MIRAMICHI, N.B. – The Miramichi River is a premier salmon fishing destination, but there aren’t as many places to fish along the river this week.
The Dept. of Fisheries and Oceans has banned fishing along sections of the river because warm temperatures are forcing salmon into cold pools.
The Miramichi Salmon Association agrees the ban was needed.
“They all want to get in the nice cool spot. So, they jostle around the cold spot so sometimes they’re only in a foot of water,” he explained.
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The pools sound like a fishermen’s dream, but the Salmon Association said they should leave the fish alone.
“If they are stressed too much in warm waters, they’ll die afterwards,” Hambrook said.
He said if you hook a large salmon, for example, you have to let it go and if it’s already stressed because of the conditions it will probably still die.
Tyler Storey’s been fishing the Miramichi ever since he can remember.
He said he has no problem with the ban being in place.
“They don’t need the pressure of the anglers trying to force them out of the pools or out of the cold water,” he said. “I think it’s a very smart idea to close them.”
Taking a bit of time off won’t be a big deal for fisherman, such as Storey.
he said there’s plenty of days left in the summer, and in the fall, to fish the mighty Miramichi.
Storey supports the ban and he says others should too.
“They don’t need the pressure of the anglers trying to force them out of the pools or out of the cold water i thin its a very smart idea to close them,” he said. “They really need to be protected they really need us to look after them.”
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