Feb 5 update #2
In case you haven’t noticed the website updates haven’t been up to their usual standards, that’s because it’s Paul Jr doing the updates while Debbie is away. She is in Boston Receiving an award. Please see below and help me to congratulate her! Congratulations Debbie, well deserved!

Debbie Norton

To Be Recognized at Annual MSA Boston Dinner Feb 4, 2012

Since joining the Board of Directors at the Annual Meeting in May 2003, Debbie Norton has been a major force in the affairs of the Miramichi Salmon Association. She also serves as President of the Northumberland Salmon Protection Association; President of the Miramichi Watershed Management Committee; Secretary of the New Brunswick Professional Outfitters and Guides Association; and most recently, was appointed as Secretary Treasurer of the New Brunswick Salmon Council.

Debbie is truly a Miramichi Salmon professional. Together with her husband Dale, they operate Upper Oxbow Outdoor Adventures which has been in her family since 1823, situated on the banks of the Little Southwest Miramichi. Debbie is very proud of this continuing family connection, and states “I know that our family home at Upper Oxbow and the wild Atlantic salmon will always be held in reverence as a result of similar values being passed on to our grown children Bobby and Betsy, and now our three year old granddaughter Abbi”.

Debbie has a Bachelor of Physical Education, a Bachelor of Education, and a Masters of Education from the University of New Brunswick. Last June, she retired from her teaching and guidance counseling career of many years at North and South Esk Regional High School. Retirement has not slowed her down – only increased her outfitting life and her other conservation missions.

With her great love for the Atlantic salmon and the Miramichi River, and her deep commitment to conversation of these resources, we are happy to pay tribute to her at this 2012 Annual Boston Dinner. The MSA is proud to express its recognition and appreciation to Debbie Norton for her important work and contribution on its behalf. Debbie is an ideal individual to help direct the MSA’s future efforts.

Feb 5
Debbie with rod in hand!

Jan 30
Paul & Stephanie came across this lady 1 day

Jan 26
Mama & Baby in my fishing spot

Jan 22/
And the month keeps marching on, I guess the old wise tale of time waits for no man is right, I would have to verify that it waits for no woman either. As you can see by the following picture, it is cold here.....look at the picture and read on.......

As you can see, the river is frozen as this pic was taken minutes ago. It was minus 22 degrees F or minus 30 degrees C here last night and the salmon are cuddled in as are we.Decided to go snowshoeing this pm for some exercise and went up to the back channel and as I cut through the low meadow on the old road out to the Bogan low and behold the ice gave way that I was walking on and in I went up to the knees. Didn't take me long to realize that getting out of there was my best option - headed home in a hurry with dale breaking the trail. You know I would have bet any amount of money on that ice being frozen.

Jan 18/12
A number of fundraisers being planned for next month so I am busy, busy, busy. Still getting my walks in each day, see deer each day but an alarming number of coyote sightings as well and the one I saw the other night showed no fear of humans at all as he circled my car. Sure glad I was in the car. Saw a sly ole fox yesterday morning as well, nice prime coat, looked a lot like this guy we saw last summer.

If you haven't been on the sight yesterday don't forget to check yesterday's posting.

Jan 17/12
Warmed up here today to about minus 6 deg Celius. We on the Miramichi take our wild Atlantic salmon serious - even the babies get in on the act with putting them on their bellies.

Jan 14/12
Well the day after Friday the 13th and we are well, had to work aweful hard this morning getting ready for the crew we have in tonight but hard work never hurt anyone.
Went out on the balcony last evening to get some fresh air - the day had been warm and rainy and I thought I was hot. As I stood there in the dark drinking in the awesome beauty of the river's silouette in the moonless sky - I thought to myself - a guest once told me that I lived in heaven and this is about as close to heaven that one is going to get here on earth.Suddenly from the meanacing darkness of the forest across the river came and omnious reply.....Who who who went an owl and I knew that I was not alone in my thinking.
Spring is just around the corner boys and girls get the flies tied - she's coming.

Jan 9/12
Spent some quality time mushing through the woods this year looking for new adventure opportunities for you our clients. Found some and am working at acquiring a sky blue sky hook for easy access. Not for the faint of heart - those seeking adventure give us a call.

Jan 7/12
Moose are moose but it is unusual to catch 3 large bull travelling together in November. Nice picture - a moose hunters dream.

Jan 1/2012

When the Moose is bigger then you, get out of the river!

Dec 31/11
As we bid adieu to 2011, I have to say it has been a fabulous time. It is the year that I choose to retire from 30 years of teaching. I am very grateful to have the rest of my time to work here at the Oxbow being your hostess without the daily trek to school. The season of 2011 has blessed us both with the opportunity to serve both our old and beloved guests and new friends that came for their first experience at the Oxbow, whom we look to cherrish as friends long into the future.
As I sit here in the dying hours of 2011, I sincerely wish all of you both old and new friends a sincere wish for health, happiness and an unquenchinable desire for adventure of which I look forward to filling for you in 2012.
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE - HERE IS MY PREDICTION FOR A HOT FLY IN 2012 - THE GRIZZLEY

Dec 28/11
Wet and drab here today, raining very hard-Miramichi will rise as we have very little snow to impede the water rushing into the river. Received this nice picture this morning and no it is not a Miramichi salmon but an Alaskan 42 pounder-take a close look at the gentleman's hat-that is correct folks, it is an Upper Oxbow hat, I am sure it must have brought Dr. Jim a wee bit of luck.

Dec 26/11
Well got through Christmas, Santa came and went, had a big feed of turkey and today was another day.Walked 6 miles this morning, realitively warm this morning and then cut wood this pm, need lots of that stuff with our cold winters on the Miramichi.
How many bears do you see in the picture?Not hard to tell who owns the barrel, smaller guys have taken cover in the trees.

Dec 24/11
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care but low and behold a new tractor arrived today for the Oxbow. I guess it would not fit in the stocking.I hear there is going to be a lot of snow to move this year.
From all of us to all of you, Merry Christmas from the Oxbow.

Dec 22/11
Freezing rain last night made footing this morning questionable. Although the Miramichi has frozen over it is not frozen enough for passage on it. I don't however expect to see any wild Atlantic salmon jumping today.

December 18/11
Really cold here last night, finished up our last Christmas party and will now focus on getting ourselves ready for the jolly ole guy to arrive a week from today. Paula and I went walking this AM and had 2 miles behind us before daylight appeared, with minus 16 C temperatures had to keep a check on my face to keep it from freezing, had cheeks freeze once while snowmobiling in grade 12, yea I know that was not yeasterday. As we walked along the frozen Miramichi river, the ice cracked and moaned. We stood watching in the twilight sure that a deer was on the ice but could not see any. As we climbed our way back out of the river valley, a sly old fox crossed the road and went gingerly hunting through the field for his breakfast.

Dec 16/11
Weather changed some here yesterday and the Miramichi river has taken on a whole new identity. I went out exploring with Dale and Bob-another of the guess where I am series, believe I even have Paul and Stephaine stumped with the identity of this piocture.

Dec 13/11
It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here. The Atlantic salmon are tucked in their lies. The bears have settled in for a long winters nap and our woodcock have gone south. When walking yesterday, I did see 3 deer,a large flock of geese, a bald eagle and a partridge although there was no pear tree.
Sometimes we here at the Oxbow might be accused of being a little backwards but not upside down or at least not until this year. Now how's this for a tree?

December 8/11
Heavy rains here this morning with high winds. Woodcock and grouse season has now passed on but our memories still linger. Can you find the woodcock in this picture?

December 5/11
A lot of water under the bridge in the past 4 days. Went to NB Salmon Council meetings on the weekend and hosted 3 Christmas parties. Saturday night was interesting, j