Miramichi Fishing Report for September 8, 2011

This will be another week of very high water, in some cases higher than it was in spring. However, it should bring in the fall runs of both salmon and grilse. All else aside, it is very positive for the fish, even if catching for anglers is a bit more difficult.

The trapnet at Cassilis was recording only a couple of fish per day earlier this week, while the Millerton net was averaging 5 to 6 grilse and 2 to 3 salmon daily.

W. W. Doak and Sons in Doaktown said there was more high water throughout the system which received a two-foot raise earlier this week, but anglers had been catching fish last weekend before the rain. They felt angling should improve by the weekend. A good mix of salmon and grilse was reported by anglers, but no monster salmon.

Flies of choice were Ally’s Shrimps, General Practitioners, Same-Thing-Murrays, Copper Killers, Chief Needabahs and White-tailed Green Machines. There were fewer dry flies and Bombers being used in the high water.

Derek Munn of Ledges Inn in Doaktown and Mountain Channel in the Rapids area said there was lots of high water, but it had dropped 6 inches by Wednesday noon. They had been catching fish until the rain came, and saw lots on Tuesday, but couldn’t catch any. With Wednesday’s drop, angling picked up again. One sport hooked four, landing 2 salmon and a grilse before noon, and all other guests had caught fish as well. There was the odd bright fish, but a very high number of them were dark. Over all there was a good mix of salmon to grilse.

Flies of choice were big bright Marabou patterns such as Slimes, Chorus Girls, Red Francis’ along with traditional fall patterns such as Ally’s Shrimps and General Practitioners.

Herb Barry Sr. of Herb’s Fly Shop on the Station Road in Blackville said there was lots of water and lots of fish, but the fish were hard to catch. A good number of big salmon had been seen, with one angler catching a 20-pounder before releasing another that made it look like a grilse. Herb had caught a grilse Sunday morning before the rain had done too much damage. He felt as the water dropped, the weekend should provide good angling.

Flies of choice were bigger hooks with such patterns as Green & Red-Butt Squirrel Tails, Same-Thing-Murrays, General Practitioners and White-tailed Green Machines.

Curtis Miramichi River Outfitting in Blackville said there was lots and lots of water, but also lots and lots of fish which had been taking well before the rain. A good mix of salmon and grilse were being seen. Canoeing was a little dangerous with the high water, so caution was advised.

Flies of choice were White-tailed Green Machines, Green Machines with double butts and lots of Krystal Flash, None-of-your business’ Sugarman’s Shrimps, General Practitioners, Ally’s Shrimps and Green-butt Bear Hairs, along with Bombers as the water drops.

George Routledge of George’s Fly Shop at the Mouth of Renous in Quarryville said the water there was spring-high, close to what you might expect in April. The Renous was also extremely high. He was telling anyone who called not to come before Saturday for sure. However, before the big rain, angling there had started to pick up, particularly on Saturday and Sunday, but they were not holding. You had one chance and if they didn’t take, they were motoring right on through.

Flies of choice were big hooks tied on Ally’s Shrimps, L.T. Specials and Mickey Finns.

Jim Laws of Miramichi Hunting and Fishing in Newcastle, Miramichi reported lots of water through out the system, but as it dropped anglers were getting a few. Most fish were ones that had been in the system for a while, so he was expecting the fall runs soon. He was hoping for good fishing on the weekend as the water dropped down a bit.

Flies of choice were mostly Fall patterns such as Ally’s Shrimps, General Practitioners and L.T. Specials. He predicted anglers using more Bombers as the water dropped.

Syd Matchett of Trout Brook Fly Shop on the Northwest Miramichi said there were lots of fish being reported, but they were not taking well. They had two inches of rain Tuesday and the Northwest was still on the rise. Before the rain, angling had been decent. Bill Mahoney hooked a salmon and a grilse Saturday and saw a lot more.

Flies of choice were Ally’s Shrimps, L.T. Specials and Bombers before the raise in water.

Debbie Norton of Upper Oxbow Outdoor Adventures on the Little Southwest Miramichi said there was certainly lots of water which was slowing down the fishing. But if you put in the time and worked hard, you could scare up a few fish. Gilles Beach from the UK caught a 15-pound salmon Wednesday and had averaged a fish a day during his stay. Most of the fish were older with only the odd fresh one. She was anticipating the Fall run soon.

Flies of choice were Will Taylor Specials and Blue Ewes.

So as the weekend approaches and the rivers begin to drop off somewhat, get out and “on the water”.

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REMINDER: Please support the businesses which sponsor this report. They make it possible.

Check out Deals 4 U in Miramichi for your grocery needs, and a very good selection of Cuban cigars to celebrate being on the rivers. Also check out their weekly specials.

Drop into Bryant Freeman’s Eskape Anglers in Riverview to stock up on flies as well as any other equipment you may need such as a Redington Rod. Don’t forget that this is the home of The Carter’s Bug tied only the way that Bryant can tie it!  Pick up a supply of the Fall patterns while you are there.

The Moncton Fish & Game Association holds monthly meetings at the rotary lodge on the 1st Monday of the month. For information about the range, membership, etc, please call (506) 351-0799. Their annual fundraising supper is on November 26.

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Thought for the Week: “Any day you can get up and walk to the river is a good one!”….Anonymous

HUMOUR: “I caught a twenty pound salmon last week.”   “Were there any witnesses?”   “There sure were. If there weren’t, it would have been forty pounds.”

2011 Atlantic Salmon Museum – Hall of Fame – Press Release      
The Atlantic Salmon Museum, Doaktown, N.B. will host its annual “Hall of Fame Award Banquet” on Friday, September 23rd with a “meet & greet reception” at 5:30 pm followed by a traditional salmon dinner at 6:30 pm.  The price for this special event is $50.00.  A tax receipt will be issued for $25.00.  A limited number of tickets are available.  Please call 506 365 7787 to pay for your ticket or stop by the museum at 263 Main St., Doaktown.

Inductees for 2011 are as follows.

• RAYMOND MELVIN HOVEY of Porter Cove (deceased), a very well known guide being one of the oldest guides on the Miramichi.
• DONALD ERNEST HOVEY of Porter Cove (deceased), son of Raymond, another guide who was also a cook. Raymond & Donald will be inducted together in the GUIDE CATEGORY.
• HEDLEY WATERTON O’DONNELL of O’Donnell Town (deceased), another well known guide who had the honour of guiding TED WILLIAMS for a couple of years.  Hedley will be inducted in the GUIDE CATEGORY.
• DR. RICHARD SNOW (DICK) of Fredericton, a very well known personality on the river, known for fishing skills and for his strong beliefs in conservation. Dick will be inducted in the ANGLER and CONSERVATIONIST CATERGORY.
• RUTHVEN STEWART of Truro, N.S. and formerly from Blackville, N.B.  He loved fishing the Miramichi and created a fishing fly called the Portapic Special. Ruthven will be inducted in the ANGLER CATEGORY.

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Join us for our Annual “Hall of Fame Dinner” on Sept. 23rd
http://www.atlanticsalmonmuseum.com/salmon_hall_of_fame.html

Tickets are now available ($50 including a $25 tax receipt)

The tickets go quickly for this event!

Reserve your ticket now & pay online at: http://www.atlanticsalmonmuseum.com/id54.html

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Ladies Fishing Retreat
Friday Sept 9th – Monday Sept. 12th
Come Play $389.00 incl. tax or $584.00 incl. tax (accommodation  & full breakfast)

Accommodations to be pre-arranged with the “Homestead Inn” 365 7912  http://www.homesteadinn.ca

Our Ladies Fishing Retreat offers “want-to-be fly-fisher women” and those that want to improve their skills, a unique opportunity to relax on the world renowned Miramichi River.  Discover the lure that has attracted the fly-fisherman for many years and bond with women that have a common interest.  We look forward to meeting you.

For further information contact Linda at 506 365 7787 or

Register online at www.atlanticsalmonmuseum.com/events

Price Includes:

• Tour of the Atlantic Salmon Museum & Historic Doak Property
• Personable instructor
• Special 4 day Fishing License
• Fishing Pool rental & Guide fee
• 4 lunches & nutritional snacks
• 3 dinners
• Angling lessons including catch & release
• Conservation lessons (based on MSA First Cast)
• Introduction to fly-tying & you keep your fly!
• Campfire, Music & “Fish Tales”
• Guided tour to Falls Brook Falls (a Miramichi treasure) or MSA fish hatchery
• Canoe or kayak rental
• Guided river run of the beautiful Southwest Miramichi

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Atlantic Salmon Federation News
Wednesday, August 31, 2011

ASF RIVER NOTES
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Today’s ASF RIVER NOTES finds that in many of the rivers in New Brunswick and Quebec that experienced heavy rain, the salmon are fine, and taking flies. Read more.
http://atlanticsalmonfederation.org/rivernotes/

Salmon Summit
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A Salmon Summit to be held in October in France will bring together the world’s great Atlantic salmon scientists to examine the latest innovative research that is unravelling the mysteries of migration and mortality at sea.
http://asf.ca/news.php?id=744

Were St. Mary’s Bay Salmon Farms Damaged by Waves?
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The sea conditions in St. Mary’s Bay in southwest Nova Scotia have brought questions on whether the new salmon farms there experienced damage. Read more
http://asf.ca/news.php?id=743

Atlantic Salmon Federation News
Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Concern over government pushing aquaculture agenda
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Is Fisheries and and Oceans Canada right to focus on promoting aquaculture, when the mandate is for wild fish and habitat conservation? New evidence at the Cohen enquiry reveals some disturbing moves. Interesting newspaper report on this:
http://asf.ca/news.php?id=749

Canada’s Green Party considered this an inappropriate program for a federal government, and made a statement on this.
http://asf.ca/news.php?id=747

US Fish and Wildlife copes with hurricane aftermath at hatchery
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Atlantic salmon issues related to Hurricane Irene are just coming to light. The US Fish and Wildlife Service raises Atlantic salmon as part of the Connecticut River restoration program. But this week they were retrieving Atlantic salmon lost when water levels overtopped tanks at their White River Hatchery. Check out the photos:
http://asf.ca/news.php?id=751

Call for stiff fines for illegal salmon catches in New Brunswick
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In New Brunswick, an Atlantic salmon caught illegally on the Kennebecasis River brings a call for stiff fines from a crown prosecutor.
http://asf.ca/news.php?id=753

Charges claim endangered Maine salmon taken
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A Durham man has been charged with taking a federally protected Atlantic salmon from the Androscoggin River.
http://asf.ca/news.php?id=752

The disturbing tale of fish farm waste
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Where does the waste from millions of farmed fish go? An opinion piece this week hits that very topic, and makes fascinating reading.
http://asf.ca/news.php?id=748
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To keep track of breaking news on wild Atlantic salmon, use the Atlantic Salmon Federation’s presence on Facebook. Log in, search for Atlantic Salmon Federation, and click “like”.

ASF’s Webworks is an updating service on the world of the wild Atlantic salmon. If you wish to be added or removed from the list, email

Until next week
TIGHT LINES,

DOUG