:: Click image to enlarge – fit your screen ::
:: Look for buttons bottom of pop-up window to enlarge full size ::
The boys took a moment for a quick photo shoot before heading out this morning . The water is extremely high but with experienced guides like these guys on duty Wilson’s guests can rest assured that if there is a chance at all at getting into a salmon then these boys can get the job done for you . These guys are the real pros, they know their stuff and most importantly they know how to teach to do it right regardless of water conditions . Remember , a good guide can make or break your trip . Left to right front, Joe Stewart , Ernest Long , Karl Wilson II ( fifth generation ) , back row Danny Villeneuve & Kevin Jordan .
Hunting conditions are nearing prime and with the next ten days forecast of sunny rain free days , we expect good fishing and hunting for all .

:: Click image to enlarge – fit your screen ::
:: Look for buttons bottom of pop-up window to enlarge full size ::
Steve W. with the PWC group hooked into this monster on his first ever salmon fishing trip to the Miramichi River . He eventually lost the big salar but needless to say was more than thrilled with his trip . The boys had good fishing , mostly on one of Marcus’s creations , but standard fly patterns are doing the job too . The water is low but the fish are moving , so with the coming rain on the weekend we hope to get just enough water to bump it up a few inches , we don’t need a big raise at this stage in the game . All eyes are on the Cains to see what happens after the rain , based on reports from the lower Cains I think we may be in for some great action in there as well . PS: Expert guide Joe Stewart not only puts his man onto fish , he can also handle a camera . Correction: Steve did in fact land the big fish , and as quoted by Joe , “he done it like a pro “

:: Click image to enlarge – fit your screen ::
:: Look for buttons bottom of pop-up window to enlarge full size ::
Hello Keith,
First, Kerry and I want to thank you, Bonnie, Stacey, Ernie, Danny and staff for a first-rate salmon trip…….
Thanks to Danny’s instruction and teaching Kerry was able to handle a hookup and play and release a 12 pound salmon by herself………Danny was about 30 yards away with me when this occurred. During a period when the fish had “lockjaw” I think this was just awesome.
Second, I have been fortunate enough to fish at Iceland, Quebec, Labrador, etc for salmon and have never experienced a more welcoming and hospitable fishing lodge.
Finally, in regards to 2009 what availability do you have in late June and around the 2nd week of September?

Thanks again, Keith.
Sincerely,
Hugh

:: Click image to enlarge – fit your screen ::
:: Look for buttons bottom of pop-up window to enlarge full size ::
Atlantic salmon fly-fishing conditions on the Miramichi River at McNamee as of Sept 17th . The Ruckno gang pictured here fished up until Sept 14th with mixed results but again a very successful trip according to party chief, “The Rev.” . The water has dropped off a little more since the 14th and the fish are still in the jumping mode . We have tried every fly in the book but it is still slow going and will probably remain so until these “fall fish” decide to turn on , which they always do. There are a few fresh fish but obviously the big fall push is not on yet . Small flys with long leaders is a suggestion and of course a good bomber presentation will work too. As for the weather , it is absolutely beautiful being on the water , it is sunny and only +15C. with very little wind and the fall colors are beginning to show . Fish on the line or not it is still the best time of the year to be on the river .

:: Click image to enlarge – fit your screen ::
:: Look for buttons bottom of pop-up window to enlarge full size ::
Atlantic salmon fly-fishing conditions for the Miramichi River at McNamee as of September 8th . Tropical storm Hanna treated us just perfect here in McNamee . The water is up this morning app. 10 inches and not at all dirty . For the last week we had tons of fish everywhere but the water was very clear . Even with that we had good fishing but now with this raise we expect new fish to come in and see more of the summer-run begin to move . Last night as the water began to raise the fish moved up tight to the bars and began jumping above the pools as they moved out . Just what the doctor ordered , a perfect raise of water heading into the middle of September is almost too good to be true . We shall see , remember we are still dealing with wild fish who make up their own mind as to when to take or not . Yesterday we were using small black flys in the 10′s and 8′s but today it looks like we are back to 4′s and 6′s , and of course the best fly on the river , green machine with white calf tail .

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…)

:: Click image to enlarge – fit your screen ::
:: Look for buttons bottom of pop-up window to enlarge full size ::
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 .

:: Click image to enlarge – fit your screen ::
:: Look for buttons bottom of pop-up window to enlarge full size ::
Atlantic salmon fly-fishing conditions at Wilson’s on the Miramichi River as of July 10th . Surprise surprise , yet another beautiful 6 inch raise in water as of 5 pm today . Maybe it is true , this could be ” one of those years ” that anglers wait for . The last three days has been very hot and the river warmed up but with the more than perfect water height we are still seeing fish moving . The air temps are forecast to cool right down overnight and into Sunday so with this raise we should be in for more good fishing . Reports from up and down the river and most rivers across eastern Canada are all the same , the best fishing in years . A 52 inch hen salmon has been recorded at the Juniper barrier pool app 10 days ago , to think that she swam right by my front door and I had a chance to hook into this monster is enough to keep any angler awake at night .
Now is the time folks and we have several spots available over the next two weeks . Give us a call for some great discounts , toll free 1-877-365-7962.

:: Click image to enlarge – fit your screen ::
:: Look for buttons bottom of pop-up window to enlarge full size ::
Atlantic Salmon fly-fishing conditions at Wilson’s on the Miramich River July 5th . The water is still high and dropping slowly . The aquefer ( underground river ) that stretches far out under the islands allong the river as well as the inland swamps and brooks are fully soaked with water now, which will help keep the river up over the coming summer months . According to world renowned hydrologists Robert Newbury ,who conducted university studies here a few years ago on the river , says that there is almost as much water under these islands during normal summer height as what there is in the river , this is crucial in maintaining a healthy watershed . This is why it is so important not to strip these islands of the precious top soil that protects the aquefer from evaporation . It took thousands of years for the top soil to build up and it takes only a few hours with a tractor and loader to destroy . Luckily for the Miramichi , and other NB rivers land owners are regulated by very strict laws that protect this riparian area from destruction . Air temps at 6:30 Am are around 10c. so water temps are ideal . During the afternoon this last couple days air temps warmed up but with the above average height and cool nights the water is good . We started seeing a lot of fish again yesterday , most of which are grilse so this is obviously the July run on its way in . With the high water we are still fishing only a few pools but these pools fish best in high water anyway .

:: Click image to enlarge – fit your screen ::
:: Look for buttons bottom of pop-up window to enlarge full size ::
Sometimes big water requires big equipment in order to operate efficiently. We are fortunate to have two of these beautiful cedar strip canoes for getting around in all river conditions . These vessels are designed and engineered to work perfectly on this area of the Miramichi . They are unique by the fact that they are 28 feet long with a square stern and pushed by a 25 hp jet outboard , they will skim over just 8 inches of water with two anglers and guide aboard so we can navigate the river all season . The bottom of the boat is finished with a kevlar mat and heavy hardwood keel , inside is smooth clear epoxy over 1 inch wide cedar strips . Each boat is also set up with electric start on remote controls and a stick steering system that places the guide app 8 feet from the stern , this puts all the weight in the middle of the boat . Having these boats on site provide anglers much more convenient access to our five miles of river therefore increasing your chances of hooking the big one .

:: Click image to enlarge – fit your screen ::
:: Look for buttons bottom of pop-up window to enlarge full size ::
Just when the river was getting down to the perfect level we get hammered with rain and really high water . It dumped on us big time Saturday night , most of Sunday and then again this morning . The water was still coming up as of 6:am this morning so fishing will be tough for the next few days . On a positive note this is good for the river and good for the fish and with this big run of fish on the move there will still be fish taken in some areas . We will focus our attention on island sections that have wide slopeing beaches that will be covered in one to three feet of water , this will be the travelling lane for the salmon and if you get a fly over one it will still take . So not all is lost we just have to change our tactics and be content with three or four pools instead of twelve to sixteen .

:: Click image to enlarge ::
June 23rd – 28th is Spey Casting week at Wilson’s . Doug Hintzman and Pete Humphrey are two of the best spey casting instructors on the water today and they are bringing their expertise and talent from Michigan to the Miramichi to help our guest’s, as well as our guides improve their abilities at this age old approach to fly fishing . It has always been our goal at Wilson’s to not only take you fishing but to also teach you all the techniques to help you catch more fish . We still have a few slots open for next week and big discounts to boot . If there are any NB residents who would like to come in for just the instruction portion ( less meals and lodging ) we can arrange that as well . Doug and Pete will have all the necessary gear with them so you don’t have to worry about a new rod , yet . The water and weather is perfect to move fish up the river this week , setting the stage for some great action during our spey casting week .

Atlantic salmon fly-fishing conditions and report for the Miramichi River at McNamee on June 9th . A big thunderstorm last night gave us a little bump of water that will help keep the river is good shape at this critical time of year . Local boy’s are getting into a few Rocky Brook run salmon and even a few grilse . There are still a few big trout around but it seems that most of the sea-run trout have gone through this section of the Miramichi . Local trout numbers are very high so plenty of action on the 12-14 inch size .
The Cains is running about normal in height and the temps are still very cool , this will get the sea-run trout into the upper holding pools well in advance of the summer weather . Reports from the Cains this past weekend was good fishing but to date there does not seem to be the numbers like we had in 2007 . It is still early so as long as the water remains at a good height we are confident that the fish numbers will increase .

:: Click image to enlarge ::
Atlantic salmon fly-fishing conditions and report at Wilson’s on the Miramichi River on April 27th . As you can tell by the look on my face this is my first hook up of the year , but come to think of it I feel this way each and every time that I catch an Atlantic Salmon . I promise to lose the AC/DC hat when the weather warms up . I am using a slow sink line with a large smelt pattern , casting into the (more…)

---

When you think Atlantic salmon fly-fishing, the first place to come to mind is the Miramichi River, and when you think top quality private fishing pools and the best possible guide service you should automaticaly think Wilson’s Sporting Camps. The same goes for our World Class Upland Bird hunting. You will not find better service, better dogs or better covers than right here at Wilson’s.

For almost a century and a half the Wilson family has been in the business of providing great Atlantic Salmon fly fishing, hunting and outdoors adventure to discriminating clients from around the world. We are located in the Miramichi River valley of New Brunswick, one of the most scenically beautiful places in Canada. A pristine, “just as God made it” place that offers some of the finest Atlantic Salmon fly-fishing and wing shooting on the North American continent.

The Miramichi is known as “the mother of all salmon rivers” for hosting the largest runs in the world of Atlantic salmon, “the king of game fish”. Wilson’s owns and leases more private water on the Miramichi than any other outfitter or individual – a total of 16 pools, many of then among the rivers finest, which means that we can provide our clients with Atlantic Salmon fishing virtually unmatched for variety and quality in all of Atlantic Canada.

We are offering groups exclusive access to the entire operation in order to maximize privacy, service and comfort. The king of game fish, The Atlantic Salmon and other local attractions such as the Old Mill Pond Golf course, walking trails, museums and miles of open wilderness helps make Wilson’s a favorite destination among world travelers.

 

---

Dear anglers and friends ,
The Wilson family is pleased to announce our new affiliation with the Orvis Company . We are proud to say that we are now an Orvis Endorsed Fly Fishing Lodge , which will mean new services and a guarenteed higher standard to our operation and products being offered to guests . Beginning in 2008 visitors to Wilson’s will see a complete line of Orvis equipment on site for their testing and use while in camp . We will also stock a limited supply of equipment in our small shop for sale and will be happy to arrange quick delivery right to your door of all other items that Orvis sells . Orvis catalogues and computer access to their web site will be made available for your shopping convenience. In addition you will be able to take advantage of Orvis’s travel department and huge network of other high quality fishing lodges and upland hunting lodges worldwide.

Our guides will be well versed on Orvis equipment and will also apply their years of talent and expertise on our water to help make your fishing more enjoyable , but most of all more productful . Our goal is to help you catch more Atlantic Salmon and good quality equipment is the first step.

Orivs has a reputation of making some of the finest Fly-Fishing and Upland Hunting gear available on the market today , and Wilson’s has a reputation for having some of the best service and some of the finest Atlantic salmon water on this river . We view our new formed partnership with Orvis as a positive step forward , we hope you do too.

Sincerely yours,
Keith Wilson

---

 

Keith Wilson’s "Miramichi River Report"