Your monthly resource for MSA conservation updates, Miramichi watershed information, upcoming MSA events, and much more.

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.

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Vol. 71 June 2024

President's Update

By Butch Dalton

Presidents Update – June

The Miramichi Salmon Association (MSA) field season is in full swing, and our dedicated team has been tirelessly working on the annual smolt estimate. This intensive process demands a seven-day-a-week commitment from our staff. We have commenced our fry stocking program, which will continue for several weeks. This crucial activity involves long days navigating woodland roads, carrying heavy buckets of fry to the river, and carefully releasing them into the river. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the hardworking MSA staff and the numerous volunteers who diligently support this program each year.

As the spring fundraising season draws to a close, I want to express my gratitude to all of MSA’s dedicated volunteers, dinner committee members, donors, and sponsors for their unwavering support. Our spring raffle for a trip to Rocky Bend Camp was a huge success, followed by the renowned IceBreaker dinner in Boiestown, and we wrapped up the season with the MSA Moncton Mixer. It is always great to see so many supporters of the MSA and Atlantic salmon come together for support Atlantic salmon conservation in the Miramichi region.

Earlier this month, the MSA had the privilege of meeting with several New Brunswick senators, most notably Senator Krista Ross. Senator Ross graciously addressed some of MSA’s concerns regarding NGO funding during the National Finance Committee meeting. She inquired about the Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) funding allocated to Atlantic salmon and local NGOs. To view the question period from the National Finance Committee meeting, please click the link below. We are particularly grateful to MSA Director Hugh Cameron, who facilitated our initial meeting with Senator Ross earlier this month.

Watch the National Finance Committee meeting

This year, the MSA continues to operate the salmon protection barriers on the Dungarvon and Northwest Miramichi Rivers on behalf of the Province of New Brunswick (PNB). We are well underway with the installation and staffing of these barriers. The salmon protection barriers are open to the public between 9 am and 5pm daily, and we encourage you to visit them. The data collected on Atlantic salmon returns is shared with the Province and DFO, informing crucial management decisions.

In closing, I would like to highlight MSA’s ongoing efforts of MSA's Advocacy Committee to address the striped bass situation in the Miramichi estuary. We have engaged with numerous government officials, including the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, to voice our concerns, and we remain hopeful for action to reduce bass numbers to a sustainable level. Keep your fingers crossed that we can bring about positive change.

William (Butch) Dalton

MSA President

MSA's First Cast - June 22nd - 23rd

Register Today!

First Cast is a free annual weekend fly fishing program hosted by the Miramichi Salmon Association. This program is an introduction to fly fishing with no age limit for participants. First Cast is an excellent chance for a relatively experienced fisherman to bring along someone who is new to the sport and, with the help of volunteers from the MSA, participate in a two-day mentoring experience guaranteed to be the start of a lifetime of fly fishing and a new appreciation for our natural environment. Whether you have a child or grandchild that you’ve always wanted to share your passion for the sport with, or if you’ve always wanted to learn about fly fishing and never had the opportunity, we encourage you to take part! Registration is open now, check the MSA website for more information.

MSA Moncton Mixer - Thank you!

On May 23rd, the Miramichi Salmon Association (MSA) hosted a fun event in Moncton, mixing great conversation, an MSA update, a card draw, and a silent auction. We celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the Dieppe Fly Tying Club at the Canvas Hotel, where guests enjoyed mini sliders, chicken and shrimp skewers, mini quiches, and delicious smoked and candy salmon from Cooke Aquaculture. The silent auction was a big hit, giving everyone a chance to grab some unique items and raise important funds for MSA's projects. The evening was a success, building a strong sense of community and boosting MSA's presence in the region. We want to say a big thank you to our supporters, donors, members, and corporate sponsors for their amazing generosity, which helps us keep working toward the conservation and protection of Atlantic salmon and the Miramichi Watershed.

In this photo, (from L to R) Troy Tracy, Butch Dalton, Robert Knowles, Jacques Héroux, Tristan Hovey and Mark Delaney

MSA IceBreaker Dinner & Auction

Thank you for attending!

Our Annual IceBreaker Dinner and Auction held on May 4th in Boiestown at the Central New Brunswick Woodmen's Museum and was one of the best IceBreaker dinner we've had to date with great attendance and support to kick start our 2024 spring fundraising season. The evening was filled with a great live performance from Mavis O'Donnell as the MSA gathered to honour the late Alden McKay.

The culinary delights served up at the Icebreaker were exceptional, like every year, with a mouthwatering menu that included delicious roast beef, salmon, and a variety of trimmings. Thank you to the Woodsman's Museum staff who once again demonstrated their knowledge in preparing the meal, ensuring that every guest was treated to a delicious dinner. Thank you to Cooke Aquaculture for providing the smoked salmon for our appetizer and salmon fillets for our dinner.

In addition to the great food and attendance, the evening was filled with action as guests participated in a lively fundraising auction. Additionally, the event included some fun door prizes and a 50/50 draw. We thank all of our silent and live auction donors, our members, directors and supporters for making this fundraising event a success. We truly appreciate all that you do! The funds raised during the auction and other activities will contribute to the MSA's ongoing conservation efforts and stewardship for the Miramichi Watershed.

MSA Wild Salmon Grant

The MSA Wild Salmon Grant is generously funded by J.W. Bud Bird through an endowment with the Miramichi Salmon Association (MSA). This $5,000 grant is awarded annually to an Indigenous undergraduate student in their second, third, or fourth year of study at St. Thomas University.

We are looking for proposals for an academic and/or creative work from Indigenous students to be considered for this $5,000 grant, which have a goal of engaging public concern and support for the Miramichi River watershed, and the conservation of wild Atlantic salmon.

For more information, send an email to Butch.

Past MSA president and chair, Mr. J.W. Bud Bird

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Miramichi River Stories are back!

With a passion for canoe building and life on the Miramichi River, Norm Betts discusses his life and where he finds a sense of peace and calm on the river. What inspired him to start Miramichi Canoes and further his passion for the Miramichi River!

Miramichi River Stories - Episode 19

Barrier Operations

This summer, the MSA will once again be operating the salmon protection barriers on the Northwest Miramichi and Dungarvon Rivers on behalf of the Province of New Brunswick (PNB). These barriers are a crucial tool in assessing adult salmon returns to the Miramichi and aid the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) in making informed management decisions regarding Atlantic salmon. A heartfelt thank you to our dedicated staff, who man the barriers 24/7 throughout the entire operating season. The barriers operate each year from May until October and are open to the public for visitation daily between the hours of 9am to 5pm.

Installed salmon protection barrier

MSA operated salmon protection barrier

Brian Smith Memorial Photo Contest

Submit your photos today!

The Brian Smith Memorial Photo Contest presents a wonderful chance for photographers to highlight their talent through captivating images of the stunning Miramichi River and its surroundings. Running annually from April 15th to October 15th, this event organized by the MSA encourages participants to submit their most exceptional photos that showcase the richness and variety of the Miramichi watershed. Amateur photographers of all skill levels are invited to participate, with contest categories including Miramichi People, Angling, Miramichi Scenes, and Kids. Join us in celebrating the beauty and diversity of the Miramichi River through the lens of your camera!

Our 2024 Brian Smith Memorial Photo Contest prize package is sponsored by:

Bates Custom Laminating and Framing

1st Place - $250

2nd Place - $150

3rd Place - $75

4th Place - $25

Click HERE to Enter

First Miramichi Bright Salmon of

2024!!

It’s official! We have a winner in the First Miramichi Bright Salmon of 2024 contest. The winner is Dr. Jake Swan from Fredericton, NB.

Dr. Swan caught this estimated 20-plus pound bright salmon the morning of May 31 in Blissfield, NB, Canada.

The big salmon took a #4 Blue Charm.

Congratulations Jake!

Jake Swan in Blissfield, N.B.

Jake with his 20-plus pound bright salmon!

Proper Techniques for Live Release of Atlantic salmon

• 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