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Your monthly resource for MSA conservation updates, Miramichi Watershed Information, upcoming MSA Events and much much more.
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2017 Fishing Season is Open!
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Though it looked rather doubtful in early April, the ice did run in the SW Miramichi in time for people to get out onto the river for the first day of the 2017 fishing season (April 15). Ice in the NW Miramichi system followed suit by a week or so. Early reports suggested the river was quite high and dirty during the first week of the season, but since then water levels appear to have dropped and cleared, producing what some folks are saying is pretty darn good spring fishing. While always subject to changing water conditions, the spring salmon fishing usually lasts until mid May, meaning there’s still plenty of time left to get out on the water to try your hand at spring salmon fishing. And just as a friendly reminder, please remember the spring fishery is a barbless live release fishery. (Photo: MSA member Jim Peters and son Maxwell poise for a quick photo before releasing a small grilse on Opening Day)
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by MSA Bilogist Holly Labadie
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Our joint kelt tracking project with the Atlantic Salmon Federation (ASF) will begin April 30th this year and continue into the first week of May. We have 25 acoustic tags to surgically implant into these fish in order to track their movements and survival out of the Miramichi River into the marine environment. This will be the 10th year for this acoustic tracking program, and we have gathered lots of important information regarding adult salmon survival in our river. Our kelt reports can be found by CLICKING HERE.
Our smolt wheels are being prepped for installation the first week of May; 2 will be installed on the Little Southwest River at Upper Oxbow Adventures and 3 will be installed on the Northwest River near Trout Brook. These wheels will serve as the collection platform for our Smolt to Adult Supplementation (SAS) program (part of the CAST project) and also for our smolt tracking program (also a joint project with the ASF). This will be the 3rd collection year for the SAS program and our hatchery building has undergone major renovations this spring to improve the infrastructure and biosecurity of the facility.
This will be the 4th year for our smolt tracking program on the Northwest River, which has been done to determine movements and survival of smolts migrating from the Miramichi River to the ocean. A new tag is being used this year called a “predator tag”. This tag is designed to change its identifier code when it has come into contact with a low pH (i.e.: stomach acid). The goal is to be able to determine when and where a fish has been consumed with these new tags.
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Catch and Release for Atlantic Salmon in 2017
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The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) issued a press release on April 13th, 2017 stating that Catch and Release remains in place for the 2017 Atlantic salmon recreational fishing season in the Gulf Region to maintain conservation benefits.
You can see the full press release by clicking here
Below are some Best Practices for Live Release
• Remember, use only single barbless/pinched hooks
• Retrieve and release fish as quickly as possible
• Keep fish in the water during the release process
• Using a knotless meshed landing net is preferable over tailing a fish
• Carry and use needle-nose like pliers/tweezers to quickly remove hooks
• If hook doesn’t remove easily, cut the leader and leave it in the fish
• If you must handle a fish, use bare wet hands (not gloves)
• When taking a photo, remember only 5 seconds out of the water
• When releasing, hold the fish by the tail and point it upstream in a natural swimming position. Let the current flow naturally through the gills; do not push/pull the fish back and forth. Release the fish when you begin to feel strengthening tail movement.
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Freeman Dunnett Conservation Dinner Offering Great Fishing Trips May 18th!
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This years Moncton Conservation Dinner will be held Thursday May 18th at the Crowne Plaza, Moncton and will highlight the new Collaboration for Atlantic Salmon Tomorrow (CAST) along with a live auction featuring some amazing fishing trips. In addition offering trips to the Clearwater and Mountain Channel salmon camps on the Southwest Miramichi, this year's dinner will also feature for the first time an opportunity to experience the Canadian Salmon Club! This all inclusive trip of a lifetime includes 2 rods for 3 full days. Located on the Bonaventure River in the Gaspé region of Québec, the highly prestigious Canadian Salmon Club has been privately owned and for members only for over a century. The Canadian Salmon Club offers a standard of sport that will delight you and your most demanding guest. Featuring a well-appointed dining room and Great Rooms that boasts their own fireplace, a large screened porch overlooking the river and private guest rooms which boasts theirs own fireplace and private washroom facilities. Arrive June 11th to fish June 12, 13, 14 with departure evening of the 14th. Valued at $10,300.
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Don't Miss the MSA AGM and Ice Breaker Weekend
April 28th-29th, 2017
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Always a fun and informative weekend to kick off the start of another fishing season! Plan now to attend one or more of the following activities being help during the 21st Annual Ice Breaker weekend;
Science Day 2017- Salmon Habitat
- 10:00AM-3:00PM, Friday, April 28: Come hear and ask questions about what’s happening on the River. Speakers from CAST projects, Altantic Salmon Federation, New Brunswick Conservation Council, MSA and Energy and Resouce Development. Please register by clicking here. (Photo: Science Day Group listens to speaker at the Central NB Woodmen's Museum)
64th Annual General Meeting –
1:00PM, Saturday, April 29: All MSA members are welcome to attend this always informative Annual General Meeting of the organization. An MSA Board of Directors meeting will follow. Event location - Upper Miramichi Rural Community Center, Boiestown, NB.
Notice of By-Law Amendment
At the 64th Annual General Meeting, the Executive Committee of the MSA Board of Directors will be recommending to the general membership the adoption and approval of the following By-Law Amendment. Click here to read Amendment.
21st Annual Ice Breaker Dinner & Auction –
4:30PM – 9:30PM, Saturday, April 29. Location – Woodsmen’s Museum, Boiestown. Sold out!
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Upcoming MSA Events You Don't Want to Miss
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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!
Click here to sign up today!
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