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The Domesday Book Of Giant Atlantic Salmon is a book written by Fred Buller . from his book —- “Fred Buller has spent four decades pursuing storiesof Atlantic salmon ( salmo salar ) weighing 50lb. and more- sometimes a great deal more . He has produced here a classic of angling history which will entertain and delight anyone who has fished for the world’s most sporting of fish , and many who have not . (more…)

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Atlantic Salmon fly-fishing conditions on the Miramichi at McNamee as of August 27th . At Wilson’s in the McNamee area , which is 30 miles upriver from Blackville the river is down to a perfect fishing level and we have tons of both fresh and summer run salmon . The water is still a little high for the large Big Murphy Pool but most other pools are fishing well . (more…)

News
Atlantic Salmon Rebound

August 18th, 2008

After years of decline, wild Atlantic salmon rebound in eastern North America
CANADIAN PRESS

FREDERICTON — After years of decline, it looks like wild Atlantic salmon are making a comeback in the rivers of eastern North America.

While scientists and anglers are tempering their enthusiasm until a clear trend is established, there’s no question this is a record summer for young salmon called grilse returning to home rivers after one year at sea.

“People are talking about runs they haven’t seen for a decade or more,” says Gerald Chaput, a biologist with the federal Fisheries Department.

On the storied salmon rivers of New Brunswick, heavy rains and high waters are providing perfect conditions for salmon.

“People are seeing fish and they’re catching fish,” says Mark Hambrook, president of the salmon association on New Brunswick’s Miramichi River, which produces more than 20 per cent of North America’s Atlantic salmon. (more…)

Atlantic salmon fly-fishing conditions on the Miramichi River at McNamee on August 22nd. Anglers beware , just when we thought the river could not be treating us any better we discover fres-run salmon moving through in mass . The water height is perfect and the temps are cool , maybe too good for the best fishing because the run does not seem to be slowing down in the pools at all . We are seeing new silver fish and many older summer fish too , jumping way down in the pools then on the bar then gone . Our best success has been in the shallow water just as the fish leave the pool . In my haste to get on the water last night I ended up with my 5wt. trout rod in hand , and as luck would have it I hooked into a big fresh-run 12 pound hen that easily stripped my reel and did a fantastic airial show as I seized the line in hopes that my leader would break before the backing . After a half dozen more jumps and tail walks , with me holding it stiff heals , the leader finally gave way and I rescued my little 5 wt. from the boss . There are reports of many fish in the 20 – 30 pound range this year so as the fall season swings into high gear I for one will make sure that I have my 8 or 9wt rod ready to do battle .

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Atlantic salmon fly-fishing conditions for the Miramichi River at McNamee on August 19th . Big question, what does all this high water mean for our upcoming fall run . The picture posted today shows a tiny spring that always dries up by early July . This high water is the same for all brooks and swamps that make up the Miramichi watershed . Normally a guide on this river is never one to complain about extra water , but we are concerned about what this means for our fall run . Over the last three or four days we are seeing more and more fresh -run salmon travelling and now that the river height is getting down to what would be considered a good June level , anglers in the upper river pools can expect good fishing from now on . As the water drops off to a normal late summer level we are predicting the entire river system to really turn on for the fall . We hope the “fall run ” will come in on normal schedule and all camps and guides have an excellent fall .

Atlantic salmon fly-fishing conditions for the Miramichi River at Wilson’s for August 12th . We are still getting rain and cool weather resulting in higher than normal water . We are still about 14 inches above normal which makes most pools unfishable , but lucky for Wilson’s guests we are having good fishing . In the last two days we landed 8 fresh from the ocean salmon , two of which had sea-lice on them , so we are in for some great fishing as long as the weather remains cool and the water gets down to normal . Don’t forget our special August discounts and also the availability of housekeeping cottages that help keep your overall costs down .

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Atlantic salmon fly fishing conditions for the Miramichi at McNamee August 7th . As you can see from this photo our river at McNamee is still nearly 18inches above normal . The pools are starting to shape up a little and we have hopes of normal water levels by early next week . Both fish taken this week were bright and silver and full of fight . The high water pools are obviously the only ones being fished . Garrett , Anthony and I canoed the Cains River yesterday , beautiful canoeing water but is useless for fishing , still 15 inches above normal .

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Atlantic salmon fly-fishing conditions on the Miramichi River at McNamee as of August 3rd . Twentyfour hours ago we were watching the river come up once again but we never expected to see what we woke up to this morning . Overnite heavy rains turned the water muddy and it came up another 2 feet and still rising as of noon today . Compare today’s picture with previous postings for the height , you might be able to see the muddy appearance too . Normally the Miramichi in the McNamee area drops off quickly but with all the summer rain we have had resulting in the entire watershed being saturated we don’t expect normal water height for several days . The mud will clear up so we expect a few fish taken in a couple of our pools that are condusive to these conditions ( 24 hours from now ) .

Atlantic salmon fly-fishing conditions on the Miramichi River at McNamee on August 2 . Well anglers the trend continues , the river was up app 6 icnhes above normal for the last two days and after the heavy rain last night we are once again faced with very high water . It is dirty this morning and likely to rise all day . It was interesting to have my guest’s this morning report grilse and salmon rising to a fly at Coldwater pool , which is a major summer holding pool so this confirms our theorey that many fish remain in their summer holding areas, within a few miles for sure , no matter what the water condition . So, we have fish but too much water at the moment , looks like a few days till we are back to normal again .

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Atlantic Salmon fly-fishing conditions on the Miramichi River at McNamee on July 28th . As you can see from this mornings picture , we are once again blessed with the perfect weather . The river is up app 4 inches above normal and it is raining lightly with air temps in the low 20′s . These conditions are exactly what Atlantic salmon love , the fish are spread throughout the system and when the river does warm up they can easily find plenty of cold water to retreat to . One angler landed a beautiful fresh run salmon last night in a pool that is not typical for late July . These are the occasions when a good guide like Joe Stewart can make the difference for you , Joe knew exactly where to cast to in that pool , he said “if there is a fresh fish in this pool , he will be right there , if not we won’t waste our time here ” Most of the fish are getting a little dark now but still very lively . We are not seeing as many fish these last ten days as we did in mid July but again this is a sign that the fish are spread out well up and down the river . The three favorite flys have been the green machine w/white tail , glitter bear and green widow .

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Atlantic Salmon Fly fishing conditions on the Miramcihi River at Wilson’s for July 23rd . I know some of you are going to think I am full of crap but I am pleased to report another perfect little raise of water . As of tonight the river is up app. 5 inches here in McNamee and under cloudy skies the temps are near perfect . We are having excellent fishing on some days with fresh fish moving through and other days it is about normal for late July fishing and when we get a really hot sunny day , which can be expected this time of year then the salmon retreat to the deep holding water and sulk . We have yet to get into the typical warm water period where bombers work best , when this does come around most of the guides think we are in for some fantastic dry fly fishing .

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Atlantic salmon fly-fishing conditions at McNamee as of July 21. The water height remains superb and with the rain today and showers with cool temps forecast for all this coming week the good fishing should continue . The last group of three rods hooked close to 40 fish in three days with several big salmon in the 20 pound range . We are also starting to pick up a good number of fresh fish again , which is unusual for late July . It is a good sign when we see all the public pools jam packed with anglers , that means the local boy’s are into fish too . If you have been putting off a trip to the Miramichi this year , then big mistake , this is the biggest run of salmon for our river in years . Wilson’s expert guides are standing by to take you on what might be your trip of a lifetime , call me now toll-free 1-877-365-7962 .

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Atlantic salmon fly fishing conditions at McNamee on the Miramichi River as of July 17th . The water height remains superb, compare todays picture with my June 30th and July 5th reports to see the difference . The warm weather is heating things up during the mid day resulting in slow evenings but we are hooking fish in most pools in the mornings . Bombers are working if you know the best technique . Presentation does make a difference at this time of the season, Doug Hill , whom I consider a “Fly fishing Pro” hooked three fish and rolled several more yesterday under tough conditions .
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Atlantic salmon fly-fishing conditions on the Miramichi River at McNamee on July 15th . The river is still a few inches above normal for the period . The weather has not been too severe and the river is cooling down most nights . After several weeks of high water and most fish running straight through we are finally seeing a lot of fish this week that appear to be slowing down and resting more in the pools . We would never complain about the higher than normal water and cool temps but it is nice to have fish pooled up in McNamee rather than seeing them rushing through . Reports from the headwaters confirm the great numbers of fish that went through since mid June . The long range weather forecast is calling for a cooling trend so I think it is safe to say that this great fishing will continue . On the five miles that we fish here we had fish hooked in all the major pools this morning . It looks like the Green machine with white calf tail is the best fly so far .

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Pictured here is Murray Wilson holding the flash light , brother Tom holding the gaff , unkown lucky guest holding the huge salmon and guide Pat Stewart holding the fishing rod . The Stewart clan guided side and side with the Wilson family for nearly 100 years and continue today as Joe Stewart , Harrold & Christies son, guides for Keith & Karl . This photo hangs in our lodge today and it always brings the question from the onlooker, what is the significance of the flashlight ? The photo was taken in the mid morning facing the rising sun , so no need of a light that time of day . So it is our guess that Pat Stewart , the guide , had to call in backup late the night before as darkness overtook the pair trying to land this big fish , so Murray held the light while Tom gaffed the fish . Notice also that none of the men have their fishing gear on when the photo was taken . So readers , it is important to always take your camera to the river , you never know what interesting story will be told , or as in this case guessed at many years from the day . Stay tuned for a series of old pictures airing in the coming weeks .