Water conditions are perfect and there are hundreds of salmon showing from one end of the river to the other . Bill got into a few fish last evening , this one is fairly fresh . Several fish landed this morning were the brightest ones we have seen yet this fall . There were eight fish hooked this mmorning in our home pool , all on different flys . But it seems like the best luck is on small and black . Bill took one this morning on a #10 tube fly with a very sparse black wing . Reports from the headwaters this morning were unbelievable to say the least . An anonymous report from one of the headwater camps this morning declared over one thousand Atlantic salmon landed this season , all of which were RELEASED . Just think , in 1964 this same camp landed about the same but the majority of them would have been killed back then . Live release works , please do your part to save the Atlantic salmon .
Gaspé – Late Sept. 2011 – After a day on the river, a computer by the fireplace – by Charles Cusson
After consistent water in most areas throughout the summer, complete with a tropical storm, the last half of September has seen water levels dropping in many wild Atlantic salmon rivers.
Talking with individuals from Cape Breton to Gaspé, the wish for more water is now being heard and, according to Environment Canada, we are to expect a drier than normal October as well. In the Miramichi, however, water levels are perfect – and so is the weather.
All this being said, reports are generally of good fishing for serious salmon anglers, who know where to be and at what times of the day.
Runs and Accounts from the Rivers
Newfoundland
Northern Peninsula Leaper – photo Tom Moffatt
Humber – While many rivers have had low water In Newfounfland ? (Above you said consistent) , the Humber has not been one of them. According to ASF’s regional director and others, water levels have been high, and there are still some exceptional Atlantic salmon in the lower river. In the past week, at least one 25 lb fish was landed and released, along with many more smaller ones.
Exploits – Fred Parsons noted yesterday that although the fishways are closed, there are still Atlantic salmon moving around in the lower river, making their way into streams below the lowest fish barrier. He is very optimistic that this year’s run on the river (41,000+) means that last year’s incredible return of 45,000+ Atlantic salmon was not a singular event. He points out how far this river has improved from having an average return in the 1980s of around 10,000 fish.
Nova Scotia
A general comment being made is that this year has provided some of the best angling since the mid-1980s and there is still October to look forward to, as well!
Margaree – Lewis Hinks, ASF’s Regional Director of Nova Scotia programs, is in Cape Breton for meetings this week, and reports that everyone would like more water. One angler who has been fishing every morning is reporting large numbers, in the hundreds, in all the lower pools and many of them are large salmon.
Cheticamp – Some Atlantic salmon in the lower river. One angler reports connecting with four at Terre Rouge last week, plus several taken at the Fence Pool. More fish are expected, but as with the Margaree, more rain is needed.
Quebec
Charles Cusson, ASF’s Director for Quebec Programs, notes that, while water levels are dropping, there should be good levels in most rivers all the way through spawning season.
Matapedia
Heppel Bridge, Matapedia River – photo Charles Cusson
To September 23, for the season, a total of 2,076 fish were reported landed, of which 317 were released. River conditions have varied greatly during the month due to storms such as Irene. On September 7th, the flow spiked to 210 cubic meters/second, up from the 70 cubic meters/second that it had been 48 hours earlier and maintained. During the last two weeks, flows have decreased very slowly which has provided June levels and water temperatures. Angling results continue to outpace last season, with 623 more fish landed than to the same date in 2010.
Matane
As of September 24, 3,150 fish, 1,406 salmon and 1,744 grilse, had migrated through the fish ladder. This represents an increase of 930 fish compared to all of last season. As of the Sept 24, 400 large salmon and 712 grilse were reported as landed. However, only a few releases have been reported to date, but an accurate number on releases is available only at season’s end. While water levels spiked with the tropical storm on September 6, the gradual decline in flow since has provided excellent water levels throughout the month. To date, the migration numbers are the best since 1987 when 3,707 fish were counted. This also represents an impressive increase when compared with the last five-year average of 2,556 fish.
Bonaventure
To September 24, 1,163 large salmon had been landed and released for the season. This is still ahead of last year. Grilse captures are also higher, up from 432 in 2010 to 695 in 2011. The Bonaventure was hardest hit by high water earlier in the month, with extreme water conditions that peaked at 480 cubic meters/second and slowly dropped. The river was not fishable for almost seven days which affected the total numbers brought in to date.
Cascapedia
Alders Island Pool – by Gilbert van Ryckevorsel
For the month of September, to September 23, the Cascapedia Society is reporting 214 fish landed, 204 salmon released and 10 grilse killed. In total for the 2011 season, 2,679 fish have been landed and 88% were released. This has been an excellent season on the Grande and this is about to turn into a great spawning season. If conditions permit during the week to 10 days, an attempt will be made to do the in-river count.
Sainte-Anne
For the season, as of September 24 there were 428 large salmon reported released, compared to 349 for the comparable date in 2010. The number of grilse landed has increased to 221 this year from 162 in 2010. The Sainte-Anne has not been spared the high flows of early September. The gap between current numbers and 2010 has narrowed due to these high water levels and the river being closed for a time. But the Atlantic salmon are there.
Dartmouth, St-Jean and York Rivers
York River – September 2011 – by Charles Cusson
As of September 24, these rivers had received more than their share of rain for the month – especially in that first week. Once the waters slowed down, anglers enjoyed June levels and water temperatures. This translated into very good angling conditions that should remain steady until season end at September 30th. Bright fish are still entering the rivers and being landed at this time.
Sainte-Marguerite
The season ended on Sept. 15, and by that time 256 fish had been landed. The very extreme water conditions put a big damper on angling which translated into fewer fish being landed than in 2010. In-river counts reflect a different situation, with many more Atlantic salmon in the river to spawn and continue the life cycle of our most coveted sport fish.
New Brunswick
Miramichi – Conditions are ideal, with good river height and perfect temperatures – cool but not really cold. All reports are talking about many fish in the pools. There are quite a number of reports of fish 20 lb. and up. Debbie Norton of Upper Oxbow Adventures notes there is certainly a higher proportion of large salmon this fall than in previous years – and conditions are ideal on all area rivers – NW Miramichi, Little Southwest and Main Southwest Miramichi.
Maine
Veazie Fish Counting Trap – photo Tom Moffatt
Penobscot – What a year for this great river, with 3,107 had returned at the Veazie Trap by Sept. 27. As a reminder, this is the best return of salmon since 1986 and one of the best returns in the past 40 years.
Doug reluctantly makes the fall pilgrimage to the Miramichi without his buddy Pete at his side but is feeling better after just five minutes on the water . This nice 18 lb hen helped make him feel better so he went right back out and hooked another almost as big . Despite Doug’s good luck most anglers are having tough fishing , even with seemingly hundreds of fish in the air all the time they are coming hard . Maybe a change in weather will turn things on again .
October 15th ……….We are liquidating all Orvis guide gear and pro-shop items . Both new and used rods , reels & waders as well as all Orvis inventory such as vests , bags , glasses, reels and clothing items . We are not a fully stocked tackle shop but keep a few items in our pro-shop for guest convenience . Big discounts , free draws , free fishing for the first five fishing rods that are sold , new or demo . 5% of all new items sold will go to your choice of ASF or MSA . Note: I am not posting items or prices , the people that show up will get the deals !
Everything is ideal, perfect height , perfect temperature and hundreds of fish . Every single pool is full of fish and the big ones are beginning to take as well . This is not a great picture but you can see the outline of this monster . Joe estimated over 30 lb. Rob was the lucky angler last night landing this big hen and two other smaller ones , all on the green machine with white calf tail . We are seeing hundreds of fish in the air but hooking up is proportionately off , even if only ten percent of the fish we see would take we would all limit out within an hour or so . Maybe with the change in weather coming our way we will have fewer jumpers and more takers .
Guideline North America LLC and Wilsons Sporting Camps have agreed to a strategic cooperation. When you think of Atlantic Salmon Fishing in New Brunswick Canada, the first place that comes to mind is the Miramichi River, and when you think top quality private fishing pools and the best possible guide service you should automatically think Wilson’s Sporting Camps. The above with the Experience of Guideline Fly Fishing Products and you have a match made in heaven! (more…)
EJ is holding one of six fish Jim hooked yesterday . Two of the ones that were landed and released were in the 18-20 pound range . Ally’s Shrimp was the fly on a floating line . The water height is back to normal and temps are about perfect . We are all hoping for a warm ( 15-20C )fall to continue , in our experience it is better fall fishing when it is moderate temps . The cold frosty mornings are good for bird hunting but most fall fish are taken the middle six hours of the day . All the guides noted this morning that the fish started hitting just as the sun broke through the fog .
We are now seeing stories on the great runs of 2011, and speculation on the reasons for them. Is it a combination of improved ecosystems and food at sea, the Greenland Agreement brokered by ASF and its partners, anglers practicing live release and/or a cool, very wet summer? Those are among the reasons suggested.
Check out a recent article describing the runs in New Brunswick and enquiring on reasons. Click here
Returns and Runs
Maine
Penobscot – The run continues to surprise, with more Atlantic salmon returning through the Veazie counting trap. As of Sept. 19, the total had reached 3,090. It certainly looks like we are headed for more than 3,100 soon.
New Brunswick
Upsalquitch – With 627 large salmon returned by Sep. 15, vs 274 in 2010 and a five year (2003 to 2007) average of 295, this has certainly been an amazing year on the river. Depending on whether the run continues or not, it will either be the highest or second highest return since before 1996. Even grilse runs have seen positive growth this year, with 633 to Sep. 15, ahead of both last year’s 567, and the 2003 to 2007 average of 460.
Large Salmon Returns on the Upsalquitch – to Sep. 15
Nepisiquit – With 617 large salmon counted by Sep. 15, this is another record year, nearly double the 379 of 2010 and more than six times the 2003 to 2007 average of 90.
Like the Upsalquitch, the Nepisiquit has seen good grilse returns, with 515 counted to Sep. 15, vs. 491 last year and a mere 94 as the 2003 to 2007 average.
Saint John – There is new hope with this great river, with 612 large salmon returned by Sep 15. This compares very favourably with 313 returns last year and 437 for the five-year average to 2007. Grilse returns continued to lag in a major way, with 922 to Sep. 15, far below last year’s great run of 2,226 but roughly on par with the 2003 to 2007 average of 1091.
Large Salmon Returns to Mactaquac on the Saint John River
Nashwaak – With 227 large salmon by Sep. 15 this is more than double the 91 returns of last year and three times the five-year average (2003 to 2007). The grilse return of 396 to Sep. 15 echoes the proportional drop on the Saint John when compared to the 735 in 2010, but still compares favourably with the 2003 to 2007 average of 256.
Magaguadavic – As of Sep. 19, 10 large salmon, 8 grilse, and, unfortunately, 13 escapee farmed salmon were monitored at the counting facility. Note there was a rainbow trout attempting to enter the river as well – an alien species of concern.
Nova Scotia
LaHave – With 72 large salmon returned by Sep. 15 compared with 47 last year, and 278 grilse compared with 256 last year, the numbers have moved in a positive direction, but are still below the 2003 to 2007 average of 107 and 278 respectively – and far below numbers seen a few decades ago.
Newfoundland and Labrador
The counting facilities have shut down, with the last numbers posted early in September, and according to most sources the vast majority of salmon in the rivers by that time.
