May 5th, 2025
The past week on the Miramichi River brought back many familiar faces, creating an atmosphere filled with laughter, camaraderie, and unforgettable times on the water. Although the week began with tough conditions—high winds and a muddy river that had risen four feet—things gradually improved, and by the weekend, the river was more fishable. Despite the challenges, we saw some great catches including salmon, trout, and bass.
Success on the water often came down to being in the right place at the right time. Hard work and determination paid off, proving once again that persistence is key on the Miramichi.
While all our guests were returning anglers, none was more remarkable than 89-year-old Mike Price, who has been fishing the Miramichi annually since 1963—missing only the year of the COVID shutdown. Over the decades, Mike has shared the river with many great friends and continues to land beautiful salmon and brookies. As he left camp, he told us with a smile, “I’m leaving my heart on the Miramichi till next season.” His devotion shows just how much this river and its Atlantic salmon mean to passionate anglers.
Another highlight of the week came from the Mike Deloia group, with Mike’s son Skylar landing a stunning 38-inch salmon. One particularly incredible story emerged during supper: in 2007, Mike caught a fly rod while fishing the river. To this day, he still uses it. As the story unfolded, we realized it was the very rod and reel our guide Axel had lost that same year. In a touching full-circle moment, Axel insisted Mike keep the rod and continue fishing with it—just one of those Miramichi stories that seems almost too good to be true.
As May heats up, more striped bass will begin migrating upriver to their spawning grounds, making for some extraordinary fishing. With a retention limit of four striped bass per angler, we encourage guests to keep within the limit—and don’t worry, the ladies in the kitchen are always happy to cook them up for a delicious camp meal!
