Spring salmon are leaping high on the river going into the third week of the season. Many fish are being hooked with a small percentage being grilse. Salmon start moving more as the river is warming up into the mid to high 40s F (about 8 C). We are seeing some fish jump and even some rolling to the surface. The river levels are still very good but another rain wouldn’t hurt to keep the levels up where they are now. 

I was out fishing with Peter Beardsworth and Aaron Bourque of Riverview on Sunday. I would have to say Aaron’s salmon was the biggest weighing about 12 pounds and Peter’s just under 12 pounds. Both fish put up a great fight and were very silver for this time of year. Both salmon took a variation of the Green Slime which Peter tied, I must say.

Guide Derek Munn of the Ledges Inn said fishing is still very good with anglers hooking six to 12 fish per day. Water levels are still very good for the Doaktown area. Flies of choice were Marabous and Rabbit Strip’s and all on the cast.

Keith Wilson of Wilson’s Sporting Camps is also having very good fishing with lots of fish around. Many anglers that can cast good have an upper hand he said and are hooking some nice salmon. Sinking tips seem to be the line of the week as all fish were on the cast.

Country Haven Fishing Lodge is still having very good success on the lower stretch of the Southwest Miramichi River. Fishermen are hooking anywhere from four to 10 fish per day. Most fish are being hooked trolling with sinking lines. They are fishing from The Mouth of Cains River to the Renous area and seeing lots of fish.

In the Quarryville area, Chris Edmonds of C E Salmon Flies and Guiding said conditions have improved. River levels for the area are very good and have salmon and the odd trout taking the fly.

The Northwest Miramichi River still has some fish around and many anglers are hooking up. River levels are still good but again could use a little rain to keep the levels where they are now. Some anglers are hooking some small trout from the eight to 12-inch range.

Some good news on the river as DFO finally opened a striped bass season yesterday. Anglers can keep one bass per day or hook and release as many as they can catch. The size you can keep is 55 to 65 centimetres and it is measured from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail. Single barbless hooks and if using bait use circle hooks. The season will last two weeks from May 1 to 15 with hook and release to follow.

Flies of choice for salmon on the river are Green Slimes, Black Rabbit Strips, Renous Specials, Mogot Smelts, Grey and Black Ghost along with many Marabou patterns. Size of hooks seem to vary from 1/0 to 5/0 single barbless.

With the opening day of trout season yesterday, things are  active here on the river. I will keep you posted on the trout over the next few weeks also as we hook up.

With all this beautiful weather we are having, and great river conditions it is a very good time to be canoeing, kayaking or fishing. So if you’re in need of any gear for these activities you can contact the local fly shops in the Miramichi River area.

To name a few for you, starting in Miramichi City, is Miramichi Electronics that has fishing gear in the city centre, Miramichi City Surplus in Derby, George’s Fly Shop in Renous, Curtis Miramichi River Outfitters in Blackville, W.W. Doak in Doaktown area, and if you’re on the Northwest Miramichi drop into Trout Brook Fly Shop. Most of these places will give you a river report daily if you drop in.

And if anyone has any reports on salmon, trout or striped bass for the Miramichi area you would like to have posted, please forward your information to me at miramichifishingreports@hotmail.com and I’ll try my best to include it. I do not need to know your hot spots just a description of the fish and which river if you like to include that you have fished. I am always looking for more reports for my readers.

Until next week have a great week on the water and tight lines.

■ Rodney Colford is a third-generation salmon guide of the Miramichi and has been guiding fishermen for 28 years. His column appears in the Times & Transcript every Thursday.