COMMUNICATION
The club has an internet connection and local Wi-Fi. Cell phone reception varies by carrier and is spotty in camp, but usually ok at the top of hill just before camp drive. Please use the camp phone for brief personal calls always remembering that staff and other “sports” depend on the one line.
CLOTHING
The temperature can vary markedly during any day. On sunny days in July and August you can be comfortable fishing in short-sleeves between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Sweaters and windbreakers for the early morning and evening. On the other hand, midday temps can be quite warm so layers work well. In early June and in the fall, good warm clothing i.e. thermal underwear, gloves, wool hats, insulated rain gear is advisable. Bring a swimsuit and rain gear. While guided canoes are available for use under special conditions, the best fishing is by wading.
On warm summer days low water hip waders may be adequate but we recommend chest waders. The camp side of the river has mostly sandy bottom; the opposite side has ledges where felt or rubber soles are useful, as is the case with our Cains River water. To lessen disease transmission, BBSC recommends the new rubber soled boots in preference to felt soles.
TACKLE AND EQUIPMENT
Most of the fishing at BBSC can be done with an 8 or 9 wgt. fly rod. Floating line will work for most water conditions, but a sink tip can be useful in very high water. Some anglers use two handed rods, either Spey or Switch rods, but they are not necessary. While a great variety of flies will work, it is always prudent to check with local shops to see what seems to be hot.
LICENSES
Guests need to purchase fishing licenses online prior to arriving in camp. Licenses are not available at the camp.
Licenses online at the following URL: https://pxw5.snb.ca/en/web/dnr/p10001?reset=true
The online process requires that one first signs up for an Outdoors Card. This essentially will hold your information (not credit card info) for any further purchases. You can sign up for the free Outdoors Card and then immediately purchase the license in the next step. Since Canadian DFO requires all release, you should select the release option. Note: The license days are calendar days which begin at midnight (beginning) of the day purchased not the time purchased. Thus if you are in camp for 3 rod days you will need a week license as you will be fishing on four calendar days. Be sure to obtain your license before fishing, as failure to do so may jeopardize the Club and could cause a guide to lose his guide license.
INDEMNIFICATION
All members and guests will be required to sign a Waiver and Assumption of Risk form, which has been required by our property and casualty insurance provider. These forms will be available upon one’s arrival in camp.
RETENTION OF FISH
Black Brook has been a TOTAL CATCH AND RELEASE CLUB. Now the entire Province of New Brunswick is CATCH AND RELEASE. It is THE LAW.
Also, THE CLUB requires the use of barbless, single hooks. It is the LAW. It is the responsibility of each angler to make sure that their hooks are barbless or have pinched barbs.
SMOKED SALMON
We periodically smoke aquaculture raised salmon in the Club’s smoker, and in the interest of efficiency we ask you to indicate with your remittance any smoked salmon orders. The cost is payable in camp to the Camp Manager in cash.
FISHING HOURS
Morning fishing start time is generally set by the Camp Manager depending on the fishing conditions. No guests should start fishing without being accompanied by a guide. Our guides breakfast at 6:30 and lunch at noon.
EVERYONE MUST BE OFF THE RIVER AT NOON.
Ordinarily early afternoon fishing is less productive and we would like our guides to have a chance to rest after lunch. Cloudy, rainy weather or late in the season may alter normal patterns. The best late fishing is from about 6:00 until dark in June and July and from 5:00 until dark later in the season. If the water is hot and low the Camp Manager may suggest an earlier start, and end, of the morning fishing.
DOGS
We love dogs, but they must be the responsibility of their owner. Club members from time immemorial have brought their dogs, but guests are asked to check prior to arrival with the Club member who will be in residence on the advisability of bringing their dog at that time. Again, we love dogs, but love those dogs best who understand the Camp and its procedures.
Barking dogs and furniture loving dogs are not welcome. Owners are responsible to clean up after their dogs.
Dog owners are responsible to CLEAN UP after their dogs.
MEALS
The Club provides all meals, with set menus for lunch and dinner. Breakfast is cooked to order. There is a fully stocked soft drink and mixer icebox. Guests need to provide any beer, liquor or wine desired. It is also customary for folks to bring any pre-meal snacks in quantity sufficient to be shared.
Morning - Breakfast is available from 6:45 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. – no set time.
Mid Day - The main meal is now served to all at mid day. (Please agree on the sit down time (i.e. 1:00 – 1:30) with The Head Chef and be on time so that roasts, steaks, etc. will be the way you order them.)
Supper - Soup and sandwiches are available from 5:30 pm on and will be prepared for self-service. Many ardent fishermen state that it makes little sense to use up the “withering hours”, often the best fishing time on the river, over cocktails and dinner.
GUIDES
Non-resident anglers must be covered by a guide at all times (3 to a guide when wading, but one to a guide when fishing from a boat). We employ four full-time guides. A minimum of three will be in camp during fishing hours. Each guide has one day off each week. A number of BBSC members possess self-guiding licenses which are to be used primarily when we are short regular guides for whatever reason.
Please feel free to ask our guides all questions you want on choice of flies, where to fish, etc. They are reluctant to tell you what to do unless their advice is requested, but can be very helpful if you ask.
SAFETY
A primary concern for all. When crossing the river in a boat, the Club requires the use of an inflatable vest.
If fishing from a boat the LAW requires the use of an inflatable vest or life jacket. If the water is high and the guides suggest wearing a vest while wading, please do so. Refusal to do so will result in loss of fishing privileges. BBSC has an inventory of automatic inflatable vests and life jackets..
RATES
2021 Guest rates are $627 per day, which is all inclusive with tips and taxes. (Does not include alcohol desired by guests.) Note that the tip is voluntary. Non-fishing guests rate is $449 per day, all inclusive.
ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE
Our groups normally rotate on Saturday.
Departing Guests should have all personal belongings out of cabins by 9:00 a.m. at the latest (by 8:30 a.m. if you have a dog in camp) so the clean-up crew can go to work. If properly licensed you are free to fish until 10:30 a.m.; however, your departure from camp is requested by 11:00 am. Staff, if asked, will make sandwiches for the road. If departing mid week, fish the morning and depart before or after lunch according to your desires, and the arrival plans of the following anglers.
Arriving Guests should not plan on moving into cabins before noon; with fishing beginning in the afternoon.
CANCELLATION/REFUND POLICY
SEE FULL SECTION ON CREDIT & CANCELLATION POLICY
Please note that if you believe it necessary or prudent check with your travel agent about TRIP INSURANCE.
TIPPING
Our camp staff benefits from having uniform generous tips included in their compensation. Therefore, you will be billed for a per diem tip as part of your regular camp charges (please note that this is a voluntary option), all staff share the “pool”. No additional staff compensation is expected and is discouraged except for purchased flies or other special services.
CLUB FISHING RECORDS
Since its founding the Club has maintained a daily record of fish caught. Copies of past books are usually in camp and available for your perusal. We are dependent on each group taking on this responsibility and appreciate your cooperation in recording size of fish, fly used, and where caught and any other pertinent information such as water temperature and weather conditions etc.
CONSERVATION SUPPORT
The Club strongly encourages all guests to be supporting members of both the Miramichi Salmon Association and the Atlantic Salmon Federation.
SUGGESTIONS
If any special problems arise during your visit, please contact one of the current club officers whose names and telephone numbers are posted near the telephone in the main lodge. We would also welcome any suggestions you might have which might improve a future visit. Please phone or drop a note to the current President, Treasurer or Secretary following your visit. ripcham@gmail.com
We thank you for your attention and hope your visit to The Black Brook Salmon Club will be an enjoyable one.
Tight Lines.