United Guides & Outfitters of New Brunswick

Summer has been flying by and fall is in the air….that means fall bear season is right around the corner.

Mike Bolster at Slim Reacher is taking orders now for Kingpin Bear Bait & Scents for delivery to the Perth-Andover area.

Whether you are looking for bait for a fall hunt, or stocking up for next spring, give Mike a call at (506)273-7811 and get your order in today.

***Calling all Guides, Outfitters & Turkey Hunters***

CWTF New Brunswick needs our help as they work to conduct the 2024 Turkey Brood Survey.

Surveys like this offer valuable insights into the populations around our region and will help as we ensure proper management of our resources for years to come.

Please take a moment and complete the survey found at the website below and help ensure we have a turkey hunt to enjoy for us and generations yet to come.

www.cwtf.ca/broodsurvey

Wondering what to do with the family to celebrate New Brunswick Day???

UGONB and our friends from Minnow Tackle Shop and the Fredericton Fish and Game Association will be hanging out on the lawn of the New Brunswick Legislature in beautiful downtown Fredericton offering activities like Fly Casting, Lure Painting, Tree Planting and more….come help us celebrate our incredible province and our outdoor heritage.

Were you one of the unlucky ones who didn’t get drawn for a Moose tag???

Don’t give up hope yet. There is still a chance to get a tag, and support an organization that’s at the center of our outdoor community.

Give yourself another chance at that elusive Moose hunt and support the great things the New Brunswick Wildlife Federation - NBWF does for our province and our entire outdoor family.

The countdown is on….Good luck to everyone who is anxiously awaiting the Moose License draw results that are coming out tomorrow.

The link below will take you to the draw results as soon as they are posted. Good luck and happy hunting everyone. (photo credit: Nathan Robinson Photography)

https://dnr-mrn.gnb.ca/DrawResults/Draw/ResMoose.aspx

For the last 6 years, the outdoors community in New Brunswick has had the pleasure of working with the most passionate Minister of Natural Resources that our province has ever seen.

On Thursday, June 20, 2024, Minister Mike Holland announced that he was stepping away from politics effective immediately.

Minister Holland was an outspoken advocate for the outdoors community, and his list of accomplishments while in office are second to none.

All of us at UGONB want to take a moment to thank Minister Holland for his sacrifices and dedication to our province over the last few years, and we want to wish him well in all his future endeavours, whatever they may be.

Are you looking to stock up on ProXpédition products??? Thanks to our friends at ProXpédition and Miramichi Pronature and their sister stores are offering UGONB members 30% off all in store products.

Simply show your UGONB membership card at participating locations and start stocking up today.

Products available at :
Tracadie
Bathurst
Campbellton
Miramichi

***Calling All Guides & Outfitters***

We all want that perfect memory from that perfect hunting or fishing adventure, and our friend George Hachey is giving you the opportunity to preserve one of those memories for one of your clients.

What better way to give them a little bonus gift of their time spent in the woods or on the water with you this spring?

Contact George today and submit photos of all your successful clients this spring and you AND your client will both be entered to receive a piece of George’s artwork.

What an incredible way to make sure these memories last a lifetime.

Contact George and get your entries in today.

One year ago today, we started to see a change in the landscape of the New Brunswick outdoor community.

Today, UGONB celebrates its 1st anniversary, and we couldn’t have done it without the support of all of you.

This first year has been filled with many accomplishments and milestones, as well as recognition worldwide.

In only one year, our official membership consists of 50 outfitters , 107 guides and 26 associate members, along with countless other supporters across the province and beyond.

We can’s wait to see what the next year, and all the years that follow have in store for UGONB, our members, our supporters and the outdoor industry across this beautiful province.

Thank you all for being a part of year one…and for being the reason we can go into year two with pride and optimism.

We recently received word that there will be a French Hunter Education Course on May 24 to 27 at the Hugh John Fleming Complex in Fredericton. You can contact 506-453-2345 to register or for more information. This course will be in French only. Please feel free to share.

Congratulations to Donovan Maclean and his Canadian Forces partner Matt for taking home the win at the Cpl Scott Smith Memorial BIG Bass Challenge today in Destination Nackawic.

Thanks to Brian from Miramichi Sport Fishing for sharing a few pictures he snapped today while participating with two Canadian Forces Veterans, Sean and Lawrance.

Hats off to the organizers and as always, we salute all those who have served this great country.

If you are in the Destination Nackawic area today, stop down to the Big Axe Marina and check out the Cpl Scott Smith Memorial BIG Bass Challenge. This outstanding event teams up local anglers with Canadian Forces Veterans for a big fish shootout.

Best of luck to all the participants, and we look forward to some updates later today from UGONB member Brian Gray of Miramichi Sport Fishing. Brian and 40 other boaters are on the water today, giving back to our veterans.

Are you a UGONB member or supporter who wants an opportunity to give back to some of our men and women in uniform? Do you have a boat and a love for bass fishing? Are you looking for something to do on Saturday, May 11, 2024?

The Cpl Scott Smith Memorial BIG Bass Challenge still has room for a few boaters to take some vets out for an incredible day on the water….all with some great prizes(and bragging rights) up for grabs.

Contact them today and get out and enjoy a day on the water, and help us show our appreciation for the men and women who have served this great country.

Congratulations to the new Quad NB Executive.

UGONB wants to say congratulations to our friends at Quad NB for the selection of their executive at their AGM held at the Crown Plaza in Moncton on 28Apr24.

From left to right: Adam Russell, treasurer; Bertin Côté, secretary; Roland Thériault, vice president and new president Ray Croft.

Great volunteers making our outdoor community stronger. Thank you to everyone at Quad NB for everything you do.

Our outdoors family is a little smaller this morning following the loss of Gary Colford.

Gary’s loss will be felt all across our guiding community, and there is a void being felt at Country Haven Lodge Miramichi that can never be filled.

May your waters be still and your line always tight. Until we meet again. RIP Gary Colford.

***Spotlight, Mike Bolster & Slim Reacher***

Mike started in Manufacturing in 1993 making Christmas tree stands for Canadian Tire. Over the next 25 years or so he continued to design and manufacturer various models along with other consumer products.

Mike sold the manufacturing business in 2019. He found large retailers were getting harder to deal with especially for smaller manufacturers. His focus turned to his heavy equipment repair and customer metal fabrication business in Perth-Andover, Biltek Industrial.

It was around this time he developed the Slim Reacher. As an avid outdoors person who enjoys hunting, fishing, canoeing, camping, he was always on the go and he recognized that there was no shortage of times he needed to climb into the bed of his truck to load, unload or retrieve something.

A couple slips off the tailgate and sore knees made him think about a solution. There are a couple reaching tools out there but none that met the standards he felt were needed. It had to be lightweight yet very strong. I wanted it telescopic, quick and easy to use. It had to have a multifunction end hook and made from high quality materials that wouldn’t rust or breakdown over time and exposure. He wanted an easy to use mounting system so it is always handy, and lastly a LED light for using at night or under tonneau covers. These are all the features that Mike incorporated into the design of the Slim Reacher.

The materials of the pole itself are aluminum, ABS and fiberglass, the end hook is a patented design made of solid stainless steel. The mounting clips are stainless steel and a marine grade plastic called Delrin. The LED is rated ipx7 waterproof (3ft/30mins). The Reacher can easily handle pulling items over 150lbs while the whole unit weighs only 2 lbs. Best of all, they are assembled locally in Perth-Andover, NB.

The Slim Reachers sell through various retailers in NB. They are also available online at www.slimreacher.com. $69.99.

Mike has made and sold literally millions of Christmas tree stands, and so far Slim Reacher sales are only in the thousands, but it is the product he is most proud of.

People buy it for the truck, the boat, the canoe, around the dock, in the garage, camping,… you name it.

There are hundreds of stories of different uses by different people and problems it has solved.

These days Mike has a great team managing Biltek which gives him time to focus on other ventures such as his work as a broker for Sunbelt Atlantic Business Brokers, and his newest adventure in providing a steady supply to high quality bear bait for hunters, guides and outfitters across the region. Mike credits and gives thanks to Clay Harrison, Wayne Scott and Larry Davidson for talking him into the bear bait side venture. He loves meeting interesting people and there are none more interesting than Entrepreneurs & Outfitters….which are both!

Cheers Mike and thank you for your ongoing support of UGONB.

Making our order for our spring order of dog food. During this busy time of year how much better can it be than having it delivered to you door. And at a discount for members!!!

🔆 if you are a member and your dog needs food… this is the website and don’t forget to use your code

https://www.inukshukpro.com/order-online

🔆 if you aren’t a member…. Sign up now and we will send you you your code!

https://www.ugonb.ca/members

Honoured to announce that Tommy's Flooring has been awarded The Best Carpet Installation in Fredericton for 2024 by Quality Business Awards! Big thanks to our amazing team and valued customers for making this possible.

Calling all guides and clients….have you been in the woods or on the water this week???

Let’s see the pictures from all across our beautiful province of your week one success.

Guides, if you have openings coming up, let’s make sure folks know how to contact you, and clients, please share your experience with one of our incredible guides here in New Brunswick.

It’s ok to brag a little after a successful trip, so let’s see those pictures.

On April 11, 12 & 13 UGONB along with New Brunswick DNR made History. Our first ever Hunters Education/Firearms Safety Course was organized and successfully completed.

The class consisted of 38 students. (32 youth, and 6 involved parents and guardians)

UGO would like to express our gratitude for the tremendous support from both DNR for hosting and providing instructors, and to our directors and members alike who selflessly made themselves available to volunteer and engage in this experience.

Nathan Robinson was kind enough to periodically drop in and out to capture some images of this weekends course.

Nathan Robinson Photography
New Brunswick / Nouveau-Brunswick

With opening day for the 2024 fishing season coming up on Monday across much of NB, let’s take an opportunity to recognize the incredible fishing guides who are such a big part of what we do.

Fishing guides, no matter what part of the province you are in, or what species you specialize in, please drop a link in the comments to your social media, website, or some way for the public to connect with you.

Let’s make this post a one stop shop for everyone looking to get on the water this season.

***Member Spotlight*** Miramichi Bay Outfitters

Founded in 2018 by owner and operator Matthew Gregan, Miramichi Bay Outfitters was spawned from a lifetime of fishing the beautiful Miramichi River for Salmon, Trout & Striped Bass.

Matthew’s main focus for his clients is Striped Bass, but his approach will vary. Beginner or experienced, conventional gear, or on the fly, Miramichi Bay Outfitters will offer you the experience you are looking for based on your wants and needs….and Matthew loves a challenge, so don’t be afraid to try something new when you spend time on his boat.

Spring and fall packages focus on Striped Bass and always launching from within the city limits, giving all of our guests ample access to the outstanding hospitality that the City of Miramichi has to offer. Whether it’s a good meal, or a good nights sleep, it can all be found nearby.

In the summer, we venture out of the river and into the bay where you can target off shore Striped Bass, or just enjoy a scenic tour of the coast along with the many islands, and if you keep your eyes open, you can see a multitude of bird, as well as seals, and even whales.

We are working on plans to start taking on big game hunts for Black Bear and Moose, so please stay tuned to our social media for updates as we finalize the details of these new adventures.

Matthew is a Licensed New Brunswick Guide, with Marine First Aid & CPR qualifications, as well as being a member of the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary, and he has been on the water since before he could walk. Your safety will always come first when fishing with Miramichi Bay Outfitters.

Fish in comfort on our new Smokercraft boat, utilizing state of the art electronics and equipment to get you on the fish, and to get the fish in the boat.

The only thing we ask that our guests supply is a desire for a good day on the water. The 2024 season is booking up fast, and we look forward to sharing the water with you in the coming weeks.

Contact Miramichi Bay Outfitters:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 506-624-8849

www.miramichibayoutfitters.ca

***NEW FEATURE*** Welcome to our first ever UGONB Member Spotlight. Congratulations to Country Haven Lodge Miramichi on their Silver Anniversary.

Country Haven Miramichi was founded in 1999 in Gray Rapids, NB by Byron "Byzie" Coughlan, a lifelong resident of the area. Through hard work, grit and determination, Byzie has tirelessly built the business to be one of the leading outfitters on the SW Miramichi watershed. This year marks an important milestone for Country Haven Miramichi, as it celebrates its 25th "Silver" Anniversary in business having hosted thousands of fly fishing enthusiasts from all over the world over this period.

Ideally located in central New Brunswick on 100 acres of private land, Country Haven sits on the banks of the beautiful Main Southwest Miramichi, and offers fly fishing on both private pools and open waters with experienced local guides who know the waters well. The target species include Atlantic Salmon (Spring, Summer & Fall), Brook Trout, and Striped Bass. Country Haven is also fortunate to benefit from the NB Outfitter Moose Tag program and each fall offers a guided moose hunt for a lucky guest.

The quality of guides can make or break a fishing trip and Country Haven is fortunate to have a team of experienced guides whose combined years of guiding experience exceeds 250 man years! Our guides are New Brunswick #1 Certified Professionals with many years of experience and are fully trained in both first aid and CPR. Our guides know our waters and always endeavour to help our clients choose the right flies and equipment to suit the water and weather conditions.

In addition to accommodations in the beautiful main lodge, guests can also choose to book one of our 4-star Canada Select, fully equipped cottages. Big enough for large get-togethers or small enough to enjoy a private secluded cottage. We also offer a Wilderness Cottage, a remote solar powered "off grid" camp located on the Cains River and fully equipped with indoor plumbing and wifi!

From fishing to canoeing and kayaking, tubing, or a home base for amazing day trips, Country Haven is a perfect home away from home. We are easily accessible from any location in the world and guests typically fly into regional airports in Moncton, Saint John, Fredericton and Halifax.

Country Haven Miramichi is a proud supporter of the United Guides of New Brunswick and look forward to many years of collaboration with the organization in the future!

Contact Info:

https://www.countryhavenmiramichi.com/

601 Route #118
Gray Rapids, NB, Canada
E9B 1G9

Toll Free: North America (877)-Fly-Hook (359-4665)
Tel: +1 506 843 9010
Fax: +1 506 843 9010

[email protected]