22nd November 2008

Snow on the ground and still coming down at noon.  Our last group of hunters left this morning, they had seen a number of deer including some bucks and knew of a number of bucks taken in the area, they also saw a very large moose, quite content and booked again for 2009.  Being men they mistook the swifter sheets for coffee filters but stated the coffee turned out exceptional.

 

The cottage was left very clean and tidy, thanks Paul A, we much appreciated it.

 

We are now closed for the winter season and have already started the bathroom renovations and will be in full swing come spring.  We will be keeping our rates the same in 2009.

 

Our bookings were up from previous years in 2008 and we had a great group of clients, looking forward to seeing you again in 2009 and invite them to drop in for a coffee is passing our way.

 

Wendy & Shane

Moonshadowcottage.ca

18 November 2008

We currently have our last hunting group in until the end of the season.  They watched a buck swim the river and come up in the field below our cottage this morning.  They have also seen deer along the road close to the cottage which was verified by the  fresh overnight deer tracks, also fresh tracks indicate our resident moose remains in the area.  As I mentioned previously the spike horn has been taken.

 

I saw a salmon jump close to the shore this afternoon.  The blue jays and Canada jays (Moose Birds, Gorbeys) are busy storing for the winter.

 

We have had a lot of queries for late December early January but had made up our minds to close for renovations at the end of hunting season.  Installing a new shower stall and doing some painting with expectations of opening again in March.  2009 is already booking up with a good portion of hunting season taken, so if you want to confirm dates we recommend you do it soon.

 

Wendy & Shane

Moonshadowcottage.ca

8th November 2008

Well our first group in got to watch a moose cross the river below the cottage and a moose and calf on the opposite shore.  The group currently in walked out on the deck their first night, a doe and spike horn were standing on the lawn in front of the cottage, nice safe haven for them as long as they stay in close to the cottage.  The current group of hunters informed me they just use the word “hunting” as an excuse to get together and would have to think seriously before actually shooting a deer J  They are a little disappointed that the heavy rain yesterday cleaned the mud off their shiny new trucks and now even the trucks don’t look like they were used for hunting L

 

Due to a cancellation, we currently have an opening for Nov. 10^th-15^th inclusive.   

 

Wendy & Shane

Moonshadowcottage.ca

30th October 2008

We have had a cancellation for the last week of hunting season. 

The 10^th – 14^th November 2008 inclusive, is now available – off season rates. 

 

Wendy & Shane

Moonshadowcottage.ca

 

20th October 2008

Cold nights and bright days. The leaves are falling, the boats are put
away, some hunters out looking for partridge and a little game movement.
Not as many deer out and around as we experienced last year. We have a
group coming in for a family reunion on Friday to, then groups of hunters
arrive for the next three weeks. We do have openings toward the end of
November and into December.

Our OFF SEASON RATE ($90 per night) kicks in 1st November 2008. A nice time
of year to cozy up to a wood fire and simply relax.

Last week we were given the option to be classified under the new provincial
regulations or stay with Canada Select. Canada select has the stricter
requirements so we opted to stay with the Canada Select receiving 3 star
classification and have been included by the Province as an NB approved
tourism cottage. Moonshadow Cottage now will be included in NB Tourism
Marketing and can be found by following the NEW Scenic Drive Signage along
Rte. 8, the jumping salmon on a purple back ground designated as the
"Miramichi River Route." WE have permission to use the NB Tourism logos
etc., now it would be nice if we could get high-speed internet access and be
able to download the files :(

Don't forget we will make up Gift Certificates on request.

Wendy & Shane

15th October 2008

Well with a tear in our eye we say goodbye to the most successful Fishing Season in recent memory for the Miramichi.  Fish continue to show as they work up river but the water is up and dark so mostly just broaching.  On Monday a salmon was hooked in the pool, our most recent guests closing out the season focused on the Cains River, Kevin S., hooking one and releasing another he reported excellent fishing on the Cains the previous week.

 

It is to be noted that the Moose harvest continues strong, one truck with (2) bulls and another with (1) bull – frustrating.

 

We have several hunter groups returning in the next few weeks for deer season and look forward to seeing them again. 

 

November 1^st our rates drop to $90 per night “off season” and we still have some days open toward the end of November.

 

Wendy & Shane

Moonshadowcottage.ca

13th October 2008

The fishing has slowed down.  If you watch the river you will still see the odd salmon jumping or broaching as it makes it’s way upstream.  Water is a good height but very dark.  We hit the river for a few minutes yesterday evening to no avail,  a check down river finds the same story, seeing the odd fish but not taking well if at all.

 

Checked out Porter Brook Falls yesterday afternoon, saw a large salmon and couple of grilse trying to make it over, very dark fish.

 

We now have 2 bear just down the road from us and another in the immediate vicinity staying west, (4) raccoons lots of blue jays and a chipmunk or two.  The bear are very skittish but love fall apple trees. Haven’t seen many deer or moose in comparison to last fall, although some signs where they have been traveling at night. 

 

Wendy & Shane

Moonshadowcottage.ca

3'd October 2008

We had heavy rain yesterday (Thursday).  The river rose approx. 2 feet on top of what we already had.  This will put a crimp on any fishing for a few days although they will move in closer to the shoreline.

 

Wendy & Shane

Moonshadowcottage.ca

30th Sept. 2008

River dropped nearly 8 inches overnight, still high, a few fish showing but most traveling right through and spread all over the river.  Rest of the week calling for sun/clouds/some rain, the water level may not drop to pre-storm level by this weekend.

 

Wendy & Shane

Moonshadowcottage.ca

27th September 2008

The river was whipped into a froth today with all least 2-4 rods on it depending on the time of day. Lots of effort and little success other than one briefly hooked. We had a full day of heavy rain and the water started rising, fish continued to show but no takers. Forecast is for a hurricane headed this way and heavy rain tomorrow night so we can expect another rise in water and will see what happens from there.

Friends dropped in after dark, the road was covered with frogs, so we went searching with a flashlight and sure enough, "Frogs” everywhere even on the walk, so what is this all about ?

Our local moose hunters got their moose.

Wendy & Shane

Moonshadowcottage.ca

26th September 2008

Magic Hour plus 10 minutes.  10-00 – 11:10 hr, (1) salmon, (2) grilse on a Shady Lady w/crystal flash.  I hear they are successfully using something similar with a red butt at Ponds.   Forget the ones in the air, by the time your brain processes that jump they are 6 ft. up river and in some cases the processing is much slowerJ.  Go after the fins on the surface, drop a fly a foot or two above then hold on.

 

We had problems releasing the salmon it kept coming back to shore, honest.

 

For those people finding our site through Kijiji, sorry that Tourism lost us again this year, very frustrating, last year we were in Saint John River Valley, this year under the second Porter Cove, and the first Porter Cove brings nothing up and we pay for thisL.

 

Query today from ATVers wanting to use the cottage, no problem we have tons of woods roads to travel but you should be aware;

 

a)       It’s hunting season, wear the required red clothing and duck often,

b)       The Trans Canada Trail is close but off limits to ATVers at this time and heavily patrolled by the Province,

c)       Keep the noise to a minimum around the cottages and residents in the area.

d)       Bear and moose have the right-of-way.

 

We now have at least (2) black bear and a chipmunk in the vicinity of the cottage, tis apple time and they like apples.

 

 

 

Wendy & Shane

Moonshadowcottage.ca

25th September 2008

This is exactly what the day was like, saw lots of fish, threw everything at
them, nothing taking.

Made a run into the Dungarvon Counting Station, 860 salmon in the holding
pool, largest around 30 lb.
75 trout some in 3.5 - 4 lb range. Well over twice 2007 count, normally
they open the gates the first of moose season but will be holding for a few
days yet this year.

This year they have 2500 fingerlings to release and saw the first of their
reared Salmon return which is very positive as they were concerned with no
previous returns.

Still a great day to be alive on the Miramichi. Our guest's comment were a
bad day onb the river is better than a good day at the office.

24th September 2008

It was a beautiful Fall day, the leaves are just starting to colour up. The
fishing was very slow - we had 4 - 6 rods on the water depending the time of
day from dawn to dusk and other than a few soft hits the only thing taking
were trout. Moose hunters are moving into the area in droves for this
weekend, trucks with four wheelers everywhere. None of our regular hunting
groups got their moose license this year and if they had they would probably
not have obtained the "permit" required by Irving to access their normal
hunting zones. The cottage was quickly booked by a couple with R&R
interests at heart and we will see our hunting friends in deer season.

At this point we still have some dates in October available.

23'd September 2008

"We're BONDING so leave us alone" or "It's mine all MINE" and no this is not
a "bright grilse" otherwise it would not have been foolish enough to take
Mark's white Butterfly.

Lots of fish, taking poorly, several hits in the evening on a Shady Lady,
all short, clipped the tail of the fly which solved the hitting short
problem, no more strikes. Right now the entertainment is in watching the
aerobatics.

22nd September 2008

Another beautiful day on the Miramichi. The salmon are not showing as much this morning, however did pick up (3) grisle between 10:00 – 11:00 hr on a Shady Lady w/crystal flash. Rounded things off in the evening with a nice salmon, on a brand new Shady Lady, the other one went up river with a salmon, when will I learn to re tie a fly after playing several fish.

Any way the salmon was about a 7-8 lb hook bill, didn't even give much of a fight, he wasn't even the smartest fish I've met. After I got the fly out and went to release him I noticed the leader was wrapped around his lower jaw and he wouldn't open his mouth, so I had tucked the rod under my arm and was bent over trying to get everything untangled when a grisle came after the fly by my leg. That's not the fly I lost, that one went up river earlier in the evening with another salmon.

I played around with a bomber in the slow water and sure enough the trout are still there :)

Of (2 doz). Shady Ladies with crystal flash I tied in July, I have (2) left

We have a party of (2) in tomorrow and another (2) joining them the next day, will see how they make out.

Wendy & Shane

Moonshadowcottage.ca

21st September 2008 (follow up)

Did you ever feel like this after a hard days work. A before and after. I
don't know the final count on this fly as it was fished over a few days but
it was a lot of fish. Some very, very nice trout in the river, they seem to
prefer bombers. Well after dark and you can still hear the salmon in the
river moving rocks. Still looking for those bright ones they say are
coming, although I must admit some of the more recent fish are fighting more
like summer salmon.

21st September 2008

What a beautiful morning, no wind, enough cloud cover to keep the sun off
the water and a pool full of fish and a dog ready to go fishing, haven found
waders his size yet.

Our clients slept in so decided to warm the pool up for them, by 10:30 had
taken (5) and lost (2), raised another 1/2 doz. All on a very beaten up
Shady Lady. This is the type of dream fishing to remember that helps get a
fisherman through a long cold winter and the days not over :

20th September 2008

A strong West wind came up in the morning and lasted all day with light gusts towards dusk.  Rob hooked into his first Salmon; he has asked anyone up river landing a fish with a White Butterfly to please return it to him.  With the wind the fish were not showing as much as normal but they were there.  Lika hooked a grilse and landed another, I landed another all on a Shady Lady We kept bringing fish up with Bombers but they would just nudge or sink them, interested but not stupid is my guess.  The “brook trout” are definitely back in the river as we all took a number of very nice trout and they all had to go back.

 

Took in the Doaktown Salmon Museum this afternoon, it’s very well done and would be of interest to Miramichi Valley Anglers and visitors alike – take time to stop and have a gander

 

Wendy & Shane

Moonshadowcottage.ca

19th Sept. 2008

At one point I threw down the rod, gabbed a paddle and started swinging, there were so many fish in the air I was hitting them on the fore and back stroke. I saw some swimming backwards so they would fit in the pile better. Around 5 PM the river was absolutely alive with fish, hooked into one, raised another, had him come back twice and had a number of good butts, tried nearly everything they seem to favour a green/white bomber but not too anxious about that fly either. Did pick up a nice 2 ½ pound trout, course the season closed a few days ago and he told me so, back he went.

We had a West wind all day didn’t drop to around 6PM which didn’t help. But if you stay at it long enough there is the odd salmon around that is going to take. We some clients in for the next few days so will see if some dedicated fishing will produce anything. By the way we are getting a lot of short notice bookings which is really frustrating for us as we want to please potential clients. The September weekend special rate ($239.99) with complimentary wine has been a success and we may try it again in the future.

If anyone is considering a Christmas in the Country, or any snowmobile clubs looking for bookings, let us know early, we are considering closing the cottage December to March 2009 if we don’t have bookings lined up.

Wendy & Shane

Moonshadowcottage.ca

16th September 2008

Took a moment this evening to throw a line around, beautiful evening, no wind, nice sunset, good water level and a river full of fish.  In less than an hour I counted 28 in the air and saw 8 - 10 on the surface.  Tried several flies, no response, put on a green/white bomber dropped into slower water and a salmon struck it on the second cast.  It gave a nice fight which took me to dusk and that was it for the evening.  I half expected to see it was a bright fish due to the fight, lots of tail walking but no, it was dark.  I have yet to see any of these bright I’m hearing about.

 

Wendy & Shane

Moonshadowcottage.ca

13th Sept. 2008

07:30 AM, the dog and I are sitting on the deck having our morning coffee, he was on his second cup, and watching the fish jump. One of the truckers dropped in and was telling us of a close call on the Holtville Road. He was coming around a turn loaded and just off the pavement met a run of small grisle hiking back to the Dungarvon River, this has been going on for the past few weeks. That explains why we are hearing good reports on fishing on the Dungarvon,. I guess the small grilse is probably the result of the “law of the wild” applying, that is the larger and stronger critter surviving and in this case the large salmon want space in the Miramichi River so it would be the small grilse making that road trip. What a different year!

Wendy & Shane

Moonshadowcottage.ca

12th Sept. 2009

Fishing on the Miramichi – YES – THAT EARLY Fall Run just keeps on coming, score today, (1) grilse, Wendy (1) salmon, (2) hooked into by JR including a nice size salmon and no one put in any more than a couple of hours. I can’t believe that it’s September and we have no one in fishing and there is fishing. We checked in at O’Donnell’s Cottages in Storytown, lots of fish jumping in their pool, at Big Hole Brook an angler was playing a salmon so there are more down river to come.

While we were talking to Valerie O’Donnell, Jackie her husband, pointed out a whopper of a salmon cruising through the pool this thing was so big it’s tail was 10 inches above water, a discussion ensued where we wondered how fast a salmon would work it’s way up river in good water conditions as we currently have. As we were just headed that way ourselves enroute back to the cottage and this fish was so obvious in size we thought why not pace it with the old truck, catching glimpses where there was a break in the trees and you could see the river. When we arrived at Big Hole Brook, we just caught a glimpse of it’s tail, that fish was moving. I floored the old Ford and we got up to 30 mph maybe 35 coming down the hill into Priceville. We left the truck and checked the water at the Footbridge that thing was just coming past Buttermilk, of course not a fish stopped at Porcupine all summer so we have been told, I figured this one wouldn’t either. I swear as we were standing on the foot bridge that thing grinned at us on the way by and sped up. Most of Priceville Road is down hill to our place and no fish can do 40 mph not even this one so we beat it to Porter Cove warned Keith and Doddie and headed for our place. Wendy wanted to make a try for it and as she was going down the steps that thing went by, the wash from it left a grisle flopping on the shore, when it went through the rapids there were rocks flying in every direction. You know that fish was playing with us cause it made a complete circle of McCartys Island came back and laid in the pool. The dam thing’s tongue was out like it was panting, or laughing. I heard from Woodland that he used Irish Spring soap to keep the deer away and knowing that deer and fish think nothing alike I had Wendy tie on a bit, she’s a bug fan in reality but played along and I did tell her to be careful as the Rangers wouldn’t think much of the bait, this being a salmon scheduled river where you can only use a fly. You should have seen it, that fish struck that soap and headed up river, my good line and all, that thing was frothing at the mouth and shaking it’s head like a dog that picked up a toad. When it gets to Juniper we may see an October migration down river. That’s how the run has been all Fall “straight through, no stopping.”

Wendy & Shane

Moonshadowcottage.ca

11th Sept. 2008

Nice Fall day, a bit of frost in the morning, sunshine all day fish jumping in the river, fresh garden produce and after about 15 minutes on the water at dusk Wendy landed a nice grilse on a “White Butter Fly,” some big salmon  moving around tonight with a few playing on the surface in the slow water pool.

 

Wendy & Shane

Moonshadowcottage.ca

 

10th Sept. 2008

Miramichi has peaked from the rain and has started dropping, water very dark but not a bad height.  Salmon are not showing a lot but are definitely moving through.  Picked up a grilse in the evening on a “white butterfly.”

 

Wendy & Shane

Moonshadowcottage.ca

8th Sept. 2008

Heavy rain Sunday brought the Miramichi River up 4-6 inches, still at a good level.  Saw very few fish moving which is consistent with high-water, (1) grilse taken in pool this evening.

 

 

 

Wendy & Shane

Moonshadowcottage.ca

 

__________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus signature database 3426 (20080908) __________

The message was checked by ESET Smart Security.

http://www.eset.com

7th September 2008

Early fall fishing on the Miramichi.  The most accurate report I can provide at this time is that there are plenty of fish, as the water remains a decent level and the water temperature in the high 60’s the salmon are constantly moving and not pooling.  We are seeing runs of single and small schools of salmon quickly working though the pools with more showing in the morning.  In the afternoon and evening you will see one, two or three fish showing in close proximity about every 15 minutes.  We have thrown everything at them including small flys on 18 foot leaders with little success since last Tuesday although they did show a little interest when presented with small black trout dry fly’s by sinking them L

 

All the fish we are seeing are dark.  It will be interesting to see if this continues for the next few weeks.  We should be seeing more trout drop out of the streams back into the main river, may be the only fishing left unless a fresher run of salmon enter the river.  I have not previously seen a similar salmon run pattern.

 

Had some friends return from the Dungarvon Friday afternoon, reported seeing lots of fish and tying into two.  One of them (Earl) fell in, cell phone and all J

 

Manny, if you read this, life is still better on the Miramichi than in Toronto, so come anyway J

 

 

 

Wendy & Shane

Moonshadowcottage.ca

 

__________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus signature database 3423 (20080906) __________

The message was checked by ESET Smart Security.

http://www.eset.com

Sept. 6th 2008

The Miramichi Fall Fish Run came in 2 to 3 weeks early compared to previous years.  Salmon are not showing as much as a few days ago however large salmon are among those showing.

 

Wendy & Shane

Moonshadowcottage.ca

 

__________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus signature database 3422 (20080906) __________

The message was checked by ESET Smart Security.

http://www.eset.com

Emailing: 2008_0831D0011, 2008_0831D0014

Jason with his first Atlantic Salmon on the Miramichi. In the background
Steve is telling him how not to land it, not bad for a Walmart rod & reel.
I bet he will be back :)

27th August 2008

All the way from California to land an Atlantic Salmon. Got mud on her
waders too :)

Emailing: 2008_0826D0016

Weather has cooled off, water in high 60's, runs of salmon moving through
with a few large mixed in. Lika F. tied into (2) grilse and (1) 31" salmon
before noon today using a "Black Glitter Bug & Shady Lady."

26th August 2008

07:30 hr a number of salmon showing Lika F. Hooked into a nice grisle, water temperature back down to 68 degrees.

25th August 2008

Water temperature and levels good. This AM the river seems to be full of grilse with the off salmon, about a 20:1 ratio. The fish seem to be running all over the river and not too interested in taking a fly.

A flury of grilse went through around 19:00 hr, Lika F hooked into one.

Wendy & Shane

Moonshadowcottage.ca

23 August 2008

MOOSE HUNTERS

J.D. Irving has just announced the details of the 2008 Moose Hunter access to Irving Woodlands, specifically WM Zone 12. (Boiestown area)

 

50 access permits will be issued, 40 of those for residents of Carleton, York, Northumberland and Victoria counties.  Application via their website “www.jdirving.com” go to “News” and look for the link to the application form.  Notification by September 1, 2008.

 

The water temperature has shot up some 7 degrees yesterday from 62 to 69 and today 72F.  Have seen a few fish moving today but too hot to fish comfortably during day, the evening did cool off and we picked up this salmon (shady lady crystal flash tail), the dog was no help.

 

 

Wendy & Shane

Moonshadowcottage.ca

21st August 2008

Water dropped approx. 3 inches overnight remains dark at 62 degrees.  Fish moving all day but more showing in early morning and evening.  (1) grilse on a shady lady crystal flash tail in the evening.  All the fish we have seen in the past week have been dark although we hear reports of bright fish above Priceville which we will welcome to this area shortly I presume.  Is this our fall run?  Normally the fish would be holding in cold water pools to move up in September but with the continuous high and cool water there would be no reason for them to hold, we will have to wait and see.

 

 

 

Wendy & Shane

Moonshadowcottage.ca

19th August 2008

Miramichi dropped about 6 inches is still dark and a nice 62 degrees.  We are seeing some fish move daily, clients at our cottage hooked into a grilse this afternoon on a shady lady with crystal flash and after making playing it a family affair landed and released to continue up river.

 

Wendy & Shane

Moonshadowcottage.ca

17th August 2008

Water remains up and dark but nice and cool.  Watching fish run close to the shore this morning.  Stephen picked up this nice grilse off the shore about 10:00 hr on a green machine white tag after about 5 minutes of fishing.

 

Wendy & Shane

Moonshadowcottage.ca

16th August 2008

The Miramichi remains high and dark. Lots of canoes on the river and a few tubes. Not a lot of fishing taking place in this pool in the past few days, however we did pick up a few trout today and a check downriver this afternoon found salmon being taken in Priceville in the morning. Lots of water and a good temperature so other than being spread all over the river, if you can find them they should take.

20:00 hr. gave it a whirl, we saw (3) fish and tied into a 12-15 lb salmon (shady lady with green crystal flash tail).

Wendy & Shane

Moonshadowcottage.ca

6th August 2008

The Miramichi River is still high, has dropped approx. 12 inches in past 24 hours.  One of our clients picked up a decent trout along the shore this morning so we gave it a try in the evening and picked up a few more good size fish.  Hooked into a nice fish but never got to see it before it threw the hook.  The trout are definitely hugging the shoreline and feeding.

 

Wendy & Shane

Moonshadowcottage.ca

3'd August 2008

An update on current river conditions.

 

We have had a lot of rain in the past few days and the river is high and silty.  The river has never reached a “summer low” so far this year and with the exception of a few days the water temperature has not risen enough to effect the fish movement.  We still see the occasional salmon working up river but with the current conditions fishing will be difficult,  most of the summer run having gone through and the fish that are moving will be spread all over the river.

 

Wendy & Shane

Moonshadowcottage.ca

 

__________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus signature database 3321 (20080803) __________

The message was checked by ESET Smart Security.

http://www.eset.com

28th July 2008

We have not had a lot to report in the past few days. Back to back hot muggy days heated up the water and subsequently the pool saw little to no fishing although we still spotted the odd straggler working up river. This pool is not a summer holding pool although we do have an underground cold water spring running into the deepest part; salmon reportedly do not swim through a level of warm water to strike a fly.

Recent reports are that although fishing has slowed as compared to a few weeks ago, fish are still being taken in the cold water pools & rapids – Cache, Schoolhouse, Cookhouse, Norrad's, etc. – reports from Porcupine are not as good. There is a valid report that during the peak of the summer run a few weeks ago of a commercial fisherman in Mriamichi Bay in a single lift for another species of fish had to throw back over 300 grilse.

The water is holding, recent overnight rains have cooled the waters and we have clients on the water for the next few days, this should give a local reading. By 13:00 hr they had tied into one and touched another.

If the fishing is slow we will simply join the black bears gathering blue berries. Life is rough in the country J

Wendy & Shane

Moonshadowcottage.ca

24th July 2008

We have had several cloudy days and enough rain to keep the river at a good height but the water has darkened again.  The water temperature has dropped to (19.1C).  Reports from upriver of some fish being taken in the rapids and slow fishing down river, not many salmon showing.  The humidity has been so high that no one has been fishing this pool to any extent.

 

Wendy & Shane

Moonshadowcottage.ca