With the fishing season over and equipment taken care of, I’ll wrap up another season with my annual Christmas shopping suggestions for the angler. I’ve checked with my friends in the tackle shops and have an estimated price range for many items mentioned.

I had intended to do an overview of the season this week, but the stats are not posted yet, so I’ll try again next week. However, a general perception is that the Main Southwest Miramichi had the best angling this season. The Little Southwest was average at best, and the Northwest was poor, certainly in terms of low and warm water to try to fish.

On Saturday, October 15, another salmon angling season will be finished for the year. The few exceptions that are still open are the Bartibog, Burnt Church and Tabusintac Rivers which close October 29. Striped bass can still be fished with the final retention period now running to October 31.

First a caution: Don’t forget that this week is moose season and hunters will be out in full force in pursuit of the Swamp Donkeys, so wear some hunter orange when out and off the beaten track. Take care using moose-hair flies in case some crack-shot sees one in the air.

Warm weather and lack of rain have kept the salmon cold-water pools closed and pretty much the same for all other river stretches where salmon are involved. We need rain and lots of it for angling to get back to normal.