Bonaventure salmon – 2011 edition – photo Kelsey Taylor

Hurricane Irene caused  water levels across most of the  Atlantic salmon range in North America to increase and in some cases significantly.

The only areas not impacted were in the east including central and eastern Newfoundland, Cape Breton and some other parts of Nova Scotia.

The last week in August is always a time to pause, and to prepare for the coming autumn. It would appear that the water levels should be good for salmon migration upstream, at least in September.

Atlantic Salmon Run Numbers that we have.

Nova Scotia

LaHave – The Morgan Falls Fishway is presently shut down as water temperatures had been creeping up, and this area  didn’t get major rain with the hurricane. The last Atlantic salmon went through 10 days ago. The fishway is expected to re-open at the beginning of next week.

Margaree and Cheticamp – Despite low water, anglers are catching salmon. On the Cheticamp,  anglers are mostly on the lower section of the river. A contact on the Margaree noted the river rose more with a rainstorm last week than it did when hurricane Irene.

Newfoundland

Exploits – The run has slowed to a trickle, with only 102 new Atlantic salmon counted in the past week, bringing the total to 41,415. Still, this compares favourably with 2010′s record breaking run of 45,627.

Terra Nova River – Another 83 salmon arrived  in the past week, giving a total of 5,145 compared to 4,533 for 2010, and far better than the 3,146 of the five-year average.

Torrent River – The count is still lagging with 3,787 to date, compared with 5,529 last year, and below the five-year average of 4,597.

Labrador

Sand Hill – The numbers continue to rise, with 8,565 grilse and 970 large salmon, totalling 9,535 – compared to a total of 1,974 (1,798 grilse and 176 large salmon) in 2010. Everyone is watching this one to see if  it will break 10,000

Paradise – Interestingly, this river is also doing much better than last year, with 375 grilse and 33 large salmon, compared with 170 grilse and 17 large in 2010 – but this puts it on a par with the five-year average.

New Brunswick

Salmon on the Restigouche

Restigouche – Water levels are up but Atlantic salmon are still showing an interest in flies presented to them. Tom Callaghan of Ristigouche Salmon Club noted that a salmon was caught on August 29.

On the upper river, Danny Bird at Kedgwick Lodge said early in the week:

“Water is in the bushes!  Raised from 1.2m to 1.8m overnight but holding at the present level. The water is very chocolate-coloured, perhaps from sediment run-off coming from the agricultural sector as well as the forestry industry. There appears to be a good run of fresh fish in the upper system, weighing in the range of 12 to14 lbs. No hurricane up here just a good rainfall and some moderate wind.”

Another angler report from last week’s action on the Restigouche:

“Good number of fish in the river. Fishing for three days, party of four brought to the shore 20 salmon, the largest 24 lb. despite a significant water rise. According to the guides there have been very good water conditions all through August until Irene. Most of the fish were extremely healthy looking.”

Kedgwick – Don Sullivan at Kedgwick Salmon Club reported this morning there had been 719 Atlantic salmon brought to shore. This is an all time record. The Club closes down for the season this week on a high note.

Miramichi – Water is high and silty,, but slowly clearing. Keith Wilson says “This week is a bust.”. Check out the water levels at Blackville in the graph below:

Southwest Miramichi at Blackville – Water Levels

Maine

Penobscot – Only seven new fish to report in the past week, bringing the total to 3,029 so far. There is a good possibility of more in September given the high flows and low water temperatures. Hurricane Irene dropped a major amount of water on this basin. Check out the Mattawamkeag water level, now three metres above its level on Sunday.

Mattawamkeag – a major tributary of the Penobscot River

Québec

Matapedia

Causapscal River – Falls Pool – photo Charles Cusson

To August 28th, a total of 1,975 fish had  landed which includes 279 releases.  As of noon on August 29, the flow was 843 cubic meters/second, up from 543 cubic meters/second 12 hours earlier.  This translates into a 10” rise in the river level.  Angling results continue to outpace last season, 745 more fish have been landed (includes an increase of 125 additional releases) compared to the same date in 2010.

On July 20 a salmon was landed in Adams Pool with a numbered tag attached to its dorsal fin. Scale samples were sent to Jonathan Carr at our research department for analysis.  It turns out our traveler, originally tagged on May 28, 2008 in the lower stretches of the Restigouche, was two years old at the time he went out to sea for the first time and returned to his natal river in 2011 as a three sea winter fish estimated at 22lbs.  What tales he could tell…..Unfortunately, scales did not have the clarity needed to tell the fresh water story.

Cascapedia

For the month to August 25th, the Cascapedia Society is reporting 386 fish landed, 339 confirmed releases and a mix of 47 salmon and grilse have been killed.  A retention fishery with a quota of 100 mature salmon is in effect for the month of August.  The river needed water but the answer has been overwhelming, changing from 25 cubic meters/second to just under 100 cubic meters/second in 24 hours. Once the waters calm down, the angling will be interesting well into September.  The society is urging anglers to keep only cock fish in the 15 lb range and to release any hen fish.  Mandatory live release of all salmon will resume once the quota is reached or on September 1st.

Matane

As of August 27th, 3,022 fish had migrated (1,364 salmon and 1,658 grilse) through the fish ladder. This represents an increase of 1,107 fish compared to all of last season.  As of the 27th, 361 salmon and 625 grilse were reported landed.   Only a few releases have been reported to date, an accurate number in regards to releases is available at season end.  Water levels spiked considerably on the 29th, to 723 cubic meters/second at noon, up from 123 cubic meters/second 18 hours earlier.  This bodes well for anyone lucky enough to fish here in September.

Bonaventure

In total for the season, to August 29th, 1,059 salmon have been landed and released, 100 more than same date in 2010.  Grilse captures are up from 385 in 2010 to 670 in 2011.  Angling conditions will not be that great for next week due to  flows increasing from 603 cubic meters/second to 1403  in fewer than 12 hours.

Sainte-Anne

Ninety days into the season at August 29th, 365 salmon have been reported released compared to 301 at the comparable date in 2010.  The number of grilse landed has increased to 176 from 102 in 2010.  Irene’s visit to the area caused water flows to jump from 103 cubic meters/second at midnight on the 29th to 603 cubic meters/second 12 hours later.

Dartmouth, St-Jean and York Rivers

Charlie Pool, St-Jean (Gaspé) – photo Charles Cusson

On August 29th, major increases in flows were recorded.  For the Dartmouth, in fewer than 12 hours the flow increased from 103 cubic meters/second to 903 cubic meters/second.  The York went from 163 cubic meters/second   to 563 cubic meters/second.   This bodes well for angling for the month of September.

Sainte-Marguerite

At August 29th it is time to put the fly rod down for a few days.  The river flow increased from 403 cubic meters/second at midnight to 2403 cubic meters/second 12 hours later.  There are reports of road wash outs and extreme conditions in the Saguenay.  This is an extreme water event; let’s hope the damage is kept to a minimum.

Wild Atlantic salmon and the Storm

As you can see we got slammed with a ton of rain resulting in very high water and very dirty . It has actually cleared a lot since yesterday morning but it is dropping slow . Looks like this week is a bust , maybe by the weekend .

Chet shown here with one of four nice salmon landed yesterday . Chet fishes exclusively with bombers and it really paid off this last six days . The bomber came through for Chet and guide Joe every single shift on the water this week .His flight back to New York City was cancelled today so he has to tough out another day on the Miramichi . Looks like the fun is about to end though with 100+ mm of rain forecast to hit here in the next twenty four hours .

Another great “how to tie” video from Swung Fly Video.

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If there has been a theme in river conditions this year, it is the lack of long dry, hot periods of drought. The rain comes, and in a few days there is more rain. It keeps temperatures cool, and flows sufficient. For the Atlantic salmon that appear to have survived in greater numbers in the ocean, it is a freeway towards the spawning areas in headwater streams.

Hurricane Irene – Adding More Flow to Salmon Rivers

High water is not easy on the angler, but it helps the Atlantic salmon, so perhaps it is a good idea to be philosophical about it, on occasion. It may be especially so this weekend, on into Monday, as Hurricane Irene may have an impact. Take that philosophical outlook and think what this can do for angling in September. There won’t be a dry river in all Maine, Atlantic Canada or eastern Québec in the month ahead.

Looking at the levels at Blackville on the SW Miramichi today illustrate the rule of 2010. Just when the water drops, it goes up again.

SW Miramichi at Blackville – up goes the flow…

The latest Salmon Returns and Reports from the Rivers

Newfoundland

DFO deserves praise for keeping up its weekly counts of Atlantic salmon, although it would be nicer if it broke the site numbers into large salmon and grilse, just for those with a strong interest in it.

Exploits River – With 41,000 Atlantic salmon Returning – credit ERMA

Exploits – Another 500 Atlantic salmon came in this week, giving us a total of 41,312 as of Monday, as opposed to 45,145 in last year’s “run for the record”, and well above that five year average of 33,558.

In addition, the Salmonid Interpretation Centre on the Exploits River is a “must-see” place for both residents and visitors to Newfoundland.

Terra Nova – This is another river doing quite well, with 5,062 salmon as of Monday, above last year’s run of 4,519.  The talk regarding a comparative improvement in the health of the environment off Newfoundland really has some truth to it.

Conne – The concern is whether the low numbers returning, 1,189 to Monday, is typical of all the other salmon runs on the south coast of Newfoundland. It is a sobering number when the five year average is a little over 2,000, and last year’s runs were low as well, at 1747. A generation ago runs above 6,000 were normal.

Northern Peninsula Rivers – The Torrent is still low, at 3,749 and only about 170 salmon have come through the fishway in the past week. Last year the run was 5,500 to date.

Labrador

Sand Hill – This impressive river has now seen 8,502 grilse and 967 large salmon come back, so far ahead of the 2010 numbers of 1,787 grilse and 175 large salmon that one is left speechless. This has to be considered one of the greatest success stories for the year, for whatever reason.

Other rivers in Labrador are holding their own, and the situation may be good in the month ahead if Hurricane Irene follows its present path, taking it inland over Labrador.

Nova Scotia

Margaree – The river had a bump of rain on Tuesday, but as everyone knows, the NE Margaree drops fairly quickly, so levels are good at the moment for angling.

New Brunswick

Nepisiquit – The numbers are in, and worth waiting for. By mid-Aug there were 429 large salmon back to this river, a wonderful increase over last year’s 129 and 2009′s total of 14! The same could be said for grilse in this river, with 414 this year against 252 last year and the meager 29 of 2009.

Upsalquitch – The 579 grilse returned by mid-Aug. is about the same as last year. But the large salmon return makes up for everything, with 547, making it the best year in a very long time. The cool nights and consistent water, and potential for much more rain with the hurricane should make conditions good into September.

Jacquet River – With 162 large salmon back by mid-August, it is doing well compared with 59 last year and 51 the year before. In addition, there have been 322 grilse returned, which is more than a good comparison with 48 last year and 33 in 2009. The fact we are seeing consistently high returns among many rivers is a very positive sign.

Québec

Malbaie River (Charlevoix region)

One hour from Québec City, this breathtakingly beautiful river is living a renaissance.  Renowned for its stunning panoramic views, La Malbaie River was rediscovered as a salmon angling river in the 1990s. Today, 20 salmon pools have been identified between Clermont and La Malbaie.

As most salmon regions of Quebec, the Malbaie is also being blessed with much higher than average runs this season.  As of August 22nd, a total of 142 salmon were released and 124 grilse retained.  The season starts on June 15.  To date, 694 fish (250 salmon and 444 grilse have migrated through the fish way.

In comparison, at August 22nd 2010, 528 fish had moved through (209 salmon and 321 grilse).

Matapedia

1,894 fish were reported landed, including 268 releases.  River conditions continue to be excellent due to consistent amounts of rain and moderate temperatures.  720 more fish have been landed compared to the same date in 2010.

Matane

2,960 fish have migrated (1,343 salmon and 1,617 grilse) through the fish ladder. This represents an increase of 740 fish compared to all of last season.  328 salmon and 553 grilse were reported landed, with only a few releases reported.  An accurate release number will be available at season end.  Water levels have become very low and rain is needed.  The number of fish going though has dropped off considerably, but, on the bright side, the river received 39 mm of rain today and the fish in the estuary have been spending time at the buffet.  Beware of late season Matane grilse.

Bonaventure

1,006 salmon have been landed and released (102 more than same date in 2010).  Grilse captures are up from 378 in 2010 to 646.  Angling conditions are improving with the flow dropping from 443  meters/second to 343   meters over the last six days.

Cascapedia

To August 18th, the Cascapedia Society reported 310 fish landed, 238 confirmed releases, and a mix of 72 salmon and grilse killed.  A retention fishery with a quota of 100 mature salmon is in effect for the month of August.  The society is urging anglers to keep only cock fish in the 15 lb range and to release any hen fish.  Mandatory live release of all salmon will resume once the quota is reached or on September 1st.

Sainte-Anne

355 salmon have been reported released compared to 289 to the same date in 2010.  Grilse landed increased to 158 from 97 in 2010.  Angling conditions on the Sainte-Anne will improve due to recent rains that improved water flow.

Mitis

1,244 fish (468 salmon and 776 grilse) have migrated from their feeding grounds off the coast of Greenland (454 more than all of last season).  Again, we are witnessing a great increase in the number of grilse compared to last year.  To date, 123 salmon have been landed which includes 40 released.  281 grilse have been retained.

Pabos North – photo Charles Cusson

Pabos

Manager of the Three Pabos rivers, René Giroux, is reporting a record year on all levels: record number of fish in the rivers, landed, released; record amount of rain; record number of times the barrier fences have been washed away.  With all that, 360 fish have been landed (228 salmon released and 132 grilse retained).  When he in-river counts were done recently, the Pabos West tally was 700 fish, the Petit Pabos 550, and the Pabos North close to 600.  With a large portion of these fish being salmon, these rivers are well on their way to reporting record spawning this fall.

Grande Rivière

Grande-Rivière – Gin Clear, and What a Sight! – photo Charles Cusson

This gin clean stream, in proximity to the town of Gaspé, is having a great season.  Manager of Grey Ghost Destinations, Don Bourgouin reported that the recent count totalled over 500 fish and fish landings and releases are much higher than last year.  Bourgouin also noted that 30lb salmon are being hooked and released this season.

St-Jean (Saguenay)

St-Jean (Saguenay) – by Martin Arcand

Zec Manager Michel Desjardins reports steady angling conditions and a vast improvement in the number of fish migrating to this small and intimate river.  To date, 111 salmon have been released and 61 grilse retained.  These numbers are off the chart.  During the entire 2010 season, 18 salmon were released and 35 grilse retained.  Area stakeholders are cautiously optimistic about the remainder of the season that ends on September 30th.

Rain, Rain, Glorious Rain

The water is back up almost 12 inches . As expected we immediately got into fish as they moved out of the pools . Last night was a bust though with very few fish showing and no takes . We should see an improvement later today or tomorrow for sure . Cool cloudy conditions this morning sure does not look like summer but there are no complaints from anglers . Larger flys are the big seller today .

Fredericton Outfitters & Anglers
285 Canada Street
Fredericton, New Brunswick
E3A 4A3
Phone: 506-450-4044

Here is an August salmon that Chet hooked this morning on a bomber . Note the dark spots, sorry we can’t show you the kype beginning to form already .Typical August fishing this weekend with plenty of salmon showing and rolling for bombers , but few takers . Scott managed to hook a nice fish tonight on a White Wolff . Warm and sunny forecast for Sunday then back to a rainy Monday and cooler temps for most of the week . Best success for August fishing is the same for any time period , “keep your fly in the water” .

More rain and yet another perfect raise of water . The air temps last night were in 10c range therefore keeping the water nice and cool . Not much change in the fishing with pools full of salmon just waiting for the fall run to move then along . We had good luck up in the run above the holding pools as the fish move a little on the rise of water .

Releasing a Salmon this Month on Bonaventure – photo Kelsey Taylor

The returns of Atlantic salmon this year have brought responses ranging from cautious optimism to ecstatic excitement. Naturally the reaction depends on which river, and also on how long one’s memory extends into the past. Those who remember runs from decades ago realize that the numbers of wild Atlantic salmon we consider excellent in 2011 are just a fraction of what the healthy runs used to be. There is a long way to go, but something good is certainly happening at the moment.

Iceberg Map for Aug. 17

In the field, ASF Research continues to be active in retrieving the data from the sonic tracking program. This week receivers at the Strait of Belle Isle are being retrieved and data transferred to computers. This retrieval is being carried out during a time when icebergs are thick due to small pieces breaking from the massive ice island that drifted past the northern edge of the strait a month ago.

Atlantic salmon returns and river reports

Maine

Penobscot – Last Thursday saw the Veazie Trap pass the 3,000 Atlantic salmon milestone, and by Monday 3,013 had returned, making this now the best year since 1986. This is something to build on, as the estimated benefit of completing the Penobscot Project of removing Great Works and Veazie Dam should see a spawning capacity increase of 10,000 or more. With returns in some years now at 3,000, the possibility of reaching a goal of annual runs topping 10,000 is certainly possible. That is, if ocean conditions continue to improve, allowing greater survival of Atlantic salmon at sea.

Veazie Returns since 1978 – all numbers prior to 2011 are for end of season.

Downeast Rivers – The Narraguagus now has 173 returned, as of Monday. Meanwhile, if anyone is in the Downeast area on Friday, the East Machias Aquatic Research Center is having an Open House from 2 – 5. The Centre has reached a major milestone of renovations, and they want to show off the facility designed to improve the prospects for Downeast Atlantic salmon and their rivers.

New Brunswick

Restigouche River – photo ASF Research Staff

Restigouche – On the upper river, Larry’s Gulch was reporting that cool night time temperatures, in the mid-50s and low-60s Fahrenheit along with a considerable water rise on Friday replenished the river. While fishing was relatively poor on the weekend, Monday saw 11 Atlantic salmon landed, three of them more than 25lbs, one at 32lbs.

This season, 14% of the salmon landed have been 25 lbs. or more, with the largest being 47 lbs. As of Monday, 712 Atlantic salmon had been landed for the year, with more than 450 of them large salmon, and the balance grilse. Larry’s Gulch is entirely live release, of course.

At Kedgwick Lodge reports are similar – cool night temperatures, lots of water, and once the initial water increase subsided, good fishing.

Northwest Miramichi – The Cassilis Trapnet is running at about the same numbers of large salmon as in 2010, but with a major drop in grilse, with 373 large salmon and 1050 grilse to Sunday, while in 2010 it was 384 salmon and 1998 grilse.

Little Southwest Miramichi – Debbie Norton reports there have been more torrential rains, raising the river level, and cooling the water, making angling a challenge – but the levels not nearly as high as they were a week ago.

Main Southwest Miramichi – The Millerton Trapnet is reporting 581 large salmon this year compared with 630 last year, and 1,734 grilse as of Sunday, vs 2,207 last year. Still, decent returns for recent years.

Saint John River – The grilse count is much lower this year, with 908 as of Sunday vs. 2,223 a year ago. However, the large salmon return has been 593 as of Sunday vs. 313 last year, and above the 2003-2007 average of 421. Still, far below the 1993-1997 average of 1,869 large salmon.

Nashwaak – 211 large salmon had returned to the counting fence as of Sunday, more than double last year’s 88. However the grilse numbers are reversed, with 382 returned by Sunday, vs. 729 in 2010.

Magaguadavic Fish Ladder in Summer – photo Tom Moffatt

Magaguadavic – This outer Bay of Fundy river, monitored by ASF is still critically low, but had 8 grilse and 9 large salmon return as of Sunday. While the grilse are down from last year, this is first time in recent years large Atlantic salmon have returned to this river, an encouraging sign. At 17, this is the largest return since 2006, and beyond that one would need to go back to 1999 to find a higher number, 24. Still these are numbers that remain critically low.

Nova Scotia

LaHave – Morgan Falls reports 72 large salmon and 274 grilse, so fish are continuing to trickle back to the river.

Sackville River – Salmon continue to trickle in here too, with the total now 47.

Margaree – Storms just passed across the Margaree late Tuesday, giving a modest bump in the water levels, and cooling things nicely. Fishing reports will be added as available.

Québec

Matapedia

Matapedia – photo by Charles Cusson

A personal report:

“Fished the Matapedia River last week – 9 mile section of Cold Spring Camp which is just down river from Glen Emma water.  Water temp was consistent to previous years but heavy rain all week brought high water and more difficult fishing.   Highlight was first ever salmon landed by a friend (after 5 years of trying !!); a 14 pounder that fought for 25 minutes before being landed and released under the watchful eye of the guide from Cold Spring Camp.  The group in camp also had several other large salmon, although none that large, and several grilse.  Salmon were rising to my fly at nauseum, giving me hope hope hope hope but sadly – I was not successful in hooking and releasing anything over the three day period.
Rain was continuing as we left on Friday.”

Matane

The great numbers of fish returning to this famous river continue at a steady pace.  To August 12th, 2,823 fish had migrated (603 more than all of 2010) through the fish ladder.  To August 11th, reported captures were 298 salmon and 468 grilse.   Only a few releases have been reported.  Water flow continues to be consistent which the major factor is in the angling success.

Bonaventure

To August 14th, 964 salmon had been landed and released (111 more than same date in 2010).  Captures are up from 356 in 2010 to 610 in 2011.  The healthy runs of grilse are usually a good omen for Two Sea Winter salmon the next year.

Cascapedia

The Cascapedia Society reported over 200 fish being landed to August 11th, 175 released and 25 salmon and grilse killed.  A retention fishery with a quota of 100 mature salmon is in effect for the month of August.  The society is urging anglers to keep only cock fish in the 15 lb range and to release any hen fish.  Mandatory live release of all salmon will resume once the quota is reached or on September 1st.
Sainte-Anne

To August 14th, 343 salmon had been released compared to 274 at the comparable date in 2010.  The number of grilse landed increased to 146 from 83 in 2010.  The Sainte-Anne has benefited from consistent water flows since the beginning of the season.

Mitis

As of August 15th, 1,227 fish, 466 salmon and 761 grilse have migrated from their feeding grounds off the coast of Greenland.  768 fish had come through the counting facility by August 15th 2010 (444 salmon and 324 grilse).  Again, we are witnessing a great increase in the number of grilse compared to last year.  To date, 83 salmon and 281 grilse have been landed.  In addition to these numbers, 38 releases have been reported.

The migration to date surpasses last year’s entire run by 422 fish.

Godbout

To August 7th, 384 fish had been landed and released (187 salmon and 47 grilse) and 160 grilse retained.  To date, 567 salmon and 204 grilse have gone through the counting facility.  This is up from 448 at the comparable date in 2010 and surpasses the 533 total for the total 2010 run.  Again, as on most rivers, the contributing factor to angling success has been consistent water flow.

Escoumins

Escoumins River, Québec – photo Charles Cusson

As of August 7th, 321 fish had made their way through the fish way (217 salmon and 104 grilse), 90 fish have been reported landed consisting of 65 salmon and 1 grilse released and 24 retained.  To the comparable date in 2010, 189 salmon and grilse had been counted.  For all of last season at September 30th, 96 salmon and 134 grilse was the total run.  To date, this represents an increase of 113 fish.

Trinité

This index river for the North Shore of Quebec reports 232 salmon and 745 grilse had travelled through the fish way as of August 7th.  Of which, 221 fish have been landed consisting of 49 salmon, 8 grilse released and 164 grilse retained.  At September 30th 2010, the total run was 260 salmon and 450 grilse.

Newfoundland

Exploits – Atlantic salmon continue to return in decent numbers, with 40,834 by Sunday, compared with the 44,102 in 2010 and the the 2006-2010 five-year-average of 32,728. The Exploits continues to outdo itself.

Campbellton – 5,433 returned as of Sunday, above last year’s 4,274.

Terra Nova – Another river with returns similar to last year, with 4,844 to Sunday, compared with 4,473 in 2010.

Harry’s River – The electronic counting facility was to be taken out around this time, but a few more Atlantic salmon are reported as of Sunday – 4,024.

Torrent – With 3,578 Atlantic salmon returned as of Sunday, the river still lags the return of 5,409 in 2010. Nevertheless it is encouraging that the salmon are still coming in, with 474 salmon counted in the past week.

Labrador

Sand Hill – This river appears to have had a bonanza this year, with 8,391 grilse and 954 large salmon salmon to date, far above 2010′s 1,756 and 167 respectively. This is also about double the recent five year average of 3,634 grilse and 593 large salmon.

Dark Tickle Trapnet – ASF and the Labrador Metis Community are working together on a trapnet project that will allow large Atlantic salmon to be released unharmed to continue to their spawning areas. It is located near Dark Tickle in coastal waters. An interesting interview with Chris Montague in both English and the local lanaguage is available through this .mp3 podcast.

Atlantic Salmon Runs – the Mid-August Report

Conditions could not be better . The water height is perfect , temps are cool and there are plenty of fish in the holding pools . We had a couple of salmon this week that were very bright so it looks like there is still the odd fresh one coming in . Good reports from the Dungarvon and the lower Cains as well . With the high water on the Cains it looks like a lot of fish have moved into the lower 15 km’s or so .Fly of choice this week at Wilson’s was the brown bomber with white tail.

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