29th June 2009

Miramichi is up approx. 8" and raising rapidly from heavy morning rain. I did see a grilse jump in the center of the river around 16:30 hr. By 21:00 hr the river was up 12" or more.

Report from up river of some fishing success yesterday and today. The same for down river with reports of fish bumping the fly or striking short.

Newly Opened Dates: We had one party with two bookings cancel out.

July 27 & 28 and August 20-26th inclusive are now available.

28th June 2009

A slow day on the river, we had rods on the river for a good part of the day until a Northeast wind came up and cut the day short. Not a sign of a salmon. The water's good, lots of it, nice and cool and the day was dark, so perfect day for fishing, now if we could just get a bit more action.

As Aaron stated this is why we are considered fishermen and not food gatherers :)

27th June 2009

Some folks in from Nova Scotia for a few days, Aaron & Aaron (yes two Aarons).

Well Aaron picked up a nice 33 inch Salmon and a few trout on a "green machine" and Aaron stuck with catching trout. Aaron explained that he wanted Aaron to cherish his moment being Aaron's first salmon and he didn't want to overshadow him (I guess that's as good an excuse as any).

Ernie hooked into a salmon about the same time, so we must have had a small run going through.

25th June 2009

When Miramichi Guides start telling you stories on the bear and moose they have recently seen, that's a good indication there are very few fish around.

From my perspective I have seen no salmon for close to 3+ weeks and the trout fishing has dropped off. That being said, I note from Doug Underhill's Report that the last 2 years saw early runs of bright salmon and we have just returned to normal seasonal runs. The gaspereau boats have been picking up a few salmon so there is faint movement.

A good time to get all that other work done up so the wife won't complain when the fish do start to come in :)

21st June 2009

Rain again today, river has been rising slightly, still fishable along the shoreline although no boats on the water in this area. Weatherman calling for rain the rest of the week, if we get any amount the river will continue to rise which is great for fish movement although a bit hard to wade and the fish will be all over the river outside the normal runs.

Entertained with a black bear cub up a tree just above the cottage, we really didn't bother it much as mother must have been close by and we didn't want to upset her.

19th June 2009

Great water for fish movement.

Compared to how we ended the 2008 season everyone has high expectations for 2009 and based on that we are a little disappointed that we haven't seen a decent run of summer salmon so far this year, however, I checked my notes from last year and the first run we hit in this area was 18th of June 2008. The reports from down river were exactly the same as last year, "a trickle of large salmon are just entering the river."

I don't think there is any question that the "sea trout" got by us in a much shorter time then the last couple of years. The water has been dropping is currently at a good level and rain is forecast, all good signs for fish movement.

Report from the Cains - no trout of any size.

One of my neighbours spotted a grilse working through the rapids early afternoon - a good sign.

17th June 2009

The boys flogged the water pretty hard for the last 3 days, not a sign of a salmon but the trout fishing continues to be good and they took a few home to prove they had actually been fishing.

Had a hard time finding them tonight, they had dropped out of the slow pools into a dry fly hole at the top of a set of rapids. When we did find them it was pure enjoyment with 13 - 18 inch trout hitting a "white wulff" as fast as you could get it back on the water. They had already destroyed my "green bomber" the night before. It may be my imagination but the trout fishing just seems to be getting better on the Miramichi with each passing year :)

15th June 2009

Decent day, a sun shower with clouds so wasn't too hot on the water. Lika tied into something big enough to force him through the rapids before he lost it. We focused on trout in the evening and had a grand time with all sorts of river trout. We were wading along the shoreline and the flies nearly ate us alive but the fishing made up for the bugs :)

PS: Large moose crossed the river to our side below the cottage this morning and the eagles have been putting up a fuss all day.

14th June 2009

Miramichi River remains up slightly with rains in the evening. Water is a bit dark but great height and temperature for fish travel.

Greg came up with a nice trout but we didn't see any sign of salmon. I checked with some of the guides taking the Boating Course in Doaktown on Saturday and they advised that although a salmon had been taken in Doaktown that morning the salmon were scarce at this point and the same report from further down river, contrary to that I've also been told that they have taken a number of salmon upriver at Norrads Bridge, how they got there is antibody's guess although we did have some early fish scoot through. Same with the "sea trout" I've had reports of the run not coming in and other reports of the run having gone through with a large count at the Juniper counting station. We saw lots of river trout but not many sea trout. Report from the Cains, no trout to lots of trout all in the upper stretch. We have people going in to the Cains so will have an accurate report shortly. I've also been told there have been no gaspereau which used to be plentiful in this area and have been dwindling for the past few years. Sea trout were often picked up in the gaspereau nets.

PS: We had a black bear touring the shore across from the cottage.

11th June 2009

Miramichi River remains at a good level, clear but a little dark.

We are starting to see a bit of movement with reports of a couple of large salmon seen working over the bars today, so maybe we will be seeing a stronger run in the next week. Also reports of a few "sea trout" being taken this morning at the head of the rapids. Picked up a good number (hook & release) of 13-14 inch "river trout" in the slower water this evening, appears they have dropped back out of the fast water - green bomber was the fly of choice.

Reports from down river indicate slow fishing on the Main Southwest.

6th June 2009

Miramichi River continues to drop, is at the normal level for this time of year. Lots of canoes on the river this weekend, leading up to graduation week, everyone enjoying nature.

Fishing, has been very slow in this area, the occasional "sea trout" but no quantity. Reports for the lower end of the Cains River, no trout fishing. Upper Miramichi the same report. We haven't hit any salmon since last Tuesday. Continued West wind that doesn't drop till dusk, doesn't make for pleasant fishing so there are very few rods on the river in this area.

3'rd June 2009

Miramichi river is a little dark from earlier rains, we had a strong West wind most of the day it dropped off in the evening. We picked up a few "sea trout" one just shy of 19 inches. The flies are out in force, so if you are going into the woods, make sure you are prepared for them.

2nd June 2009

Miramichi is up a bit and slightly silty, there must have been heavy upriver rains. Two boats on the water, both hooked into large salmon so it's nice to see the brights are on their way. The trout fishing has dropped off, either the "sea trout run" has gone through and was not as strong as the last couple of years, or the main run has yet to come in.