Your monthly resource for MSA conservation updates, Miramichi Watershed Information, upcoming MSA Events and much much more. |
|
Be sure to stay up to date with videos and photos by liking us on Facebook and Twitter: |
|
President's Update
by Dr. Robyn McCallum
|
|
Highlights from June:
Smallmouth bass eradication planning for Miramichi Lake continues to progress. The MSA US board has generously provided $150,000 (Canadian) in funds to support this eradication. For timely updates, please visit https://www.miramichismallmouth.com/
Our team visited the Northwest Miramichi and Dungarvon salmon protection barriers. These barriers are important to assess salmon populations and protect broodstock for spawning. A huge thank you to the barrier staff for carrying out this important work.
Our chair, Debbie Norton, and I travelled to Saint John in early June to meet with the Saint John Dinner Committee and publicly launch the Brian Moore Legacy Fund. It was a wonderful opportunity to meet with supporters from Saint John and launch a fund that will inspire young conservationists in Brian’s memory. For more information about this fund or to make a donation, please visit https://miramichisalmon.ca/9072-2/
A joint field trip with the conservation planning and land use committees was held June 18 in Doaktown. MSA members came together to learn more about forestry practices and tour forest stands. One of the things I respect most about MSA directors is their willingness to keep learning, keep an open mind, and make decisions based on scientific evidence. Thank you to our committee chairs for organizing this event, and for staff from JDI for the tour.
Moving into July:
The warm water protocol committee meets regularly with DFO to review weather conditions, potential closures, and planned re-openings. A protocol has been developed and is reviewed annually. Warm water protection is important for Atlantic Salmon on the Miramichi as they are a cold-water species. When conditions are warm, Atlantic Salmon experience stress and exhaustion that may contribute to mortality. The committee reviews temperatures and weather conditions and when prolonged warm periods are forecasted or experienced, recreational fishing closures may be implemented temporarily to protect Atlantic Salmon in important cold-water pools.
or watch the MSA website and social media channels for closure and reopening details.
Take care,
Robyn
|
|
MSA's
Tear Through Christmas Mountains
|
|
We want to take you on a tour through Christmas Mountains where you'll get to visit some of our favourite spots, including our Northwest Salmon Protection Barrier! End the day at the Upper Oxbow Adventures' lakefront camp with food, refreshments, entertainment, live music, and tons of prizes! Join us for the exclusive opportunity to experience an evening on Guagus Lake and support salmon conservation on the Miramichi! |
Event Details
This event will take place in the Christmas Mountains Region on July 24th between 10am-7pm.
The route is accessible by pick-up truck or ATV.
Tear through Christmas Mountains Route
Start: Sunny Corner Irving
Station 1: Mullin Stream Road
Station 2: Mullin Stream Falls
Station 3: Northwest Salmon Protection Barrier
Station 4: Big Bald Mountain
Finish: Guagus Lake
Registrants will be sent a route map prior to the event. This map will also be available at the starting location, as well as each route station.
Begin at the Sunny Corner Irving anytime after 10am.
For every selfie you take at a route station, you will be entered into one of four prize draws.
*Limit of one selfie per station per registration.
Finish at the Upper Oxbow Adventures camp on Guagus Lake between 4-7pm, where there will be a BBQ, outdoor activities such as frisbee and washer toss, live music by Miramichi folksong legend Frank McKibbon, and lots of prize draws including a Grand Prize Draw for a canoe! This is a family-friendly event.
Registration Includes
-Route map
-One BBQ plate with non-alcoholic refreshment
-Five tickets for our Grand Prize Draw, and up to four additional tickets for our Route Station Draws
-Lots of fun and entertainment at Upper Oxbow Adventures' exclusive Guagus Lake location!
|
|
|
|
MSA 25th Annual Fredericton Dinner |
|
On Thursday, October 7th the MSA will be hosting our 25th Annual Fredericton Gala Dinner and Auction at the Fredericton Inn. This will be the first in-person event the MSA has been able to host since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic! We look forward to celebrating this important turning point with you! We hope that you will 'save the date' and be able to join us for a fun and entertaining evening!
|
|
Brain D. Moore Legacy Fund |
|
As a long-time supporter, director, Life Member, and Chair of the MSA, Brian D. Moore was a steward for Atlantic salmon conversation. To honour his exemplary life-long service and dedication to the MSA’s mission, we are requesting contributions to the Brian D. Moore Legacy Fund. This fund will serve as a lasting tribute to Brian, as well as to encourage and mentor a new generation of professional salmon biologists and researchers undertaking important work on the Miramichi River. If you are interested in donating to the Brian D. Moore Legacy Fund, please click the link below. |
|
Wondering what to do if you catch a smallmouth bass? |
|
SOUTH ESK, N.B. – People who fish the Miramichi River system are being asked to retain and report invasive smallmouth bass which were illegally introduced in a headwater lake more than12 years ago.
Members of the Working Group on Smallmouth Bass Eradication in the Miramichi, working with
New Brunswick’s Department of Natural Resources and Energy Development and Fisheries and
Oceans Canada, have begun placing posters at popular fishing locations, shops, and gathering
places throughout the watershed.
Please click the link below for further information.
|
|
|
2021 MSA Art Contest Winner |
|
Congratulations to Bella Matchett, whose entry into our 2021 Bruno Bobak Memorial Art Contest was selected by Alex Bobak to win a framed Bruno Bobak print. A big thank-you to Alex for judging this contest and also for donating the beautifully framed print shown in the photo below. |
|
MSA President, Robyn McCallum, and MSA Staff Biologist, Lyndsay Jay-Keating with Bruno Bobak Memorial Art contest winner Bella Matchett. Congratulations Bella! |
|
Bella Matchett with her beautiful depiction of a Miramichi Salmon! Well done Bella! Congratulations! |
|
Attention Photographers! Don't forget to submit your photos to the MSA photo contest for a chance to win a great CA$H prize.
- 1st place - $250
- 2nd place -$150
- 3rd place - $75
- 4th place - $25
*Please note that this contest is open to amateur photographers only.
For detailed information on rules and to submit photos please click the link below.
|
|
Miramichi Salmon Fishing Report
by Brad Burns
|
|
Good news from the Miramichi! Just a few days ago it seemed that very few people were fishing for salmon, but for those who have had a line in the water the results have been surprisingly good for so early in the season.
Jason Curtis began fishing for bright salmon near the end of May, and has spent a little time at it most days, though it was June 6 before he first connected. Fishing on the 6th, at Campbell’s Pool with his brother Jeff, they ran into some action. Jason brought a grilse to the net, and lost another. Meanwhile, Jeff hooked but also lost, a large salmon. It is worth remembering that this year we need to fish with barbless hooks, for both kelts and bright salmon.
|
|
MSA Director, Stan Knowles, hooks into a big one on a recent fishing trip to the Main Southwest Miramichi
- photo credit Stephen Tonning
|
|
The MSA would like to encourage you to participate in our weekly Creel of Fortune 50/50 draw. It's fun, you could win some money, and it is a great way to support salmon conservation! Please click the link below to sign up or re-up on your lucky number. Good luck!
|
|
We came across some interesting photos of times gone by on the Miramichi and thought that they are worth sharing. We know MSA members love these old photos! We love collecting old photos, so if you come across any please feel free to email them to us at admin@miramichisalmon.ca |
|
Spring fishing on the Miramichi - note the snow covered hills in the background |
|
Wallace Doak with (possibly) Jack Atherton |
|
Poling a canoe on the Northwest Miramichi |
|
Question Corner
by Rick Cunjak
|
|
Thank you to everyone who sent in questions for Rick. Rick will be on vacation for July and August and will resume answering questions again in the September edition of the Leaper. |
|
If you have a question you would like answered, please email your question by clicking the button below. Dr. Rick Cunjak will provide an answer to your question in the Leaper the following month. |
|
Dr. Richard Cunjak is a retired professor at University of New Brunswick where he held a joint appointment in the Department of Biology and the Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Management. Rick has more than 35 years experience working on the behavioural ecology of riverine fishes. |
|
MSA Fredericton Dinner ------------October 7, 2021
MSA Saint John Dinner -------------October 22, 2021
|
|
Still not a member of the Miramichi Salmon Association?
Membership in the MSA is the perfect way to express your passion and support for the Miramichi River, for the Atlantic salmon who make it their home, and for the vital work being done by the MSA to protect and conserve both for today and tomorrow!
|
|
FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND YOUTUBE |
|
|
|
|
|
|
