MIRAMICHI – We turn the page to another month in our fishing calendar, and with May comes many expectations. There are still decent numbers of spring salmon around, trout season for rivers and streams has opened and lakes will be open May 15. There are fiddleheads to be picked, and the bright salmon should be starting up some rivers by mid to late May. So get your outdoor chores done so you can be ready when the opportunity presents itself.

MIRAMICHI – We turn the page to another month in our fishing calendar, and with May comes many expectations. There are still decent numbers of spring salmon around, trout season for rivers and streams has opened and lakes will be open May 15. There are fiddleheads to be picked, and the bright salmon should be starting up some rivers by mid to late May. So get your outdoor chores done so you can be ready when the opportunity presents itself.

As we head into the second week of the season, there is no shortage of water. Foul weather (or should I say ‘FOWL weather, as most say it’s great weather for ducks when it’s raining) certainly has brought the rivers up and in many cases, even over their banks. But that aside, the rain was needed, not only for the rivers, but for wells and fire-prevention. Bottom line is it certainly gave the rivers a good cleaning as I saw a lot of debris floating by on Wednesday. So generally speaking, today or by the weekend the water should clear and anglers will be back in numbers if we don’t get any more precipitation.

The printed angling regulations are now available, so check where ever you bought your license, or drop into a DNR office.

Trout season for the Miramichi drainage begins on rivers, brooks and streams on Tuesday, May 1, 2012, while lakes do not open until May 15.

As we head into the second week of the season, there is no shortage of water. Foul weather (or should I say ‘FOWL weather, as most say it’s great weather for ducks when it’s raining) certainly has brought the rivers up and in many cases, even over their banks. But that aside, the rain was needed, not only for the rivers, but for wells and fire-prevention. Bottom line is it certainly gave the rivers a good cleaning as I saw a lot of debris floating by on Wednesday. So generally speaking, today or by the weekend the water should clear and anglers will be back in numbers if we don’t get any more precipitation.

The printed angling regulations are now available, so check where ever you bought your license, or drop into a DNR office.

Trout season for the Miramichi drainage begins on rivers, brooks and streams on Tuesday, May 1, 2012, while lakes do not open until May 15.

MIRAMICHI – We are off and casting. From all accounts Opening Day last Sunday was terrific for most anglers with very good numbers of fish being hooked on all branches of the Miramichi system. It was not unusual for a good number of anglers to limit out.

Some missed excellent fishing by cancelling reservations on rumours of the water being too low and that the fish would have left. The water was low for the time of year, but still produced excellent angling. Always check with the people who are actually on the river for the most accurate reports.

Even though water levels were low for the time of year, boats made their way to the water, and a couple of warm days increased the snow-melt, bringing up water levels by a foot on average. A bit unusual was the fact that made anglers noted that the salmon were creating a lot of surface action by were swirling and splashing, which is usually only the case after the smelts have come in. Some anglers even had luck using big dry flies.

In Quarryville one almost had to take a number to get a parking space with anglers out in great numbers on both sides. I did manage to fish for about an hour, hooking two, landing a grilse and killing five mosquitoes!

One angler in a boat said that there were so many bass in the river they were bumping his boat, and a lot were being hooked and released as anglers were pursuing black salmon.

MIRAMICHI – We are off and casting. From all accounts Opening Day last Sunday was terrific for most anglers with very good numbers of fish being hooked on all branches of the Miramichi system. It was not unusual for a good number of anglers to limit out.

Some missed excellent fishing by cancelling reservations on rumours of the water being too low and that the fish would have left. The water was low for the time of year, but still produced excellent angling. Always check with the people who are actually on the river for the most accurate reports.

Even though water levels were low for the time of year, boats made their way to the water, and a couple of warm days increased the snow-melt, bringing up water levels by a foot on average. A bit unusual was the fact that made anglers noted that the salmon were creating a lot of surface action by were swirling and splashing, which is usually only the case after the smelts have come in. Some anglers even had luck using big dry flies.

In Quarryville one almost had to take a number to get a parking space with anglers out in great numbers on both sides. I did manage to fish for about an hour, hooking two, landing a grilse and killing five mosquitoes!

One angler in a boat said that there were so many bass in the river they were bumping his boat, and a lot were being hooked and released as anglers were pursuing black salmon.

“The mark of a successful man is one that has spent an entire day on the bank of a river without feeling guilty about it.” Anonymous

MIRAMICHI- Opening Day is virtually upon us and the desire to get back on the river is running high. However, Sunday’s opening could present a few problems. It is no secret that the ice has long gone from the rivers, but the shores are another thing. In fact, getting to the water could be a problem for both shore anglers and those who plan on fishing from a boat.

Combined with this is the low water for the time of year which can also making boating a hit or miss situation, maybe even literally.

Taking a look at Quarryville on the Main Southwest Miramichi, anglers will have a problem getting their boats to water. Shore anglers may also have a problem as the ice-run several weeks ago has left a sheer cliff of ice along both banks above and below the bridge. George Routledge said there were “piles of ice on both sides six to 10 feet in height. Anglers will have to clear a spot to get their boats through, so they may need an axes and shovels”. One possible spot is below the bridge where the ice took out three hydro poles. To repair them, the hydro had to clear a path almost to the river. George said that a good number of camps in the area suffered damage.

“The mark of a successful man is one that has spent an entire day on the bank of a river without feeling guilty about it.” Anonymous

MIRAMICHI- Opening Day is virtually upon us and the desire to get back on the river is running high. However, Sunday’s opening could present a few problems. It is no secret that the ice has long gone from the rivers, but the shores are another thing. In fact, getting to the water could be a problem for both shore anglers and those who plan on fishing from a boat.

Combined with this is the low water for the time of year which can also making boating a hit or miss situation, maybe even literally.

Taking a look at Quarryville on the Main Southwest Miramichi, anglers will have a problem getting their boats to water. Shore anglers may also have a problem as the ice-run several weeks ago has left a sheer cliff of ice along both banks above and below the bridge. George Routledge said there were “piles of ice on both sides six to 10 feet in height. Anglers will have to clear a spot to get their boats through, so they may need an axes and shovels”. One possible spot is below the bridge where the ice took out three hydro poles. To repair them, the hydro had to clear a path almost to the river. George said that a good number of camps in the area suffered damage.

MIRAMICHI – Here we go again with another Fly-Fishing Show this weekend in Eel Ground, but first Congratulations are in order to Jacques Heroux and the organizers of the Dieppe Fly-Tying Club for making the move to join the annual Boat Show and Outdoor Sportsman Show.  Having the three combined in one place was nothing…

MIRAMICHI – Here we go again with another Fly-Fishing Show this weekend in Eel Ground, but first Congratulations are in order to Jacques Heroux and the organizers of the Dieppe Fly-Tying Club for making the move to join the annual Boat Show and Outdoor Sportsman Show.  Having the three combined in one place was nothing […]

Welcome to another season of angling! Although a tad early for actually getting “on the water”, it nevertheless is time to get into the mood. There is no better way to do this than by attending the Annual Fly-Fishing Show.

However, this year there is a change in format for the better. This year everything is bigger and better with a large increase in the number of exhibitors. The Dieppe Fly-Fishing Forum, usually held at the Dieppe Community College, is moving to the Moncton Coliseum, and is combined with the annual boat show and outdoor sportsman show. So anglers will get “three for the price of one”.

And it’s not just for the men. More and more ladies are sharing the angling experience. As a matter of fact, one of the key-note speakers is Kathryn Maroun. She is originally from the Halifax area and currently has her own TV Fishing Show. She will be sharing many of her experiences and expertise during her presentations.

The event is a week earlier than usual, thus the earlier beginning of this column. Everything starts this Friday, March 23 at noon at the Moncton Coliseum/Arena complex and runs through Sunday. Daily times are Friday: noon until 9 p.m., Saturday: 10 am until 5 p.m., and Sunday from 10 am Sunday to 5 p.m. Daily entrance fee is $8.00 Adult, Senior/students: $7.00, with Youth under 10 free. A Weekend pass is $ 15.00

Welcome to another season of angling! Although a tad early for actually getting “on the water”, it nevertheless is time to get into the mood. There is no better way to do this than by attending the Annual Fly-Fishing Show.

However, this year there is a change in format for the better. This year everything is bigger and better with a large increase in the number of exhibitors. The Dieppe Fly-Fishing Forum, usually held at the Dieppe Community College, is moving to the Moncton Coliseum, and is combined with the annual boat show and outdoor sportsman show. So anglers will get “three for the price of one”.

And it’s not just for the men. More and more ladies are sharing the angling experience. As a matter of fact, one of the key-note speakers is Kathryn Maroun. She is originally from the Halifax area and currently has her own TV Fishing Show. She will be sharing many of her experiences and expertise during her presentations.

The event is a week earlier than usual, thus the earlier beginning of this column. Everything starts this Friday, March 23 at noon at the Moncton Coliseum/Arena complex and runs through Sunday. Daily times are Friday: noon until 9 p.m., Saturday: 10 am until 5 p.m., and Sunday from 10 am Sunday to 5 p.m. Daily entrance fee is $8.00 Adult, Senior/students: $7.00, with Youth under 10 free. A Weekend pass is $ 15.00