ASF Rivernotes 22 May 2020

Canada and the U.S. have agreed for the border to remain closed until at least June 21, when the situation will be reevaluated. In Canada, interprovincial and even intra-provincial boundaries remain in place, limiting access to places away from home.

Provincial governments in Atlantic Canada have expressed a strong desire to maintain control of their borders to prevent coronavirus from entering a region with only a handful of active cases of Covid-19. In Quebec, travel is restricted between regions. A resident of Gatineau could not visit the Gaspé or North Shore of the St. Lawrence.

The renormalization of interprovincial and international travel will be a decision made at the highest levels of government, and negotiated between countries. So far, decision makers have leaned toward an abundance of precaution.

That’s the situation in North America. In Norway, the national government has ordered Norwegians to stay in the country and foreigners not to visit until August. In Iceland, the picture is different. The country is preparing to welcome foreign travellers beginning June 15th. Check out details on the international situation below.

Sheepscot

Reports from the field describe alewife running well inland on the Sheepscot River, past the former Head Tide Dam, partially removed in 2019, and the Coopers Mills Dam, completely removed in 2018. At both sites, ASF, the Midcoast Conservancy, and The Nature Conservancy worked with local communities to return free flow to the river and beautify the surrounding area.

The Sheepscot is the southernmost U.S. river where Atlantic salmon consistently return and spawn in the wild, despite most headwater habitat being blocked by dams for more than two centuries. It is one of seven rivers in the Gulf of Maine with genetically unique Atlantic salmon.

We are currently working on restoring access for migratory fish at two other sites in the Sheepscot watershed; at the Branch Pond Dam and into Sheepscot Pond, significant steps to helping our federal partners achieve the goals of the Recovery Plan for Gulf of Maine Atlantic Salmon.

The Newfoundland and Labrador Angler’s Guide for the 2020 season was just published: http://www.nfl.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/NL/AG/anglersguide

This is a document put out annually by Fisheries and Oceans Canada which outlines the rules for trout and salmon angling in the coastal and inland waters of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Don Ivany, ASF Director of Programs for Newfoundland and Labrador, recently inspected some of the rivers down toward the Bay St. George and Stephenville area of western Newfoundland. Water remains cold and flow levels high.

Margaree

Greg Lovely, who has been on the river in the past few days reports:

“I am just back from a little trout fishing on the Margaree River. Water levels are good and there are some beautiful trout starting to feed on mayflies. Air and water temperatures in the Margaree remain very cold. Today’s air temperature is 7C.

“I was by Lake Ainslie on the Southwest Branch of the Margaree. More than a decade ago, invasive smallmouth bass were illegally dumped into this lake and because the lake is so big, Inland Fisheries of Nova scotia and DFO gave up on any attempts to control or eradicate this invasive species.

“In the Margaree, it has been shown that the smolt migration does not really get going until the first week of June, when the water temperatures have warmed to around 10 C.“

Crown Reserve Update

The NB government just released an update on the rules for the use of Crown Reserve waters, prime salmon and trout stretches open to residents through an annual draw. Here’s the text of the message sent to anglers this morning:

“This is a reminder that Crown Reserve payment is due May 29, 2020.

Crown Reserve angling will proceed this summer with some changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic in an effort to keep New Brunswickers safe.

Successful applicants will still have the opportunity to enjoy these prime angling waters, however the camps will be closed on the stretches that have accommodations. Anglers will need to make alternate plans to either camp outdoors on the property or commute.

Physical distancing measures will be in place for Crown Reserve fishing. Party members outside of their two family bubble will need to travel and camp separately.

Please note, if payment is not made by May 29, 2020, your stretch date will automatically be put back in the pool of available dates.

Please respond to this email by letting the department know if you still plan on going on your Crown Reserve trip. Payments can be made by credit card on the Crown Reserve portal at:

https://dnr-mrn.gnb.ca/CrownReservePortal/Default.aspx

Check out this video submitted by ASF’s Director of Programs for N.B., Nathan Wilbur, filmed last weekend on the North Branch of the Oromocto River, a tributary of the lower St. John River. High water levels have allowed healthy numbers of fish to pass an aggressive lobster bait fishery targeting alewives in the estuary of Oromocto.

Miramichi

Brock Curtis of Curtis Miramichi Outfitters notes:

“The tributaries here on the Miramichi are in great shape for canoeing. Quite a few people are enjoying the backcountry in their canoes and kayaks while river levels are good.

“Warmer daily temperatures are greening things up and we have been enjoying fresh fiddleheads for a few days now. Water temperatures are still cool but the warmer temperatures are making it a bit more encouraging for Brook Trout to take as we are hearing of more anglers hooking into trout each day.

“There are still a few salmon kelts hanging around below Blackville in the Quarryville area. Good numbers are still being brought in and released. Enough to keep many local salmon fisherman happy. Striped Bass are being fished just below Quarryville near Doyles Brook and have been spotted in Quarryville.

“Lots of comments from anglers coming through the tackle shop that the warmer forecast this week will bring better angling conditions.“

Charles Cusson, ASF Director of Programs for Quebec notes:

“The first salmon angling of the season should have started on the Causapscal on May 23. However, all angling on the Causapscal in May has been cancelled and will start on June 1.

On May 25 angling will start on the York, Dartmouth, and Saint-Jean rivers in Gaspé and the Moisie on the North Shore of the St. Lawrence.

“River levels in the lower St. Lawrence and Gaspé seem to have stabilized around normal for this time of year. On the North Shore it will be another 7 to 10 days before peak flows are reached.”

Details on the Quebec season so far…

The collection of data performed via fish ladders, counting fences and in-river counts will be performed as usual.

Resource protection and enforcement will be in place with the presence of accredited provincial conservation officers and local auxiliary conservation representatives. Private camp and outfitters that will not be open for business will have guardians in place during the season.

Registration of releases and catches will be done on-line, coordinated local ZEC offices. Theses processes should be operational by June 1st.

The FQSA (Fédération québécoise pour le saumon atlantique) has put in place a committee that is preparing health and safety protocols for consideration to the Quebec government. The proposed protocols would address issues such as:

• Angling with or without a guide
• Camp/Outfitting/Campground operations
• River office operations
• Customer relations
• Hotel/Motel/Auberge operations
• Human Resources

Iceland is planning to open up to foreigners on June 15th, meaning visiting anglers can reach the island’s incredible salmon rivers.

The details are contained on this Iceland government webpage:

https://www.government.is/news/article/2020/05/12/Testing-for-international-arrivals-could-start-in-June/

Visitors have three options – 14-day quarantine, a certificate they are clear of Covid-19, or testing at the airport upon arrival.

Lax-A Angling Club quickly picked up on this:

https://www.lax-a.net/good-news-regarding-travel-to-iceland/

One difficulty is certainly air travel to and from Iceland with few scheduled flights at the moment.

Norway has locked out international travellers to this point.

Per Arneberg of the Norwegian Flyfishers Club sent these notes:

“As of May 15th, 2020, the Norwegian government has come out with the following regulations:

• The ongoing travel ban for both Norwegians to leave as well as for foreigners from all countries to enter Norway has been extended until August 20th, 2020.
• From June 15th Norway will consider to open up Norway to/from other Scandinavian countries only. On or near this date they will also provide an update in regards to the general travel restrictions.
• From July 20th, Norway will consider opening up to travel to/from some select EU/European countries- which may include Germany, France, etc.
• No mention, direct regulations have been set with regards to the US/Canada, which from our interpretation means that all travel from North America is restricted/barred until August 20th or until further notice.”

“This means that most anglers coming from the US will, at present, not be able to enter into Norway until August 20th.

“While this is subject to change, at least as far as our lodge on the Gaula, the Norwegian Flyfishers Club, we are contacting all of our US/Canadian guests to offer the same week of fishing, at the same price in 2021,

“Or if not suitable, a full refund of their deposit.

“We will for the time being, not be opening up the NFC lodge, but offering fishing to Norwegian fishermen with self-catered accommodation in farm houses.

“We know that the same is being offered from most outfits/lodges on the Gaula and Orkla, as well as many other rivers in Norway. We have not officially heard what ALI is doing in regards to the Alta syndicate weeks, so we cannot comment on that.”