Heavy Rains Hammer the Miramichi

When it rains it pours, and that is exactly what happened on the Miramichi river system this week. As the banks of the Miramichi River was finally starting to get to perfect levels for fishing pools and having fish hold up a bit.

When! Old Mother Nature had a much different look at things, as the river got hammered hard with heavy rains Monday and Tuesday morning. With so much rain in a short period of time the levels were rising very fast on the river Tuesday afternoon.

Grilse I released using the new Hardy Jet series 14 Spey Rod

Then late Tuesday night the SW Miramichi got hit with over another inch of rain in Clearwater and conditions were still rising Wednesday.

Visibility is good despite the high water conditions but the few fish that were jumping was not taking a thing.

Conditions were just getting good on the lower stretches of the river and almost to perfect levels before the rain.The upper stretches from Doaktown to Boistown were at great levels but with all the rain it will be a week or so before conditions improve again.Temperatures are perfect in the high 50's and low 60's which is awesome going into September.

Last weekend and up until Tuesday morning we were picking up a few salmon. Flies again was the Paul Caron stone fly, wt green machine, samething Murray's and bombers.

This is a picture of a boat I rescued this week in the Doaktown area. The owner was very happy.

Paul Caron Stone Fly

Stonefly Caron Signature / A. Jackson.
David Bishop says this is one of his favourite flies ever. Paul Caron, a good friend and awesome angler developed this fly. You NEED them in ALL SIZES. Period! Find out more by going to www.salmonsteelheadflies.com and see many great looking patterns that David has on hand.

At The Ledges Inn in Doaktown we were having half decent fishing. With all the rain our pools are a bit high to fish properly so back to boat fishing. It will take a few days to improve. This is a picture I took of guide Derek Munn and Richard Campbell of PEI just before the rise in water. We hooked 3 and landed two that night. The other salmon was landed by Allan Moore of PEI and all fish were landed on Hardy gear.

Guest at Bullocks Lodge

Dan Bullock of Bullocks Lodge had a good week of fishing in Boiestown. Fish were caught almost every day with great conditions and fish starting to show in bigger numbers. The fly of the week was definitely the Yellow Winged Butterfly, with the RBM Muddlers and Glitter Bear also being noteworthy. 3 1/8inches of rain in past 24 hours are going to make the next few days a challenge.







Wilson Sporting Camps said conditions were slow in their area. A few fish were around but seemed to be a lot of old fish. With all the rain it's looking good going into September for the fish.

Country Haven Lodge said before the raise in water on the lower stretch of the SW Miramichi river fish were just starting to hold in their pools. They landed fish last week and Monday on peach carter bugs. But with the rain monday and Tuesday night and rising water this morning, fish will probably be on the move again.

Larry Van-Pearson fishing at the Ledges Inn

The Atlantic Salmon Museum in Doaktown, New Brunswick, will host its annual ‘Hall of Fame Award Banquet’ on Saturday, September 14th. For those attending the dinner, there will be an open house at the Atlantic Salmon Museum from 4 – 5 p.m. followed by a ‘meet and greet’ reception at 5 p.m. in the Doaktown Curling Club.
A buffet style dinner including beef, salmon and fiddleheads will be served at the Curling Club at 6 p.m. The price for this special event is $75, and a tax receipt for $40 will be issued. A limited number of tickets are available, and they go quickly.
During the banquet, there will be a live auction of 2014 donated fishing waters plus much more. Please call (506) 365-7787 to pay for your ticket or stop by the Museum, 263 Main Street in Doaktown.
Inductees for 2013 include: David Adams Richards, Vivian Harris-Astle and Dieppe Fly Tying Club.



A dry fly fishermen throwing a fly from the bench at Mill Brook.












Paraglidders having a blast on the river over the weekend as anglers fish below.











Ghislain Basque posted this for a friend, this may help him. (My folding Frabill net ($80.00) was stolen at the Cache pool today. We were parked on the shore below the pool and stood the net half way of the pool. While we were lunching on the tailgate someone came down the trail at the head of the pool and fished for a while where we could see him from the truck. The net was on shore around enough of a bend that we couldn't see him take it but when he left it was gone! It has my name and number on it; John Farnham 375-8655 )... also a video from you tube. Perhaps someone picked it up by mistake and is looking to return it.

Many fishermen are hoping the fall run of salmon will start with this high water we have. I'd say the Miramichi is about high enough, lets hope they make their way in soon.


Until next week keep your lines tight and reels screaming on the river.

Rodney Colford

Ideal August conditions on the Miramichi

Salmon fishing in August on the Miramichi is usually slow, hot and not many fish around. But this August season was far from a hot month for salmon fishing. Angling was great, with lots of water and perfect river temperatures for fly fishing. Now the catching was a little slow for many anglers, but there were lots of fish around, and some days a few fresh fish made their way into the system to get our hopes up for another day on the water.

Guide Wesley Curtis and guest releasing a fish at Mountain Channel Pool.

So with September on our doorsteps and cooler temperatures starting, our fall weather is not far off. With a few hook-bills in the river already many anglers are prepared for the fall run of salmon that make their way in to spawn. Anglers like myself, that have taken days off in the slow fishing times, have prepared lots of fall fly patterns to have ready for the colourful time of year on the Miramichi river. Flies like the famous copper killer, ally shrimps, General Practitioner and the green slime which everybody hates to admit they fish, but works well in the fall and cold water temps. This is just a few patterns of hundreds that will work throughout the fall on the rivers of New Brunswick.

Andrew Huxter of Fredericton landed a nice hook-bill at Big Hole Brook a few days ago which was a beautiful looking fish. He also said he saw lots of fish around but not taking as good as he wished.

Keith Wilson of Wilson's Sporting Camps said the river is at a perfect level and cool temperatures are just around the corner. Keith said it's a normal August with slow taking fish but a few reports of fresh fish coming in, which is always good to hear.Michelle-Marie Collin with her first Atlantic Salmon with her dad Serge and guide Henry.

 Michelle-Marie Collin 

The Ledges Inn are seeing a few fish around but said their not taking well. We have been landing a few, but numbers could be better. River levels for our pools are very good and temperatures were perfect. We have David Bishop in from Hardy the next few days and trying rods and reels and looking to make them heat up with some fine casting. I landed a nice grilse in our Home pool and one at the Ledge Pool this week.

 Our Mountain Channel Camp is also landing a few fish and seeing the odd runs moving through. And don't forget our special price $250.00 per person per day for Mountain Channel Lodge the rest of the season, give us a call today at 506 365 1820 to book your stay and fish the Miramichi.

Trudy Mcbrine-Cox releasing a nice grilse at Mountain Channel

Country Haven Fishing Lodge said fishing was good for August with a good number of fish hooked. Most fish they landed were on the Main SW and Cains River pools. They landed a few this week and had a few fresh salmon released. Flies of choice were green machines, ally shrimps and bombers.

Guides at Black Brook Salmon Club said they were seeing lots of fish. Many fish seemed to be heading up Cains River. They were having good luck in their Cains River Pools. River levels were still high and needs to drop at least a foot to improve conditions.

The Miramichi Salmon Club in the Doaktown area said angling was spotty but were picking up a few everyday. They managed to snag a few fresh ones this week and were hoping a fall run would soon be in the river.

Angler with a fish on at Miramichi Salmon Club

Conditions on the North West is improving to a much better level for fishing. Anglers are seeing a few fish around but we're looking for a fresh run of salmon to make their way in. The Little SW was a little high on Monday but should be very good for the weekend fishing.

So with ideal conditions for fly fishing on the Miramichi River and tributaries. And levels very good overall and temperatures perfect for salmon to come in to the system. We should start to hear good reports from the Miramichi Salmon Association and Atlantic Salmon Federation when salmon runs start. So check their web sites from time to time for updates.

And your local fly shops like Green Diamond Outfitters, new in the Miramichi city area. W.W.Doaks in Doaktown are always up to date on river conditions in their area, and have a great selection of gear on hand. And if your on your way from the US and heading to the Miramichi, The Fredericton Outfitters is a must fly shop to visit as their selection is overwhelming and a hard store to get out of when entered with a full wallet.

Flies of choice for the week is a mixture of patterns again like many dry flies are the blue bombers, brown with orange hackle bombers, christmas tree bomber which is brown with yellow and orange hackle and white tails and for wet flies Paul Caron stone fly was a big hit this week for the Ledges Inn, under takers, shady ladies for the Miramichi Salmon Club, the Bonnie Belle was the fly for Wilsons Sporting Camps, and bombers was the eye catcher on the Cains River for Country Haven Lodge.

All in all it's been a good August fishing month for the Miramichi River and extremely great month for the fish with the levels we have had. I sure hope my readers are as excited as I am heading into September with great levels everywhere.

Until next week may your lines be tight and your reels be screaming on the River.

Rodney Colford

Anglers are hooking a few.

Fishermen on the Miramichi are not hearing many reels screaming from fresh fish. Not many fresh fish are coming into the river yet. Fishermen are hoping for a good fall run to start.

Anglers are hooking a few but most are fish that have been in the river for a bit and are coloured.

Conditions are still high on all tributaries such as the NW, Little Sw, Sevolge, dungarvan was high on the weekend but should be back to a good level now. Some fish were hooked there Saturday. Cains river is fishing and levels are good with a few fish around. The main SW is still high and needs to drop a couple feet on the lower stretch to improve conditions. Doaktown on upstream is almost back to normal levels.

I landed two grilse today (Monday) at the Ledges Inn on a blue bomber. Both fish were dark. I saw lots of fish tonight in the Doaktown area.

River Temperatures are very good and some mornings have been in the high 50's to mid 60 level.

Flies of choice are shady ladies, wt green machines and a selection of shrimp patterns and Paul Caron stone fly and blue bombers.

Will keep you updated with the fall run when it starts.

Tight lines
Rod

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

Anglers challenge the high water on the Miramichi

Salmon fishing on the Miramichi is quite the challenge with all the high water conditions we are receiving.

After heavy rains hit our head waters last weekend we got hit again with more rain Tuesday driving conditions up into the alters.

Monday it was starting to pick up and a few fish were being hooked and several good signs of fish around. And Tuesday was also looking good and conditions were not far from being able to wade in pools again. But that all went out the window as Wednesday the river was rising fast. Early morning there were still lots of fish but as we closer to midday the fish were not showing and conditions were chocolate colored. And then we got hit with more thunderstorms Wednesday afternoon.

The past week on the river anglers have picked up a few fish.

In the Boistown stretch of the river Dan Bullock of Bullocks Lodge said they had good fishing last week with several nice salmon caught in the 12 to 15 lbs range. Thursday and Sunday night especially were very productive. Flies of note included Gary Tanner's Celtic Beauty, Glitter Bear and Orange winged streamers. All fish were very bright and fought exceptionally hard with several runs into backing.

River was at flood level after Fridays rain, but is very close to being ideal in the Boiestown area on our pools. Expecting great fishing in the coming days.

Keith Wilson of Wilson's Sporting Camps said anglers won't complain of no rain for awhile. Another huge raise of water .Just when the river was getting down to a normal where one could expect to hook into some of the many salmon on the move this week, we are hit with a big rise and very dirty conditions. It does not look good for anglers for at least a few days . After the drought of 2012 with no water and no fish for most of the summer we will not complain for long about the high water today we are receiving.

Derek Munn of the Ledges Inn said water was high by two feet in the Doaktown area on Tuesday. They were hooking a few and saw lots of fish. Most pools were unfishable with too much water in the system.

Byron Coughlan of Country Haven Lodge below Blackville said there was lots of water but still seeing lots of fish. Landed 4 yesterday. A lot of pools were to high to fish but doing good from shore. Byron said he saw lots of fish moving past the lodge all week, and the positive note the rain and high water is great for the salmon.

Cains river is high but I have several reports of fish in the system and a few being hooked.

Flies of choice are green machines, glitter bears, black ghost, ally shrimps and pacasse.

Anglers may want to start trying a sink tip in this high water to get down to the fish. Larger flies will work and some marabou patterns.

So with so much rain and not many tight lines, it does sound positive about good numbers of fish in the rivers. Lets hope things will improve for the fishermen for a few days so we can hook up.

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

Rodney Colford