Daylight is getting shorter, but our days are still full of conservation activities!

Our broodstock collection program continues for traditional fry stocking. Most of the adult salmon collected from the Cains and the SW Miramichi River earlier this fall have been spawned successfully, with a few stragglers that will be ready soon. The fertilized eggs are safely tucked in at our facility for the winter, and we can’t wait to release the resulting fry next spring!

In late October, we worked with Brad Burns and Country Haven to install a beaver/ fish passage device near Doaktown. MSA staff will monitor the device to determine how beavers interact with it, how it overwinters, and if fish are able to use this tool effectively.

Lyndsay and Dylan have notched 50+ beaver dams so far this fall. Notching the dams does not hurt the beavers, but does allow salmon through to continue their journey upstream to spawn.

Hopefully you’ve seen some of our new MSA merchandise. We have buffs, coffee mugs, hoodies, flannel shirts, and more. These items also make perfect Christmas gifts. All funds raised go directly back into our conservation initiatives.

Cancelled

Due to the state of public health in the Fredericton area, and out of an abundance of caution for MSA members, supporters, staff and volunteers, the MSA has made the difficult decision to cancel our upcoming 25th Annual Fredericton Gala Dinner & Auction originally re-scheduled for November 18th, 2021.

The Miramichi Salmon Association (MSA) is delighted that longtime MSA director, Mr. Christopher (Kit) Barrow, will be the honoree at this year’s Atlantic Salmon Federation (ASF) virtual gala. Kit is no stranger to being honored for his dedication to the preservation of Atlantic Salmon. The Miramichi Salmon Association first honored Kit in 2015 at their Boston dinner. In 2011, ASF bestowed the Lee Wulff Conservation Award on Kit for his untiring efforts to help ASF

to be in a better position to carry out its mission to preserve and protect wild Atlantic Salmon and the ecosystem in which they live.

A decade later, Kit is one of ASF’s longest serving directors and has the distinction of being the only one to attend every meeting during his tenure. Over time, Kit has helped guide ASF’s regional affairs, finance, investment, international and government affairs, research,

development and executive committees.

As a new director of MSA in the early 1990’s, Kit quickly realized that by forming MSA (US), American supporters would have an avenue of being able to financially contribute to preserving salmon, as this made them eligible to receive an American tax deduction. Kit was able to enlist John Gerstmayr to establish this entity and John stayed on as clerk for many years. Kit served as Treasurer of MSA (US) for 20 years, providing free office space and administrative support.

Additionally for several years in the 1990s, Kit and Sue would host a cocktail supper at their home for MSA directors, Canadian and American. Per Bud Bird, long time President of MSA “I

cannot think of any other welcoming initiative that could have proved nearly so unifying in bringing directors from both countries to such a common sense of purpose”.

Kit has enjoyed working on wild Atlantic Salmon issues and conservation challenges for thirty plus years. He most enjoys his time with his wife, Sue, at Black Brook. The change of pace and quiet conversation are both stimulating and refreshing. In my opinion, one of the greatest gifts he has given to the Miramichi and its salmon, is the keen interest he has instilled in his four

daughters for this incredible species.

Best memories are made when one, or better, all four, join Kit and Sue in pursuit of wild Atlantic Salmon. For the daughters to take scant vacation time to salmon fish with their parents proves that there is something mystical and magical about the Miramichi and Salmo salar

Debbie

The MSA would like to thank all of our generous sponsors who donated items to the 2021 MSA Fredericton Auction. We had a impressive line up of items and we truly appreciate everyone who donated. In addition, we would like to thank everyone who participated in the auction. Your ongoing support for our auction(s) enable us to carry out important salmon conservation projects in the Miramichi. A special thank you to International Paper and Rocky Brook Camps for donating such a exceptional fishing trip to support our cause. Congratulations to the lucky winner!

The MSA is pleased to announce that this year’s recipient of the NB Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Wild Atlantic Salmon Conservation is MSA Chair Debbie Norton. The Lieutenant Governor's Award for Wild Atlantic Salmon Conservation is the province's most prestigious and preeminent recognition of individual(s) whose efforts have contributed significantly to the conservation and protection of New Brunswick's Atlantic salmon. Debbie's energy and contributions to Atlantic salmon and resource conservation are numerous. She has been and/or still is a member, Director, or President of:

Congratulation Debbie!

Are you ready for another fun MSA raffle? Well if you are, then you don't want to miss out on this one. Beginning on November 15th we will be selling raffle tickets on a 3 day/3 night all inclusive fishing trip to the 4.5 star The Ledges Inn in Doaktown. Tickets for this raffle will be on sale from November 15th until December 23rd with the draw taking place on December 25th. Tickets are $50 each and you can purchase on by clicking the link below to contact the MSA office

Many of you know Jerome for his exceptional Atlantic Salmon flies - he is commonly recognized as one of the best in the business. I had the opportunity to meet Jerome last month when I picked up a couple of boxes of salmon flies that he agreed to donate to our MSA online auction. Jerome is a busy man, and despite this, he still found time to tie up over a 100 salmon flies for us. He is a generous and outgoing man, and a true artist at the fly tying vice.

The MSA wanted to take a moment to thank Jerome for his generous donation to the MSA's fundraising auctions this fall. Adding his flies to our line up of auction items has added a great deal of value. Thank you Jerome for your donation - it is truly appreciated!

It's been a good run, but its time to say farewell to the Creel of Fortune. We thank all of you who participated in this weekly toonie draw! Keep your eyes open for our next online fundraiser!

Note: For those you who have prepaid for coming weeks, please contact the MSA office by clicking the link below for a refund. Vanessa will be happy to help you out.

In an effort to continue fundraising in these trying times, and building on the success of our previous Christmas auction, the MSA Carleton County Dinner Committee have decided to launch another online auction in support of salmon conservation on December 1, 2021. Keep your eyes open for this exciting auction that will feature a little of something for everyone.

The auction will run until December 10th - just enough time to ship everything to our winning bidders by Christmas. We look forward to hosting another auction as we have had nothing but positive feedback from MSA members and supporters about our auctions - they are both fun and exciting! This will be a great opportunity to find some great gifts for the angler or conservation minded person on your Christmas list. Good luck to all our auction participants.

Thank you to everyone who sent in questions for Rick. This month’s question came from Greg Sprague. Greg was wondering if it is likely that a salmon (or grilse) that spawned in the fall of 2020 and then returned to the ocean in the spring of 2021 (as a black salmon) would return to spawn in the fall of 2021? Or would the fish wait until 2022 to return? 

 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!