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It’s the second-to-last edition of Rivernotes for this season. Many anglers have now put away their rods and moved on to other autumn activities. But salmon fishing is still open on a few rivers in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, and they seem to be providing good action.
This week Rivernotes has an update on the Penobscot in Maine, some upcoming events in Newfoundland and Labrador, plus great images of fall salmon from New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.
Toby Gow reports:
“Water levels on the Margaree are back to being quite low, but some potential rain is in the forecast, fresh fish are still being hooked daily, but not as nearly as frequently as the prior week.”
Maine DMR’s Jason Valliere reports from the Penobscot:
“Finally some fish to report! The final push to get to spawning grounds finally happened. Timming wise it occurred about 2 week later than the past few years, likely due to the lack of rain and the low water levels in the river. With dwindling daylight hours and rapidly dropping river temperatures they couldn’t wait any longer. Redd counting season is nearly upon us! Looks like we gained about 40 fish since my last update!”
Read Jason’s up-to-date run counts here.
In Newfoundland and Labrador, Program Director Kim Thompson reports on fishway passage work, as well as some upcoming events. She writes:
“DFO reminds anglers that their Salmon Angling Log for 2024 can be completed online. Please record your daily angling activity as accurately as possible, even if you did not fish but purchased a license. Angling log data plays an important role in the stock assessment process.
In early July I reported that the Salmon Preservation Association for the Waters of Newfoundland (SPAWN), its volunteers, the Corner Brook Stream Association, Corner Brook Pulp and Paper, the City of Corner Brook, ASF and FCAS were working in partnership to improve the Corner Brook fishway passage. Thanks to these partnerships and support from the community, SPAWN is pleased to announce that the work on the Corner Brook fishway passage is now complete. After losing two years of salmon return data due to mechanical issues, SPAWN is looking forward to counting the returns for summer 2025. SPAWN also hopes that the fishway passage located right in the heart of the city will serve as an educational experience for the public on the importance of salmon habitat and conservation measures.”
Kim continues:
“ASF is very pleased to partner with SPAWN and Tight Loops Tight Lines to bring the International Fly Fishing Film Festival to the Rotary Arts Centre in Corner Brook on Wednesday, November 6 at 19:30. This is a great opportunity to get out for a fun evening at the movies and to support your local salmon conservation association, SPAWN. Tickets are just 12$+ tax and can be purchased online.
On the east coast of Newfoundland, the 29th annual Guenter Behr Moose Stew hosted by the Salmon Association of Eastern Newfoundland (SAEN) will be held on Saturday, November 23, 2024, at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 1 (57 Blackmarsh Road, St. John’s) in aid of projects linked to salmon and trout conservation. There will be a silent auction with a wide variety of items available, including bargain Christmas shopping items for both fisherpersons and non-fishers. Wheel spins will be held for various prizes. Tickets are available for $30 per person via the SAEN office (info@saen.org or 709-722-9300) or from any SAEN Board member.”
In New Brunswick, angler Tom Walker writes:
“Finished the salmon season in NB with not much to report. Good bump of rain but the season had ended. On the way home I always try to leave time to hit a few of the Northumberland rivers. The same rain had brought those rivers up. I was lucky enough to hook two lovely fresh hens in the 12lb range.”
