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.

Vol. 85 August 2025

Dear MSA Members and Supporters,

As we soak up the heart of summer, I’m excited to share that our field programs are in full swing! Lyndsay and her team are hard at work across the watershed, carrying out vital conservation projects, monitoring efforts, and habitat maintenance to support the Atlantic salmon we all care so deeply about. Their energy and commitment during this busy season are truly appreciated.

We’re also thrilled to announce that Manley Price has been selected as this year’s recipient of MSA’s Bud Bird Award in Atlantic Salmon Conservation. Manley’s decades-long dedication to the Miramichi and its salmon has been nothing short of remarkable. We’ll be honouring him at a special ceremony on October 2nd at the Hugh John Flemming Forestry Centre, and we hope you’ll join us in celebrating this well-deserved recognition.

That same evening, we’ll gather at our Fredericton Fall Fundraising Dinner to celebrate two outstanding champions of salmon conservation: Norm Betts and Laura Gilks. Norm and Laura have made lasting contributions to the MSA and the health of the Miramichi watershed, and we can’t wait to shine a spotlight on their incredible contributions. It’s shaping up to be a fantastic evening—be sure to reserve your spot using the ticket link below!

Adding to the excitement, October 2nd will once again be proclaimed Atlantic Salmon Conservation Day in Fredericton, thanks to the ongoing support of Mayor Kate Rogers and the City of Fredericton. We’ll be raising the MSA flag at City Hall that morning to mark the occasion, and we’d love to see you there as we celebrate this important day for salmon and the river.

Looking further ahead, our Saint John Autumn Fundraising Dinner is set for October 22nd. It promises to be another great evening with fellow supporters from southern New Brunswick—more details and a link to tickets will be coming soon.

And one last note: our Fall Board of Directors Meeting will be held on November 15th at the Hilton Garden Inn in Freeport.

As always, thank you for your ongoing support and dedication to the mission of the MSA. Let’s keep the momentum going!

Warm regards,

William (Butch) Dalton

President, Miramichi Salmon Association

MSA President Butch Dalton with Ian's wife, Wilma (Sproull) Gilchrist

The 2025 recipient of the MSA Bud Bird Award in Atlantic Salmon Conservation is Manley Price, a long-serving director, former Chairman, and dedicated volunteer with the Miramichi Salmon Association. For decades, Manley has generously contributed his time, leadership, and unwavering commitment to the preservation and restoration of Atlantic salmon throughout the Miramichi watershed. The Bud Bird Award Committee is proud to recognize Manley with the highest honour the MSA can bestow—an award that celebrates not only his exceptional service, but also his enduring passion for conservation and community stewardship.

Please save the date: We will be hosting an award ceremony in Manley's honour on October 2nd at 2:30 PM at the Hugh John Flemming Forestry Centre in Fredericton. All are welcome to attend and help us celebrate this well-deserved recognition.

Cold water brooks provide critically important habitat for adult and juvenile salmon, especially during warm water events. Each year, the MSA field team revisits former cold water habitat restoration sites to assess if restorations are still functioning. Necessary maintenance work to ensure sufficient cold water flow is carried out at each location, and snorkel surveys are performed to evaluate if fish species are using these cold water habitats.

Sarah Sommerville and MSA President Butch Dalton

The Miramichi Salmon Association is excited to announce that Sarah Sommerville is the 2025 recipient of the MSA Wild Salmon Grant at St. Thomas University. Sarah is a recent graduate of STU with a Bachelor of Arts in History, and she will be returning to university in the fall of 2026 to begin her Master’s degree. Sarah’s project explores the historical development and lasting impact of fly fishing (sport fishing) in New Brunswick — with particular attention to the Miramichi River watershed — as a legal, cultural, and ecological practice that influenced access to salmon and shaped provincial conservation policies. It examines how the emergence of exclusive sport-fishing zones affected Indigenous fishing traditions and how these dynamics continue to inform contemporary approaches to conservation.

The Bud Bird Indigenous Grant was established by Mr. Bud Bird, a lifelong advocate for environmental protection, public service, and Atlantic salmon conservation. Bud Bird has been a tireless champion of Indigenous reconciliation, education, and environmental responsibility throughout his distinguished career in politics, conservation, and community service. This grant reflects his enduring belief that partnerships with Indigenous communities are essential to the future of salmon conservation and environmental leadership in New Brunswick.

Awarded annually, the grant supports Indigenous students at St. Thomas University who demonstrate academic excellence and a commitment to community leadership, conservation, or the advancement of Indigenous knowledge and perspectives. Sarah's passion for history, her focus on Indigenous narratives, and her future academic goals embody the spirit and intent of the grant.

On behalf of the MSA and our partners, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to Sarah and wish her all the best as she continues her studies.

The Brian Smith Memorial Photo Contest is an opportunity for photographers to showcase their best shots of the Miramichi River and its surroundings. This is an annual event that runs from April 15th until October 15th. The MSA invites participants to submit their best photos capturing the beauty and diversity of the Miramichi watershed. This photo contest is open to all amateur photographers. Contest categories include Miramichi People, Angling, Miramichi Scenes, and Kids.

Our 2025 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

Fredericton Dinner & Auction

October 2nd

Bud Bird Award in Salmon Conservation

Hugh John Flemming Forestry Centre

October 2nd - 2:30PM

Autumn Dinner & Auction in Saint John

October 22nd

Board of Directors Meeting

Hilton Garden Inn - Freeport, ME

November 15th



If you are not already receiving The Leaper automatically:

Miramichi Salmon Association

485 Route 420

South Esk NB E1V 4L9

506-622-4000

admin@miramichisalmon.ca

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