The Miramichi River system has an average annual spawning run of approximately 50,000 Atlantic salmon making it the most prolific Salmon River in all of North America . Among its many branches, the Main Southwest Miramichi enjoys an international reputation as the epicenter of this sport in the province of New Brunswick.

This reputation has continued to create demand for Atlantic salmon ” camps ” and “water” whenever it has become available with the transfer of ownership often occurring before even reaching the public market because of the pent up demand. In almost all cases when these properties are offered for sale they typically involve one or two pools which really doesn’t offer enough water to fully enjoy Atlantic salmon angling at its fullest potential. In many instances, Atlantic salmon water is leased from the Province for a 10- year period (the most recent lease auction being held in January 2003) so riparian ownership is not included. In many cases the seller simply offers the “camp” and a pool or two that may, or may not, be adjacent to Crown water, which is essentially public water available to anyone.

A critical factor in the valuation of any angling property along the Miramichi system is the ownership of the riverbed and the exclusive rights of angling inherent in that ownership. The ownership of such angling rights are referred to as riparian rights and include the foreshore area, or riparian strip to which is attached the bed of the river to the center thread along with any related angling rights contained therein. This riparian strip varies in width, but it commonly comprises about 66 feet from the water’s edge during normal summer water levels, which is enough to control access to fishable water.

This section contains a brief description of each productive pool in the Wilson ‘s angling system. The measurements are approximate by way of the Provincial New Brunswick maps. The description is in reference to “bright” salmon fishing. The “spring” (black salmon) season is more difficult to assess by pool due to there being more fishing opportunity in high water with the fish being spread out along the shoreline. Because of this, the 26,000 linear feet of river frontage that is owned by Wilson ‘s is a definite advantage during the spring salmon-angling season.

Convenient pool access is guaranteed by a number of deeded right-of-ways from the grantors of certain parcels (pools) and via long-term lease from the Province of New Brunswick on the NB Trail system. In addition to the right-of-ways and the government access license there are several public access points to the river that can be convenient canoe/boat entry points. The NB Trail system runs through the property and along the river adjacent to the entire length of Wilson ‘s angling operation.

Lyons Rapids is a wide slow run that works best when the fish are moving. Wilson ‘s has ownership of the south side of this pool and the north side is Crown public water. This pool usually fishes two rods on Wilson ‘s side and has a total water frontage of app. 700 feet.

O’Donnell’s Landing is a fast moving run over plenty of rocks. This pool normally fishes two rods in both the summer and the fall. Total water frontage around Herb’s Island , is approximately 1,800 feet.

Stanley ‘s Front is a beautiful Atlantic salmon pool with a nice run that forces the fish to the south bank of the Miramichi River. The run gradually deepens into a slow moving pool over several rocks.
The pool is a top producer when the water is higher than normal and can easily service up to four rods. The total water frontage around Herb’s and Stanley ‘s Fronts is app. 2,000 feet. Privacy is enjoyed here since Wilson ‘s owns both shorelines.

Herb’s Front is a small fast salmon run with a small pocket that is just right for one rod. The pool, which is approximately one hundred feet in length fishes best in high water. Wilson ‘s has ownership of both sides.

Buttermilk is a wide slow moving pool flowing over a bed of several large rocks that fishes well in both the summer and the fall. Wilson ‘s has leased the south side of this pool that has about 1,800 feet of frontage fishing two rods until 2057.

Cold Water pool gets its name from the fact that Stewarts Brook and several other small springs flow from the south shoreline into this pool.
The pool, which has a wide gravel bar and a deep lower end, is a good holding pool in both the summer and the fall. The pool easily fishes four rods. Wilson ‘s owns both shorelines of the pool . Total water frontage at this pool is app. 2,000 feet.

The Bridge Pool is a fast moving heavy, 400 foot, run located under the famous foot bridge spanning the Main Southwest Miramichi River between the communities of McNamee and Priceville.
This pool, which can hold two rods, fishes best when the salmon are moving through. Wilson ‘s has ownership of one side.

Home Pool is a fast flowing narrow run over a riverbed of large rocks. The pool is supplied with cold water from springs flowing out of the north bank and also from the ledge bottom.
The pool normally fishes two to three rods easily from either the island or the north bank. The total water frontage for this pool, Lower Justies and Maple Island is app. 3,000 feet. Wilson ‘s has ownership of both banks.

Lower Justies is a very private one rod pool, but could be shared by two anglers. The pool is approximately one hundred feet long and is adjacent to the Maple Island and Home Pools making it a handy pool to pass through while fishing the other pools previously mentioned. Wilson’s has ownership of both sides.