31st July 2010

Water dropped slightly still ample for fish movement. 
Good day for fishing if only the fish would cooperate. A few fish  moving throughout the day but not taking.
Starting to see some brights and getting reports of strong fishing down river.
If we can keep the water temperature down and fresh fish continue to move in this direction there is a chance we can have some decent fishing.

30th July 2010

Cool night, cloudy day, water temp holding. 

Fish showing in the pool this morning but not taking.  Mini runs during the day, single fish showing here & there.  Around noon we had such a run, I touched one, saw a couple and James tied into this salmon on a shady lady. Several fish were jumping as he played this one and it was difficult to tell which one he had on.  Afternoon was slow, we will see what this evening brings.

20:00 hr a grilse taken on # 10 green machine.

Saw fish moving right up to dark, struck a few but just not taking well.

29th July 2010

Over night rains were nice but we  could use more.  Saw several fish moving this morning and tied into one for a brief few seconds before he continued on his/her way.

Moonshadow Cottage Rental was originally intended as a cottage rental where we included a two rod access to our pool at no additional cost.

Our  "pool" is the result of what is referred to as "riparian rights" and abutts other such private pools and open water.  Riparian rights provide for the adjacent land owners exclusive use of water including fishing one half way across the river.

Although we have understandings with  immediate neighbours, on occassion when we have allowed more than two fishermen access we have experienced difficulty keeping them within our pool.  In future we will now be strictly enforcing our "two rod per day policy" as well as clearly defining the area off limits to public fishing.

28th July 2010

08:`15 hr

This one turned out to be a nice salmon and continues on up river.  The boys reported seeing a lot of fish in the pool this morning hitting very soft.

The boys staying at Moonshadow have hooked into around 5 or 6 and there has been at least 3 more hooked in the pool.

Two of the 4 remaining days in August have been taken which leaves only August 4th & 5th open until September which is also booking up.  It appears all of July 2011 is now gone.

27th July 2010

Water dropped slightly but remains good level with nice temperature.  Boys started off well this morning.  Took a trip to Miramichi City, not many fishermen on the river but a tour of the harbour indicates there are plenty of salmon just waiting to make their way upriver.

Speaking with an old cogger who used to work at the hatchery.  He was telling me that one of his jobs was to go about picking up big female salmon (hens) for the hatchery so they could collect the eggs.  Some of the camps would hold hens for them and he would transport by placing the fish in a inner tube tied off on one end filled with water.  He claimed in the dark tube they remained quiet and still.  His name is Wood he was a guide for many years on the Norwest and he is currently displaying his boat building talents at Ritchies Wharf, so if you are interested  in fishing history and stories drop in and visit him.

You might note the brown bottle lure, carried in case fishing is slow.

26th July 2010

We have water and we have fish. 

After recent rains the water level has come up significently, this coupled with cool nights has started the fish moving again.  We have seen several salmon  jumping as they move  up river.  We will have some rods on the water this week, that will give a reading on how well the fish are taking.

14:30 hr. - The boys were only on the water a few minutes when they began to pick up fish. Hard to believe we would be using motors after the last few weeks drought.



Due to a cancellation August 2nd, 3'd, 4th & 5th 2010 remain open.

24th July 2010

Conditions are a lot better than the past two weeks.

Miramichi river is at a good height after the rains and expecting more tomorrow.  It's a bit dark and dirty however has cooled off and should start the fish moving.  Lots of rods down river. We have had fishermen on the river off/on today with no luck, have heard of 2 being taken down river.

Great weekend for tubing, there have been dozens drift by here with a smattering of  kayaks & canoes.
The Boiestown Fair is in full swing and the valley is full of  country music which adds to the festivities.

22nd July

Greg sends a copy of yesterday's CBC Report along:

"The Department of Fisheries and Oceans has closed three areas on the Southwest Miramichi River to fishing to protect salmon that are under stress from the ongoing hot weather
Angling has been prohibited in the Indiantown Brook, Wilson Brook and Sutherland Pool.It's been a tough summer for salmon in New Brunswick's Miramichi River. The federal department estimates that hundreds of fish have died because they can't survive in the river's warmer waters.
Warm water loses oxygen, forcing salmon to pools of cooler water."

Overnight rains have started the wqater rising and coolewd it off slightly - we need more.  Yesterday as in previous days we are seeing lots of eagles & hawks taking and feeding on fish.

21st July 2010

We have just had August 2nd, 3'd, 4th ;5th ,2010 become available if anyone is interested.

River is up nice but water remains warm and no sign of fish movement other than by fish hawks :(

20th July 2010

Water's up, cooled slightly but tomorrow is another hot day, no  sign of "live fish" so Nelson, Lindsay & Brandon are doing the next best thing.

18th July 2010

Well the Miramichi was on the rise and cooling off until yesterday and it's now lost all that ground.  A couple of fish seen moving early morning and that was it. 

Reports still coming in of lots of salmon stacking in the cold water pools.  The rangers & wardens are going to be kept busy as reports of netting and jigging are coming in from Miramichi, Cains & Dungarvon - some of this poaching has been going on openly infront of legal fishermen and of course some of the offenders feel it's an entitlement.  A couple of poachers apprehended down river yesterday should be making their way into the courts in the months to come.

Eagles &  hawks are having a field day along the short line feeding on dead  fish. Watched an eagle take a grilse out of the rapids this afternoon.  Crows moved right in for the feed and a second eagle dropped by to see if it could share.  Night hawks put on a show last night with their acrobatics.  Had two land at our feet, first time I have ever seen them on the ground, tame as morning doves.

One fish was raised today but if you are going fishing I'd recommend taking some other form of entertainment with you and it's very hot out there.

13th July 2010

Expecting 20mm rain this evening, water remains up slightly and these rains should start to cool things down.

The fishing is basically at a stand still in our area, although I know some fish are being hooked in cold water pools.  If we can get the river cooled down the salmon will start moving again.

We have an opening at a reduced rate due to medical reasons for July 15-16-17. If you are still looking for July dates please contact us at (506) 369-9880 or shawen@xplornet.com.  We do have fishing clients requesting notification of any cancellations but we would not want to mislead and say there is good fishing when there isn't although the river has cooled off and the odd salmon is sneaking through.  

July 2011 is filling quickly so check our calendar if you are thinking of reserving dates.

Does anyone out there know how and why "Crown Waterfront Reserve" (CWR)  (1 chain (66ft) to 3 chains (198ft) of shoreline was designated such on some waterfronts if not specified on the original land grants?

12th July 2010

Rain cooled the water down slightly with a small rise but we need more rain or at least some cool nights. Again reports of large dead salmon from up river on the positive side also reports of  live lots of salmon in the cold water pools down river and I've seen some this evening in a local cold water bogan.

11th July 2010

Finally a day with some decent rain but we need more.  Watched an eagle hit a fish in the pool and lots of fish hawks (Osprey) cruising by.  Reports from down river of salmon in the cold water pools just waiting for that water temperature to drop.

10th July 2010

A little rain but not near enough to cool off the river, still plenty of water but the temperature skyrocketed with the continuning hot humid days.

Water temperature is playing havoc with the large salmon, had the following reports today  (4) 8-12 lb salmon laying on a bar just up river, another report from canoests of seeing (7) large salmon being eaten by eagles and I've spotted (1)  dead salmon yesterday and (2) today in the 10-12 lb range floating down river through the pool.  Checked (1) and it had been hit by an eagle or osprey. Seeing lots of eagles and other birds of prey cruising the shoreline.

We have a mortality rate every year  but this is the highest I can remember in such a short period of time and I would say unrelated to hook and release as the fish stopped taking some days ago and there are very few fishermen on the water. 

We did have a report of some canoers using spinning rods and hardware as they drifted down river, unfortunately I found out about it after the fact or a report would have been filed with the wardens and a head & shoulder photo provided & posted.

8th July 2010

Hot days have lowered the water and driven up the water temperatures.  We are still seeing fish work through especially in the mornings but have heard of nothing of a fish being taken in the past day or so.  Fish in this water will be already stressed so it is important not to play it too long, if not retaining break the fish off quickly.

6th July 2010

Hot - hot - hot, we saw some fish around early morning and (1) was hooked but then fishing dropped off completely. 

River is quickly warming up and with this heat wave moving in from Ontario we may not see any cool weather for a few days.  If you are going fishing don't forget to take along some other entertainment just in case :)

Boys reporting back from Depot Pool report of seeing fish, hooking (6) and landing (3).  The crew that preceeded them only landed (1) grilse.

5th July 2010

Another warm day but with some cloud cover.  Luke did land (1) salmon in the morning and brought his fishing day to an end.

Water temperature climbed and we saw an abrupt end to fish showing and nothing touched through afternoon into evening.

I haven't heard from the crew in at Depot Pool, should have a report shortly.

4th July 2010

(Click on pic to enlarge.)

Todd with his second salmon ever on green machine white tag.

Nice day, a little too hot for comfortable fishing but we do have a strong  run of salmon, one local report indicates schools of 3-5 fish every five minutes, we are seeing salmon on the shallow bars with the occassional fish showing lower in the pool.  Not taking well with (1)  grilse hooked this morning on a Green Machine White Tag,  In the evening (3) grilse landed (1) lost.

Water is low and again dropping fast.

3'd July 2010

Windy cloudy day, saw a number of salmon working up river, was interesting to see a run traverse a set of rapids looking  for more water.  The water is low for this time of year. 

Black Bear crossed to McCarty Island this morning. 

Grilse taken in the morning and Aaron landed a nice 32 inch salmon around 3:30 PM, # 8 Green Machine White Tag. Not a lot of fish showing and they seem to be finicky when it comes to grabbing a fly - time  for those # 10 hooks.

Picture is fuzzy as it was taken at a distance across the river.

The available dates in July (19-20-21st) have now been taken - we had three calls on them and we are now receiving bookings for July 2011.

2nd July 2010

Sun finally broke through, we have a slight wind on the river.  Steady run of salmon working up river but not taking well.  Saw dozens of fish in the air or porposing and threw everything at them until 9PM, three rods and not a strike.

1st July 2010

1st July, hard to believe, squalls all day plus hail, so much for summer.  Fish are not showing or taking well, saw one in the air, raised one and  (2) grilse were landed one on a "shady lady" the other on a "White Butt Green Machine" derivative.

We saw 1/2 dozen fish in the evening and even had a couple rise to the fly but unable to hook one.  Clients fished Gray Rapids for part of the day and report the same thing happening, lots of  fish with only the odd one taking.

A reminder we have 19-20-21st July open due to a cancellation and there should be fish around.