Rivernotes, Uncategorized
Rivernotes July 2, 2026
Phil Monahan
July 2, 2026
Editor's Note
by Phil Monahan
Welcome back to Rivernotes, our weekly roundup of news and information from around the world of Atlantic salmon—Québec, Atlantic Canada, and Maine.
Reminder: The row of buttons you see above will help you find exactly what you're looking for. Simply click a button and you'll be whisked directly to the section you want to read.
This week, we received so many great fishing reports from across the region that we've collected them in an Angling Reports section. There is also more of what you expect from Rivernotes: important news about conservation, research, and events important to the salmon community.
No Agreement at NASCO
Writing about the annual meeting of the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization (NASCO) last month, ASF Vice President of Communications and Special Projects Neville Crabbe has written a great blog post explaining how and why talks about lowering the total allowable catch off west Greenland stalled.
It's a fascinating look at how delicate these kinds of negotiations can be, even when all parties are ultimately committed to the health of the salmon population.
Angling Reports
Triple Jump
Angler Eric Kaye of Northampton, Massachusetts, sent us this great video from the York River on the Gaspé Peninsula, as well as his description of the action.
"On June 17, I was swinging a Tiger Ghost through the Garry Pool of the York, while my wife, Nancy, sat happily on the bank, knitting and taking care of our dog, Thalia. The salmon took just a few yards from Nancy, and I am so glad she had her phone at hand and was able to both film the scene and control the dog. This was one of eight fish I hooked in one of my best years in over 25 years fishing the three rivers that flow into the town of Gaspé. I keep wondering if I could have done anything different to land that fish, but that final jump was just too close and too powerful."
Margaree Success
Cape Breton guide Robert Chiasson sent in this encouraging update last Friday:
"Salmon are here and getting hooked daily on the Margaree River these last few days! Weather is staying cool and wet! Encouraging signs!"
Bountiful Bonaventure
Scott Thorpe of Minneapolis, Minnesota, shared some recent images of fishing on the Bonaventure River with Maria Manion and guide Jeremie Arseneau.
"Three flat tires in two days cut into our fishing time, but the three days we floated were wonderful," Scott wrote. "It is such a beautiful river, and the poled canoe experience is iconic."
Young Guns on the Causapscal
Christopher Minkoff, who serves on the board of the ASF Montréal dinner, sent in some photos and an account of a father-son trip to the Causapscal:
"I just came back from fishing sector two on the Causapscal River with my 14-year-old son, Thomas. We had great fishing, landing four salmon in two days. I was very happy to see my son get a fish. Also on the river were two brothers and one of their grandsons, a 13-year-old who landed his very first salmon. It was an exciting day, with big smiles all around."
"As anticipated—because of the high grilse run of last year—the river was filled with two-winter salmon from the same generation, ranging from 12 to 16 pounds.
The river came up three feet with the rain last week, and one of the guides, who has worked there for 26 years, said he had not seen the river that high at the end of June since he began. The water level bodes well for the rest of the angling season in that region."
Reasons for Hope
ASF President Nathan Wilbur was also on the Boneventure over the weekend, and he sent in this great video and a message for salmon anglers everywhere.
"The Gaspé in June is a homecoming—not only for salar, but for salmon enthusiasts from near and far who come to experience the beautiful rivers, lush forests, and of course the hope of a tight line after a long winter. I was fortunate to spend a few days in late June exploring the region’s wonderful diversity of publicly accessible waters and reuniting with friends, guides, and ASF members, supporters, and directors.
The feel on the river was different this year—high, cold water, and more salmon. After last year’s dry summer, both anglers and salmon welcomed a wet June this spring. The rivers are in ideal condition heading into July, and it was a pleasure to see many smiling faces on the river with much improved fishing so far in 2026. I wish you all a great season, and enjoy your time on the water!"
Québec
La directrice du programme du Québec, Caroline Côté, partage d'excellentes nouvelles au sujet de la saison printanière du saumon sur la rivière Grand Cascapédia.
Un début de saison prometteur
Pour Catherine Rusty Johnson, gestionnaire du Micmac Camp dans la communauté de Gesgapegiag, le début de saison 2026 est encourageant. Le premier saumon a été capturé le 7 juin et, malgré plusieurs épisodes de pluie et des débits élevés, les visiteurs du camp ont déjà connu plusieurs belles journées sur la Grande Cascapédia.
Les conditions hydrologiques se distinguent cette année. Le débit de la rivière était d'environ 77 m³/s à l'ouverture de la saison, a atteint un sommet de 163 m³/s au cours des deux premières semaines, puis s'est maintenu autour de 100 m³/s depuis le 16 juin.
Photo : Jean Gagnon.
« Ces niveaux d'eau devraient être une bonne nouvelle pour juillet et août. Au cours des deux dernières années, nous avons eu de la difficulté avec les faibles niveaux d'eau pendant des étés chauds et secs. Cette année, je pense que les conditions que nous observons actuellement se traduiront par une bonne saison sur la Cascapédia », explique Catherine Rusty Johnson.
Le Micmac Camp accueille depuis plus de 25 ans des pêcheurs venus du Québec, du Canada et d'ailleurs pour découvrir l'une des rivières à saumon les plus réputées du pays. Plusieurs visiteurs y reviennent année après année, attirés autant par la qualité de la pêche que par l'expérience offerte par l'équipe du camp et ses guides.
La saison 2026 a déjà offert son lot de moments mémorables. Sandra Unis a récemment célébré la remise à l'eau de son 100e saumon atlantique, dont 83 ont été capturés au Micmac Camp. Le camp a également lancé cette année les clubs « 20+ » et « 30+ » afin de souligner les captures de saumons de plus de 20 et 30 livres. Pour plusieurs visiteurs, ces écussons deviennent surtout un précieux souvenir de leur passage sur la Grande Cascapédia.
La présence de gros poissons retient également l'attention cette saison. Au moment d'écrire ces lignes, cinq saumons de plus de 30 livres avaient déjà été remis à l'eau. L'équipe observe également un bon nombre de saumons dans la classe de 12 à 16 livres, ce qui pourrait refléter les bonnes remontées de grilses observées au cours des dernières années.
Québec (English)
Québec Program Director Caroline Côté shares some great news about the spring salmon season on the Grand Cascapedia.
A Promising Start to the Season
For Catherine “Rusty” Johnson, manager of Micmac Camp in the community of Gesgapegiag, the start of the 2026 season has been encouraging. The first salmon was landed on June 7, and despite several periods of rain and higher-than-normal flows, camp guests have already enjoyed many successful days on the Grand Cascapedia.
River conditions have stood out this year. Flows were approximately 77 m³/s at the opening of the season, peaked at 163 m³/s during the first two weeks, and have remained around 100 m³/s since June 16.
"These water levels should be good news for July and August,” said Johnson. "Over the last two years, we have struggled with low water levels during hot, dry summers. This year, I believe the conditions we're seeing now will translate into a strong season on the Cascapedia."
The 2026 season has already produced several memorable milestones. Sandra Unis recently celebrated the release of her 100th Atlantic salmon, 83 of which were caught while fishing at Micmac Camp. This year, the camp also introduced its new "20+" and "30+" clubs to recognize salmon weighing more than 20 and 30 pounds. For many guests, these badges become lasting reminders of their time on the Grand Cascapedia.
Large salmon have also been a notable feature of the season so far, with five salmon weighing more than 30 pounds already released. The camp has also been seeing strong numbers of salmon in the 12- to 16-pound range, which may reflect the healthy grilse returns observed over the past two years.
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador Program Director Kim Thompson asks anglers to be aware of fire danger in the province—especially where drought conditions are more severe. Luckily, things are looking better along the west coast of Newfoundland.
As anglers, we spend a great deal of time in wooded areas through which salmon rivers flow, and it is forest-fire season in Newfoundland and Labrador. It is important that we remain vigilant and do our part to prevent wildfires. According to the Department of Forestry, Agriculture and Lands' Wildfire Management Division, there are currently 24 active wildfires in the province. Anglers are encouraged to check the Daily Wildfire Risk map before heading out, as it provides current Fire Weather Index information for each region. To report a wildfire, call 1-866-709-FIRE (3473).
I recently travelled to central Labrador and can attest to the hot, dry conditions in the region. With daily air temperatures reaching 22–26°C (72-79°F) in Happy Valley–Goose Bay, it seemed I had to travel north to find summer weather. Despite the warm conditions, reports suggest that salmon have yet to arrive in significant numbers on Labrador rivers.
During a recent stop in Forteau, I met a local angler who was headed to the ferry in Blanc-Sablon, Quebec, en route to fish rivers on the Northern Peninsula of the island. He noted that reports of salmon returns from those rivers have been more encouraging than his present experiences on southern Labrador rivers. Judging by the number of anglers I recently saw on the Castors and Big East rivers, there may be more than a little truth to those reports!
New Brunswick
New Brunswick Program Director David Roth is still looking for his first salmon of the season, and he shares updates from other anglers, as well.
While spending part of last week in the field exploring the Cains River, a tributary of the Southwest Miramichi, I managed to spend a few hours in hopes of landing my first salmon of the season. During my initial attempts, I have rolled several fish, but apparently my presentation has not been convincing enough to hook a fish yet. Fortunately, there are plenty of anglers far more skilled than I am, and several have been rewarded with bright salmon over the past week.
My outing turned out to be a good reflection of what many anglers have experienced over the past week. The fish are certainly in the river: you see them, you might roll one or two, and then they are gone. With excellent water levels across the province, salmon have little reason to pause, so they simply continue their journey upstream. It seems like everyone is casting at fish that are constantly on the move. From my own experience, and from the conversations I've had with anglers across the province, you often get only a single opportunity to hook a fish. Either you hook the fish right away or by the time you have stripped in your line and made another cast to the same spot, the fish has already vanished.
These observations are echoed by staff from Fisheries and Oceans Canada's index trap-net program on the Miramichi. They continue to report daily salmon captures, with noticeable increases following rising water levels from the rain we had during the week. Importantly, the first significant wave of grilse moved through the system over the weekend. Similar reports are coming from the commercial fisheries that document Atlantic salmon bycatch during their operations, further confirming that fresh fish continue to enter the river.
I'd like to take the opportunity to highlight the outstanding public-fishing opportunities available throughout New Brunswick. Rivers such as the Cains, the Dungarvon, and the Nepisiguit offer excellent options for anglers looking to head out on short notice without needing to secure Crown Reserve water. The Miramichi Salmon Association website, the Atlantic Salmon Museum (also a wonderful idea for a day trip on its own), and the website of the Nepisiguit Salmon Association (one of our Wild Salmon Watersheds partners) are excellent resources for information on public-access points, local accommodations, and planning a trip.
For those interested in exploring some of the lesser-known public sections on the Cains River, I highly recommend Brad Burns' book On the Cains. It offers a fascinating look at the river and may just help you discover the pool where your next salmon is waiting.
If you're looking for a quiet place to stay while exploring the Cains with family or friends, the Wilderness Cottage from Country Haven is well worth considering. Tucked away off the beaten path, it provides an excellent base for canoe trips and exploring stretches of river where you'll often find yourself enjoying the water in complete solitude.
Jason Valliere, a marine scientist with the Maine Department of Marine Resources, discusses a milestone in the number of salmon returning to the Penobscot.
Nova Scotia
ASF Indigenous Advisor Kyle Denny reports on an annual Salmon Ceremony in Cape Breton.
Honouring Plamu
On June 24, nearly 200 people gathered at the Margaree Fish Hatchery in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, for the annual Danny J. Paul Memorial Salmon Ceremony hosted by the Unama'ki Institute of Natural Resources (UINR). Paul—who led the Salmon Ceremony until his passing in 2023—was a respected Mi'kmaq Elder from Membertou First Nation who dedicated his life to sharing Mi'kmaq culture, teachings, and traditional knowledge.
What began as a small gathering of approximately 17 people in 2019 has grown into a significant cultural and conservation event that continues to strengthen relationships among Indigenous communities, conservation organizations, youth, Elders, and salmon advocates from across Atlantic Canada. Each year, attendance continues to increase as more people recognize the importance of gathering to honour Plamu (Atlantic salmon) and celebrate our shared responsibility to protect the rivers and ecosystems that sustain this iconic species.
For the Mi'kmaq, the salmon is far more than a fish. Plamu has nourished our people physically, culturally, and spiritually for countless generations. The annual ceremony provides an opportunity to acknowledge this sacred relationship while reinforcing the Mi'kmaw principle of Netukulimk—using and managing natural resources in a respectful and sustainable manner that ensures future generations will continue to thrive.
Despite cloudy skies and occasional rain, this year's gathering was filled with warmth, laughter, and a strong sense of community. Participants included Mi'kmaw community members, Elders, youth, harvesters, educators, and representatives from organizations such as Parks Canada, the Atlantic Salmon Federation, the Nova Scotia Salmon Association, the Margaree Salmon Association, the Chéticamp River Salmon Association, and other conservation and community partners. Students from Membertou First Nation also attended, demonstrating the growing involvement of youth in cultural and environmental stewardship.
The ceremony began with individual smudging, allowing participants to cleanse their minds and spirits before entering the circle. Throughout the day, speakers shared stories, teachings, and reflections on the importance of Atlantic salmon and the responsibilities we all share in protecting salmon habitat and healthy watersheds.
As stories of the late Danny J. Paul and his teachings were shared, many attendees reflected on his lifelong commitment to Indigenous knowledge, cultural revitalization, and environmental stewardship. Many participants felt these moments served as powerful reminders of the connections between the natural world, our ancestors, and the purpose of the ceremony itself.
A traditional feast featuring fresh Atlantic salmon harvested from the Margaree River brought everyone together to share a meal and celebrate the abundance provided by the river. Following the feast, participants took part in the return-to-the-river ceremony, offering tobacco and salmon bones back to the water. This act of reciprocity reflects the deep respect held for salmon within Mi'kmaw culture and acknowledges the salmon's sacrifice in sustaining our communities.
The role of ceremony is to honour, reciprocate, and transform. The Danny J. Paul Memorial Salmon Ceremony continues to fulfill that role by bringing people together to celebrate culture, share knowledge, and renew commitments to conservation. Its growth from a small gathering to a major annual event demonstrates the power of community and the enduring importance of salmon to both Mi'kmaw people and all those who care about the future of our rivers.
Wela'lioq/Thank you to the Margaree Fish Hatchery for hosting the event, to Paul Marshall and Kyle Denny who provided salmon for the feast, to the speakers and volunteers who shared their knowledge and time, and to everyone who attended. Together, we continue to honour Plamu and strengthen our collective responsibility to protect Atlantic salmon for generations to come.
Nova Scotia Program Director Matt Russel highlights an important demonstration against proposed fossil-fuel plants near fragile headwaters.
People Standing Together
Last weekend, more than over 200 people gathered in New Glasgow to show their support for wild salmon rivers and opposition to the construction of two major fossil-fuel plants set to be built in the headwaters of the East and West Rivers.
This demonstration is part of a long-standing local opposition, which has been active in the community since the announcement of these projects in January. This opposition has brought together a coalition of anglers, hunters, naturalists, birders, and conservationists of every background to defend Atlantic salmon and brook trout in two of Mainland Nova Scotia's most cherished salmon rivers.
Research
The Research and Environment team highlights smolt-survival rates across the region, as well as tagging efforts in Newfoundland and Labrador.
The Ocean: Friend or Foe?
For decades, the ocean has been viewed as an increasingly difficult place for Atlantic salmon, particularly for southern populations where adult-return rates have fallen hardest. Yet 19 years of acoustic telemetry offers a more nuanced picture.
One of the most striking findings is that smolt from rivers spanning hundreds of kilometres of coastline enter the ocean weeks apart, yet somehow they arrive within days of each another at distant North Atlantic waypoints. Fish entering the ocean later simply move faster than those entering earlier. We see this migratory compression in populations from Maine to the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence moving towards the Labrador Sea, and it has remained stable across nearly two decades of observation.
Survival rates across the Gulf tell a similarly stable story, holding consistently at between 50 and 60 percent across our full-time series. The Miramichi estuary is the outlier. There, survival has declined sharply, driven by predation from a booming striped bass population. In recent years, only about 10% of Miramichi smolt make it to the ocean, compared to the 60% observed before the bass population boom.
There is no denying that the Miramichi is in a state of imbalance, and our science has already shaped management. Working with several partners—Miramichi Salmon Association, Anqotum Resource Management, Canadian Rivers Institute, Department of Natural Resources, and Country Haven Lodge—we now transport smolt around the Miramichi estuary and release them into the open ocean, helping more fish reach the ocean where survival has remained far more stable.
The ocean is still a challenge for Atlantic salmon. But our work suggests that the story is not as simple as salmon disappearing somewhere far offshore. In many places, like the Miramichi, the most immediate and actionable losses happen much closer to home, in rivers and estuaries where management can respond. The challenge now is getting more smolt through those early bottlenecks alive, so they can reach the more stable marine conditions beyond them. At the same time, stable survival through the Gulf shifts the next set of questions farther along the migration: what condition are fish in when they leave our rivers, and what awaits them on distant feeding grounds?
Tagging Smolt on the English River, Nunatsiavut
There is something quietly profound about standing at the northern limit of a species' range, watching smolt orient toward open water and a future full of unknowns. Aquatic technician Kate Gingles and data scientist Karl Phillips—alongside Dr. Emma Lunzmann-Cooke and Imogen Bellinger from Dalhousie University—spent the past two weeks on the English River in Postville, Nunatsiavut, working to tag the first cohort of Atlantic salmon smolt under a new three-year research project.
The field work is deceptively straightforward: smolt are captured in a fyke net, briefly anaesthetized, and fitted with an acoustic transmitter before slipping back into the current headed for Kaipokok Bay. The questions riding with them are anything but simple. Nunatsiavut sits near the northern edge of the Atlantic salmon's range in the western Atlantic, and the bay they are entering is changing fast. The early marine migration has always been a gauntlet. Here, we are just beginning to understand what that gauntlet looks like.
Three years of acoustic tracking, paired with stable isotope analysis of archived scales, will let us test whether there is a genuine northern advantage for salmon at this range edge. The Nunatsiavut government, Dalhousie University, and ASF built this together. The smolts are in the bay now. We are listening.
