30th March 2008

It's been a long winter but signs of spring starting to show in the past few days with the warmer weather. Water level low but will rise with an exceptional amount of melting snow. Glades along the river edges from Boiestown to Doaktown. If it continues at this rate there is still a chance of open river by season's beginning.

Partridge, fox, river otter, bob cats and lots of deer out and about. On the down side the road conditions along Rte 8 and side roads are poor to bad, lots of frost heaves, broken pavement and ice with some flooding on secondary roads.

Our cottage is up and running, all new appliances, currently rented, which is a good sign, now for some green grass and salmon and we will be all set.

29th February 2008

Two queries today about booking for spring fishing. Wendy & I recommend that potential clients monitor this site, rather than be disappointed by finding the river still iced over. In 2007 we contacted our clients and suggested they take a later booking due to ice conditions. They actually tied nicely into a run.

I will provide updates closer to mid April, with the understanding rentals are on a first come first served basis. A number of summer and fall dates are already booked.

Normally this stretch of river is clear of ice by April 15th when the salmon season opens. In 2007 the river opened around April 26th and took a couple of days to clear, in 2006 the river never opened until end of first week in May, so at this point in time it is hard to gauge if the river will be open April 15th 2008.

There is a lot of snow on the ground compared to the last two years, approx. 4.5 ft., with 9-10 ft. high banks in places and another 25 cm expected over the coming weekend, so winter is not over yet.

February 17th 2008

Slowly workiing through winter, largest amount of snow fall we have had in several years, approx. 4 - 5 feet on the ground with a strong sub-crust, 8 foot plus snow banks. One of the best seasons for snowmobilers in years with lots of machines out enjoying the numerous routes in the area.

For those fishermen out there, reports on the radio this morning that the Robins are three weeks ahead of schedule in Florida, that may mean an early spring, as they are enroute back.

Deep snow is taking a heavy toll on local deer as they opt for the plowed roadways and compete with vehicles.

January 9th 2008

We are three days into a January thaw, a large amount of snow has disappeared and there is water over the river ice.

We have seen foxes and otters with lots of deer and some bob cat tracks.

Snow is very packy, heavy at this time.

December 28th 2007

We have about 1 foot of snow on the ground after the weekend of warm weather, river is frozen over, unsafe for snowmobiles at this point. Weatherman calling for lite snow over the next few days.

Our Country Christmas Clients appeared to have enjoyed themselves and we are now awaiting some cross country skiers.

Already receiving booking well into 2008, mostly repeat customers at this time which means we must be doing something right. Our booking for 2007 reached 36% which is very high in the industry.

Nov 16th 2007

Our four groups of hunters appear to have enjoyed themselves the last group having left yesterday being successful with a buck & doe. The weather turned so warm that they had to get their game out of the woods as soon as possible. One group left us with a nice selection of french wines, which will be put to good use over the Christmas Season. All have been exceptionally nice people and indicated a desire to return for 2008 hunting season, some having already booked.

Wendy & I are sure that none of these hunters want to let their wives know how much effort they put in to leaving the cottage clean for us when they leave, it's very much appreciated :)

We now have a few weeks vacancy until late December where our client has decided to have a "Country Christmas" and 2008 is starting to book.

Nov. 3'd 2007

Moose season was extremely warm, our guests saw moose but left them in the wild. Currently have deer hunter in, they have seen some moose, few partridge and a critter took their rabbit overnight.

We have a number of black bear hanging around near the cottage raiding apple trees, lots of does and a couple of fawns but only a few bucks have been spotted. The raccoons are nightly visitors up to their normal mischief.

The fringe of tropical storm NOEL is scheduled to hit tonight.

Oct. 21st 2007

Recent rain has brought river and streams up. For the last few days Porter Brook Falls has been drawing spectators watching the salmon attempt to jump the falls. This is good local entertainment considering there are no longer local dumps and bear watching is getting harder :)

Oct 15th 2007

Well we had heavy rains in the past few days the water came up 14 inches and has dropped about 5 inches, so that really slowed things down and spread the fish all over the river, that being said, (1) landed/released and a nice strong hit this evening.

That's the end of the 2007 season for the Miramichi, everything gets cleaned up and put away until April 2008. :(

Although lower than the last few years we had a good yield from this pool :)

Oct. 11th 2007

Water remains low. Saw approx. 20 fish however constant East Wind with lite rain, raised a couple but no takers.

Wind & rain dropped by evening and a New Fishing Party came in around 18:45 hr., landed/released (1) grilse by 19:10.