Your monthly resource for MSA conservation updates, Miramichi Watershed Information, upcoming MSA Events and much more.

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Vol. 60 July 2023

Hi everyone,

Mr. Bud Bird has generously formed the MSA Wild Salmon Grant at St. Thomas University. This $105,000 donation will provide $5,000 per year for an Indigenous student to pursue further work with conservation in the Miramichi River watershed. The MSA is looking forward to working with students through this fund, and we are very appreciative to Bud for establishing this award through the MSA. For more information, please visit https://miramichisalmon.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/MSA-Wild-Salmon-Grant.pdf

Fry stocking has wrapped up! It was wonderful to see so many volunteers and MSA members come out to help with this important program and learn more about the work MSA does. We will continue to offer these volunteer engagement opportunities to better showcase our on-the-ground work.

The salmon protection barriers are fully operational and we thank the crews who collect valuable data and protect fish. To check these numbers as well as the DFO trap net numbers, you can visit our website, scroll to the bottom, and select ‘Salmon Counts’.

First Cast was held June 24 and 25. Thank you to the many volunteers who make this important program possible year after year- I appreciate the time and energy you put into this.

The water is looking good! We still have lots of water, and temperatures are staying nice and cool. We continue to participate in the warm water protocol committee and monitor water temperatures and levels. At this time for the past few years, we have run into restrictions, so we are doing well so far.

Public tours of the hatchery are underway and doing well. To book a tour, you can visit our website or call the office at (506) 622-4000. Our ACOA Tourism Relief Fund program officially wrapped up at the end of June. Thanks to a $276,000 grant from ACOA we were able to make much-needed renovations to our broodstock building for tours and for stocking. All of these upgrades can be viewed through our public tours. We continue to welcome special guests at various levels of government to our hatchery. Once folks see the beauty of Atlantic salmon up close, I think it clarifies the importance of our work and the fight we have ahead of us to save the Miramichi River. Thanks to all who make the time to book a tour and learn about what we do.

Our student crew is settling in nicely and is a huge help both at the hatchery and in the field. Our attention will soon turn to the electrofishing program as well as cold water maintenance and restoration. Advocacy efforts continue for striped bass and ecosystem balance, working on the catch and release limit (and how to get that back to 4), and overall conservation efforts. I am looking forward to our Miramichi Valley engagement event in Blackville on July 16. If you’re wondering about our advocacy efforts, engagement with government, conservation programs, the hatchery, stocking efforts- anything- please come out and have a chat. There will be a BBQ, a walk through the interpretive trail, and good discussion about the state of salmon conservation for the Miramichi River.

Have a wonderful month and hopefully it includes fishing the Miramichi!

Blackville, July 16th - Don't miss the Miramichi River Valley Visitors Day on July 16th from 2pm to 4pm at the Miramichi Valley Visitors Center, located at 168 Main St. in Blackville. This event offers a fun and informative day for nature enthusiasts, anglers, camps, guides and community members.

Join Dr. Robyn McCallum, President of the Miramichi Salmon Association, for an informative question and answer session. Enjoy a complimentary BBQ and soft drinks and have the chance to win some fun door prizes. Explore the new interpretive trail for a captivating journey through the region's history and ecology. Connect with nature, learn from experts, and make lasting memories in Blackville. Save the date and be part of this informative event.

The Miramichi Salmon Association (MSA) is pleased to announce the newly established MSA Wild Salmon Grant in partnership with St. Thomas University and funded by Mr. J.W. Bud Bird. 

Mr. Bird has donated $105,000 to support an annual $5,000 grant to an Indigenous undergraduate student in their second, third, or fourth year of study at St. Thomas University. The grant recipients will engage in research, supervised by faculty members, with the primary objective of fostering public involvement in the conservation of Atlantic salmon within the Miramichi River watershed. This research endeavor will incorporate traditional Indigenous knowledge for the preservation of rivers and natural habitats. The project results will be made accessible through the Miramichi Salmon Association, serving as a platform for conservation efforts and public advocacy.



Reflecting on the significance of wild Atlantic salmon, Mr. Bud Bird conveyed, "Throughout history, the wild Atlantic salmon has held profound importance and reverence among Indigenous communities. In recent times, this majestic fish has become an emblem of environmental sustainability for all fortunate enough to reside near its pristine rivers. I firmly believe that only through collective partnership and collaboration among all stakeholders can we fully restore and sustain the precious resource of wild Atlantic salmon."

Left to right: Hon. Graydon Nicholas (St. Thomas University Chancellor), Mr. J.W. Bud Bird (Past MSA President and Chair), Dr. Kim Fenwick (St. Thomas University Acting President and Vice-Chancellor), Dr. Robyn McCallum (MSA President)

The Miramichi Salmon Association (MSA) successfully hosted our 11th Annual First Cast event, held on June 24th at the Atlantic Salmon Museum and June 25th at a private camp along the Miramichi River. This complimentary, all-ages event allowed inexperienced anglers to introduce themselves to the art of fly-fishing, with the guidance of dedicated MSA volunteers.

The event commenced with a classroom session, museum tour, Miramichi Canoes tour, and riverside casting instruction. On the following day, participants enjoyed a full day of supervised fly fishing followed by a complimentary BBQ lunch. The event was a great success, with attendees welcoming the opportunity to connect with fellow anglers and experience the joy of fly-fishing.



The MSA extends our sincere gratitude to MSA directors Paul Valeri and Vin Swazey for their exceptional efforts in organizing this memorable event. We would also like to express our appreciation to all participants, volunteers, and sponsors whose support contributed to the event's success. The MSA remains dedicated to ensuring the health and vitality of the Miramichi river and Atlantic salmon populations for future generations.

First Cast participants pose for a group photo

Fly casting instruction from Dewey Gillespie

First Cast participants enjoying lunch

MSA Director of Development, Butch Dalton, preparing lunch

Join us for an fun evening of celebration and support at the upcoming MSA Fredericton Dinner on October 3rd, hosted at the Fredericton Inn. As the Miramichi Salmon Association's largest fundraising event of the year, this promises to be a night to remember.

This year, we are excited to honour the Cain Family, recognizing their dedication to the preservation and conservation of Atlantic salmon in the Miramichi watershed and to their unwavering support for the Miramichi Salmon Association.

By attending this event, you not only enjoy an extraordinary evening but also make a significant contribution to the preservation of the Miramichi watersheds and Atlantic salmon. Your generous support empowers the Miramichi Salmon Association to continue our vital work in protecting the Atlantic salmon and preserving the Miramichi River ecosystem.

Reserve your spot now for the MSA Fredericton Dinner and join us in celebrating the Cain Family's invaluable contributions to our community. Together, we can ensure a vibrant and sustainable future for the Miramichi River and its magnificent Atlantic salmon.

Thunderstorms all over NB yesterday (July 6) produced enough rain to again elevate water levels. We saw and rolled a few fish yesterday, but the apparent number coming is much lighter than previous to this last raise. 

We haven’t caught a striper in a while here at Campbells, but there are plenty downriver. Bill Utley got one by Doctors Island yesterday that was estimated at 40”. You can imagine the small fish that bass needs to eat every day!

Guide Darrell Warren with a fine Miramichi salmon!

The MSA is would like to announce the winners of the 2023 Bruno Bobak Memorial Art Contest! Among the talented participants, we congratulate Tori Vassallo, a grade six student from Max Aitken Academy, for being selected as our overall winner. Tori has been awarded a beautiful framed print, to be displayed at Max Aitken Academy, as a token of our appreciation for her exceptional artistic skills.

We would like to express our gratitude to all the schools that participated in the contest. Your enthusiastic involvement has contributed to making this year's competition a resounding success.

To admire the remarkable artwork from each grade, we invite you to visit our website by clicking the button below. There, you will find the winning entries that showcase the creativity and talent of our young artists.



Once again, congratulations to Tori Vassallo and all the winners of the 2023 Bruno Bobak Memorial Art Contest. Your artistic expressions have enriched our community and inspired us all.

The Miramichi Fish Hatchery is now open for public tours for the summer. Tours run Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays at 11am and 2pm and cost $10/adult, $5/child (under 12). For more information or to book your tour, visit

https://miramichisalmon.ca/tours/ or call our office during weekday hours at (506) 622-4000. Recent visitors to the hatchery include Susan Holt and City of Miramichi Mayor Adam Lordon. Thanks for coming to visit our facility!

Susan Holt toured the MSA Fish Hatchery during a recent visit to Miramichi. Thank you for stopping by!

Thank you to Mayor Lordon for stopping by the MSA Fish Hatchery for a visit.

Attention members and supporters of the Miramichi Salmon Association! We are pleased to announce that the MSA is now accepting entries for our annual Brian Smith Memorial Photo Contest. It's time to showcase your exceptional photography skills and capture the captivating essence of the Miramichi River and its surrounding beauty.

This contest is a celebration of the extraordinary sights and experiences that the Miramichi River offers, and we invite all amateur photographers to participate. The contest is open until October 15th and offers cash prizes to the first, second, and third place winners.

Thank you for your participation, and we look forward to celebrating the beauty of the Miramichi River through your photographs.

Reserve your tickets now for a fun night of philanthropy and celebration at the MSA's Saint John Autumn Dinner being held on October 25th at the Delta Brunswick.

The MSA Saint John Autumn dinner is one of the highlights of our fall fundraising calendar and we look forward to welcoming you!

Prepare yourself for a fun night of camaraderie and shared enthusiasm of fellow MSA supporters. During the evening you'll have the chance to bid on some fantastic live and silent auction items including fishing trips, works of art, fishing gear and other items of interest to the angler or outdoor enthusiast. And let's not forget about the fun raffles that will add an extra element of excitement to the night!

Your participation in the MSA's Saint John Autumn Dinner plays a crucial role in our ongoing efforts to protect and conserve Miramichi salmon populations. With your support, we can make a positive impact on vital conservation projects and initiatives that will help to secure the future of this iconic species. Together, let's create lasting change and safeguard the future of salmon in the Miramichi River.

• Miramichi River Valley Visitors Day

July 16th Blackville Interpretive Center -

BBQ, MSA Update and Interpretive walk - 2pm-4pm

• MSA Fredericton Dinner

October 3rd at the Fredericton Inn

• MSA Saint John Autumn Dinner

October 25th at the Delta Brunswick Square



Miramichi Salmon Association

485 Route 420, South Esk, NB

E1V 4L9

506-622-4000| www.miramichisalmon.ca