ASF Rivernotes 28 Aug 2020

If Atlantic salmon returning to migrate upstream and spawn could ask for a gift it would be for rain and cool nights. Thankfully single digit temperatures have returned and rain is in the forecast.

Yet despite the hot and dry summer this year, Atlantic salmon have showed up in respectable numbers compared to recent years.

It seems Atlantic salmon at sea experienced a better winter, with some combination of sufficient food supply, lower predation, and lower levels of fishing in Greenland waters.

Now there is talk of Hurricane Laura that may impact Nova Scotia and parts of Newfoundland this coming weekend. These storms cause great damage and no one loses sight of that, but they leave behind a lot of rain too – encouragement for salmon to start moving again.

Rattling Brook Counts 1,000 Atlantic salmon in 2020

The Rattling Brook watershed in central Newfoundland is small by the standard of other salmon rivers, but its 384 square kilometre (150 square mile) watershed includes some remarkably productive  habitat.

For example, an archaeological dig at the mouth of the river in 2005 uncovered artifacts from three waves of Indigenous settlement, one more than 5,000 years old. The lead archaeologist at the time proclaimed, “this site is probably the largest warm season salmon processing site in all of North America.”

Angling on Rattling Brook caught on in the early 20th century, but then salmon were completely blocked by the construction of a hydro dam with no fish passage in the 1950s.

Some Rattling Brook salmon were moved to the nearby Big Rattling Brook and other waterways. They established themselves, but the run on Rattling Brook was finished.

That’s until the nearby town of Norris Arm struck a committee in 1999 to investigate the possibility of a recovery program. Officials determined that restoration could provide $3 million in annual revenue to the community through a sustainable recreation fishery and the Rattling Brook Salmon Restoration Committee was born.

Starting in 2011, 50 adult salmon were captured from Big Rattling Brook, where the original Rattling Brook salmon were relocated, and placed back in their ancestral stream.

By 2013, Newfoundland Power, had completed their contribution to the project; a $5 million project to establish fish passage at the utility’s hydro dam on Rattling Brook.

Transplanting adults continued for four more season. When stocking was complete, 2,310 fish had been placed throughout the Rattling Brook watershed. With primary problems like fish passage addressed, the number of salmon returning kept increasing, hitting a milestone 1,000 and counting this year.

The perseverance of the Rattling Brook Salmon Restoration Committee, and the willing participation of partners like the Exploits River Environmental Resources Management Association, DFO, and NL Power are a model to follow.

Salmon conservation is a marathon, and Rattling Brook is proof that when the right decisions are made, wild Atlantic Salmon respond.

While not every Atlantic salmon river on the island of Newfoundland is doing well, there are many that have improved significantly over 2019.

The Exploits River is one of those, and with relief the count is just about at 20,000, and a 51 per cent improvement over 2019.

It seems that the West Coast rivers are doing well, overall, although it is a pity that DFO is not operating the Didson counting equipment on Harry’s River in 2020.

Little Barachois Brook has reached 776, nearly double the 417 last year. And Corner Brook Stream, another stream being restored, has reached a record return of 178, far better than the 78 last year, or 95, the last five-year average.

There is much to celebrate, even though many rivers have been hot and dry.

Changing Status of Salmon Rivers

With the change to cooler temperatures, quite a number of rivers have recently reopened. To check the status of rivers, go to:

https://inter-j01.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/isrs/report

Nathan Wilbur, ASF Director of New Brunswick Programs, says:

Finally the rains and cooler weather have come, but maybe not to the extent we need.

Some of the rivers have seen localized rain and good raises in water. With the cool nights, water temperatures are now down to fairly comfortable conditions from Atlantic salmon between 15-20 degrees Celsius on most rivers with temperature gauges.

(Below is a graph of the Upsalquitch. To check updates, go to:

https://wateroffice.ec.gc.ca/mainmenu/real_time_data_index_e.html

http://mreac.org/projects-2/real-time-monitoring

This change to cooler, wetter conditions has resulted in some excellent fishing reports over the past few days, mostly in areas where summer run salmon are holding close to cold water pools.

Of course, the fall run hasn’t kicked off yet but these conditions should start tempting salmon in the estuaries to begin making their way upriver. We’ll need more rain and a big raise in water for that. Fingers crossed for hurricane remnants this weekend and next week. From past experience, a big raise in water in early September can provide some of the best fishing of the season.

Miramichi

Paul Elson made a few comments on the conditions this summer:

I haven’t been out fishing much due to the warm/low water since middle of July, but will possibly start morning fishing in the next week as the overnight temperatures are getting down between 10-15C and the water temperatures are starting to drop.

I have noticed a significant increase in repeat or 3 season MSW fish this year, possibly from the ASF/Greenland agreement, a great sign.

Water on the Little Southwest, Northwest and Renous was extremely low. In fact, it was close to the lowest I have ever seen.We need that hurricane to come through…

The Northwest Miramichi Barrier has not had many fish in the week ending Aug. 23. To that date a total of 89 grilse and 128 large salmon have been counted, vs. 122 grilse and 49 large salmon in 2019.

The Dungarvon Barrier, a measure used for the Southwest Miramichi, has had only a single grilse in the week to Aug. 23. The total to that date in 2020 is 86 grilse and 70 large salmon, vs. 81 grilse and 68 large salmon in 2019.

St. John River

The Aug. 15 counts are posted, and they continue to be low.

To that date there have been 120 large salmon, vs. 183 in 2019 to Aug. 15 – and vs. 1,032 for the average of 1997 to 2001.

For grilse, there have been 330 to Aug. 15, vs. 498 in 2019 to that date, and vs. 2,768 for the five-year average 1997 to 2001.

Water levels recently were abysmal and similar to 2019 low levels. Although anglers are having some success on certain rivers, any help from Mother Nature will be received with thanks.

The data used for the Quebec river notes are sourced from various river websites, social media and Quebec government sources. Information can change without prior notification regarding prior year comparative figures.

Les niveaux d’eau continuent d’être très bas et semblables aux bas niveaux de 2019. Bien que les pêcheurs connaissent un certain succès sur certaines rivières, toute aide de dame nature sera reçue avec gratitude.
Les données utilisées dans ce rapport proviennent de divers sites web, des médias sociaux et de sources gouvernementales québécoises. Les informations peuvent changer sans avis au préalable en ce qui concerne les comparatifs des saisons précédentes.

Rivières York, Dartmouth and St-Jean Rivers

Most recent catch statistics are available at:

https://saumongaspe.com/en/peche-saumon-gaspe/statistiques.html

Les statistiques récentes des prises peuvent être consultées au :

https://saumongaspe.com/peche-saumon-gaspe/statistiques.html

Rivière Cascapedia River

The MicMac Camp is reporting very low water conditions (but have seen lower). The success rate their guests are experiencing remains strong. To Aug. 10, anglers have landed and released 578 salmon. For the entire 2019 season, guests had released a total of 595 salmon.

Le camp MicMac fait rapport de condition d’eau très basse. Par contre, le taux de succès de leurs clients demeure élevé. Au 10 août, cumulativement pour la saison, leurs clients ont capturé et relâché 578 saumons. Pendant la saison 2019, ils avaient relâché un total de 595 saumons.

Rivière Bonaventure River

Conditions on the river continue to be challenging. To August 15th, for the season, a total of 881 fish have been landed (592 salmon released and 289 grilse).

Compared to August 10th, 2019, to date, 762 fish had been reported landed including 602 released and 160 grilse harvested.

To August 11, 2018, for the season 1,080 fish were reported land to that date including 704 released and 378 grilse harvested.

Les conditions de pêche continuent d’être difficiles. Au 15 août, cumulativement pour la saison, 881 poissons ont été capturés dont 592 saumons relâchés et 289 madeleineaux récoltés.

Par rapport au 10 août 2019, à ce jour, 762 poissons avaient été déclarés capturés, dont 602 relâchés et 160 madeleineaux récoltés.

Au 11 août 2018, pour la saison, 1 080 poissons avaient été capturés, dont 704 relâchés et 378 madeleineaux récoltés.

Rivière Matane River

The Matane continues to have great migration numbers. To August 16th a total of 2,278 fish have been counted (1,478 salmon and 800 grilse).

A year ago, to August, 20 2019, 1,690 fish had been counted including 1,054 large salmon and 636 grilse.

Cumulatively on August 21, 2018, a total of 1,654 fish had migrated through the fishway including 898 large salmon and 756 grilse.

On the angling side as of August 16th, 519 fish have been landed (213 salmon and 54 grilse released, 49 salmon and 203 grilse harvested).

To August 20th, 2019, 492 fish had been reported to have been landed which included 198 large salmon and 28 grilse released. Also, 58 large salmon and 208 grilse had been harvested.

Le décompte de la Matane maintien son rythme très encourageant, au 16 août, 2 278 poissons ont été dénombrés dont 1 478 saumons et 800 madeleineaux.

Cumulativement au 20 août 2019, 1 690 poissons avaient été dénombrés, dont 1 054 saumons et 636 madeleineaux. Au 21 août 2018, un total de 1 654 poissons avait migré dans la passe migratoire, dont 898 saumons et 756 madeleineaux.

Du côté de la pêche sportive au 16 août, 519 poissons ont été capturés (213 saumons et 54 madeleineaux relâchés, 49 saumons et 203 madeleineaux récoltés).

Au 20 août 2019, 492 poissons auraient été capturés, dont 198 saumons et 28 madeleineaux relâchés. De plus, 58 saumons et 208 madeleineaux avaient été récoltés.

Rivière Madeleine River

The Madeleine river is situated on the north side of the Gaspé peninsula and has a very special fishway that was designed back in the 1960’s which is excavated in the mountain next to the natural waterfall that fish can’t navigate. The late Wilfred Carter, chairman emeritus of ASF was involved at the time as an employee of the Quebec provincial government.

To date on August 17th, 1,563 fish have been counted made up of 847 salmon and 716 grilse.

On August 21st, 2019, a total of 725 fish had been counted including 516 large salmon and 209 grilse.

At the same date in August 2018, 647 fish had migrated through the fishway including 335 large salmon and 312 grilse.

La rivière Madeleine est située sur le côté nord de la péninsule gaspésienne et possède une passe migratoire très spéciale qui a été conçue dans les années 1960 et qui est creusée dans la montagne à côté de la cascade naturelle que les poissons ne peuvent pas franchir. Le regretté Wilfred Carter, président émérite de la FSA était impliqué a l’époque dans ce projet comme employé du gouvernement du Québec.

Cumulativement au 17 août, 1 563 poissons ont été dénombrés, soit 847 saumons et 716 madeleineaux.

Le 21 août 2019, un total de 725 poissons avait été dénombré dont 516 saumons et 209 madeleineaux. À la même date en août 2018, 647 poissons avaient migré à travers la passe migratoire, dont 335 saumons et 312 madeleineaux.

Rivière Matapédia River

The CGRMP which manages the Matapedia, Patapedia and the Causapscal Rivers are reporting 845 fish landed for the season to August 16th, of which 528 released and 317 harvested.

On the same date in 2019, 934 had been landed on the Matapedia comprised of 577 fish released and 357 fish harvested.

To the same date in 2018, CGRMP reported a total of 886 fish landed which included 446 released and 450 fish harvested.

La CGRMP, corporation qui gère les rivières Matapédia, Patapédia et Causapscal déclarent que 845 poissons ont été capturés cumulativement au 16 août, dont 528 relâchés et 317 récoltés.

À la même date en 2019, 934 avaient été capturés sur la Matapédia, soit 577 relâchés et 357 récoltés.

En 2018 au 16 aout, la CGRMP a signalé un total de 886 poissons capturés, dont 446 relâchés et 450 récoltés.

Rivière Mitis River

This season to August 17th, 674 salmon and 657 grilse have been counted for a total of 1,331 fish. 100 fish have been released and 49 fish harvested for a total of 149 fish landed.

As of August 21st, 2019, 846 fish including 422 salmon and 424 grilse had been counted using the trap infrastructure. Also, to date, 174 fish have been landed by anglers including 81 large salmon released and 93 grilse harvested.

In 2018 at the same August date, 431 fish including 94 large salmon and 337 grilse were counted. Also, to date, 73 fish had been reported landed including 15 salmon released and 58 grilse harvested.

Cette saison au 17 août, 674 saumons et 657 madeleineaux ont été dénombrés pour un total de 1 331. 100 ont été relâchés et 49 récoltés pour un total de 149.

En date du 21 août 2019, 846 poissons, dont 422 saumons et 424 madeleineaux, avaient été dénombrés. De plus, à ce jour, 174 poissons ont été capturés par les pêcheurs sportifs, dont 81 saumons relâchés et 93 madeleineaux récoltés.

En 2018, à la même date en août, 431 poissons, dont 94 saumons et 337 madeleineaux étaient dénombrés. De plus, à ce jour, 73 poissons ont été déclarés capturés, dont 15 saumons relâchés et 58 madeleineaux récoltés.

Rivière Rimouski River

To August 16th, 355 fish have been counted (195 salmon and 160 grilse) To the same date in 2019, 575 fish had migrated through the fishway (281 salmon and 204 grilse).

Also, to date in 2020, anglers have landed 52 fish comprised of 27 salmon released and 25 grilse harvested.

At the same date in 2018, 395 fish were counted through the fishway (220 large salmon and 179 grilse). Anglers had landed for the season to date, 47 large salmon had been released and 38 grilse harvested for a total of 86.

Au 16 août, 355 poissons ont été dénombrés (195 saumons et 160 madeleineaux) à pareille date en 2019, 575 poissons avaient été dénombrés (281 saumons et 204 madeleineaux).

De plus, à ce jour en 2020, les pêcheurs sportifs ont capturé 52 poissons, dont 27 saumons relâchés et 25 madeleineaux récoltés.

Cumulativement à la même date en 2018, 395 poissons ont été dénombrés (220 saumons et 179 madeleineaux). Les pêcheurs avaient relâché à ce jour 47 saumons et récolté 38 madeleineaux pour un total de 86.

Penobscot

Jason Valliere, Scientist with the Maine Department of Marine Resources, says:

The Milford fishlift is back up and running after the scheduled maintenance shutdown. We captured 3 MSW this week at Milford plus 1 MSW at Orono adding to our total which is now 1,443 Atlantic salmon.

A total of 221 fish (190 MSW and 31 Grilse) have been sent to Craig Brook National Fish Hatchery for broodstock.

Counts have not been adjusted for in-season recaptures based on PIT Tag, Radio Tag, or proration. Counts will be adjusted as data become available.

Kennebec

ASF and partners have continued to be active in restoration work, especially on tributaries of the Kennebec River in August.

Maranda Nemeth has been working on parr surveys on the Sandy River, the segment of the Kennebec River where adult salmon are trucked due its excellent salmon habitat.

Streams throughout Nova Scotia have been very low and warm until the last few days. Now it is likely that the entire province may see the effect of Hurricane Laura this coming weekend.