The province has been experiencing a steady heatwave and constant sun for the past week which resulted in DFO shutting down the cold water pools to help protect the salmon during this warm spell. While it has an obvious negative impact on our business and can be disappointing to anglers we respect and support decisions such at this which are absolutely in the best interest of the salmon. The shutdown seems to happen every summer now, and although it only affects a very small portion of the river system, it is the responsible approach to protecting the salmon who take refugee in the cold water during hot spells such as this. It is important during these closures however to be extra vigilant for poaching activities and we would encourage anglers, hikers, canoeists and tubers to report any suspicious activity by calling DFO’s 24-hour reporting line at 1 (506) 857-6328.

As the cold water pools are closed to fishing, there haven’t been many anglers on the river, however it avails the system for other recreational purposes which folks always enjoy. August quite often is the nicest weather for canoeing and tubing on the Miramichi and local companies like Gallans Tubing and Vickers Tubing are happy to equip you for a fun day out on the water! Country Haven offers our guests free shuttles to and from each location while staying with us too!

Prior to the closure our guests and our guides (on their days off) were having good luck mainly on Dry flies, which is always exciting and it’s an amazing experience when you have a big salmon chase or roll at a fly sitting on the surface of the water. And there truly is nothing more satisfying then on setting that hook although many pull too early and miss a fair number of fish. Country Haven Guide Tyler Coughlan says “he would trade 5 grilse on a wet fly for one Salmon on a dry fly as the process of dry fly fishing is more like hunting than fishing!” Dry fly season here on the Miramichi system is terrific on July and August and often into the fall depending on the weather and water temps.

As the end of the week drew near we were surprised with a much needed rainfall on the Main Southwest, with upwards of 25 mm and parts of the Cains System received 35 mm. This benefited all of the salmon and with a nice little raise in the water height it also served to provide some cooling of the river for few days. Hopefully we will receive some more rain in August to spark the rolling of salmon in the river system … some find it hard to believe but with the right conditions, August can provide for great fishing and hopefully this one will one of those years!