Hello MSA supporters,

Hopefully you’ve been able to enjoy a bit of spring fishing so far. It looks like an early spring on our end for field work. We are prepping smolt wheels to go out for our smolt estimate and tracking programs, and we are also welcoming several students to assist us with our field, hatchery, and research efforts in the coming days.

To read Robyn's full report please click the link below.

This year the MSA has a variety of field programs on the go, and as it was an early spring in the Miramichi, we are off to a great start! Mark has been out tagging grilse for our join MSA/ASF tagging program (see bellow) and Lyndsay and the crew of summer students have the smolt wheels ready to go. For a detailed look of our 2021 field programs please click the link below.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the MSA has been unable to host our usual line up of spring dinners. In lieu of this, will be launching a spring auction which will run from May 14th until May 31st. We hope that instead of supporting the MSA by attending a dinner that you will consider participating in the auction. This auction is loaded with great items including; works of art by Luther Hall and Arthur Taylor, fishing equipment, MSA branded clothing, crafts, food - something for just about everyone! We will send out an email reminder when the auction launches. In addition to the items above, we will have the fishing trips listed below available.

Paul “Wayne” Jones was born in 1939 and spent his childhood years in the field with his father, Paul Jones.  There he learned about hunting and fishing with a focus on sportsmanship and the responsibility that we all owe the environment and to the game that bless our province.

Wayne grew into an avid, if not fanatical, outdoorsman.  In addition to hunting large and small game, he had a true passion for fishing; from trout to Atlantic salmon, Wayne spent countless hours perfecting his fishing technique, including tying his own salmon and trout flies.

Wayne passed on his passion for the outdoors to his son, Travis Jones, who adopted the lessons of sportsmanship and responsibility.  The two spent many years hunting and fishing together in the field.  A family tradition that will passed down through the family for generations to come.

As part of Wayne’s dedication to game and environment, he spent many years involved with Ducks Unlimited, at one point serving as the chairman of the Greater Moncton Committee. He developed an interest in wildlife artwork and collectibles, specifically Ducks Unlimited related items.  Over many years he amassed an impressive collection of framed prints and other art works, which hung proudly in his home for many years.

Now at 81 years of age, Wayne’s years in the field have largely come to an end and he has recently downsized his home. Wayne generously donated much of his artwork to Miramichi Salmon Association for fund raising directed toward conservation. Wayne’s passion for the mighty Atlantic Salmon has never faltered throughout the years and he hopes to contribute in some small way to the effort of ensuring that this mighty sport fish, continue to populate our waters for generations to come. Thank you Wayne!

We are pleased to welcome our new finance coordinator, Patty Sanderson. Patty brings a wealth of accounting and financial management experience to the MSA. Patty will be working closely with all MSA team members and is based at the South Esk office.

Rocky Bend Fishing Camp Raffle: Located between Rocky Brook and Clearwater Brook, this well-known private salmon fishing camp offers 7 productive pools, fabulous home-cooked meals, comfortable & relaxing accommodations and some of the finest river frontage found anywhere on the Miramichi. This trip is for 4 or 6 rods and includes two nights/three days of fishing (July 30 to August 1st) Arrive mid-afternoon on day one and leave right after lunch on day three. Ticket are $50 and can be purchased by clicking the link below. Limit of 400 tickets. Draw will be held on May 29th.

*Please note that this contest is open to amateur photographers only.

For detailed information on rules and to submit photos please click the link below.

The continued collaboration and cooperation is a good reminder of how much we can accomplish when we collaborate. MSA has a strong history of collaboration, and we will continue to work with our partners.

Last week we received an email from an angler in the Miramichi who hooked and released a tagged salmon while fishing this spring. It turns out that the fish was part of a DFO tagging program. If you happen to catch a tagged fish similar to the one pictured below, please remove the tag and send it, along with the date and location of capture, to the address on the back of the tag: Science Branch, Department of Fisheries and Oceans: PO 5030, Moncton NB E1C 9B6.

You can also send the information and a photo of the tag by email to Fishtag@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Be sure to include your name, address and phone number/email for contact purposes and to receive information on your fish. Anglers who return tags will have their names entered in the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization (NASCO) tag return incentive draw. Each year, a grand prize of US$2,500 is awarded as well as a US$1,500 prize for the North American area.

In these challenging times of COVID-19 we all have to do our part and follow health guidelines - and these days that includes wearing a face mask. If we have to wear one, why not support the MSA and salmon conservation efforts at the same time? To that end, we have ordered MSA branded face masks. The mask are for sale for $10 a each and can be purchased by clicking the link below.

We are planning for our 2021 MSA AGM on Saturday, May 29, at 10 am. For those of you who would like to attend in person, we will be holding the AGM at the Rodd Miramichi. A virtual option will be available for those joining remotely. To RSVP for this meeting (in-person and virtually), please contact Vanessa McLaughlin at admin@miramichisalmon.ca or call (506) 622-4000. This will help us with COVID-19 planning.

Board of directors- please note that we will have a board meeting immediately following the AGM.  

The MSA would like to encourage you to participate in our weekly Creel of Fortune 50/50 draw. It's fun, you could win some money, and it is a great way to support salmon conservation! Please click the link below to sign up or re-up on your lucky number. Good luck!

• Remember, use only single barbless/pinched hooks

 Membership in the MSA is the perfect way to express your passion and support for the Miramichi River, for the Atlantic salmon who make it their home, and for the vital work being done by the MSA to protect and conserve both for today and tomorrow!