Miramichi Fishing Report for Thursday, June 9, 2016

Angling remains quiet this week with only an odd salmon being hooked.  Trout reports are also scarce.  However, the Striped Bass were still taking well on Sunday in the Cassilis area with one angler reporting 70.  There are still some big females around.  The Stripers that have already left have been reported down river in the Neguac are and up river as far as the Cains River.  There are also a few anglers fishing shad on the Main Southwest Miramichi.

Mark Hambrook said both the Millerton and Cassilis trap nets were averaging one bright salmon a day this past week.  Two grilse have reached the Dungarvon Barrier, while the Northwest Barrier has not received any small or large Salmon yet.

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W. W. Doak and Sons in Doaktown said water conditions were very good, and with the rain in the forecast, the water levels should continue to stay up for a while.  There was one salmon reported in the Doaktown area last week, and a few more seen, but very few for all intents and purposes. A few sea trout were reported.  They were hoping for a big improvement by next week.

Flies of choice were more wets than dries, but some anglers were using small Bombers for trout before the rain, along with Muddlers and a variety of trout patterns.  As well, anglers were using Green Machines, Butterflies and Same-Thing-Murrays on nos. 4 & 6 hooks.

Derek Munn of Ledges Inn in Doaktown and Mountain Channel in the Rapids area said angling was very quiet, but one of their guests had hooked a salmon very briefly on Tuesday.  A few had been seen.  There were no sea trout to speak of.  He felt that the run had already gone by.  He had taken one of his sports down to Miramichi to fish Stripers on Sunday. Munn added that two salmon were hooked in the Doaktown area on Tuesday.

Flies of choice were Black Bear Hairs with green butts, White-tailed Green Machines and Black Ghosts.

Herb Barry Sr. of Herb’s Fly Shop on the Station Road in Blackville said the only fish he has heard about are shad and striped bass.  The bass have migrated up river as far as the Cains so far.  He had not heard of any salmon yet.  He did see a photo of a nice five-pound sea trout “that looked as big as a grilse”.  The recent rain has brought the river up and it is very fishable.

Flies of choice were Bear Hairs, Rusty Rats, Green Machines and a variety of trout flies.

Curtis Miramichi River Outfitting in Blackville said there was only an odd salmon reported, and perhaps one seen rolling Tuesday.  There were a few more salmon reported on the Northwest which is always earlier than the Main Southwest.  Just an odd trout was reported.  A few anglers were fishing for shad, and striped bass were being hooked on the Cains.

Flies of choice were Muddlers, Woolly Buggers, Black Ghosts, Gray Wulffs, a few Bombers and Carter’s Bugs.

Jim Laws of Miramichi Hunting and Fishing in Newcastle, Miramichi reported hearing of a few salmon on the Northwest.  The striped bass fishing had quieted some, although there were a few hot spots left, but the majority had moved both up and down river.  There were a few more reports of trout than in previous weeks.  Water conditions were good.

Flies of choice were Green Machines, Shady Ladies and a variety of trout flies.

Syd Matchett of Trout Brook Fly Shop on the Northwest Miramichi said angling this past week was quiet, especially Friday to Sunday.  He had heard of one grilse being hooked.  Bass fishing was still good below the Red Bank Bridge, but they were taking bass flies rather than the rubber fish.  No trout were reported.  Water conditions were good, but could be a bit high if we get the rain that is forecasted.

One honest angler found two rods on the Urquhart Road and brought them to Syd’s Shop.  If anyone wishes to claim them they can drop into the shop or call Syd at 506-622-0676.  But they must be identified properly before they will be given out.

Flies of choice were Yellow-winged Butterflies, Black Ghosts and White-tailed Green Machines on no. 4 hooks.

Debbie Norton of Upper Oxbow Outdoor Adventures on the Little Southwest Miramichi said things were quiet there, but she had heard of a few salmon and a grilse on the Northwest.  There were basically no trout reports, but still some good bass fishing around Cassilis.  Water conditions were good, and she is hoping that this week’s rain will bring in some bright salmon.

Flies of choice were Butterflies, Green Machines and Black Ghosts on no. 4 hooks.

So with lots of rain in the forecast, and both Syd and I having seen a yellow butterfly it is time to get out and “on the water”.

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Thought for the Week: “Fishing provides time to think, and reason not to. If you have the virtue of patience, an hour or two of casting alone is plenty of time to review all you’ve learned about the grand themes of life. It’s time enough to realize that every generalization stands opposed by a mosaic of exceptions, and that the biggest truths are few indeed. Meanwhile, you feel the wind shift and the temperature change. You might simply decide to be present, and observe a few facts about the drifting clouds.  Fishing in a place is a meditation on the rhythm of a tide, a season, the arc of a year, and the seasons of life… I fish to scratch the surface of those mysteries, for nearness to the beautiful, and to reassure myself the world remains. I fish to wash off some of my grief for the peace we so squander. I fish to dip into that great and awesome pool of power that propels these epic migrations. I fish to feel- and steal- a little of that energy.”  – Carl Safina,The View from Lazy Point: A Natural Year in an Unnatural World

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Atlantic Salmon Federation News – Friday, June 3, 2016

ASF Rivernotes – First reports for 2016
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ASF Rivernotes looks at the latest activity on Atlantic salmon rivers, plus some overvews on the assessments of 2015. Check it out.
http://asf.ca/asf-rivernotes-june-3-2016.html

Wild Atlantic Salmon Need Improved Management and Reduced Harvest to Survive
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ASF provides a report of the situation regarding the wild salmon populations as salmon nations gather for NASCO next week. Read more.
http://asf.ca/atlantic-salmon-need-improved-management-and-reduced-harves.html

State of the Population Report
The four-page overview can be downloaded at:
http://0101.nccdn.net/1_5/05d/3cf/24d/asf-state-of-popn-2016.pdf

ASF Researchers in Overdrive
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The ASF Research Blog provides details of the very intense field season now underway for our biologists. Read more:
http://asf.ca/research-in-the-field.html

Dominique LeBlanc Taking Over DFO Portfolio
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ASF’s President Bill Taylor is among those interviewed on the change of ministerial leadership of DFO. Read more:
http://asf.ca/leblanc-in-fisheries-for-long-haul.html

Mactaquac and Restoring the St. John River
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In the first of two commentaries, Peter Cronin, President of the NB Salmon Council explains the importance of restoring this river.
http://asf.ca/mactaquac-and-restoring-the-st-john-river-1.html

The Aquaculture Debate in Newfoundland
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The real facts surrounding the salmon farm industry in Newfoundland makes for interesting reading. Check out this commentary.
http://asf.ca/two-sides-to-the-debate-on-salmon-farming-in-nl.html

Poachers Convicted in NL
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The first 2016 convictions related to salmon. The NL courts take such cases very seriously.
http://asf.ca/nl-fisheries-convictions.html

Atlantic Salmon Federation News – Wednesday, June 8, 2016

ASF RIVERNOTES – AND WORLD OCEANS DAY
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We have the latest river reports, and wild Atlantic salmon are arriving. Plus some special thoughts for WORLD OCEANS DAY, and an appraisal of the changes that are part of QUEBEC’s new 2016-2026 Management Plan.
http://asf.ca/asf-rivernotes-june-8-2016.html

ASF Research Takes a Bigger View on Tracking Salmon at Sea
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ASF’s Graham Chafe reflects on the bigger picture of the organization’s pioneering research in following wild Atlantic salmon on their migration routes, and finding information on where mortalities are an issue.
http://asf.ca/research-in-the-field.html

Peter Cronin on the Need to Restore the St. John River
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The second part of an appraisal of the needs of the St. John River, noting that hydro dams are the greatest threat to Outer Bay of Fundy Atlantic salmon.
http://asf.ca/the-case-for-renewing-the-st-john-river-part-2.html

New Quebec Regulations Good for Anglers
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ASF’s Charles Cusson provides an appraisal of the new 10-year management plan for Atlantic salmon in Quebec that went into force on June 1.
http://asf.ca/new-quebec-regulations-good-for-anglers.html

June 14 -Share Howland Celebration of Penobscot Project Completion
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After more than 16 years, the Penobscot River Restoration Project celebrates the completion of the final component – a state of the art fish passage at Howland. Check out details of the celebration event and come out to share the day.
http://asf.ca/howland-celebration-of-penobscot-project.html

Removal of New England Dams Reconnects Rivers
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In a timely new study from Dartmouth College, New England is proving to be a leader in removing old dams. Read more:
http://asf.ca/removal-of-dams-reconnects-rivers-in-new-england.html

Exploits River in NL Impresses Swedish Salmon Researchers
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A team of researchers from Sweden is trying to understand how this river went from salmon runs of about 1,500 to as high as 47,000, and is now consistently hosting runs of 30,000 or more.
http://asf.ca/exploits-impresses-swedish-salmon-researchers.html

Until next week
TIGHT LINES
DOUG