Happy New Brunswick Day

Happy New Brunswick Day!

The Southwest Miramichi River below the Black Rapids pool has been high for most of the summer. The river temperature has been consistent for the last week in the low to mid 50's (F), and the springs coming into the river are a surprising 46 degrees.

Have you taken advantage of our summer and fall specials and now you're counting down the days until you travel? Here's a way to whet your appetite for Atlantic salmon fishing even more ... follow the river conditions on our website any time of the day or night. .

Even though the river conditions were not in his favor, a current guest and his guide covered a lot of water, allowing him to catch and release a 9-pound grilse and a really nice 18-pound salmon. Because we're seeing a lot of salmon jumping, we keep trying to determine what they're "hungry for." Seems we're getting good rolls on different flies such as the shady lady, green machine white tail, and of course our time-tested black bear green butt.

With the still young and the river up and running, canoeing and kayaking are fantastic options for non-angling guests. Local New Brunswick tourism is a "must" when traveling to Miramichi Black Rapids Lodge, and we're happy to help you experience as much of our friendly province as possible.

Leapers!

Spotting the "leaper" in late summer is always an encouraging sign for a big fall run as Atlantic salmon being their return to the river for winter. While the Miramichi's water is temporarily high, it's dropping quickly, and with the river's temperature up into the 60's (F), we'll begin using our dry flies as soon as the water level lowers.

As cliche as it may seem, time really does fly when you're having fun. Already it's the end of July and we're keeping our fingers crossed (and spotters looking for those leapers!) that 2009 will parallel the 2008 season, which is when we saw our first big run of grilse. Prior to the waters rising, we'd caught and released some really nice grilse, and we're optimistic we'll see some big salmon over the next few months.

Of course, we're not just waiting for the fish to arrive; we're teaching youths how to catch them when they do! We're really eager to present the Youth Fly-Fishing School along with the Miramichi Salmon Association August 23-26, 2009. Learn more about it by visiting our website, and don't forget to check out our Summer/Fall booking specials.

Experience the magic of the legendary Miramichi River this summer or fall. It's a decision you won't regret.

MSA Fly Fishing Camp

While it's unlikely Atlantic salmon fly fishing will ever be as popular an activity as hockey, soccer, or football, it has a few advantages:

• It's accessible to just about anyone, regardless of age or gender (provided they can travel to New Brunswick, where Atlantic salmon runs are legendary), though the sooner you begin learning, the longer you'll have to enjoy it.
• Special exercise or conditioning consists primarily of ensuring your casting wrist and shoulder remains flexible, and the ability to "dream big" is constantly nurtured. And it has an upswing: the risk of broken bones is greatly decreased.
• Any dietary needs are easily accommodated, though we tend to favor hearty, well-balanced meals in lieu of protein powder and egg white omelets.
• Your coach won't yell at you or force you through excrutiating drills, but your guide will give you excellent instruction and help you cast for the biggest salmon possible.

We've partnered with the Miramichi Salmon Association to deliver at least one, and possibly two, youth fly fishing schools this August. Details are included on our website.

If you'd like to assist a youth in developing skills that provide lifelong fulfillment, consider this unique opportunity.

Action! Camera! Lights!

Check your local listings and get your DVR's set to record: Miramichi Black Rapids Lodge will be featured on a soon-to-air episode of Fly Rod Chronicles. We just wish the crew would've been here to film this gorgeous 20-lb. salmon our guest Darryl caught and released on June 27 (he was using a black bear green butt). Oh well, all the more reason to return!

Fly Rod Chronicles will air four times the week of July 13th -19th on The Sportsman Channel, which is their national carrier. The program will repeat in October for four airings. Local affiliates will air at different times throughout the year as well. Make sure you visit their site and keep your eyes out for their visit to Miramichi Black Rapids Lodge.

Warming Trends On The Miramichi

It seems like it was just yesterday we arrived at the lodge to begin chipping away the ice and “hurrying along” the snow melt. Now we look around and the landscape is completely green with trees leafed-out, and bald eagles, black ducks, loons and, of course, Canadian geese filling the sky.

During this time the Atlantic salmon around whom we so diligently plan our calendars are feeding in the open ocean, and while we’re eagerly awaiting their return we’re spending our slow fishing days taking in some of the other sites and scenes offered here in New Brunswick. The culture and history of the Maritimes are a very important part of the Miramichi Black Rapids Lodge.

Our “Must-Do Short List” includes:

*Beaubears Island

Beaubears Island, situated in the Miramichi River, is located just outside the boundaries of the City of Miramichi, between the former Town of Newcastle and the Village of Nelson-Miramichi. In 2002 Beaubears Island was recognized for two designations of historical significance by the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada. This month afternoon and evening boat tours will depart from Bicentennial Parke, Nelson-Miramichi waterfront.

*Atlantic Salmon Museum

Located along the banks of the main southwest Miramichi River in the Village of Doaktown, the museum is a short ride from the lodge. Through its many interpretive displays, the museum illustrates the life and history of the Atlantic Salmon – as well as the people who live to cast for it.

Our spring season has been wonderful and we wish to thank our customers for supporting MBR. We caught and released fish ranging from large to small, but whether it was a 46-inch salmon or a 3-pound trout, each carried with it a great story of how it was caught, and what it meant to the angler. That’s what we’re about – creating experiences that lead to stories, and stories that lead to lasting memories.

Salmon and Stars

When the 4-man filming crew from Fly Rod Chronicles arrived at the airport in Fredericton, I could just hear host Curtis Fleming saying “We are here today on the banks of the Miramichi River …” We knew Douglas, Greg, Gene and Steve – who hail collectively from Virginia and West Virginia – were eager for an authentic Miramichi River experience fishing for Atlantic salmon and trout, and we were ready to live up to those expectations.

The crew was filming for a show scheduled to air in August, and we hope you’ll visit their site frequently to stay posted on details.

Only minutes after hitting the water, Greg hooked a nice salmon that was released on the Pink Lady, just downriver from Miramichi Black Rapids Lodge. It’s always exciting when a nice fish is caught early on, as it sets the mood for the duration of the trip.

Greg’s morning success earned him the esteemed position at the head of the table, a long-established MBR tradition honoring the guest who catches and releases the largest salmon of the day. This practice also sets the tone for even more competition, and though he eventually reigned over the table for the entire trip - despite the beautiful salmon Douglas landed on the second afternoon – the group gave him a hard time as they pressed for the head seat.

Along with the nice salmon caught and released, the group also had opportunities to catch some sea-run brook trout, a favorite pastime as the weather continues warming. Other activities and tourism options are available at the Mighty Miramichi Tourism site. Visit to learn more about an authentic Miramichi experience, and call us if you’re interested in fishing the famous river for the legendary Atlantic salmon.

Fiddleheads Emerge ... Bring On Summer!

The unfurled fronds of a fern as it begins growing each spring are known as “fiddleheads.” A seasonal delicacy in the Canadian Maritimes, they represent the eagerly anticipated and rapidly approaching summer, inspiring song lyrics about “fiddlehead and gaspereau,”* though at Miramichi Black Rapids Lodge, we pair them with salmon – purchased, of course, and never from our catch-and-release river!

Learn more about fiddleheads here.

The gathering of fiddleheads signifies the transition from spring to summer fishing, giving us something more to anticipate as June approaches.

Why is June such a great month for fishing?

• The first run beginning around June 10 – end of month usually consists of larger salmon.
• Fish caught in June have not been in the river long; they’re very fresh and take the fly eagerly as the water is still cool!
• Great brook trout (the salmon actually don’t have a monopoly on the river!) with fish averaging between .5lb. to 7 lbs. And the good news? You CAN keep and clean them!

Interested in a weekend lodging adventure during this glorious time of year? We’ll be happy to accommodate your group. Family and friends will find plenty to do (or not do, depending on preference) at our warm and inviting lodge. Children can float the river in a canoe while dad fishes, and mom can watch it unfold from the front porch with her feet propped up and a great book in her hands.

Learn more by visiting our website, calling (800) 281-7991, or email brslodge@westervelt.com.

*Gaspereau is a rural community in Nova Scotia, named for the Gaspereau fish which migrates up its river each spring.