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. 74 September 2024

President's Update

By Butch Dalton

Dear Members and Supporters,

As summer draws to a close, we remain hopeful that the salmon fishing season will improve, leading to a more productive fall. It’s been a challenging season, marked by extended periods of hot weather and low water conditions. As a member of the Warm Water Protocol (WWP) Committee, the Miramichi Salmon Association (MSA) has been actively engaged in discussions surrounding restricted fishing hours and the closure of cold-water pools. We recognize the significant impact these measures have on lodges, guides, anglers, and the broader community that depends on salmon fishing in the Miramichi for their livelihood. Rest assured, we will be reviewing the season’s closures and advocating for more precise temperature readings from across the watershed, rather than relying solely on a single data logger currently situated in Blackville for information that informs decision-making.

The Plamu First Conference report is in its final stages of review. We hope this report will serve as a catalyst for uniting the entire Miramichi community to develop a comprehensive plan for the restoration of salmon populations in the watershed. Collaboration and a unified approach are essential if we are to make meaningful progress. The MSA is consistently reminded of the need for a more robust stocking program for the Miramichi, and we are committed to helping bring this vital conservation strategy to fruition. While stocking alone may not be the ultimate solution, it remains a crucial component in the future of the Miramichi. The MSA stands ready to lead this effort if the community agrees it is the best course of action for salmon recovery.

As we approach our fall fundraising season, we invite you to join us in supporting the MSA at one of our upcoming dinners. The Fredericton Dinner is scheduled for October 3rd, and the Saint John Dinner will take place on October 23rd. Tickets are available on the MSA website via the links below.

Our summer field programs are wrapping up, with our cold-water pool maintenance and electrofishing activities nearing completion. Next, we will transition to beaver dam breaching program and broodstock collection as we prepare for a busy spawning season. We anticipate a productive year at the hatchery and hope to stock approximately 600,000 to 700,000 fry in the spring.

Lastly, the MSA, in collaboration with the University of New Brunswick and the New Brunswick Salmon Council, is organizing an “Atlantic Salmon Conservation Day” in Fredericton on October 3rd. This day dedicated to Atlantic salmon conservation will begin with the NB Salmon Council’s Lieutenant Governor’s Award in Salmon Conservation, followed by the launch of the inaugural Bud Bird Award in the afternoon and closing out the day with the Fredericton fundraising dinner. Hope to see you there.

William (Butch) Dalton

MSA President

MSA Autumn Dinner & Auction

in Saint John, NB

Purchase your tickets today!

Join Us for the MSA Autumn Dinner & Auction Honouring Brad Burns

The Miramichi Salmon Association’s Saint John Dinner Committee warmly invites you to our Autumn Dinner & Auction, taking place on October 23rd at the Delta Brunswick Square in historic Saint John, NB. This special evening will celebrate the remarkable contributions of Brad Burns, a dedicated MSA director and current President of MSA-US.

With over 50 years of passion for Atlantic salmon, striped bass, brook trout, and other game fish, Brad has been a tireless advocate for fishery conservation. His expertise has benefited organizations such as the Coastal Conservation Association, the Miramichi Salmon Association, and the Atlantic Salmon Federation. Brad’s dedication has earned him recognition from esteemed organizations, including The Federation of Fly Fishers, The Fisherman’s Conservation Association of New York, and Sage Fly Rods, among others. Brad has also written a number of popular fishing related books, including two books focused on Miramichi salmon fishing: On the Cains and Closing the Season.

We invite you to join us in honoring Brad’s exceptional work in conservation and his unwavering commitment to preserving Atlantic salmon and the Miramichi watershed. It will be an evening filled with celebration, connection, and a shared dedication to our cause. Hope you can join us!

To reserve your ticket or table, please click the link below.

Saint John Dinner Tickets

"Atlantic Salmon Conservation Day"

in Fredericton

October 3rd, 2024

The Miramichi Salmon Association, in partnership with the University of New Brunswick and the New Brunswick Salmon Council, is excited to celebrate "Atlantic Salmon Conservation Day" in Fredericton on October 3rd. This special day is dedicated to celebrating and advancing the conservation of Atlantic salmon.

The day will begin with the presentation of the NB Salmon Council’s prestigious Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Wild Atlantic Salmon Conservation, honouring those who have made significant contributions to preserving this iconic species. In the afternoon, we will proudly introduce the inaugural Bud Bird Award in Salmon Conservation, recognizing individuals or organizations for outstanding efforts in salmon conservation. The day will conclude with the MSA Fredericton Dinner & Auction—a wonderful opportunity to gather with like-minded individuals and further support our shared mission.

As we face increasingly challenging times for Atlantic salmon, the importance of conservation efforts has never been more critical. This day serves not only as a celebration but also as a call to action to redouble our commitment to protecting and preserving the Atlantic salmon and its habitat.

Fredericton Dinner & Auction

Purchase your tickets today!

The MSA Fredericton Dinner Committee is delighted to announce that this year's dinner, happening Thursday, October 3rd at the Fredericton Inn, will recognize three generational "Champions for Conservation" of the Miramichi Salmon Association – Bud Bird, Mark Hambrook, and Vince Swazey – who have each exhibited a lifetime of unwavering dedication to the preservation and conservation of Atlantic salmon and the Miramichi watershed. Their countless volunteer hours and invaluable support for the Miramichi Salmon Association merit our deepest appreciation. We cordially invite you to join us in celebrating these extraordinary individuals and Atlantic salmon conservation efforts in the Miramichi watershed.

Fredericton Dinner Tickets

Fredericton Dinner Auction Preview

MSA & ASF Advocacy Efforts

As you may already know, the MSA and ASF have been actively advocating for necessary adjustments to the striped bass population, which has been causing significant disruption in the Miramichi estuary. We are pleased to inform you that our efforts have resulted in an increase in the First Nations commercial quota from 50,000 to 175,000 fish. For a comprehensive overview of the meetings and engagements that contributed to this important achievement, please click the link below.

MSA/ASF Letter

MSA Hosts Miramichi Ukrainian Community

for a Hatchery Tour

Paul Valeri, the esteemed Director of MSA-US, successfully coordinated a tour of the Miramichi Salmon Conservation Centre for recent Ukrainian immigrants. Despite pending inclement weather, the event was met with positive reception from the community. MSA provides guided tours of the hatchery facility in South Esk three times a week during the summer season. We extend our gratitude to Paul for orchestrating this valuable experience and to all participants for their engagement.

Brian Smith Memorial Photo Contest

Submit your photos today!

Have you been taking beautiful photos this summer while around the Miramichi River and surrounding area? Why not enter them in the Brian Smith Memorial Photo Contest? Organized by the MSA, the contest runs until October 15th. Photographers of all skill levels are invited to participate, contest categories include Miramichi People, Angling, Miramichi Scenes, and Kids. Submit your photos today!

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

Submit Your Photos

Brad Burns Miramichi Salmon Blog

Fishing Friends – It seemed like this summer’s heat would just never end, but suddenly we’ve had a little bump in water levels, temperatures have cooled and the cold-water pools are reopened. The next 10 day’s forecast looks pretty good too. I’ll be headed up on September 6th for the rest of the season, and as always, I’m really looking forward to it. Let’s start out by reviewing the trap numbers through August 15.

Brad's Blog

DFO Salmon Counts

Last Miramichi Salmon of the Season

Submitted by Brad Burns, MSA US President

There is a certain romance to both the first salmon caught in the spring, and last ones hooked in the autumn as the season is drawing to a close. The Miramichi Salmon Association wants to recognize with a special certificate, those anglers each year with the initiative and perseverance to make the most of those “shoulders of the season” fishing times.

Long-time MSA donor, artist Luther Hall from Mystic, CT donated an original painting of a chrome-bright Atlantic salmon for the First Bright Salmon of the Season award. It was won in 2024 by Dr. Jake Swan who was fishing from his camp in Blissfield.

Another great donor to the MSA, NY artist John Rice has donated an original painting of a fall-colored cock salmon that he created just for the Last Salmon of the Season award. A copy of a blank fall certificate is attached. It is waiting to be filled out with your name!

The rules are very simple. Just e-mail to admin@miramichisalmon.ca a digital copy of your photograph of the fish. We’ll take the time/date from the properties, and from that determine the winner. There should be a fair amount of fish caught on October 15, 2024, but just in case we encourage people to start sending in photos a couple of days in advance. We’ll even accept photos for a couple of days after the season closes since the camera will prove the accurate date.

Remember, there is no fee, and any size adult salmon can win.

Hopefully this will encourage someone to press on to near dark on that last gloomy October 15th evening!

MSA Summer Student Farewell

We are incredibly grateful for the fantastic crew of students who joined us this summer, lending their energy and enthusiasm to our vital conservation efforts! A heartfelt thank you to Ally, Cole, Jansen, Maddox, and Payton—your hard work in the field, assistance in the hatchery, hosting engaging site tours, and caring for the MSA grounds has made a significant impact on our mission to preserve Atlantic salmon and enhance the health of the Miramichi River ecosystem. We wish you all the best as you embark on another school year, and hope to see your smiling faces back here next summer!

Foundation for the Conservation

of Atlantic Salmon

Inter-Provincial Atlantic Salmon Partnership Symposium

Learn More

Summer Field Update

MSA Biologist Lyndsay Jay-Keating and her field team have spent the past few weeks conducting electrofishing surveys in the headwater regions of the Miramichi watershed. This annual electrofishing program, undertaken by the Miramichi Salmon Association (MSA), is crucial for assessing the distribution of juvenile Atlantic salmon throughout the Miramichi region. The purpose of this program is to scout future stocking sites, to evaluate the success of spring fry stocking, and fall beaver dam management efforts.

As our 2024 Juvenile Assessment Program wraps up, the MSA will continue to assist the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Science Branch with its electrofishing program throughout September. DFO conducts surveys to monitor sites as part of a long-term assessment of juvenile salmon populations in the river.