Atlantic salmon fly fishing conditions for the Miramichi River at McNamee for April 30th . The river is up again this morning after two very warm days . We are not flood stage yet so with the weather turning in our favor again we expect the water to begin dropping today , and of course it will clear up too . We have ten rods in camp and everyone is hooking up several times a day , including this big hook-bill that Mark and Karl got into yesterday .

Spring time Atlantic salmon fishing on the Miramichi River during the early years was referred to as “Black Salmon Fishing” . This picture of fish taken during that era clearly shows the fish with very dark colored sides and more slinky in appearance . As you can see from previous pics of fish landed this year they are much more silver now . This is more typical of our “Spring Salmon” of this decade . Why is this ? Are the fall fish coming in later, is there less time of heavy ice cover in the river these days , is the river water cleaner now ? For example during the earlier years it was common practice to store the logs along the river and feeder stream banks all winter then float (“Drive”) the logs down the river to the lumber mills at the mouth of the Miramichi . Maybe all the logs in the water all winter caused the river water to be stained or something . Just a question , not necessarily my theory on the subject but for some reason our “Spring Salmon” are in general much better shape now .

Finally got the boat landed at the RT 123 Bridge for a two day run down the lower Cains . Perfect water , perfect weather and even lucked out with a few grilse on the line from the Sabies River area . That end of the river seems so big to me that it looks like you could hook a fish almost anywhere . My slow sink line did not work the best but John’s 300 Gr tip got down in their face and made it look easy . My youngest son Garrett ( 17 ) landed a nice fish too . He had a blast and is already looking forward to the next trip , not sure if it was the fishing or the bar-b-qued rib-eye steak for breakfast that perked his attention .

Brad Burns says:
April 25, 2011 at 12:11 pm (Edit)
Prohibiting trolling in fly only fisheries is quite common. Maine does this in on some of their fly fishing only trout ponds. I agree with some of the earlier comments that simply buying a license shouldn’t make anyone feel entitled to use any means possible to catch salmon. The traditional methods of casting a fly while wading or from an anchored boat allow anglers to fish without harming other people’s right to fish and to enjoy their fishing. The Miramichi is a large river this time of the year, but it is not a big lake or the ocean. Trollers often come too close for comfort, and make unwelcome noise.

Karl ..Guide One Says
I think that Lloyd has made a good point, the common courtesy and respect is slowly depleting. The river should be something we all can enjoy, whether its canoeing, swimming or salmon fishing. However people have to realize it is a way of life , a way for many of us to make a living for our family. We need to protect our lively hood as much as we need to protect our amazing Atlantic Salmon. It is a problem for many anglers and guides and I think it should be STOPPED!! The fact of the matter is there is a loop hole in the system. Think about it folks, it is illegal to troll with your rod touching the boat, or in a fixed position. Are you not sitting in a boat holding your rod in a fixed position. In closing I also want to make a comment on Phils comment. I have been a Guide 1 for many years now, its my only means of income as well. We dont get to pick and choose what days we go fishing Phil. And we certainly don’t get to hook the fish and hand the rod off, as that is illegal to do as well. So like Tim said “take a little effort and send an email the minister of Natural Resources”. STOP THE TROLLING!!!!!

Scott Says ….
Trolling is not the issue. Not one bit. It’s about respect and common courtesy. Wether I cath a salmon by casting or trolling has nothing to do with someone cutting into somebody who is parked and cutting their line.

I don’t even fish black salmon this time of year and I find this B.S about trolling being an issue very stupid. But I do troll down river in the tidal areas for trout and have no issues with it.

Don’t worry in about a month you will have all your private water to yourself to fish.

You want to complain to the government about something, then make up a stink about the frigging netting going on by natives where rivers are in trouble to meat spawning requirements.

Norris Wolff and guide Joe Stewart once again prove that casting to Atlantic salmon is the most productful method . Today Norris hooked twelve fish and landed ten , all on a cast with slow sink line and standard size spring fly . Joe took notice that he did not see any other anglers with fish on that were long- lining or trolling .

E-mail : brenphil@sympatico.ca
URL :
Whois : http://whois.arin.net/rest/ip/142.167.161.190
Comment:
I paid the same amount as everybody else on the river, you do not own the river,you fish the river every day and .you pick the days you are being paid to fish. The ones trolling are the ones fishing on the weekends to find the fish then anchor and you say they are wrong? Plus ,soon the trolling will be done.Don’t say trolling is wrong when are on the river every day.Yes we troll but we stay away from other fisherman.And yes if someone did do as you say that is wrong ,but that is a bad apple in a huge pile.

Keith Wilson’s Reply
Dear Phil-
Thanks for your comments , in order to come to a resolution of what one group of people may feel is an issue it takes all different opions to settle it . I urge all your friends and fishing partners to post their feelings on the issue as well .

Respectfully yours,
Keith Wilson

The water is dropping slowly and clearing up . As expected fishing is a little tougher than last weekend . Most anglers are getting into several fish per day on a cast close to shore , but any of the larger salmon hooked were on a cast into the heavy water . This is my kind of fishing when the larger salmon are starting to move more through the heavy water and when you do get a take there is no mistake what it is . You have to work a little harder but the rewards are worth it . This beauty was taken on a Renous Special by Norris Wolf and guide Joe Stewart .

Don’t get me wrong folks , I am not against anyone wanting to get on the water for some relaxation and to enjoy the pursuit of the greatest game fish ever . But when the method you use in this pursuit is obstructive to the guy next to you and is contrary to the beloved sport of fly-fishing then it is time to reconsider your approach . There is a standard of etiquette that must be followed so that we can all enjoy the sport in harmony . In the summer we rotate through the pool giving each rod a chance over the different sweet spots , much the same for spring where you drop down river with your boat . It is just plain rude when you are sitting in your boat next to shore and have a guy in a motor boat troll past you on the inside practically in your face and right over your line .The Miramichi River is host to the most famous of all game fish and the sport of fly-fishing goes back hundreds of years . We owe it to ourselves and the generations to follow to protect this beloved sport . If you find casting difficult then let your line off the back of the boat but don’t be running around with the motor running dragging the line behind you . And besides fly-fishing is just as productfull as trolling in most cases . Old Stan Church fished at this camp for more than 50 years using the long line approach and he hooked literally hundreds of salmon in that time . And there is also the issue of a bunch of two stroke outboards spilling oil and gas fumes in the air and water . It is one thing to run your little 15 hp for a few minutes to get to your location and then shut it off but it is quiet another when there are maybe 25 motors running constant for several hours in that same area .

Trolling for Atlantic salmon on the Miramichi River is not fly-fishing . There has got to be something done to stop this ridiculous practice that is becoming far too common . I have heard reports of anglers being anchored a cast distance from shore and have a troller actually pass on the inside right over their line . It has come to the point that many fly-fishermen are totally pissed at what they have to put up with on some parts of the Miramichi during the spring season .This has got to stop !!! . There is presently a loop hole in the law that allows this as long as the troller does not have the rod attached to the boat , it is still trolling when the boat is moving and the guys on board are dragging lines over the side . If they want to troll then go to the tide water below the Quaryville Bridge .
I am calling on all fly-fishermen to contact the Minister Of Natural Resources …. bruce.northrup@gnb.ca and MLA ….jake.stewart@gnb.ca and the Miramichi Watershed Management Committee president ….deborah.norton@nbed.nb.ca
We need to put a stop to this practice now!

If you are going to pay the money , take time off work and travel from afar you need to know that while staying at Wilson’s we guarantee that your host , your guide, the cook , waitress and even the yard man is taking their job seriously . We want you to know that we are here to make this a great trip for you and to help give you every advantage when pursuing the mighty Atlantic Salmon . Spring fishing may be more productfull than summer or fall and fish seem easier to catch but you still need to know the best technique , best fly and best pool under varying river conditions . Our guides are here to TEACH you how to do it properly and with the most success . Wilson’s guides do not fish for you like on some parts of this river , this is your time . We do not condone trolling for Atlantic salmon on the upper Miramichi River , we feel these fish deserve the respect and dedication of a true fly-fisherman in order to maintain our fly-fishing sport . Trolling is not fly-fishing . It will be interesting to see how many 40 inch plus salmon will be landed here during the next three weeks .

The big snow did not develop after all . We got app. 3 inches here in McNamee and it is supposed to clear by noon . The water is down this morning another 4 inches and clear . Aside from a little snow in your boat today it should be good fishing . Boaters coming to the McNamee area should be very aware as the water drops off , there are very distinct channels to follow around all these islands in order to keep your motor off the bottom . Over the past ten years I have acquired five outboard motors hanging in my boat house with the bottom end destroyed after hitting the ever changing bottom around this area .

The fishing is fantastic , the conditions are ideal with warm sunny weather forecast for this coming weekend and we are offering discounts on the Big Murphy cabin that will surely catch any anglers attention . This unit sleeps up to six , has four bedrooms & two bathrooms , it comes complete with all housekeeping equipment , gas bar-b-que and an outdoor fire pit . We have a private boat landing right out front and if you do not have a boat then fishing from shore is an option as well . If you do not have a rod don’t worry we rent those too . We also have guides with boats and motors if you want to go all out . Call or e:mail for prices .

Atlantic salmon fly-fishing conditions for the Miramichi River at McNamee for April 18th . Many people feared that the early ice-out and lower than usual water these last three weeks would move all the fish out but that was not the case . The river was ideal height and color for our first weekend and fishing was fantastic with a good number of large MSW salmon in the mix . Seems like the best fly for now is the Christmas Tree ( barbless law in effect ). We had rain again yesterday but the river only came up app. 10 inches so we are expecting good fishing again this week .
We had planned a trip to the lower Cains for Friday and Saturday but decided to stay local instead . We checked it out Friday morning to find the water at the RT 123 Bridge ideal in height and color . Maybe this week if we get a chance .

Fly-fishing conditions for the Miramichi River at McNamee for April 12th . The river is up this morning app. 12 inches after heavy thundershowers last evening . There is more rain coming so a bigger raise is on it’s way for sure . This can be very dangerous for boating this coming weekend . Though the majority of the ice is gone there will still be ice and trees coming from bogans and shore lines that will be hard to see . You must remain vigilant at all times , always wear a full body PFD , or at least a jacket , and never attempt to operate your motor boat while drinking . Water temps at this time of year can be as low as 37F , hypothermia can take effect within minutes .

Fly fishing conditions for the Miramichi River at McNamee for April 11th . The weather warmed up over this last weekend resulting in a slight rise in water this morning . There is rain forecast for the next several days and more warm temps . Who knows for sure but I am guessing that by opening day we will have a little too much water for good fishing , there is still 2-5 feet of snow everywhere in the watershed so when you combine this with warm temps and rain you have the recipe for high water .