October départs the Miramichi on a high note

October has been a terrific month on the Miramichi. Temperatures for the most part have remained unusually warm. Little rain came down at the first of the month and the river was low. This however did not stop the Salmon. When it is time for these great creatures to lay their eggs, nothing can hold them back.

We had fabulous fishing to end the season and then the rain came and all was well.

The cameras continue to count fish as they ascend the river.

Beavers are hard at work making their homes cozy for the winter.

Upland birds galore

Cold nights and warm days make for idelic hunting amongst the alders and apple trees of retired farms that line the breath takingly beautiful Miramichi River valley . This covert is perfect for ruffed grouse and the infamous timberdoodle’woodcock’.

And our hunters at Upper Oxbow and MROC lodges are enjoying every minute.

Autumn Salmo Salar

2017 season for wild Atlantic salmon on the Miramichi at Upper Oxbow and Miramichi River Outdoors Centre is drawing to a close.

We are seeing lots of salmon moving up with our 5 inch raise of water last night.

Anglers are doing well as evidenced in our picture. Good luck Buddy and Ken.

Exciting time for anglers on the Miramichi

The blaze of autumn glory abounds on the Miramichi. This morning our anglers had 6 salmon, and encounters with 2 deer, 1 moose and a partridge in a spruce tree. Kind of sounds like Christmas.

Wonderful Times on thé Miramichi

Water has raised on the Miramichi over the past week and we are beginning to experience the thrill of our pulse racing as we engage the beautiful fall run of wild Atlantic salmon.

Looking at the river in front of thé Oxbow, one can see the last rays of fog lifting from the cool night.

Of time to come.

Blue Charm on the Miramiichi

Beautiful summer on the Miramiichi. The Atlantic Salmon Museum is once again offering its youth camp teaching young people the rich heritage of the Miramiichi. Our grand daughter Abigail throughly enjoyed her week.

Here is her first fly she ever tied. Believe it is a blue charm. Think it will catch salmon. Pretty darn good for a 7 year old.

Platinum on the Miramiichi

Platinum appearing on the Miramiichi. Wild Atlantic salmon from Stephanie.

 

Stripers spawning on the Miramichi

Thousands of bass gave birth these last few days on the Miramichi. River was alive with boils like seen in this video. 

Farewell to a great angler from his friends

Today we said good bye to a great friend, Blair Williamson. After a freak accident last Saturday, Blair was laid to rest today in his hometown of Windsor, Ontario. Blair is among the finest fishermen to ever cast a line on the Mighty Miramichi. You will be greatly missed, Blair. Our thoughts are with his wife Dar who he worshipped. Dar is also a regular at Upper Oxbow and part of our fraternity.

As aptly put by Blair, " now that is how it's done".

 

Miramichi Majesty

Last weekend ,we saw a 50 year event with the water being high enough to cause road closures and logs running the river pulled out by their roots by the raging currents. This evening is one of those rare ones , where I can enjoy setting on my deck, watching the majesty of all the Miramichi has to offer. We have not had enough warm weather to allow the mosquitoes to be out in any numbers.

The spring Atlantic salmon have for the most part descended the river on their journey back to the ocean and we await the platinum salmon to come back from their journey far into the Atlantic Ocean. With the warmer temperatures and the sun shine today, the stripped bass will be making their way into the higher reaches of the river for their spawning frenzie.

Some boats still marooned high and dry from the water descending.

 

Big water on the Miramichi

On my last post, I indicated that we were putting the boats in the river only to bring them in to the foot of the hill as the water went up and down. With the rain we are having and the way the water has risen, I expect they will be at the foot of the hill for some time. In the early 60's, I remember water like this, over the meadows everywhere.Dale said he and his Dad spent a day on the meadows on the Northwest Miramichi collecting cows out of trees which had been turned out to pasture and had drowned in the flooding.

Northwest Miramichi running more debris than the Little Southwest Miramichi this afternoon but both at unbelievable levels.

 

Beautiful night on the Miramichi

 

Beautiful night on the Miramichi

It has been a very unpredictable spring. Lack of warm temperatures and rain made me think the ice would never run. Well some how it did. Now we can't get the tap turned off, between the rain and the melting snow in the high lands, we have been playing a game of bringing the boats into the foot of the hill because the river is busting its banks and putting them back where the river should be when it subsides. Played the game 3 times this spring so far. Good news, it dropped enough and cleared enough that guests picked up salmon between games and when salmon were not co-operating,we could chase the bass.

Big salmon on the Miramichi

The Miramichi is no stranger to huge fish. Wonderful spring fishery smiled upon many guests. 

Water raising on the Miramichi

Water in the river had been getting extremely low for this early in the spring. Rain came down today and the river is on the rise. Should be able to navigate the bars without breaking props on the motors. Boats rolled in tonight through the rain.

 

Spring Salmon on the Miramichi WOW

This majestic salmon throws down the gauntlet to all those nee Sayers who believe spring wild Atlantic salmon don't fight well. As spoken by the salmon," in your face boys, I can tail walk in the spring as well as when I returned to my native river - the Mighty Miramichi last fall". This beautiful salmon was hooked and released by American Salmon Syndicate (ASS) elder Dennis Daniels. 

Atlantic Salmon fishing at its best on the Miramichi

Spring 2017 is unfolding to be one of the most memorable ever. Just ask Dr. Bryan

 

A new day is dawning on the Miramichi

The sun rose from the east for a beautiful day on the Miramichi. The American Salmon Syndicate (ASS) have arrived at Upper Oxbow. After a hearty dinner and a night of merriment, the official flag of ASS flies over proceedings at the Oxbow for this week.

 

Spring 2017 for wild Atlantic salmon

Never since 1992, have I experienced spring conditions such as seen this year. Two weeks ago, I believed there would be 2 chances of having the ice out so that we could fish before May 1. Those chances were slim and none. I have to say slim triumphant and low and behold, we have just came through an amazing week of spring fishing. Amazing for a number of reasons:

1) The ice in the main tidal stem of the river held fast.

2) We had snow almost every day, which necessitated the guides to shovel out their boats3 times during the week.

3) But mjost importantly, the catching has been amazing.

   

July Special, we still have spots available!

 

Nice the see the boats out

So nice to have the canoes out for another season 

 

 

Snow falling today but awesome fishing for wild Atlantic salmon

 

Testing the new Blog

Testing the new Blog