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

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Vol. 58 May 2023

April was a whirlwind as we prepared for the start of field work! Thanks to the MSA field crew and help from UNB, CRI, and Anqotum, smolt wheels were successfully installed at the Dungarvon and Wayerton locations. These smolt wheels are critical to supporting a number of organizations and their work, including ASF, DFO, Anqotum, UNB, CRI, and the MSA. From these wheels, we can learn more about the out-migrating smolt population, the effects of pH on smolt survival, predation, tracking, and more.

On April 2, I attended the New Brunswick Salmon Council meeting in Fredericton. It was a great group with solid discussions. The MSA thanks Kevin Davidson for his service as president, and looks forward to continued work with Charlie Leblanc, the newly elected president.

Science Day was held on April 18 at the Fredericton Inn and via Zoom. Science Day is a joint initiative between the MSA and the Miramichi Watershed Management Committee. It was a well-attended event with a great lineup of speakers (now available on our YouTube channel) and productive discussions. Thank you to all the speakers and participants who made this day a success, and of course to Howard Russell and the team at Interfor for their generous lunch sponsorship.

On April 19, I was pleased to attend the Power Play Young Entrepreneur event in Fredericton. This event featured teachers from across Canada and students from all over New Brunswick to discuss Power Play’s impact on their education. The MSA has been working with local schools to source MSA merchandise from young entrepreneurs, all while teaching more about our organization and the iconic Atlantic salmon of the Miramichi.

The MSA 70 on 70 event, held on April 29 at the Rodd Miramichi, was jam-packed with milestone celebrations. Nearly 175 supporters came together to celebrate 70 years of the MSA, 150 years of the hatchery, Mark Hambrook’s 70^th birthday and his retirement. Thank you to all who purchased a ticket, donated items for the live and/or silent auction, placed bids on items, and came out to celebrate these achievements. We appreciate your support, and all Mark has done for the MSA over the years.

Our ‘Spring into the Season’ online auction was full of unique and useful items for everyone. Thank you to our donors and bidders for making this auction a success.

May promises to be another full month- continued field work, fry stocking, hatchery tours for schools, board meetings, and preparation for our AGM on June 3. Follow along with the Leaper, social media channels, and our website to stay connected and get involved. 

Don't miss out on the 26th Annual MSA Icebreaker Dinner, happening on June 3rd at the charming Woodsman's Museum in Boiestown! This is your chance to join in the fun and celebrate the 70th anniversary of the MSA with like-minded individuals.

As usual, the night will be filled with laughter, warmth, and delicious food that will satisfy even the most discerning palate. But that's not all - we've also got a live auction and a silent auction, where you can bid on amazing items and experiences that you won't find anywhere else!

But wait, there's more! You'll get to participate in a card draw, hosted by the infamous Manley Price from Boiestown, for a chance to win a fantastic prize. This is an opportunity you won't want to miss! This event is known to sell out quickly, so don't delay in getting your tickets. Join us for a night of fun and community as we celebrate the MSA's 70th anniversary in style. Get your tickets today and make sure you don't miss out on one of the most anticipated events of the year!

The MSA, in conjunction with the Atlantic Salmon Museum, cordially invites you to attend the upcoming MSA event, "First Cast," taking place on Saturday, June 24th and Sunday, June 25th. This exceptional event offers a unique opportunity for all individuals, young and old, to learn about the sport of fly fishing for Atlantic salmon, free of charge.

Registration for the event is open and attendees can register through the MSA website. We encourage you to save the date and take advantage of this exclusive opportunity to learn from renowned experts.

The activities on Saturday will be held at the Atlantic Salmon Museum in Doaktown, including an informal classroom session, a guided tour of the Museum, and riverside casting instruction.

On Sunday, participants will enjoy a morning of supervised fishing at a private camp on the Miramichi followed by a BBQ lunch. The fishing session provides an ideal opportunity for participants to apply the new techniques learned the previous day, and try their luck at catching an Atlantic salmon.

As a special bonus, all First Cast MSA graduates will receive a complimentary one-year membership to the Miramichi Salmon Association.

This is a remarkable opportunity to learn about fly fishing and appreciate the breathtaking outdoors of the Miramichi region. We encourage you to join us and take part in this exciting event. To register for this event please click the link below.

The Miramichi Salmon Association will be holding our Annual General Meeting on Friday, June 3rd at 12:30pm at the Upper Miramichi Rural Community Center in Boiestown.

All members of the MSA are invited to attend this important meeting to hear about the organization's recent achievements and future plans, as well as to participate in the election of board members and any other business that may arise.

The meeting will begin with an updates from the Chair of the Board and MSA president, Robyn McCallum. Reports will also be given by various committees highlighting the MSA's work in habitat restoration, conservation, education and development.

We encourage all MSA members to attend this meeting and have their voices heard. Light refreshments will be served.

If you have any questions, please contact us at 506-622-4000.

The 70 on 70 dinner held in Miramichi on April 29 was a roaring success! The event was organized to recognize the 70th anniversary of the MSA, as well as to celebrate the birthday and retirement of Mark Hambrook. Thanks the support of our attendees and sponsors, the event was financially successful.

Guests were treated to a delicious roast beef buffet, and were entertained throughout the evening with a live auction, silent auction, and a fun card draw conducted by Manley Price. There was even a 50/50 draw that added to the excitement! A special thanks goes out Grant Hendry who served as master of ceremonies for the evening and to the Kyle Richardson and his band for providing some great musical entertainment.

The highlight of the evening, however, was the heartfelt speeches by Bud Bird, Kevin Harris, and Debbie Norton. They spoke about the important work the MSA has done over the past 70 years, and recognized the contributions that Mark has made to the organization.

Mark was also surprised with a special retirement gift - a fire pit that he can enjoy for years to come. We want to thank everyone who came out to celebrate this momentous occasion with us, and we especially want to thank our sponsor Cooke Aqua for donating the delicious smoked salmon that was enjoyed by all.

Mark Hambrook and Bud Bird enjoying the evening.

MSA super-supporters, Vin Swazey and Karen Swim.

MSA president, Robyn McCallum and Mark Hambrook, past president.

Mark Hambrook and Paul Valeri having a bit of fun!

Past Chair, Debbie Norton, addressing the crowd.

MSA Director, Tristan Hovey, posing with Robyn McCallum.

The Miramichi Watershed Management Committee (MWMC) and Miramichi Salmon Association (MSA) are delighted to report that the Science Day held on April 18th at the Fredericton Inn was a huge success. The event was well-attended, and participants engaged in informative and enlightening discussions about the latest scientific research on the Miramichi.

With the support of INTERFOR, the event brought together a variety of organizations, including UNB, the Canadian Rivers Institute, and Anqotum Resource Management, among others, who provided engaging and informative presentations on the theme "Working Together for the Miramichi: Fostering Collaboration and Partnerships for Ecological Conservation."

The day was full of lively discussions, thoughtful questions, and interesting insights. Participants had the opportunity to learn from experts, share their knowledge, and build partnerships and collaborations. The light soup and sandwich lunch provided was well-received, and participants appreciated the opportunity to network during the breaks.

Overall, the Science Day was a resounding success, and we would like to extend our gratitude to everyone who attended and contributed to making the event a memorable one. We look forward to future events where we can continue to work together towards the protection and conservation of the Miramichi River and watershed.

The MSA is thrilled to announce that the "Spring into the Season Raffle" was a huge success, thanks to the generous support of our sponsors and donors. We extend our sincere gratitude to Barbour Foods and Grant Brenan for their contributions towards making this event a success.

The prize for this raffle was a coveted trip to Rocky Bend Fishing Camps, which we know is a dream destination for many of our supporters.

We are delighted to announce that Janice Cormier, ticket #024, was the winner and has been contacted.

We are thrilled to have had such a positive response to this raffle and are grateful to everyone who bought a ticket. Your support helps to fund the important work we do to conserve the Miramichi River and its wild Atlantic salmon.

Stay tuned for future raffles and other exciting events from the Miramichi Salmon Association. With your continued support, we can continue to make a difference for this precious resource.

The Miramichi Salmon Association's (MSA) 2022 Annual Report is now available to the public. The report highlights the organization's activities and achievements over the past year, including its efforts to protect and conserve the Miramichi River and its Atlantic salmon population. The report covers a range of topics, including the MSA's habitat restoration projects, research initiatives, education programs, and fundraising efforts.

The MSA is committed to transparency and accountability, and the annual report is an important tool for communicating our progress and impact to our members, stakeholders, and the wider public. We encourage everyone with an interest in the conservation of the Miramichi River and its ecosystem to read the report and learn more about our work.

The Miramichi Salmon Association's (MSA) "Spring into the Season" online auction, which ran from April 20th to the 30th, was a great success. We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to our generous sponsors and donors, including Eastern Fence, Bingham Law, Grant Thornton, Heritage Management, and Ashford Properties. Their support helped to make this event possible and their contributions greatly aided our efforts to conserve and protect the Miramichi River's precious salmon population.

We were delighted to receive a wealth of positive feedback regarding the online auction, which was a fun and engaging way to support our cause. With the proceeds from the auction, the MSA will continue to fund important research and conservation projects aimed at preserving the Atlantic salmon species for future generations.

Once again, thank you to all who participated in the "Spring into the Season" online auction. We look forward to hosting more successful events in the future, as we work together to safeguard the Miramichi's salmon population.

THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR SPONSORS!

Brad Burns, a well-known fly fishing expert, has recently published an exciting blog post about the 2023 spring salmon season in the Miramichi. According to his sources, this year's season has been the best in years, with many fishermen reporting limit catches for several days in a row. The salmon are spread out throughout the river, with multiple reports of catches ranging from Quarryville Bridge to Doaktown. The majority of catches have been salmon, though there have been some grilse catches as well. The fish are said to be in excellent condition, and there is hope that this year's season will be fruitful for spawning. Burns' blog post is a must-read for anyone interested in fly fishing in the Miramichi. For his full report, please click the link below.

The Miramichi Salmon Association (MSA) is proud to announce that in 2023, we will be celebrating the 150th anniversary of the MSA-run fish hatchery in South Esk. Since 1873, the hatchery has been an important part of the MSA's conservation efforts to restore and enhance salmon populations in the river.

Over the years, the hatchery has undergone numerous upgrades and expansions to improve its capacity and efficiency. Today, it remains a vital component of our conservation efforts and is an important symbol of our commitment to preserving the Miramichi's iconic Atlantic salmon fishery for future generations.

As we mark this historic milestone, we reflect on the many challenges we have faced and overcome over the years, and look forward to continuing our important work to protect and enhance the Miramichi's salmon populations. We invite all members of the community to join us in celebrating this momentous occasion and to support our ongoing conservation efforts.

The Miramichi Salmon Association (MSA) is now accepting entries for our annual 'Brian Smith Memorial' Photo contest. We are looking for exceptional photography that captures the essence of the Miramichi River and its surroundings. The contest is open to amateur photographers only, and we encourage you to submit your best photos of fishing, salmon, scenic views, and kids enjoying the river.

The contest will run until October 15th, and there will be cash prizes for first, second, and third place winners. The winning photos may also be featured in our annual calendar, which is distributed to MSA members and supporters.

If you have a photo that you believe would be a great addition to our contest, please click the link below to submit your entry. We look forward to seeing the beauty of the Miramichi River through your lens.

The Power Play Young Entrepreneur event held in Fredericton was an incredible opportunity for students and educators from all over New Brunswick to explore the positive impact of Power Play on education. The event featured distinguished teachers from various parts of Canada who shared their insights and experiences of using Power Play to enhance their curriculum.

The Miramichi Salmon Association (MSA) was honored to be involved in this event, working alongside local schools to source MSA merchandise from young entrepreneurs. Our organization strongly believes in the importance of educating young people about the iconic Atlantic salmon of the Miramichi and the need to protect its habitat.

Through our collaboration with local schools, we are able to introduce the MSA's mission and values to students, while providing them with an opportunity to learn business skills and entrepreneurship. We believe that this approach is a unique and effective way of raising awareness about the importance of salmon conservation in the Miramichi and elsewhere.

The MSA's involvement in the Power Play Young Entrepreneur event is just one example of our commitment to education and community engagement. We are continuously seeking new ways to involve young people in our efforts to protect the Miramichi River and its ecosystem, and we are proud to work with schools to achieve this goal.

• MSA Annual General Meeting -

June 3rd - Upper Miramichi Rural Community Centre - Boiestown

• Icebreaker Dinner and Auction -

June 3rd - NB Woodsmen's Museum - Boiestown

• 11th Annual MSA First Cast

June 24-25 Doaktown and Blackville

Miramichi Salmon Association

485 Route 420, South Esk, NB

E1V 4L9

506-622-4000| www.miramichisalmon.ca