Generally, there are still good numbers of fish within the system, but some not fresh. Water height and temperature are staying on the positive side. You may have to work a little harder, but putting time in has a reasonable success rate.
The Millerton Trapnet was averaging 5 to 6 grilse a day along with about 10 salmon. The Cassilis Trapnet was picking up 1 or 2 grilse a day and maybe 3 salmon. The counts were down from earlier weeks, but about normal for the time of year.
W. W. Doak and Sons in Doaktown said there were fish there to be caught, but angling had slowed a bit. They were still catching some, but not as many fresh fish as in previous weeks. But anglers did not mind putting in time knowing that there were fish present. One could say that angling was good when considering the time of year. The water was a good height and a good temperature which was especially nice for August. Generally the catch was a good mix of salmon and grilse.
Flies of choice were White-tailed Green Machines, Undertakers, Green-butt Bear Hairs and a variety of Bombers.
Derek Munn of Ledges Inn in Doaktown and Mountain Channel in the Rapids area said angling was slow, but they were getting a few. There were good numbers around, but they were not necessarily in a taking mood. However, one lady hooked four and landed one by noon Tuesday, in addition to rolling several others. There had been a 3 to 4 inch raise in water, keeping the levels at Ledges good, although Mountain Channel was on the high side.
Flies of choice were mostly Dry Flies and Bombers such as Blue with white, Green with white, Plain Brown, Brown with orange, and some Carter’s Bugs as only Bryant Freeman can tie them.
Herb Barry Sr. of Herb’s Fly Shop on the Station Road in Blackville said the water there was high, but there were fish there. They were just hard to get. Anglers who were successful were catching mostly grilse, and big ones, along with the odd salmon. But you had to put your time in to be successful.
Flies of choice were Killer Whiskers with lime-green butts, Sugarman’s Shrimps, Same-Thing-Murrays, Shady Ladies, Undertakers and Preachers on nos. 6 & 8 hooks.
Curtis Miramichi River Outfitting in Blackville said the water levels were up a bit, but angling was good, especially in the high-water pools. Even if angling was not as good as most would like, they were seeing good numbers of fish and catching some. Canoeing conditions were perfect.
Flies of choice were Orange Bombers, White-tailed Green Machines, Shady Ladies, and Undertakers.
George Routledge of George’s Fly Shop at the Mouth of Renous in Quarryville said angling was a bit slow. The early mornings were producing 6 to 8 fish, but the afternoons and evenings were poor. Water conditions were good.
Flies of choice were White-tailed Green Machines and Shady Ladies with a couple of fall patterns such as Ally’s Shrimps and General Practitioners also taking fish.
Jim Laws of Miramichi Hunting and Fishing in Newcastle, Miramichi reported water conditions much improved on the Northwest where fishing had improved. The Main Southwest Miramichi was also providing decent angling.
Flies of choice were White-tailed Green Machines, Shady Ladies with white tails and a selection of Bombers.
Syd Matchett of Trout Brook Fly Shop on the Northwest Miramichi said the Northwest had fished well since last Friday with the catch being mostly grilse. The water on the Sevogle was still a bit too high. Brothers Sterling and Don Harris each picked up grilse on Hubert Hare Specials.
Flies of choice were White-tailed Green Machines, Shady Ladies and Hubert Hare Specials.
Debbie Norton of Upper Oxbow Outdoor Adventures on the Little Southwest Miramichi said the Little Southwest Miramichi was too high to fish on Tuesday with the water over the meadow. Fish had stopped taking last Friday, but if the water dropped by the weekend, it should pick up again. Earlier last week, Kyle Noonan from Old Town, Maine caught his first two grilse ever. Canoeing conditions were good.
Flies of choice were Will Taylor Specials, White-tailed Green Machines and Shady Ladies.
With overcast days, drizzle and some rain, the water conditions should remain on the positive side, so make time to get out and “on the water”.
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Don’t forget to show your support for our sponsors, because without them, this column would not be possible. If you can’t get there yourself, send your friends! Tell them you appreciate their support of the column!
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!
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.
Joining these three sponsors is Herb & Wilma Shepherd who have a Camp for Sale on the Renous River at McGraw Brook. Crown campsite lease. Electricity, 3 bedrooms, screened porch, appliances included. Call 506-472-6183 for more information.
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This week, the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, Keith Ashfield, has been touring New Brunswick and meeting with a variety of persons involved with the fishery in a variety of aspects. Jim Laws, Tom Pettigrew and I met with the Minister, MP Tilly Gordon, DFO representation and several other government officials on Wednesday to discuss some concerns related to the Miramichi and angling as a whole. This is certainly a very positive approach as he was listening to concerns of many user groups, which hopefully will lead to positive improvements to the fishery. This openness is a very welcomed change and the Minister deserves credit for such an undertaking. Now we await positive results in the overall management of our resource.
Thought for the Week: “…of all the liars among mankind, the fisherman is the most trustworthy.” ~William Sherwood Fox, Silken Lines and Silver Hooks, 1954
HUMOUR: Two blondes were fishing by a stream one day when a game warden suddenly appeared. Upon seeing the ladies he struck up a conversation which eventually led to the question, “Do you gals have fishing licenses?” “We don’t need fishing licenses,” one of the blondes replied. “We’re using magnets to dredge the bottom for debris.” Somewhat perplexed, the warden demanded to see those magnets. The blondes complied and reeled in their rigs, and sure enough, magnets were attached to the ends of their lines. “OK” grumbled the warden, as he left. When he was out of sight, one of the blondes giggled, “Stupid warden doesn’t know there’s steelhead in here!”
(I haven’t figured out if the blondes are male or female?)
Cumulative counts to date of Salmon as of July 31
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Atlantic Salmon Federation News
August 10, 2011
Atlantic Salmon Returns in August Fascinating – and the Matane in Overdrive
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The ASF RIVERNOTES blog has some remarkable stories unfolding this summer. The Penobscot in Maine now has best returns since 1986. Cascapedia had 1,000 angled salmon in July, and the Miramichi has continued to see salmon moving upstream. Read more – all info new this week!
http://atlanticsalmonfederation.org/rivernotes/
ASF and Partners Explore Unique Serpentine Salmon Run
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The Atlantic Salmon Federation is a partner in a research project to unravel the mysteries of the salmon returning to New Brunswick’s Serpentine River Read more:
http://asf.ca/projects.php?id=21
Rebuilding Maine’s Salmon Runs Calls for Patience – Bill Townsend
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Bill Townsend has written an opinion piece for the Kennebec Journal that gives a perspective on the time frame for restoring Maine’s salmon runs.
http://asf.ca/news.php?id=728
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
August 4, 2011
ASF RIVER NOTES gives the latest, early August info
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The ASF RIVERNOTES blog has early August information on salmon returns, and the numbers are exceptional in some cases. Also read how the weather has been cooperating in the past seven days in cooling rivers. Reports are from Maine and New Brunswick to Labrador, and from Quebec to Newfoundland.
http://atlanticsalmonfederation.org/rivernotes/
Trapnet Project in Labrador
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The Atlantic Salmon Federation has partnered on a Trapnet Inititiave in the Labrador Aboriginal Fishery that promotes sustainable harvests in order to increase large salmon returns to spawning beds. Read more:
http://asf.ca/news.php?id=724
Interview with ASF’s Don Ivany on the Trapnet Project
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There is a podcast of a CBC interview on the Trapnet Initiative at the very bottom of the ASF Rivernotes blog, under Footnotes.
http://atlanticsalmonfederation.org/rivernotes/
Public Meetings in Maine on Private Dams and Endangered Salmon
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In Maine, NOAA is asking for public input on ways to assist private dam owners comply with the need to reduce impacts on endangered Atlantic salmon populations.
http://asf.ca/news.php?id=727
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Please read the attached file in regard to a fundraising event that is being held at the Atlantic Salmon Museum to honor George Routledge and to raise money in support of our summer camp. George is a ‘best friend’ to our summer camp program “Come Play on Our River”. We hope you can attend & please circulate this message to your contacts.
Thank you for your support & hope to see you on August 19th.
Friday August 19th – Reception @ 5:30pm – Dinner @ 6:30pm – consisting of a fresh green salad, stuffed chicken breast, rice medley, seasonal vegetables, tea/coffee & Georges favorite dessert – strawberry shortcake!
TICKETS – $50.00 including a $25.00 tax receipt
Call – 365 7787 or Email – for tickets & information
IT’S FOR THE KIDS
An Atlantic Salmon Museum Fundraiser for the ‘Come Play on Our River’ Summer Camp
HONORING GEORGE ROUTLEDGE
George started tying flies after his first year of fishing and like all new fly tiers he thought he was going to add a great number of new flies to the history of Fly Tiers. He did design a couple which he can call his own. (1) Georges Renous Copper, and (2) Black Bear Hackle and Squirrel, developed by himself and Marc Madore of Blackville. These two flies are included in Paul Mariner’s book, “Modern Atlantic Salmon Flies”. George’s favorite fly is “The Butterfly”.
George credits his years in the military with his heart felt belief that people should be treated the way he would like to be treated. George’s shop is a real meeting place for many people who visit regularly, and who share his feelings “that fishing is more than catching a fish, it’s just being on the river with friends”.
George has a story on his wall about Ted Williams being inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. The inscription reads, “George ties my flies”.
He is especially interested in the young people who come into his shop and purchase materials for fly tying and also for advice. He adds up their purchases and divides the total in half. He loves to see young people on the river fishing.
George has been extremely generous with various gifts to our Salmon Museum – especially in supplying rods, and materials for fly tying to our ecological summer camp, “Come Play on Our River”, which we operate each summer. A children’s summer camp has been in operation since the inception of the museum, having been renamed several times.
To keep this amazing award winning camp going we are finding ourselves in need of funds to sustain it.
George has received a “Friend of the River” award from the North West Salmon Protection Association. George’s generosity, his comfortable way of treating his customers, and his outstanding success in the profession he loves, has earned him the title he is often known by, “THE MAN AT THE MOUTH”. It is indeed our pleasure to honor him on August 19, 2011in the River Room, at the Atlantic Salmon Museum, 263 Main Street, Doaktown, NB.
If you wish to say a few words on George’s behalf or if you have memorabilia that you can loan the museum for this special event, please inform Linda. Tickets are now available.
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING GEORGE’S PASSION & AS HE ALWAYS STATES: “IT’S FOR THE KIDS!”
Until next week,
TIGHT LINES,
DOUG