Since 1953, the Miramichi Salmon Association (MSA) has worked toward the preservation and enhancement of Atlantic salmon on the Miramichi River. With strength in numbers, the MSA continues to build its membership to support our conservation efforts. We encourage you, if not already a member, to please join us.

Vol. 77 December 2024

Dear MSA members and supporters,

As we enter the holiday season, I would like to take a moment to wish each of you a happy and healthy holiday season. Your ongoing support means so much to us, and together, we continue to try and make a significant impact in preserving the future of Atlantic salmon in the Miramichi.

This past season has been challenging for Atlantic salmon in the Miramichi and elsewhere. While salmon numbers were low, we remain committed to our mission of rebuilding populations through focused advocacy, the use of our hatchery, and the pursuit of a robust adult stocking program.

On a positive note, our spawning season went well, and we are currently incubating over a million salmon eggs in our hatchery. These will hatch into fry this spring, and we look forward to releasing them into the river to support future generations of salmon.

Our field programs have also been successful this year, and we are pleased to report that all of our funding applications for next season have been submitted, ensuring that our vital work will continue.

In December, we are excited to announce that we will have two online auctions running simultaneously - one hosted by MSA US and the other by MSA Canada. These auctions are an excellent way to support our efforts while finding unique and valuable items. Please consider participating in both auctions to help fund our ongoing conservation work. Your support makes a huge difference in our ability to continue protecting and restoring Atlantic salmon populations.

Though this season has presented its challenges, the MSA remains optimistic and determined. With your continued support, we are confident that we can turn the tide and ensure a brighter future for Atlantic salmon in the Miramichi.



Thank you for being a part of our mission. We look forward to another year of working together to protect and restore this incredible species.

William (Butch) Dalton

President, Miramichi Salmon Association

🎄🎣 The Carleton County Christmas Auction is LIVE! 🎣🎄

Looking for the perfect gift for the angler (or outdoor enthusiast) on your holiday list? Look no further! Our online fundraising auction is brimming with incredible items that are sure to make their season bright.

🌟 What's up for grabs?

• Salmon/Trout fishing trips
• High-quality outerwear and fishing gear
• Stunning hand-tied fly boxes
• Beautiful home goods, artwork, and books
• And so much more!

🎁 Get your bids in now and snag something special while supporting a great cause! 🐟

Don’t wait—these treasures won’t last long! 🕰️

John Swan

Many discerning fishers consider John to be the successor to Ogden Pleissner as the greatest living artist of sporting subject matter.

Luther Kelly Hall

Luther’s sporting art is highly collected and acclaimed. The list of his associations with galleries and museums is too long to mention.

Combine having a great time with your support for the Miramichi and Atlantic salmon! Stay tuned to miramichisalmon.ca for ticket sales to launch soon.

Awarded annually to a deserving individual, group, organization, or business that has shown lasting commitment to the conservation of the wild Atlantic salmon and environmental integrity of the Miramichi River watershed for the benefit of all species.

The Award recognizes leadership in all areas of activity that have an impact upon environmental protection and conservation of the wild salmon species, including volunteerism and or the practice of advocacy, politics, Indigenous relations, climate action, academia, industry, business, or commercial river management.

Deadline to Submit Nominations is February 15th!

For more information on nomination guidelines and how to submit please visit our website.

Named in honour of J.W. Bud Bird, O.C., the Award recognizes and applauds Bud’s dedicated commitment and service to the conservation of the wild Atlantic salmon.

Winter has officially arrived in South Esk at the Miramichi Salmon Conservation Centre. We've already had two long-running power outages and it's only the beginning of the season! Our facility is equipped with two large generators for instances like this and our highly trained staff are on-call 24/7 and able to respond to alarm calls and outages as needed. We strive to ensure the fish are safe at our facility and large amount of infrastructure are required to do this.

We have completed all our salmon spawning and have over 1 million eggs incubating in two incubation buildings. Our two new egg care technicians are doing a wonderful job taking care of them and ensuring proper daily care. These eggs will hatch next spring and the resulting fry will be stocked back into the Miramichi River. 

We are excited to continue our partnership with Pabineau First Nations for the 3rd year in a row and help them incubate salmon fry from the Nepisiguit River. Once they hatch the team from Pabineau will collect their fry for their own stocking program.

Continuous care of our juvenile and adult salmon for broodstock is required, no matter the season, and our staff will be busy this winter ensuring the site can be safely accessed and that the fish are checked on every day. We jokingly say that we should have t-shirts made that say, "FISH FIRST" or "The fish don't care that it's Christmas!". We are looking forward to a successful year with all our fish year classes and big numbers of fry to stock in 2025.

While the early part of this fall was quite mild, the last couple of weeks have been substantially cooler. This week it has been freezing 24 hours a day with temperatures consistently below normal along the Miramichi Valley.  As the photo below from Boiestown shows most of the river is already frozen. It was well into January before this pool froze last winter.

🎉 Get Ready for the MSA US Online Auction! 🐟

Join us for the highly anticipated MSA US Online Auction, hosted by none other than MSA US President Brad Burns! This exciting event offers a chance to bid on exclusive items and experiences, all in support of Atlantic salmon conservation.

Whether you're after a once-in-a-lifetime fishing trip, unique gear, artwork, or other treasures, this auction has something for everyone. Plus, every bid you place helps fund vital efforts to protect the Miramichi and its iconic salmon population.

The official launch date for this auction is December 6th. Get ready to support the wild Atlantic salmon in style! 🎣✨

Congratulations to the winners of this year's Brian Smith Memorial Photo Contest!



1st Place Maggie Prorok (pictured)

2nd Place - April Fullarton

3rd Place - Will Doyle

4th Place - Ian Cavanagh

To see the other winners and submissions visit our website at the link below.

🎓🐟 Apply Now: 2024 Jack Fenety Conservation Scholarship 🐟🎓

The Miramichi Salmon Association is proud to announce that applications are now open for the 2024 Jack Fenety Conservation Scholarship. This prestigious award is presented annually to a graduate student conducting groundbreaking research related to the ecology of Atlantic salmon, with a focus on the Miramichi watershed.

📜 A Legacy of Conservation

Named in honor of Jack Fenety, a passionate advocate for the protection and restoration of Atlantic salmon, this scholarship represents the MSA’s commitment to fostering the next generation of conservation leaders. For years, the scholarship has empowered graduate students to advance knowledge critical to safeguarding one of the world’s most iconic species and the ecosystems that sustain them.

🌊 Why It Matters

Atlantic salmon conservation is more urgent than ever, and innovative research is essential to tackle the challenges these species face. The Jack Fenety Conservation Scholarship not only supports students financially but also underscores the importance of academic contributions to the future of the Miramichi River and its wild salmon population.

📅 Key Details

• Application Deadline: December 15th
• Eligibility: Graduate students studying Atlantic salmon ecology and its relevance to the Miramichi watershed

💡 How to Apply

To learn more about the Jack Fenety Conservation Scholarship and submit your application, please click the link below.

Let’s work together to ensure the legacy of Atlantic salmon thrives for generations to come. 🌿🐟

Watch the latest episode of Miramichi River Stories featuring Emory Brophy.

📅✨ The 2024 MSA Calendar is Here! ✨📅

Celebrate the beauty of the Miramichi with our 2024 MSA Calendar, now on sale! 🌊📸 Featuring the winning entries from the Brian Smith Memorial Photo Contest, this calendar is a stunning tribute to the landscapes, wildlife, and spirit of our region.

🌟 How to get yours:

• Visit us in person at our MSA offices in South Esk or Fredericton
• Order conveniently online through the link below

Don't wait—stock is limited, and these make the perfect holiday gift for every salmon enthusiast on your list! 🎁🐟

MSA Carleton County Online Christmas Auction

December 5th - 15th

MSA US Dinner - Falmouth, Maine

February 22nd

MSA US Online Christmas Auction

Launching December 6th - December 22nd

If you are not already receiving The Leaper automatically:

Miramichi Salmon Association

485 Route 420

South Esk NB E1V 4L9

506-622-4000

admin@miramichisalmon.ca

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