South West Miramichi, Sevogle, Renous and Cains River. Sunday started off slow on the Main South West Miramichi and then more and more fish were seen jumping through out the river as the week went on. Wednesday had runs of fish coming in covered with sea lice straight from the sea.

River conditions were very high for the past week but is starting to get back to a fish-able level. Depending on the area of the river you fish water levels are different. The lower stretch from Quarryville to Cains River is still very high. The middle lower stretch from the mouth of Cains River up to Blissfield has a few pools very fish-able. The middle stretch from Blissfield to Boistown is starting to get very fish-able and should be in perfect condition by the weekend. The upper stretch of the river is in perfect condition from Boistown to Juniper. 

Derek Munn of the Ledges Inn in Doaktown said the water is slowly dropping and are seeing more and more fish daily. Water has cleared up a great deal and the fish are on the move. Derek said most of his guest are landing fish with some being grilse and salmon. Average size is around 12 to 15lbs. 

Guides Andrew Anthony and sports landed a salmon 17lbs and a grilse on Tuesday and Wednesday using an Ally Cascade. Myself and Marc Bedard and Steven Palmer landed a 15lb salmon and 2 grilse. Dr. Bolie limit out on Tuesday with 4 grilse. Lloyd Lyons and sport landed a couple grilse and a salmon. Guide Vembrose Watson sports landed 2 grilse and lost a salmon.   

Country Haven Lodge are also hooking fish through out the river. Salmon and grilse are also being caught and pretty much the same sizes from 10 to 15lbs. They also hooked a salmon on the Cains at Salmon Brook. 

Wilsons Camps in McNamee said the river is still a foot above normal but the salmon and grilse are here and with the cool nights the river should stay very good. They are catching a few in the 30 to 34 inch range.

Black Brook Salmon Club near the Mouth of Cains River are also hooking a few fish. Guide Donald Colford said water is still very high and they are fishing from boats and wading. 

Fishermen should have a good weekend as many fish are running from the high tides we are having. One thing that always seems to play a good factor is the full moon in July always seems to bring a nice run of fish in. 

Flies for the week seems to be the old faithful  White Tail Green Machine, Undertakers, Glitter Bears and Alley Cascade and also a few bombers. Black and green flies are most popular this time of the season but always try a fly that just maybe will catch you that fish of your dreams. 

Until next week have Tight Lines.

Rodney Colford

Warm June Taking Its Toll On Miramichi Salmon Fishing

Rod, Ernie & Andrew of the Ledges Inn
photo taken by Rick Whorwood.

Salmon fishing on the Miramichi is just not in the way we would like to see it for the month of June. I would love to say fishermen's reels are screeching out into the backing. And thirty pound Chrome Bumpers of Salmon that are so silver they are Leaping through the air. But warm weather is taking its toll on the river as river temperatures hit over 21 degrees Celsius (70.F) this week.

Looking up river from the Bridge Pool in Ludlow.
Some fishermen that hooked up this week:

 A few salmon and grilse that are in the river are already starting to lay at the mouth's of cold brooks to get out of the warmer river conditions from midday to late evenings. Some fish that were laying in certain pools during the day moved upstream by the next morning. So it seems they are travelling more at night to beat this heat and to get over the shallow gravel bars.



Derek Munn of the Ledges Inn said his guest Galen Knowles landed a grilse and lost one, Nate Holyoke hooked and lost one at Mountain Channel Pool.
Miramichi Salmon Club hooked a few salmon in the Blissfield area this week.

Looking down river at the Bridge Pool.

Damir Sehic landed a 15lb salmon using a black bomber. Chris Edmonds reported hooking a 10 to 12lb salmon with one of his clients. John Colford hooked a salmon at the mouth of Cains River on Tuesday.


Miramichi and surrounding tributaries are in need of rain and cooler temperatures to improve the fishing. Many anglers are already complaining about the late run of salmon to the river and now with this heat anglers are getting very discouraged. One thing to look at is maybe the salmon knew something we didn't, and being late to arrive this summer may be a good thing with the warm water conditions we are having. Lets hope they are waiting in the estuary for a change in the system and big schools of fish ready to run into our rivers.

At the trout lakes having dinner.

There have been a few small runs of fish make there way in so far this season and a few lucky anglers hooked up. But it has been a slow start to the season and with the warm dry conditions we are having, anglers will have to be patient and wait for the rain to come to cool the rivers down.


The weekend is starting to look better for the fish and the fishermen as some rain is in the forecast and cooler weather for next week. Thunder showers for Friday and Saturday and rain Monday and Tuesday are expected and will be nice to see for the Atlantic Salmon Fishing.

Fishing at the trout lakes at the Ledges Inn.

Reports are low and warm on all the tributaries and anglers should practice safe fishing for the fish. When river conditions are warm try fishing early mornings. In these conditions in warm weather get out on the river early and beat the heat and you may be rewarded. Also remember to drink lots of water and have sunscreen lotion on, or get raccoon eyes like mine and a few other guides I know.

Lets hope we get some rain and the weather stays cooler next week for fishing salmon not only on the Miramichi but all of New Brunswick rivers.

Boats at the lake.

Tight Lines from the banks of the Miramichi.
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.

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

Ice Out 2012 On The Miramichi

Ice out conditions for Thursday March 22nd 2012. Early ice out conditions are underway and many anglers are very curious if the salmon will still be around by April 15th for the start of the season.

Yesterday the river ice started coming out of the Cains River and also got the lower section of the Main SW Miramichi River running. Ice was piling up along the shores and very loud noise was heard from the breaking and moving of the ice.
took some photos of a beaver who was struggling to maneuver through the ice flows. At one point he decided to climb on top of a floating ice junk and try walking up stream but only to find out he was not getting anywhere and lost more distance than he made up.                                                                                               


 In Doaktown ice was still in according to Derek Munn of the Ledges Inn. He thought with all the warm weather we were having that ice should be breaking up very soon. He also said fishing should be very good after having such a good season last year. Well Derek was right and the ice did get underway.
As to the ice going out early or late there always seems to be fish around for the opening day. I saw years where the ice went out in February and salmon were still around on opening day. The biggest concern may be how high will the river be with all this early melting we are having? All I know it will be nice to get back on the water and throw a line after a long winter of waiting.







If your looking to get out on the water this season give us a call or go online and check us out at www.ledgesinn.com or phone 506-365-1820. And if you're in Moncton this weekend we will be at the New Brunswick Sportsman Show being held at the NB Boat Show this year at the Coliseum.














I will be back in a couple days with a more up to date report for ice out on the Miramichi.
Tight Lines,
Rodney Colford

Fall fishing is starting

Fall fishing is starting to be fun and very colourful once again on the Miramichi and tributaries. As the river is starting to get back to normal levels and temperatures perfect for salmon fishing, the fish are still not very interested in taking the fly on the perfect cast. Every now and then one manages to hook a fish or roll a few but there has yet to be any great fall run of salmon for the month of September. One has to think that just maybe after such a great season they all have come in already or let’s hope there late for the fall season perhaps.

The North West Miramichi River is still having some good fishing as water and temperatures are great. Anglers are hooking a few big hook-bills and some grilse. Flies of choice are ally shrimps, GP’s and LT Specials.

The past week on the Sevogle Troy Adams of Dieppe had very good fishing as he released 6 grilse at Squirrel Falls. He hooked them on some bombers he got from me he told me, and some wet flies like the blue smurf pattern.

Renous River is still fishing well too as guide Gary Colford of Country Haven landed a grilse and lost a salmon in the middle stretch of the Renous River. Flies of choice were the shady ladies and Red Francis.

Cains River is very low as it did not get the big raise in water like the Miramichi did. Cains was fishing very good the last week as we had very good luck at Moores Pool. There were days we would hook 6 fish and land 3 while other days land only 1. Most days we did not see many fish but as most fishermen know about the Cains is you usually don’t see them until they hit your fly and run you out into your backing. My father Gary Colford landed several fish this week on the Cains the same fly the shady lady.

The lower stretches of the Miramichi is still a little slow but there is a few fish being caught in pools like the public areas like Grey Rapids and Mods Pool. There are a lot of fish near the Mouth of Cains and Black Brook area but seem to be old fish that have been around for awhile as they are very dark in color. Pool 66 fishermen are landing the odd one and having some fish roll for their flies.

In the Middle Stretches of the River around Doaktown fishermen are hooking the odd one. At the Ledges Inn we are only hooking a few per day and not seeing many fish the past week since the big raise in water. I lost 2 in our Home Pool and raised several more while the water was up on a green machine with white tail. Irishman Terry Coleman landed a 20lb salmon the past week with us. He also landed a few more and some were on tube flies such as the Willy Gun pattern. Andrew Anthony and his client broke our camp record with their 18lb salmon putting us at the time to 797 fish landed this season. The same day head guide Derek Munn and his clients had very good fishing on the Cains. The flies we were using the past week were Green Butt Bear Hair with jungle cock eyes, Undertakers, Red Francis, GP’S, Comet Tube Fly and a Orange Bug that looks like the Green machine.

Upstream a bit near Sutters Salmon Club head Guide Shawn Betts and clients were also hooking a few fish. They had a few spey casters in and were enjoying their day on the river.

So the past week of fishing was not so bad on our Great River. The color of the trees on the hill sides is very beautiful while fishing and to be fishing in the frosty mornings with the fog lifting from the water is Priceless. So get out on the water somewhere before the season ends on October 15^th and give it a try you will be shocked of the scenery in your back yard of New Brunswick Rivers.

You can leave me a comment on my blog at miramichifishingreports.blogspot.com and send me your photos of your great salmon catch. Until next week tight lines.

Fish still seem to have lock jaw

Salmon fishing on the Miramichi the past week is still a little slow. Fish still seem to have lock jaw most days but there are the few that take the fly. The weather is staying very good and river levels are starting to get down to better fishing conditions. The water temperatures are staying in the low 60’s (F) and even down in the 50’s (F). You would think with the conditions we have that we would be landing lots of fish, but I have saw this before and if you know salmon fishing they will only take when the salmon decides to take the fly.

At the Ledges Inn this week we had many fish in most of our pools but yet again the fish were very selective to what they wanted. We had one evening where my client hooked a fish on a LT Special and across the river another client with Derek Munn hooked one on a purple marabou and another on a tippet shrimp. Andrew Anthony and clients were using very opposite patterns and more summer like flies, like the undertaker and a Conrad pattern I tied with jungle-cock eyes. Andrew had one salmon almost 20 pounds this week. We are also hooking and rolling some on bombers.

Mountain Channel in the Blackville area is seeing a few fresh fish but water is still very high for the most part. They have been fishing the Cains River and the far side of the river.

Country Haven Lodge is also hooking a few fish both on the Miramichi and the Cains River. Country Haven was landing fish almost every day in the Shinnick Burn area at Moore’s Pool. Alley Shrimps seems to be working best Kenny Vickers said. Gary Colford fished a couple days also this week and clients landed a salmon and grilse. Gary said he saw a lot of hook bills jumping all over the river the last couple days and said the fall season is here.

For more up to date reports check out the Fly Shops at Curtis Miramichi River Outfitters in Blackville and W.W.Doaks and Sons in Doaktown or on my blog at www.miramichifishingreports.blogspot.com. 

August fishing is usually low and warm

Could conditions be much better for the month of August this summer for salmon fishing on the Miramichi.  All I can say is the fish are here and the water is too and what more can one ask for after June and July fishing was some of the best we have ever saw on the Miramichi. August fishing is usually low and warm and were complaining wishing we had water well it’s not the case this season.

It’s been a tough season for the lower stretch of the Main South West Miramichi where they need low water for best results. But anglers still have hooked their fair share of fish in the high water conditions. Many fish are still being hooked from the mouth of Cains River down to Quarryville this week.

With reports of a few fresh fish in the system and many old fish hanging around some pools most fisherman were saying. Ken Macloud and Rick Law had excellent fishing as the green and blue bombers seem to be the fly for them. Ken had one 18lber and saw some in the 25 to 30 pound range jumping. Steven Moody also was hooking a few fish on bombers. Lester Vickers was fishing with him and also had some luck.

In the Doaktown area local fisherman are hooking a few but are not seeing many fresh fish around.

The Ledges Inn is seeing a good number of fish in most all their pools. Water conditions are great with temperatures being in the low 60,s (F). After the good rise in water Tuesday and hooking 20 salmon later was a very good day. Wednesday morning was also very good yesterday morning as they hooked 12. Flies of choice were samething murray, green butt and coosebooms.

Cains River was fishing very well from Sabbies down to the mouth of Cains. I hooked 2 on GP,s and 1 on an Alley shrimp and several on dry.

Local fly shops in the area are always on top of the fish reports like WW.Doak & sons and ask for Matt or Bruce. Fredericton Outfitters are always in the scoop with conditions on all rivers in NB and the Miramichi. Curtis River outfitters and George Routledge at Georges Fly Shop will have the gear and advice you are looking for. And if your coming from Saint John and passing through Minto stop in and checkout Ralph Goodwin’s fly shop where he has all the gear too.

And if you’re looking to canoe, kayak or tube the Miramichi River there are several places to check out and to name a few like McCormack Outdoor Adventures if you’re close to Boistown area and in Doaktown there is O’Donnell’s Cottages that are very well known for their canoeing. And if you’re over on the North West area check out Stewarts Tubing on the Little South West Miramichi.
These pictures of our fish were landed on Wednesday.

River conditions should be very good for the weekend so get out of the office and grab your fishing gear and hook up this weekend.

Tight Lines, Rodney Colford

Salmon fishing conditions for the middle of August are almost perfect

Salmon fishing conditions for the middle of August are almost perfect. After all the rain we received the water is up again and temperatures are in the low 60’s degree (F). Who would ever imagine conditions like this on the Miramichi for the middle of August. This should push us through with good water into September. There are lots of fish in the system and still a few fresh fish being put through the counters daily.

Many local anglers in the Blackville area are still hooking or rolling fish. Anglers up near the mouth of the Cains River are still hooking fish. Don Roy and his business associates were enjoying their day fishing the mouth of the Cains. They saw one fisherman hook 9 and land 4 Tuesday morning. They then fished with us at the Ledges Inn and had some luck. Lloyd Lyons clients landed a grilse and lost another on small dry flies. Derek Munn and clients Morley Mooers and Peter Kane were hooking a few. Morley hooked 4 and landed 1 on Tuesday evening and all on small wet flies.

I fished with Steven Moody at Wades Fishing Lodge Friday evening and landed a grilse on a small bomber. Steven rolled several on dry as well. He also said fishing was great there all summer.

Zachery Colford landed 5 this week and rolled several more on bombers all on the lower stretch of the Miramichi.

Anglers on the lower stretches of the Cains are still hooking fish and seeing fish in most pools. Moores Pool on the Cains had lots of fish showing last weekend and early this week.

Keith Wilson of Wilsons Sporting Camps said Conditions could not be better. The water height is perfect, temps are cool and there are plenty of fish in the holding pools. They had a couple of salmon this week that were very bright so it looks like there is still the odd fresh one coming in. Good reports from the Dungarvon and the lower Cains as well. With the high water on the Cains it looks like a lot of fish have moved into the lower 15 km’s or so. Fly of choice this week at Wilson’s was the brown bomber with white tail.

Country Haven Lodge is still picking up a few fish both on the Cains and Miramichi. They said fisherman on their day adventures were doing well.

Flies of choice for most of the area are still Bombers for the dries and undertakers, green butts, shady ladies and all sorts of green machines.

Tip of the week: When using smaller flies use smaller tippet to make your fly move more realistic. And change your angle of your cast from time to time.

The weather for the next week looks bad for sunbathers but very good for the fishermen. Showers for the weekend and heavy rain for the start of the week should be good for the fish. Please post your reports on my blog if you like or email them to me and I will add them in my column for you anytime. My email is on my blog at www.miramichifishingreports.blogspot.com.

Have a great weekend and until next week tight lines.

Miramichi River levels are good for August

River and Fly fishing conditions on the Miramichi the past week is still very good. Anglers are happy with the temperatures of the water and the fish they are seeing. Water temperatures are staying very good in the 60 degree (F) which is very good for salmon fishing. 
This is Zachery Colford with his first salmon of the season. This photo was taken about a month ago.


The level of the river also is very good for the middle and upper stretches of the Miramichi. The lower section is still on the high side as most of the pools need it to be low water for the fish to take better. But the majority of anglers are still hooking their share of fish throughout the river.

This is Brad Kersing
of  Austrailia

With high water on the lower stretch of the Miramichi it is making some anglers see how well Cains River fishes all summer. High water conditions this summer has made the Cains fish very well and reports of fish are being hooked or seen jumping in pools over the entire river.

Me holding Marc Bedards fish.

The North West Miramichi is still fishing very well. Heavy rains made the fish very active and one angler had some very good dry fly fishing. Marc Bedard of Moncton hooked 9 fish over 3 days. He said barbless bombers were his fly of choice. Marc said most of the fish were dark and no sign of them being fresh. This is a fish Marc got at the Ledges Inn back in July when I was fishing with him.

The Ledges Inn the past week has been still hooking a few fish. We have not seen very many new fish except for one day one of the guest landed 4 straight with the 4^th one being very silver. We are fishing mostly dry flies and a few hooked on small wets. Derek Munn and his guest were hooking most fish in early mornings.

Celtic Beauty by
Gary Tanner

The next week is looking good for fishing for those who like the rain. The weather man 
is calling for rain and more rain the start of the week so put your swim suits away and get your rain gear out and get fishing. And for those who never fished before it’s never too late to start. I had an 82 year old lady start fishing this week and she enjoyed it very much. She said it was hard to fish with so much beauty around the Miramichi and NB as rainbows and eagles were in the sky.


And for another week of fly fishing on the Miramichi may your lines be tight and your reels be screeching.

Several fish in the system

Your Miramichi river report for the past week has had some ups and downs but there are several fish in the system to fish for if you decide to get out on the river.

Starting in the Quarryville area with Goerge Rutledge’s Fly Shop. George said fishing was slow except for a few guys hooking fish in early mornings. He also said this rain should pick things up again.

In the Blackville area at Curtis River Outfitters shop said fishing was average for this time of year and with the heavy rain yesterday it should start getting good again. Canoeing was very good last week and there are always extra canoes for rent.

Mountain Channel was still hooking fish in the mornings but only a few fish were running through.

Country Haven Fishing Lodge was hooking fish everyday in some of their pools. They were also doing well on the Cains River and Renous River.

Pool 66 near Black Brook Pool was fishing very well all week and yesterday in the rain it was fishing extremely well as many huge salmon were taking the fly. Danny Munn of Doaktown landed 2 salmon and a grilse by 10:00 am yesterday on a few of my bombers. My son Zach lost 3 on brown bombers and saw many more fish.

The Bridge Pool in Upper Blackville was fishing in the early mornings and the fly of choice was a green butt moose hair.

In the Doaktown area at the Ledges Inn fishing has been very good the past week in early mornings. Head Guide Derek Munn said the fish were getting more selective in the low water. Derek fished the past couple of weeks with Dr. Scott Boley and his wife Sanda (Sonny) Boley from the Bronx, NY. Dr. Boley said he fished here the past 53 years and can’t remember ever seeing so many fish. Scott told me he was to Russia several times and nothing compares to the Miramichi. Scott and his wife hooked over a hundred fish in 18 days fishing at the Ledges Inn with Derek.

The past week we had some very hot conditions at the Ledges Inn. We decided to take advantage of the cooler mornings and very late evenings. Most mornings we hooked or rolled fish, Andrew Anthony, Lloyd Lyons and I rotated the pools and many mornings we hooked up with our clients.

The River conditions were from 61 (F) in the cold water pools to 76 (F) in the late afternoon in the hot days. Now since the rain yesterday the water is starting to rise and fish are starting to take the flies. Last night the river temperatures were in the low 60’s (F). This rain is a great boost for the month of August. I have seen there be sensational fishing from the rains in August so get out on the river this August or call and we’ll see if we can take you out on the river.

Mathew Doak of Doaks Fly Shop said there were fish taking the regular flies like the green machines and shady ladies.

Cains River is still fishing very well for some anglers. Gary Colford hooked several fish this week at the Brophy Pool and Moores Pool. Tom LeBlanc of Moncton fished the Sabbies Yesterday on the Cains and had no luck. He then went to the Main Miramichi where he hooked a few salmon. Glen Keenan hooked a nice salmon on the Miramichi on one of my bombers.

Flies to take with you that worked the past week are Green Machines, Undertakers, Shady Ladies, and bombers. I also fished the Mighty Quinn, a fly I got from Ralph Goodwin of Minto, NB. Ralph has a Fly Shop there where he carries several fly fishing and spin casting gear. So if you’re in route for the Miramichi drop in and see Ralph at his shop. You can check out my photos of the past weeks fishing or send me your photos and I will add them to my Blog at www.miramichifishingreports.blogspot.com

For another week on the Miramichi keep your lines tight and your reels screeching until next time.