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.

With the season over it is time to start on next year. An excellent first step toward a successful 2017 season begins today by properly putting equipment away and getting repairs done so all is ready for next April 15. The wise angler will take a few minutes to examine his equipment and properly prepare it for winter storage.

By this time next week another angling season will officially be completed for another year. Salmon angling on the Bartibog, Burnt Church and Tabusintac Rivers closes at the end of Saturday, October 29, and striped bass closes at the end of Monday October 31.

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.