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FeedSalmon Fishing Report
FROM: Bill Taylor, Atlantic Salmon Federation
DATE: July 18, 2008
RE: Fishing Report
It is shaping up to be a very good year for Atlantic salmon runs and fishing. While one year does not make full restoration, it is encouraging for those of us who work towards that goal. We are receiving glowing reports from anglers everywhere. For more information, visit www.asf.ca. In the top menu, click on Regions for River Reports, which are updated by ASF Regional Directors.
Newfoundland and Labrador
Returns and fishing are fabulous in most rivers in Newfoundland and Labrador. Counting facilities with few exceptions indicate much better runs than previous averages that stretch all the way back to 1984. For the full counts, in the top menu of www.asf.ca, click on links.
One of the more dramatic examples is the Exploits River at Bishops Falls. To July 13, the river had a total return of 20,354 grilse and large salmon, compared to an average of 11,690 in the period 1992 to 2007 and an average of 2627 in the period 1984 to 1991. Returns to Salmon Brook, a tributary of the Gander River, totaled 954 to July 13, more than double the average of 408 for 1992 to 2007 and about 4 times the 1984 to 1992 average of 241.
The Terra Nova River, which drains an area in the centre of the island of Newfoundland, discharging into Bonavista Bay, had a run of 1535 by July 13 compared to an average of 640 in the period 1992 to 2007 and an average of 221 from 1984 to 1991.
On the Northern Peninsula Torrent River had a run of 1627 to July 13, compared to an average of 1330 from 1992 to 2007 and an average of 419 from 1984 to 1991.
In western Newfoundland, Harry’s River had a total of 1799 to July 13, compared to an average of 1310 in the 2003 to 2007 period.
In Labrador, the Sand Hill River had a total of 2989 to July 13, compared to an average of 1753 from 1992 to 2007 and 620 from 1984 to 1991.
With returns like these, anglers are reporting very good to great fishing just about everywhere.
The rivers along the south coast and Avalon are getting their share of good runs, but rivers were getting low and warm by the end of the first week of July. A mid season review of the salmon run on the Conne River confirmed a good run that justified a continued angling season.
Heavy rain on the Northern Peninsula near the end of June brought river waters to almost flood conditions that returned to fishable levels by the end of the first week in July. By July 8, anglers were reporting strong runs of fish and excellent fishing. It was like the “good old days” on the Torrent, Beaver and Main brooks and Castor and St. Genevieve rivers.
To the end of June, the Humber River in western Newfoundland had excellent water levels and temperatures. Then two days of rain contributed to flood conditions. At Big Falls, now that water levels have receded, fishing is as good as it has ever been.
In southwestern Newfoundland, the Bay St. George rivers suffered from flooding at the end of June, but are fishable again. Anglers are reporting especially strong runs of grilse.
In central Newfoundland, the Exploits and Gander rivers have strong runs of grilse. By July 14, high water on the Gander had receded and fishing was very good. Water levels have been good on the Exploits since opening day.
In southern Labrador, there were good runs of grilse and salmon to the Forteau River and of salmon to the Pinware River by July 8.
Quebec
Anglers fishing Quebec rivers are enjoying a good season as well. The Matapedia had much better catches than last year to July 13, 417 compared to 286 fish. On the Causapscal River, by July 14, the water levels were higher than usual, with very good angling.
Statistics for June for the Cascapedia River are encouraging. To June 30, 231 fish were landed and 86% released, compared to 112 fish landed last year and 83% released.
The catches for this year are still a bit below the 5-year average, and most of the fish have been landed in the upper reaches of the river.
On the Moisie River to July 13, water levels and temperatures were perfect. Many large fish have been caught and released. Anglers were catching many 20 to 30 lb fish at Moisie Nipissis Camp. The Godbout River was fishing very well, with a catch of 206 fish to July 6, compared to 79 last year. Other North Shore rivers were also enjoying good fishing.
On the Gaspe, river levels on the York, St-Jean and Dartmouth rivers have been good thanks to a steady amount of rain. To July 12, 200 more fish have been caught on the York River than last year. Fishing has been good on the Dartmouth with many releases reported.
The Matane River had good water levels and 54 salmon and 30 grilse had been caught by July 13. On this date, water levels rose and were hampering fishing.
The Sainte-Marguerite River has had excellent water levels and temperatures since June 1 and the best run in years.
Nova Scotia
By June 10, water levels were very low and temperatures warm on the LaHave, St. Mary’s, Cheticamp, Sackville and Margaree rivers and the good fishing of June had slowed down.
New Brunswick
The entire Miramichi River system has had excellent water levels and temperatures to July 17. Fishing has been excellent for the Main Southwest, Northwest and Little Southwest. Good numbers of salmon and grilse are entering both the Millerton trap and the Juniper barrier.
The Restigouche River system continues to have higher than average water levels and excellent temperatures. The very good runs of grilse are contributing to good angling. The Upsalquitch River is having excellent fishing. High water levels at the beginning of July became fishable again towards mid July.
The Kedgwick River had excellent water and strong runs of both salmon and grilse.
Water levels and temperature have been excellent on the Nepisiguit River. Runs and fishing have been good, although at times the river was too high to fish.
The Saint John River cumulative count to Mactaquac Dam had a run of 1241 grilse, compared to 485 last year, which is more than the 2000 to 2004 average of 744. Unfortunately, the large salmon numbered 173, well below the 2000-2004 average of 449.
Maine
The Penobscot run had slowed down considerably by July 14. The river has had the best salmon run since 1992 so far.
Norway
Catches of bigger than normal multi-sea-winter salmon resulted in fabulous fishing in Norway during the first five weeks of the season. A fish caught in the Alta fjord in Finnmark in early July weighed 80.4 pounds. Unfortunately, the two fishermen, 75 and 79 years old, cut the fish up and smoked it before precise measurements could be taken! A 54 pound fish caught by ASF US Director Mollie Fitzgerald met a much better fate, when Mollie released it back into the Alta River. Congratulations Mollie!
Iceland
Orri Vigfusson reports good conditions and outstanding angling throughout much of Iceland.
Best wishes for continued good fishing in the weeks ahead.
Tight lines,
Bill Taylor
Posted at 04:36 PM | Permalink
