I’ve had a few inquiries about where to purchase an ark, but I don’t “NOAH” any. After that poor start, needless to say, the water is extremely high. However, long range forecasts for the weekend are calling for sun and high humidity. This should bring the rivers down and hopefully more fish into the system.

Generally, angling has been slow for seemingly two reasons: high water and low numbers of fish.

Keith Pond of Pond’s Resort in Porter Cove Road said fishing was very quiet in his area with anglers only picking up a few local trout. The Pileated Woodpecker family he had been watching seems to have grown and left.

Pond said his restaurant will be opening for the season Saturday June 27. It is open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. He will also be operating a Sea-Food Take-Out on site as well with the same hours, so if you can’t catch’em, at least you can eat’em.

Flies of choice were Muddlers, Butterflies and a few White Wulff’s.

W. W. Doak and Sons in Doaktown said that even though the water was high, there were a few fish being hooked, but the numbers were not great. They expected the numbers to increase as the water drops. There was the odd salmon in the 15-20 pound range being hooked, and most of the fish being hooked were salmon. The bottom line was there were some fish in the system, but it was difficult to narrow them or slow them down. There were no trout reports to speak of.

Flies of choice were White-tailed Green Machines, Undertakers, Glitter Bugs, Green-butt Bear Hairs, Cossebooms and only a very few dry flies or Bombers yet.

Derek Munn of Ledges Inn in Doaktown and Mountain Channel in the Rapids area said fishing was slow with only a very few fish being caught in the last three or four days. They had seen a few at Mountain Channel. The water was high.

Flies of choice were White-tailed Green Machines, Green-butt Bear Hairs and Glitter Bugs.

Herb Barry Sr. of Herb’s Fly Shop on the Station Road in Blackville said angling was very slow and there were no fish. The water had had dropped a foot by mid-Wednesday, but was still extremely high. Barry Sr. had only seen one roll and one jump all week. He said everyone was looking for the “Magic Fly”, but unless it could make a fish, he had no answers.

Flies of choice were White-tailed Green Machines, Preachers, Bear Hairs and Butterflies.

Curtis Miramichi River Outfitting in Blackville said angling was very quiet with only the odd fish being reported. The water was extremely high. They had no trout reports. Essentially, there was nothing to brag about.

Norma Brennan, who works at the Curtis shop, has a special project on the go this year. She is keeping a journal which she is calling “Catch of The Day”, and she would appreciate anglers dropping in to record their catches with her.

Flies of choice were White-tailed Green Machines and Butterflies.

George Routledge of George’s Fly Shop at the Mouth of Renous in Quarryville was unavailable. Unfortunately, George is back in the hospital, so our thoughts go out to him and Shirley for a full recovery.

The water at Quarryville was very high and there were no reports of fish.

Jim Laws of Miramichi Hunting and Fishing in Newcastle, Miramichi reported “lots of water” and debris floating down river. Angling was slow with only the off fish being caught here and there. There were no trout reports.

Flies of choice were White-tailed Green Machines, Black Ghosts, Undertakers and Butterflies.

Syd Matchett of Trout Brook Fly Shop on the Northwest Miramichi said anglers had caught four salmon on Tuesday, and the odd one here and there during the week. There were sporadic reports of the few grilse. The Squirrel Falls, Narrows and Ground Hog Landing Crown Reserve stretches were basically too high to fish. Generally, fishing was not great, but he felt it should improve through the week.

Flies of choice were Yellow Butterflies, Undertakers and White-tailed Green Machines.

Debbie Norton of Upper Oxbow Outdoor Adventures on the Little Southwest Miramichi said they were getting a few salmon. Caulder Creelman had caught a salmon on Monday on a Lew’s Copper Slider and Bob Andrews from Missouri had landed one Tuesday and one Wednesday. The water was very high.

Flies of choice were Lew’s Copper Slider, Butterflies and White-tailed Green Machines.

So as the rivers water drop, get out and “on the water”. (See Mark Hambrook’s fish numbers comment below)

P.S. Thanks to the large number of people who have signed up for the column and to those who have graciously agreed to sponsorship, as well as to those who have given feedback. We can still use more support and more sign-ups, so tell your friends. Send along your stories and photos.

Be sure to drop into Eskape Anglers in Riverview for all of your fishing needs, and pick up a few Carter’s Bugs, and a few good stories from Bryant Freeman.

As well when in Miramichi, pick up that supply of groceries for the fishing trip at Deals 4 U on Petrie St, and don’t forget to add a few nice Cuban cigars from their humidor to relax and /or celebrate the catch of the day. Both of these businesses support us, so let’s support them.

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Thought for the Week: “Chance is always powerful. Let your hook always be cast; in the pool where you least expect it, there will be a fish. (Ovid)

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Interesting e-mail: (seems we are not alone with fish not arriving yet)

Hi Doug
John and I just returned from three days on Southwest Brook about 45 minutes south of Corner Brook. The river went from desperate low on Thursday to a raging torrent on Saturday morning to the point we only fished about 15 minutes.

Overall the numbers of fish were quite poor and our guide and more so our host Kevin Greening was very curious to see how our tributaries were faring in relation to their Eastern Newfoundland rivers and this article popped into my head hence my request.

Going to head out Saturday evening and Sunday morning and if anything news worthy happens I will be sure to let you know.

Hope all is well,
Troy MacDonnell

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Interesting up-date from Mark Hambrook:

1. The Miramichi Salmon Classic will take place July 12-15. Sponsored by Miramichi Salmon Association, the event is a chance to fish a variety of rivers in the Miramichi system such as the Main Southwest, Little Southwest, Renous, Dungarvon, and others. Registration is at the Rodd Miramichi River Hotel at 3:30 p.m. July 12. That evening there will be a “meet & greet” before the banquet dinner and auction. There will be fishing sessions each morning and evening. Fee for the event is $350. Accommodation is the responsibility of the participant. Guides for the Hook & Release event are free, with lunch provided each day. There is a barbeque at the MSA at the hatchery, lunch at Upper Oxbow Outdoor Adventures one day and the Metepenagiag Heritage Park the other, so by any count, it is a great deal. Where else could you fish for three days with guides included for that amount? If anyone just wishes to attend the auction and banquet it is a $50 fee. Remember all proceeds are put to use in salmon conversation. Enrollment has already surpassed last year’s numbers with a lot of time left. For more information contact MSA at 506-622-4000.
   
   
2. Bass in Miramichi Lake update: Hambrook said that last year they erected a barrier from the mouth of the lake to where the brook enters the Main Southwest Miramichi River. Last year they caught three bass there. This year they have been intensively monitoring the same stretch by traveling it on canoe and electro-seining it, and to date they have found only one bass earlier in the season, so it looks like there are very few, if any, in that stretch. Hambrook said that was good news and if there are any remaining small-mouth bass, they are confined to the lake.
   
   
3. At the Hatchery: Hambrook said that the MSA Fish hatchery in South Esk is open for tours, and the trout ponds (Pay by the Pound) are full of trout. This is a great place to take the kids (or to make sure you have something to take home after not catching any). The new replica of the Aboriginal Fishing Village is very near completion and will add a lot to a visit to the hatchery.
   
   
4. Fish Transmitters: Earlier this year, DFO/MSA placed transmitters on a number of out-going salmon and grilse to trace their progress at sea right through the Strait of Belle Isle. Hambrook said they will be down-loading the information collected this week and may have a report of the data by next week
   
   
5. Fish Numbers this Year: Many are wonder what happened to all the fish this year as the catches have been down to say the least. Hambrook said that this year, things are getting back to normal. DFO has just recently been discussing how the normal grilse run was never too much before July 1, but the last few years everything has been earlier, causing us to expect the same this year. The salmon numbers for both the NW barrier and Dungarvon barrier are both up from this time last year, although the grilse numbers are down. Hambrook said that a gaspereaux fisherman told him that on Wednesday there were 12 salmon and five grilse released, so things are starting to unfold as they should. Mother Nature’s calendar takes precedent over man’s calendar.

TIGHT LINES...
Doug

There is a trickle of fish coming into the system each day, but definitely no great run to speak of. Water conditions are generally good, and with rain forecast towards the week’s end and early next week, they should continue to stay that way.

Keith Pond of Pond’s Resort in Porter Cove Road said angling was quiet with only the odd salmon being caught here and there. Water conditions were excellent. Pond is hosting his 10th Annual Ladies’ Fly Fishing School. There is a limit of 15 per group, but three have cancelled due to illness, leaving three openings, so get your call in early by contacting Keith at (506)369-2612. Keith also said that if there were enough ladies interested, he would consider putting on a second session later this year.

Flies of choice were Bugs, small Bombers, Muddlers and Butterflies.

W. W. Doak and Sons in Doaktown said they had received a raise in water somewhere between 18 to 30 inches, but about half of that had dropped off by late Wednesday. There were scattered reports of salmon being hooked and released, and even one grilse caught, but they said we are definitely not in the midst of a run. However, if one did hook into a salmon, it would be worth the effort. Canoeing conditions were good.

Flies of choice were White-tailed Green Machines, Glitter Green Machines and Shady Ladies on nos. 4 & 6 hooks.

Derek Munn of Ledges Inn in Doaktown and Mountain Channel in the Rapids area said there was just the odd salmon trickling through on the Main Southwest. The water was perfect in height and temperature. There were no numbers of trout to rave about. He had run the loop on the Northwest on Wednesday and saw some salmon, but had no takers.

Flies of choice were White-tailed Green Machines, Bear Hairs with a green butt, and Shady Ladies.

Herb Barry Sr. of Herb’s Fly Shop on the Station Road in Blackville said anglers were seeing some salmon and there were a few reports of some being hooked. He had seen one roll and another almost splashed him on Tuesday evening. Trout were few in numbers. He described the water as “fishably high”.

Flies of choice were Shady Ladies with white tails, White-tailed Green Machines, Preachers, Undertakers, and Butterflies on nos. 6 & 8 hooks.

Curtis Miramichi River Outfitting in Blackville said there was the odd salmon in the 12-16 pound range being hooked, but certainly not in any great numbers. Water conditions were good both for angling and canoeing. Very few trout were reported.

Norma Brennan, who works at the Curtis shop, has a special project on the go this year. She is keeping a journal which she is calling “Catch of The Day”, and she would appreciate anglers dropping in to record their catches with her.

Fly of choice was the White-tailed Green Machine.

George Routledge of George’s Fly Shop at the Mouth of Renous in Quarryville gave me his report on Monday as he was leaving for Halifax for a medical check, but he expected to be in his shop on Friday. He said angling was extremely quiet and the water was high. He figured it would be a decent height by the weekend.

Flies of choice were Black Ghosts, Muddlers, and White-tailed Green Machines.

Jim Laws of Miramichi Hunting and Fishing in Newcastle, Miramichi reported hearing of a few salmon being hooked, but certainly in no great quantities. Trout reports were slow, but there were a lot of bass in the river.

Flies of choice were White-tailed Green Machines, Blue Charms, Blue Charms with a white wing, Muddlers and a few dry flies.

Syd Matchett of Trout Brook Fly Shop on the Northwest Miramichi said a few salmon were being caught, but angling was not what he would consider as “good”. There were a few 1-12 pound salmon being hooked in the lower part of the river, and some larger ones (even a few in the 20-plus pound range) in the upper stretches. He was looking for an improvement in numbers this coming week. There had been reports of a few grilse in the gaspereaux nets on Wednesday. Water conditions were good.

Syd said that anglers were reporting a lot of gaspereaux, Shad and bass in the river, and they felt these other species were making the salmon nervous, and thus not inclined to take a fly. There were no reports from anglers who had Crown Reserve. Perhaps those who do fish these waters could drop in to pick up some flies on the way in, and on the way out, drop in to give a report for other parties who may be headed in.

Syd said Billy Sargent told him that he was having decent fishing last week, until his partner, Blackie MacDonald, got a bit peeved and “ran over my rod”.. At least that is Billy’s version of the incident.

Flies of choice were Shady Ladies, Black Ghosts, White-tailed Green Machines and Butterflies.

Debbie Norton of Upper Oxbow Outdoor Adventures on the Little Southwest Miramichi said there were reports of some salmon being hooked, but not a lot. There were even a few reports of grilse, but again certainly not in large numbers. Bonnie Wright hooked and lost a “BIG” salmon on the weekend, and Norton said she was still shaking from the experience on Wednesday. The water had been up, but was dropping nicely. Canoeing conditions were good.

Flies of choice were White-tailed Green Machines, Shady Ladies with white-tails and Butterflies.

Several anglers were wondering about how the numbers of bass were affecting the salmon coming in, and what effect they might have had on feasting on the smolt as they were leaving the river.

So, as the season moves into the second half of June, we can expect to see hopefully steady improvement in the numbers of fish entering the system. Water conditions are positive, so get out and “on the water”.

P.S. Thanks to the large number of people who have signed up for the column and to those who have graciously agreed to sponsorship, as well as to those who have given feedback. We can still use more support and more sign-ups, so tell your friends. Send along your stories and photos.

Be sure to drop into Eskape Anglers in Riverview for all of your fishing needs, and pick up a few Carter’s Bugs, and a few good stories from Bryant Freeman. Any anglers passing through or from the Moncton area might also give Bryant a report from Crown Reserve which he can pass on the other anglers, especially concerning which flies seemed to do the job the best.

As well when in Miramichi, pick up that supply of groceries for the fishing trip at Deals 4 U on Petrie St, and don’t forget to add a few nice Cuban Cigars from their humidor to relax and /or celebrate the catch of the day. Both of these businesses support us, so let’s support them.

Thanks to Matthew LeBlanc, Dan Fowler, Marc Bourgeois, former Miramichier Clarke Jeffrey from Australia, and Ted Votour who sent along e-mails this past week. Remember to also send along photos of your catches and certainly the Crown Reserve reports to help other parties.

Thought for the Week: “A river seems a magic thing. A magic, moving, living part of the earth itself. (Laura Gilpin).. contributed by Jack Patriquin.

Anglers might enjoy Clarke Jeffrey’s e-mail comments about our river:

Dear Doug:

For a number of years I was able to receive your column clipped from the North Shore Leader and mailed to me here in Australia by one of my old fishing buddies on the Miramichi.

I ran into your site through Google while browsing for information on this summer run of Bright Salmon . Having been “born and brought up on the river", and transferred to Montreal for a number of years, I eventually ended up in Vancouver and retired from there to Australia in S/E Queensland on the Gold Coast. We have been here over 19 years. In the meantime the pleasure has been mine to have fished all over Canada, the Snowy Mountain Hydro scheme here where they stocked Rainbows and Browns that have thrived magnificently, and also in Tasmania.

I know you have heard it before Doug, but let me repeat, There is no other Salmon River like the Mighty Miramichi!

The Atlantic Salmon is just about treated with Reverence here as it is farmed in various areas around Tasmania and NZ for that massive market in S/E Asia, and of course for our market here in old Oz.

I shall look forward with great anticipation to your forthcoming columns and comments as they are due. Thanks very much Doug,

Regards, Clarke Jeffrey.

Now a “plug from Doug”: If you are looking for a Father’s Day Gift for that special angler or anyone who just likes a good story, you might pick up my Miramichi Fishing Stories: All True, Of Course! ($8.95 plus tax in stores) Check my website www.dougunderhill.com for shipping and handling costs.

You might also check out the website of Tourism NB where I have a short piece on "The Art of Fly-Tying". Read about Syd Matchett’s secret flies. Tourism’s site is www.getawaynb.ca which promotes over 225 things to do in the Province. It was launched Monday, June 15, so check it out.

Until next week: Tight Lines!

The general report for this week is that angling has been a tad slow at best. The water levels were generally down, but certainly not severe, although any rain we get will be helpful. There were reports of a couple of grilse this past week.

Keith Pond of Pond’s Resort in Porter Cove Road said angling was “flat” this week. There were a few trout, but nothing of any size. There were no salmon seen. The water was getting down and rain was appreciated.

Flies of choice were Muddlers, little Bugs and Wooly Wullf’s.

W. W. Doak and Sons in Doaktown said anglers were getting some trout, but not a lot. There were some bright salmon being hooked. They summed it up with no great numbers, but more than last week. The water was tending to the low side and rain would be welcome.

Flies of choice were White-tailed Green Machines, Butterflies, dark Bugs and Glitter Bugs.

Derek Munn of Ledges Inn in Doaktown and Mountain Channel in the Rapids area said they started to get a few salmon of Tuesday when they picked up two. Munn released a salmon himself on Wednesday and a friend had caught one earlier in the day. He had run the Northwest on Monday and hooked two salmon, but said the Northwest was getting quite low. The water in the Doaktown ares was perfect for their pools.

Flies of choice were the Green Widow, Green-butt Squirrel Tails and White-tailed Green Machines.

Herb Barry Sr. of Herb’s Fly Shop on the Station Road in Blackville said anglers were getting the odd salmon and some trout. There was one reported in the four-pound range. The water was low and he was hoping for rain.

Flies of choice were Preachers, Undertakers, White-tailed Green Machines and Blue Charms.

Curtis Miramichi River Outfitting in Blackville said anglers were seeing a few salmon, but not many were taking. Some anglers were picking up a few trout. The water was low with rain needed. Canoeing was good on the Main Southwest, but questionable on the Bartholomew and Cains.

Norma Brennan, who works at the Curtis shop, has a special project on the go this year. She is keeping a journal which she is calling “Catch of The Day”, and she would appreciate anglers dropping in to record their catches with her.

Flies of choice were Green Machines, Butterflies and some Bombers.

George Routledge of George’s Fly Shop at the Mouth of Renous in Quarryville was unavailable for comment as he was in the hospital again. But there was hope he would get home for the weekend. The gaspereaux were in at Quarryville and angling was slow. There was only the very odd salmon being hooked.

Flies of choice were White-tailed Green Machines.

Jim Laws of Miramichi Hunting and Fishing in Newcastle, Miramichi reported angling as very spotty with only the odd one being caught. He did not feel we were seeing the numbers of salmon we had at this time last year, and was wondering if the Restigouche was also behind. The water was low and still cold.

Flies of choice were White-tailed Green Machines, Black Ghosts, Undertakers and Muddler Minnows.

Syd Matchett of Trout Brook Fly Shop on the Northwest Miramichi said there had been a couple of grilse hooked on Monday, but Tuesday and Wednesday were quiet. Dave Ingersoll had hooked a nice salmon last week. The sea trout run has gone by according to reports. Syd felt that more things were a week late and that angling should pick up after the rain by Sunday or Monday.

Flies of choice were the Black Ghost and both Yellow and White-winged Butterflies.

Debbie Norton of Upper Oxbow Outdoor Adventures on the Little Southwest Miramichi said angling was very slow on the Little Southwest, but there were mixed rep[orts for the Northwest depending upon whom you were talking to. Some felt there was good fishing while others not so. The trout had pretty well gone by, but shad and gaspereaux were in, especially the latter. The water was falling and if anyone wanted to go canoeing, they had better get at it soon, unless we received a lot of rain this weekend.

Flies of choice were big Butterflies and White-tailed Green Machines.

So, hopefully we get some rain and that the fish start moving through the system. Then we can get out and “on the water”.

P.S. Thanks to the large number of people who have signed up for the column and to those who have graciously agreed to sponsorship, as well as to those who have given feedback. We can still use more support and more sign-ups, so tell your friends. Send along your stories and photos.

Be sure to drop into Eskape Anglers in Riverview for all of your fishing needs, and pick up a few Carter’s Bugs, and a few good stories from Bryant Freeman.

As well when in Miramichi, pick up that supply of groceries for the fishing trip at Deals 4 U on Petrie St, and don’t forget to add a few nice Cubans from their humidor to relax and /or celebrate the catch of the day. Both of these businesses support us, so let’s support them.

Thought for the Week: "There is always a little boy in the old man gone fishing."
Contributed by Dunc Campbell

John Clarke sent along the Fisherman’s Prayer. I think we have all prayed this one!

"Lord give me the strength to catch a fish So big, that even I When speaking of it to my friends, May never need to lie."
-Anonymous.

LOST ROD: A note from my friend and fellow author, Peter Clark:

Doug, my friend Ted Petrie lost his Sage rod and Abel reel on the Dungarvon when his canoe flipped. Could you mention this? They were lost in the upper stretch, back of Boiestown to back of Doaktown stretch. His number is 451-9396. Thanks Peter

Another from Joe Manning:

Hey Doug,

I love your fishing report and look forward to it each week. I’ve been fishing the Miramichi for over a dozen years. I’ve made many friends and memories and love catching up on the latest news from up there.

I saw that you offer a listing of lost rods. Well, I lost a reel last year while fishing the MSA Salmon Classic. I was fishing the Wasson Bar area with Carl Ash. I have to say I had a great time and we even caught/released a nice grilse. Anyway, I lost an Abel reel with orange/green camouflage finish. It was in a black case with my name and phone number attached.

In April, while I was in hospital having surgery, a gent named Carl Smith called my wife and said he had found my reel. That was the best news I could had heard. After returning home from the hospital, and several times since, I’ve called the phone number that Mr. Smith gave my wife to no avail.

If you or one of your readers knows this gent, please ask him to contact me.

I’d really love to get my reel back. It’s been with me for years and has travelled from Labrador to Costa Rica. It has also caught/released a great many Atlantic salmon over the years. Any help would of course be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Joe : Joe Manning, PO Box 2096, Branchville, NJ, USA, 07826 973-948-7392

A third note “You might suggest in your column, that anglers finding rods bring them to one of the fine fly shops in your column. At Quarryville, we bring them to George's Flyshop and if anybody loses anything that is the first place they ask.

The past week had some high and some low spots. The Northwest Miramichi continues to produce some early bright salmon and some sea trout, but not in extravagant numbers. The Main Southwest is getting a few blips of bright salmon and sea trout in some places, while others are very quiet, but in both cases, angling should continue with a steady increase on the positive side.

Keith Pond of Pond’s Resort in Porter Cove Road said there were good numbers of big winter and sea trout being caught. He had landed a four-pound winter trout on Sunday, and added several good-sized bright trout to his total. He also head of a few Rocky Brook bright salmon being hooked. The water was in great shape. He noted seeing more eagles this year than he had in several years. He also saw a moose on the Cains River Road.

Flies of choice were Muddler Minnows, Rat-Faced McDougall’s and White Wulff’s.

W. W. Doak and Sons in Doaktown said anglers were picking up a few brights here and there, but in no earth-shaking numbers. However, there seemed to be enough to make going to the river worthwhile. There were reports of some sea trout in the three to four-pound range. The water conditions were good and generally, angling was right on track for this time of the season.

Flies of choice were Muddlers, White-tailed Green Machines and Royal Wulff’s.

Derek Munn of Ledges Inn in Doaktown and Mountain Channel in the Rapids area said there were a few reports of bright salmon and even a grilse. The numbers of sea trout were still “iffy”. He had hooked a 12 and a 16-pound salmon on the Northwest Miramichi on Tuesday. The water in both rivers was a good height.

Flies of choice were White-tailed Green Machines, Green-butt Squirrel Tails and a Blue Charm for trout.

Herb Barry Sr. of Herb’s Fly Shop on the Station Road in Blackville said there were no reports of bright salmon this past week, but there were a few sea trout and winter trout. Water conditions were good, but generally things were a bit quiet.

Flies of choice were Killer Whiskers with a lime butt, Muddlers, Humpies and Rat-Faced McDougall’s.

Curtis Miramichi River Outfitting in Blackville said angling was very slow with few reports of any catches. They were waiting for a good run to start. Both water and canoeing conditions were good.

Norma Brennan, who works at the Curtis shop, has a special project on the go this year. She is keeping a journal which she is calling “Catch of The Day”, and she would appreciate anglers dropping in to record their catches with her.

Flies of choice were Black Ghosts, Muddlers, L. T. Specials, Rat-Faced McDougall’s and white Maribous.

George Routledge of George’s Fly Shop at the Mouth of Renous in Quarryville said angling there was very quiet with only the odd winter trout being hooked. Water levels were good.

George had a sad bit of news. Long-time angler and close friend of George’s, Clovis Evertt, passed away. George and “The Colonel” spent many fine hours on the river fishing and just chatting. He will be missed by friends and family.

Flies of choice were Black Ghosts, Muddlers and White-tailed Green Machines.

Jim Laws of Miramichi Hunting and Fishing in Newcastle, Miramichi reported hearing of a few bright salmon being caught on the Northwest, but the wind this past week had almost made casting impossible. There were some reports of both winter and sea trout. Water conditions were good.

Flies of choice were Muddlers, Green Machines, Black Ghosts and Yellow-Butterflies

Syd Matchett of Trout Brook Fly Shop on the Northwest Miramichi said angling there was good with decent numbers of bright salmon being hooked from the Mouth of Little River right down to Trout Brook. He had heard of four or five anglers who had hooked three or four salmon each last week. There were also some nice sea trout in the three to four pound range being caught. Water conditions were excellent.

Flies of choice were Black Ghosts, White-tailed Green Machines, and Muddlers.

Debbie Norton of Upper Oxbow Outdoor Adventures on the Little Southwest Miramichi said she had heard reports of some bright salmon and some trout, but generally, angling was a bit slow. There were a few shad and some gaspereaux around, and the out-going smolt run was still strong. Water conditions were great.

Flies of choice were Muddlers and big Yellow-winged Butterflies with green butts.

So as the calendar makes its way into June, there should be even more bright salmon and perhaps the odd grilse squirting through, along with some trout, so get out and “on the water”. Canoeing conditions are very good.

P.S. Thanks to the large number of people who have signed up for the column and to those who have graciously agreed to sponsorship, as well as to those who have given feedback. We can still use more support and more sign-ups, so tell your friends. Send along your stories and photos. I have received e-mails from Anthony Couture, Shane Clowater, Scott Cormier, Fred Purton, Al Arseneault, Paul mariner, Dave Moore and several others earlier in the season. I have also had a lot of positive verbal feed-back as well. This makes the column more “OURS” and not just “mine” .

Be sure to drop into Eskape Anglers in Riverview for all of your fishing needs, and pick up a few Carter’s Bugs, and a few good stories from Bryant Freeman.

As well when in Miramichi, pick up that supply of groceries for the fishing trip at Deals 4 U on Petrie St, and don’t forget to add a few nice Cubans from their humidor to relax and /or celebrate the catch of the day. With Crown Reserve stretches starting to open, I recommend traveling anglers coming through Riverview or Miramichi drop into these places. Both of these businesses support us, so let’s support them.

Thought for the Week: “Fishing is not an escape from life, but often a deeper immersion into it” (Harry Middleton) with thanks to Jack Patriquin for sending along several good ones.

LOST ROD: I received a very nice e-mail from Charlie LeBlanc about the quality of character of the vast majority of anglers.

“Doug in the future could you update us on the rods that have been lost. Have they been returned? It has been an amazing phenomenon to me to have an honest man who we can call a sportsmen return a misplaced rod. This happened to me last summer after leaving behind a 4- piece Sage behind at the North Pole camp the next party found it and went above and beyond duty to make sure I got it back.

Peter Smith from Moncton who no longer will fish his beloved Norwest camp would put his name on everything he owned and after leaving a bag with all his fishing gear on the river bank of the Miramichi in Juniper it was found and returned with everything intact.

So I know that the sportsmen of the River know how valuable our fishing gear is to us, and not just the cost, but the sentimental value.

Hoping the rods you advertised are returned.

Charlie”

Response: I have advertised two lost rods, and one has already been returned.