Since 1953 the Miramichi Salmon Association (MSA) has worked toward the preservation and enhancement of the wild Atlantic salmon. MSA continues to look to build its membership strength, so we encourage you, if not already a member, to please join our ranks. 

Your monthly resource for MSA conservation updates, Miramichi Watershed Information, upcoming MSA Events and much much more.

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Vol. 53 December 2022

President's Update

by Dr. Robyn McCallum

Hi everyone,


Wishing you all a peaceful holiday season and a healthy and happy 2023!


Spawning obstruction management and broodstock spawning have wrapped up and went well. We have hundreds of thousands of eggs safely incubating at our hatchery facility that will positively contribute to Atlantic Salmon populations in 2023.


Building on the success of the Fredericton Dinner in October, the Saint John Dinner held in November was also a great event that raised significant funds for the MSA. Thank you to all the volunteers, sponsors and donors behind the scenes, and to everyone who came out that evening for the event. To learn more about how the Saint John Dinner committee honored long-time supporter, Cooke Aquaculture, please read the press release here: Press release



Our Jack Fenety Conservation Scholarship application is now open. For more details, please visit our website at https://miramichisalmon.ca/scholarship/


The MSA board recently met in Freeport, Maine and virtually on November 18th. The meeting featured routine business and some great break-out discussions. Thank you to the directors for volunteering your time for our organization. The MSA US group is planning for their February 4th celebration at the Portland Country Club- more details to follow.


Our team has launched the Hooked for the Holidays raffle for a stunning trip to Ledges- you can pick up your ticket online, in-person at our offices, or by calling the South Esk office at 622-4000. The winning ticket will be drawn December 25th and is a great way to tackle your shopping list for anglers!


We’ve been hard at work applying for grants and funding opportunities to support our programs for 2023. We’ve also sent out calendars to members, as part of our End of Season campaign. Thank you for considering this campaign and keeping the MSA in mind for end-of-year donations.


Stay tuned for special 70th anniversary events for the MSA and 150th anniversary events for the hatchery- 2023 promises to be a great year for our organization as we protect and sustain Atlantic Salmon on the Miramichi.


Robyn


Carleton County Christmas

Auction 2022

The Carleton County Christmas Auction is currently underway and will be running until December 5th at 7pm EST. The auction is packed with a ton of great items for the fisherman on your Christmas list. This jam-packed auction includes a number of fishing trips, outerwear by Simms and Redington, a Pieroway fly rod, boxes of flies, wading boots, waders and a host of other items. We encourage you to bid generously keeping in mind that all the money raised through our auction will be used to support Atlantic Salmon conservation efforts in the Miramichi watershed. You can view the auction by clicking the link below.

Christmas Auction

"Hooked for the Holidays" Raffle

Once again this year, the MSA is hosting our "Hooked for the Holidays" raffle. You Could Win a Fishing Trip for 2 Rods for Three Days at

the Ledges Inn!



The fishing trip is from 2pm, August 2nd to 2pm, August 5th

Includes guide, meals, and accommodations


Tickets are $50 each. Draw date is December 25th

For tickets, please click the link below

Purchase Raffle tickets

MSA 70th and Hatchery 150th

Anniversaries in 2023

Celebrating 70 years of Atlantic Salmon Conservation

The Miramichi Salmon Association will be celebrating 70 years in salmon conservation in 2023. Since 1953, our organization has focused on protecting and sustaining Atlantic Salmon on the Miramichi, and while staying true to our goals, has adapted as threats and opportunities changed for Atlantic Salmon.


The hatchery, which is located in South Esk, NB, has been in continuous operation for 150 years allowing the MSA to conduct cutting-edge research and support applied stocking programs on the Miramichi. The MSA prides itself on being a boots-on-the-ground, practical organization to aid salmon populations, with its ear to the ground for the communities Atlantic Salmon support.


The MSA supports Atlantic Salmon throughout the Miramichi Watershed using unique programs, including cold water restoration, population monitoring, spawning obstruction management, and strategic stocking, while also working on key advocacy issues including predation and warming waters. 


Be sure to celebrate these important milestones with us in 2023!


The MSA will be hosting milestone events throughout 2023 to celebrate these anniversaries! Follow our website and social media channels to learn more about upcoming events. 

MSA Saint John Dinner - a fun night in support of Atlantic salmon

On November 4th, the MSA hosted our annual autumn fundraising dinner at the Delta Brunswick in historic Saint John. We had a fun filled evening which featured an update from MSA President, Dr. Robyn McCallum, a wonderful silent auction, a couple of fun raffles and a very robust live auction.



This year, the Saint John dinner committee honoured Cooke Aquaculture in recognition and appreciation of their continuous support, assistance and contributions to the enhancement of the Miramichi Salmon Conservation Center’s hatchery facility and to the conservation of the wild Atlantic Salmon. Thank you to Cooke Aquaculture for helping us celebrate our hatchery's150 years of continuous operation. The MSA would also like to thank everyone who contributed to our silent and live auction, our table sponsors and to all of our members and supporters who came out for a fun night in support of Atlantic salmon conservation. Finally, a big thank you to the Saint John dinner committee whose efforts made the entire evening a huge success.

Dr. Robyn McCallum presents a recognition plaque to Michael Szemerda, Global Chief Sustainability Officer for Cooke Inc.

In this photo, auctioneer Hugh Cameron helps engage the dinner patrons in some very robust bidding.

Our cocktail hour featured a tasting from Sussex Craft Distillers. Thank you for helping make out evening a success.

Our live auction featured a fantastic trip to Rocky Brook. Thank you to International Paper for their generous donation.

Jack Fenety Scholarship - now accepting applications

The Miramichi Salmon Association offers a major scholarship for salmon research in honour of its long-time former President, Jack Fenety of Fredericton. This scholarship is awarded each year to a selected graduate student attending a university who is conducting meaningful research about wild Atlantic Salmon, and/or its habitat, which will have relevance for the Miramichi watershed.


We are currently accepting applications for our 2023 Jack T.H. Fenety Scholarship recipient. Please click the link below for application instructions. Application deadline is December 15th.

Apply Here

MSA US 70th Anniversary

Winter Event - Portland, Maine

The MSA US 70th Anniversary Winter Event is happening at the Portland Country Club in Falmouth, ME on Saturday, February 4th, 2023 beginning with a cocktail reception and silent auction at 5:30pm EST, followed by a buffet dinner at 7pm EST. The event will include presentations from MSA President Robyn McCallum and keynote speaker Andrew Willett, as well as a live auction and paddle raise.


Virtual attendees will be able to attend the event via Zoom and participate in the live auction and paddle raise. In lieu of dinner, virtual attendees will receive a limited-edition MSA 70th Anniversary Wheatley Fly Box and REC Recoiler.


For more information or to book tickets or a hotel room at the Hilton Garden Inn, Freeport, please click the link below.

MSA US Dinner TIckets

MSA Employment Opportunity - Finance Coordinator

The Miramichi Salmon Association is seeking a full time finance coordinator. This position will be based at our South Esk office, and is for 40 hours per week, full time, and permanent. Click the link below to see the job posting and for more details.

Finance Coordinator Job Description

MSA US - Early Bird

"High Rollers" Auction

As part of the MSA US Winer Event, a special Christmas “High-Rollers” auction of 6 select items will be held beginning at noon on December 9th and ending at 7:00 PM on December 18th.  These high value items are sure to be of interest to the most discerning auction participant. Check out the fantastic items on offer below.

NEW BODKIN REEL - The Bogdan Model #2 Salmon Reel is 3 3/4″ diameter, with 1 3/8″ spool width, and it weighs 12.3 oz. The reel has black anodized side plates with a silver frame and spool. The crank handle is silver as is the foot, oil port cover, poacher’s knob, Bogdan nameplate, and the drag adjuster frame. “No. 2” is stamped on the bottom of the foot. The reel has the famous Bogdan double brake drag system and a 2:1 multiplying retrieve. The #2 is a great size for fishing with two-handed rods, though it would also make an excellent single-handed reel for big salmon water.

Anthony Elmer Crowell, also known as A. Elmer Crowell was a master decoy carver from East Harwich, Cape Cod Massachusetts. Crowell specialized in shorebirds, waterfowl, and miniatures. Crowell’s decoys are consistently regarded as some of the finest and most desirable decoys ever made. Some examples of Crowell’s work have sold for well over $1,000,000.

This particular Crowell decoy was used as a decorative door stop. The text appearing in the product gallery images is from a Stephen O’Brien, Copley Square Fine Arts Auction some years ago when the item was purchased by the current donor.

This handsome reproduction of an antique map of NB salmon rivers is very attractively mounted and surrounded on each side by 5 featherwing flies from days gone by: Grant Special, Logie, Chamberlain, Blue Charm, Blackville, Crosfield, Oriole, Reliable, Jeannie and Black Fairy that are each tied by master fly tier Gary Tanner. Everything is set inside a handmade 24″ x 15″ red oak frame – milled to shape in Tanner’s woodshop – stained a dark brown to complement the acid-free matting.  Map and fly labels are printed on 140# cold pressed, acid-free watercolor paper. 

This LL Bean outfit is a great outfit for Atlantic salmon or saltwater fly fishing. The 8-weight rod has been redesigned to be lighter and more durable.  The outfit includes rod, Streamlight Ultra II reel, floating fly line, backing and leader. Give a young angler this great outfit for Christmas or keep it in your camp for guests.

On the Cains is a 15×22 watercolor that beautifully captures the spirit of this loveliest of autumn rivers complete with a fine salmon jumping at the end of the line.

The painting is being framed now and we will post a picture of it framed as soon as available. John is very particular about the frame used on his paintings, and you be assured that he will pick one that perfectly matches the spirit of the painting.

Formally the private fishing lodge of baseball great Ted Williams. This 3 day, two rod trip includes guide services, meals and lodging.

White Birch Lodge owns some of the best Atlantic salmon fishing water on the Miramichi including the Ted Williams Morehouse Pool located 2 miles upriver from the mouth of Cains. Your guide Clarence Curtis was Ted Williams personal guide

Dates in 2023 to be arranged with the lodge.


website www.tedwilliamslodge.com

Miramichi River Stories

In this episode of Miramichi River Stories, MSA Director Debbie Norton talks about her family's history on the Little Southwest Miramichi Rivers



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Miramichi Salmon Association 506-622-4000| www.miramichisalmon.ca

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