Atlantic salmon fly-fishing conditions and report for the Miramichi River at McNamee on May 26th. The stage is set with perfect water and weather to have a great June . We are getting into a few local trout ( 10 – 14 inches ) fishing the evening after a warm day , but no sign of the big boy’s yet . The Rocky Brook Run Atlantic’s will soon be here too so get your chores done up and be prepared to spend some quality time on the water during the month of June . Garrett , Dillon and I had a good trip to the Cains this past weekend fishing the brooks , there were hundreds of small trout ( all released ) but the highlight for the boys was when I went headfirst into a beaver dam .

Atlantic salmon fly-fishing conditions and report for the Miramichi River at McNamee on May 18th. The river is finally down to a normal level . We have excellent water and the temps and still cool . The resident trout numbers appear to be up again this year and as the water warms up further the trout will be feeding better . The Sea-run brook trout on the Cains and the upper Miramichi last year were in record numbers so we are very excited about getting back into these trophy fish here in a few weeks . The ever elusive Rocky Brook Atlantic salmon run will begin to show up soon as well . This run is tough to catch but without a doubt these salmon are the best of the best . An evening on the Miramichi in late May and early June is like a piece of heaven , ones expectations are not that great for a ton of salmon hook ups but brook trout are plentyful and the river is so peaceful and fresh with all the new tree growth and new wildlife being born .

Atlantic salmon fly-fishing conditions and report for the Miramichi River at McNamee on May 9th. The Miramichi remains higher than normal and the temperatures are still below normal . Generally the fishing to date has not been as great as we are accustomed to in the spring but most anglers are still hooking up a few fish every day . After taking a poll of guides up and down the river , most are predicting our best fishing to come once the water drops and warms up a little . This is when we will be fishing at the bottom end of the ponds right on the top lip of the bar where the fish rest a little before dropping down over . Best technique will be on a cast with a sinking tip line and smaller fly’s .

Atlantic salmon fly-fishing conditions and report for the Miramichi River at McNamee on May 4th . The river is still higher than normal and is very cold at 39 F but it is clearing up very nicely . Most anglers are getting into a few fish but the best fishing is still yet to come . We are picking up grilse in the pocket water but most of the 30 – 37 inch salmon are coming off the heavy water edges . Some of our best “large salmon” type water is still out of service with the high water . Our best method yesterday was casting a long line into the heavy water then stripping off several yards as it swings , which puts the fly down deep at the end of the swing , then slowly retrieve . When a 36 inch salmon takes on the swing in the heavy water , you really know you have something on . Trolling with a boat is totally non- effective in this area of the river .

Flood waters on the Miramichi at McNamee have begun to come down already . Since yesterday at 7pm the water levels at McNamee have come down app 10 inches and is already beginning to clear up . We are still close to 4 feet above normal so it will be a day or so before we are back on the water with fly rod in hand .
The big difference between the Saint John River and the Miramichi River is that our river is much smaller coming out of central New Brunswick where it runs on a much steaper gradiant towards the ocean . The Saint John is also influenced by the Bay Of Fundy tides that actually hold the flood waters back during high tide .
It is important to note that the water level at McNamee will be dropping much sooner than the lower reaches of the river , i.e . Blackville area . The upper parts of the watershed allways drop off first . You should check with your outfitter or guide in the area that you plan to fish in order to get an acurate assessment .