Not much change on the Miramichi

Salmon fishing on the Miramichi has not changed much again over the past week. We managed to get a little raise in water but conditions stayed warm which keep the river temperatures up. 

There is still no change to the schedule from 5am to 10am morning fishing. So it looks like we need cooler nights or more rain to get the regular fishing back on track. 

At the Ledges Inn this past week we landed a grilse and raised a few more but conditions were very slow overall. We are still hooking a few trout at the lakes on small flies. 

Wilson's Sporting Camps reported the height of the river is not the problem as much as the heat in the afternoons and evenings. And at the moment the morning fishing is still the best option with the temperatures being high. Keith Wilson also said for anglers to be patient as the river can change very fast and with the rumours from the estuary having lots of fish holding it could be amazing fishing this fall.

Black Brook Salmon Club at the Mouth of Cain's River said fishing slowed down more this week than last. They did get 4 salmon last week and saw fish moving in the upper part of there pool. This week there was not much moving and all seemed to be holding in the brook.

Chris Edmonds hooked and rolled a few fish this week on the North West Miramichi River. He said conditions were good and water temperatures were in the 60's (F). He said he could not wait for it too get back to a full day of fishing.

 

On the positive note we are getting closer to fall fishing. The conditions are changing very slowly, maybe slower than we like but are changing. River levels are up a bit from previous weeks and a few fish are moving out from cold water pools slowly. 

I saw a few fish this week at the Upper Blackville Bridge and some where huge. One in the group was massive and looked well over 30 plus pounds. Just a few days before when I checked out the same section of the river I saw nothing holding there, so some fish are making a move. 

I know many of you are waiting for good fishing to start and so am I. Many of us are sharing different salmon fly patterns and very eager to give them a try. So please be a bit more patient and with lots of luck we will have a good fall season and hook many salmon on the Miramichi. It's not the first time we had a spell like this (maybe not this long) and won't be the last. And like Keith Wilson said our river can change very quickly and have great fishing.

Tight Lines. 

Miramichi finally getting some rain

The Miramichi got some rain a few days ago and with that we got a little raise in water. The Main South West came up about a foot, but due to warm weather and warm nights the temperatures still is remaining very high. The North West Miramichi also got a raise in water, but just the same conditions are very warm which is holding river temperatures very high. Temperatures are ranging from 68 to 72 in early mornings and by late evenings up in the high 70’s (F). Yesterday it did get up to over 80 (F) near the mouth of Cain’s River.

With thunder storms expected today and into the weekend for many parts of the Province. Let’s hope we get enough rain from them to change the conditions for the fishing to full days.

Many anglers are missing there fishing and many have a couple hour or more drive to fish when they do go fishing. So it’s makes it very hard for the away angler to get there time at the river under these conditions.

So with a time limit still on the fishing from 5am to 10am in the mornings some fisherman are starting to get very upset with the delay in fishing. Many understand and with the high temperatures there is really not much since of fishing after that point in the day anyway.
Many take the afternoons to explore our river by canoeing and tubing or Kayaking. There are several places to rent any of these activities on the river. A few such places are O’Donnell’s in Doaktown, McCormacks Tubing in Boistown, Curtis Fly Shop, Stewarts Tubing in Sillickers on the Little SW Miramichi.

There haven’t been any sign of new fish for a while into the river except for the odd straggler brave enough to explore the warm water. Miramichi Salmon Association also is saying that both trap nets are very quiet. They did tell me that fish were seen jumping in the bay, which is very good news to hear.

DFO has indicated that there will be no immediate change to the fishery restrictions on the Miramichi. The current morning only fishery and pool closures will remain in effect at least until the end of the week. You can check back with the Miramichi Salmon Association on Friday as they will post any changes as soon as they receive notification.

So with this report coming to an end for the week let’s think to a more positive note. The weather is changing with some rain, which is more than we had been receiving all summer pretty much. Starting the first of the week we may or be close to an opening of the river to normal fishing days. And for the next week and a half the weather is predicting rain and showers with cooler temperatures in the low 20’s and some nights going down to 5 degrees Celsius.

With this being said bring on the fish Miramichi. Tight lines and please keep up the rain dance as it is greatly needed for the fishing.

Pulling all the tricks on the Miramichi

As a fishermen and salmon fishing guide on the Miramichi River sometimes it can be very hard to hook into a salmon. Many times we try pulling all the tricks we have to succeed in having our clients catch or hook into a salmon. Or for some a dream come true on there trip of a lifetime fishing our famous Miramichi River. 

The last couple or more years we have been very blessed in having great conditions for salmon fishing with high water due to more frequent rain storms and milder temperatures. I don`t think many will forget last season fishing the Miramichi with such great runs of salmon. I really think many will not forget this season. I sure know it`s one too remember in my book of days fishing the Miramichi. One can`t recall having so much heat to keep our rivers in such a hot temperature for so long. 

The past month of fishing reports on conditions have been pretty poor or very boring so to speak from my point of view. I wish I had better reports for you, but mother nature has all the say when it comes to conditions of the weather. 

Due to low water and warm temperatures the pool closures in certain areas of the river has many anglers being very challenged where to fish or even to see fish where they are fishing. More recently this past week the river closures have been cut even shorter for the fishing. The only time to fish is from 5am to 10am in the mornings until river levels come up and get cooler.  

Will mother nature help us out over the next few days. The weather is looking much more like fishing weather as 20 to 40ml of rain is in the forecast and cooler temperatures over the next week. The river temperatures are hovering around 70 (F) in the mornings and up into the 80 degree (F) area by end of the day. So it`s been very hard on the fish in this heat as well as the angler. 

Many anglers the past week have turned too tubing or canoeing to get through the day after fishing. A few places to try are McCormacks Tubing and Adventures located in Boistown on the Main South West Miramichi and you can phone 506-365-0803 or 506-365-5743. And located on the Little South West Miramichi is Stewart`s Tubing in Sillikers route 420, phone 506-836-7436.

I expect with a raise in water and cooler temperatures from some rain we will see a good turn out from the salmon in the next few weeks. Lets hope they are still waiting in the estuary to come in and haven't gone fishing somewhere else. Tight Lines.

SALMON FISHERY ON THE MIRAMICHI

SALMON FISHERY ON THE MIRAMICHI

Moncton – August 3, 2012 - Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) today announces that angling for all species on the Miramichi River system will be prohibited every day from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. the next day, starting Sunday August 5, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. This closure is implemented in order to provide relief to the salmon during the current high water temperatures and low water levels that the system is experiencing. This restriction applies to all scheduled (salmon) waters in the Miramichi system including the Crown Reserves.

Pools and areas previously closed to angling (see notice to fish harvesters dated July 27, 2012) will remain closed for all species during the entire day.

Please refer to Gulf Variation Order 2012-061 for further details. The Fishery Closures / Variation Orders Registry are available online at:

Orders Registrya- http://www2.glf.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fam-gpa/cp/ord/index-e.php

Rain needed on the Miramichi

Slow times for salmon fishing on the Miramichi and surrounding tributaries for 2012. Hot weather and warm water seems to be the hottest topic this season as we are now into the month of August. With very little rain in the forecast for the coming week and the rain we got yesterday will not be enough to get the rivers back to a normal level and open up the closed pools. We would need a good two day rain to get our river back to normal conditions and get some fresh fish coming into the system again. The rivers are very low and very warm and many if not all fish are holding in cold water brooks to survive the heat wave we are having.

There are not many reports to tell you about on the river about fishermen catching fish. There have been the odd one hooked or landed throughout the river. Many anglers are only fishing early mornings and skipping the evening fish. Most are using barb-less hooks and not playing a salmon very long with the warm water conditions. The temperatures of the river is staying above 70 degrees (F) in the mornings and as high as 83 degrees (F) in the late afternoon.

Rain and lots of it is what we need to help improve the conditions. The last two years we had the water and we had the fish. This year we don't have the water and we don't have the fish. Rumours from the Atlantic Salmon Federation tell me the fish are in the bay waiting to come in but due to the warm conditions the fish are staying out in the cooler temperatures.

I am looking forward to seeing better conditions soon and have a better report for my readers in the coming week. My opinion is too keep an eye on the weather, rain and cool temperatures will help in time for salmon fishing just have a little more patients.

Until next week tight lines from the Miramichi.
Rodney Colford