Sept 25th 2007

Fishing:

Water continues to drop but still sufficient for salmon to travel.

Visible increase in fish presence today, on the water for approx. 1.5 hr saw 8 fish and had three rise to my fly although just a pull and away. Fly was a silver rat style with crystal flash tail, tied very skimpy # 14 hook. A couple of Falls ago this fly worked very well hooking 27 fish between three rods in one afternoon/evening.

Couple of interesting quotes from latest issue Eastern Woods & Waters:

"--- [Atlantic Provinces] salmon [count] down [Quebec, Maine and Europe] as much as 90 per cent from last season."
"Since the month of July numbers have picked up, we're 70 to 75 % [compared] to last year [2006]." (Eastern Woods & Waters p9)

"--- we have reports of huge declines in the [salmon] runs this year = as much as 60% in the Miramichi, --- yet we see aboriginal New Brunswickers acting totally outside the law and in clear breach of negotiated and signed agreement --- jigging protected large spawners ---." (Eastern Woods & Waters, Publisher's Desk (Jim Gourlay) p5)

Hunting:

Our Moose Hunters have arrived and start scouting. It's very warm weather for a moose hunt, however initial reports are that a number of moose are in the area and moving.
The watched 3 deer eating apples in the field and we observed 2 other deer cross the river meeting a flock of Canada Geese mid-stream. We also still have reports of a small bear in the area and first hand knowledge of skunks and raccoons.