The Quality of guides can make or break a fishing trip. We are fortunate to have some of the best guides on the Miramichi. Our guides are New Brunswick #1 Certified Professionals with many years experience and fully trained in first aid and CPR. Our guides know our waters and will help you choose the right fly and equipment to suit the water and weather conditions.
What is required of a good Miramichi Fly Fishing Guide?
River safety and well being of clients at all times
Rigging up rods and reels
Assessing the ever changing water & conditions
Placing Clients in the best position to optimize their Fishing
Tying on the right fly for different conditions
Assisting with wading or walking to the fishing locations
Offering instructions with casting, proper fly presentation
and proper catch & release techniques
Reading where the fish are
Interpreting rising fish
Checking equipment during the client's adventure
Transportation by vehicle or boat to different fishing locations
Operating motor boats, poling or paddling canoes
to the best fishing pools for each condition of the river
Carry extra gear (rain jackets, rods,reels flies, etc.)
Netting the fish
Photographer
Adapting to every person's differences and abilities
Insuring constant safety and success of each client.
- Byron Coughlan, OWNER -COUNTRY HAVEN LODGE AND COTTAGES
KEN VICKERS
Ken is a native Miramichier whose family for generations has been guiding fishermen from all over the world for flyfishing for Atlantic Salmon. Because of the love of fishing Ken has never ventured very far from his roots on the Miramichi making a living guiding and spending his days off fishing. Ken knows the lower stretch of the Main Southwest Miramichi and some of its tributaries as good as any guide on the Miramichi with over 30 years of experience guiding for a number of outfitters on the river including 7 years at the Doctor’s Island Salmon Club in Blackville. Ken has been working with us at Country Haven since 1993 and has been head guide for the past 22 seasons. Great at teaching beginners the art of fly fishing sometimes doing it daily throughout the summer and with Ken being one of the best casters on the river he sets a good example to learn from. He also does many of our guided Canoeing and fishing day trips throughout the season.
“ Although I ‘ve been guided on the Miramichi by Ken Vickers for many years now, it was evident in just the first few hours together what a quality, knowledgeable and friendly guide he would be. 5 stars!”
Paul Carlton
Affordable Adventures
Portsmouth, NH
JEREMY VICKERS
Jeremy is Ken’s younger brother from the guiding family of Vickers. Jeremy also grew up spending his days on the rivers and his evenings listening to his dad Stafford and Uncle Max, well known guides throughout the river system, chatting about the catches of the day. Jeremy has over 24 years guiding experience on the Main River and its tributaries and has been with Country Haven full time for the past 22 years doing many of the guided canoeing and fishing day trips we offer our guests. Jeremy has done over 100 day trips a year during the last 11 seasons, mostly on the Lower stretch of the Miramichi, knowing every ripple and rock. He knows where to fish and where not to, where wildlife should be and the stories of the Miramichi. Jeremy is also great at teaching beginners the art of fly fishing, sometimes for hours, teaching casting to perfection. Jeremy is also proficient at speaking French.
“ We have traveled from Toronto four of the past five years to participate in the canoeing and fishing day trip with Jeremy. The fishing, food and scenery are great and Jeremy is wonderful”
Bill & Janice MacDonald, Toronto, Ontario
DARRELL WARREN
Darrell has been a life long resident of the Miramichi River with his father Ralph also being a river guide, guiding for most of his life at Boyd's Fishing Lodge in Gray Rapids and the Dean Barr Fishing Lodge in Blissfield. Darrell grew up learning from some of the best! With 38 years of experience, Darrell has guided for a number of years for Pinkhams’ Fishing Lodge at Quarryville, guiding and making friends with a clientele of fishermen mainly from the State of Maine. Darrell has also been guide and warden for a number of years at the Sevogle Salmon Club on the Sevogle River, a tributary of the Miramichi River system. Most of his life has been spent on the river or in the woods, depending on the season. He is very knowledgeable about nature and the New Brunswick species of wildlife. Darrell has been with us for 11 seasons and is what we call a 'flycasters’ guide' - knowing where, why and how fishermen should present their fly to the wiley Atlantic Salmon, for the best results.
"I fished with many good guides over my many years of fishing the Miramichi but I think Darrel Warren is one of the best darn guides on the Miramichi, 'cause after all, I taught him everything he knows."
Harry Kearney
Maine Guide
Caribou, Maine
ELVIS COUGHLAN
Elvis , for the most of his life, has been a life-long resident of the Miramichi, spending a few of his younger years traveling throughout Canada and most of the United States. Over the years Elvis, like his father before him, spent a lot of his life as a seasonal guide or in the lumbering business. Most of his twenty four years of guiding experience has been guiding fishermen on the Miramichi and Renous River for such lodges as the Miramichi Renous Club, Black Rapids and the Gray Rapids Lodge. Elvis has been with Country Haven for the past 17 seasons and is as dependable and productive as any guide on the Miramichi River system. Over the years some fishermen have started calling Elvis "The King”, not for his singing but for his uncanny ability of getting fishermen to hook into fish.
“ I landed 57 Spring Salmon and grilse over the weekend. The best I have ever done anywhere. Elvis played a big part in my catches”
Jerry Dugal
Durham, Maine
PETE RANDALL
Pete was born in Moncton, New Brunswick and started fishing the Miramichi at an early age traveling the hundred miles to the Miramichi for day trips with his father in 1952. Over the years Pete has been adventurous traveling all of Canada a number of times, most of the United States and many parts of Europe. Pete spent 12 years of big City life in Montreal and another eighteen in Toronto, has always enjoyed fishing, whether for Rainbows on Georgian Bay, Atlantics in Newfoundland and Labrador or on the Miramichi. Pete has never been one to back down from a challenge whether coaching a Junior Hockey team to the Ontario League Champions or as recent as in 1998 when he traveled 10,600 km from St. Anthony, NFLD to Squamish, B.C. covering all of Canada by snowmobile in 46 days.
But Pete says with a grin that none of his life challenges has been much greater then some of the 30+ lb Atlantic Salmon he has landed since returning to the place where his fishing all began here on the Miramichi. Over the past 28 years Pete has fished and canoed all of the Miramichi River and its tributaries, guests love him for his stories and smile. A day on the river with Pete is a day worthwhile. Pete is great with beginning and teaching dry fly and Bombers fishing.
“ To our guide Pete thank you for a great day on the river. Your guidance and instruction was just right for each member of our family”
Bill Fisher
Midlothian, Virginia
RANDELL CONNORS
Randell grew up in the Upper Blackville area of the Miramichi Valley and like many of the river guides is steeped in Miramichi tradition as his mother’s family owned and operated Campbell’s fishing lodge for many years. Randell has become a world traveler living and traveling all of North America and many far away places such as Mexico and Asia. A Jack-of-all-trades and a Master of them all from a paratrooper to carpenter, commercial diver to truck driver but his favorite of all is being a fishing guide. After seven previous years on the West Coast chasing Steelheads and Kings it was time for Atlantics and home on the Miramichi. Randell has been with us at Country Haven for the past five seasons doing much of our up river packages as he knows the up river pools better than anyone growing up fishing them as a kid. He is excellent with beginners and flyfishing instructions and adjusting to the condition with different techniques throughout the season.
“Randell is a wonderful fishing guide, knew the river like the back of his hand.”
Dennis Musgrave
North Pole, Alaska
DANNY COUGHLAN
Danny Coughlan has been a life long resident of the Miramichi River area, fishing much of the lower stretches of the Miramichi throughout the years. Danny has worked as a carpenter, lumberjack and fishing guide. This is Danny's 15th year as a guide here at Country Haven and what a great addition he has turned out to be. With his good natured personality, time does not matter when it comes to teaching beginners the art of fly fishing. Dan knows our water well and is always up for the challenge of catching Atlantic Salmon.
"Dan is a wonderful guide. The days spent with him on the River are our fondest memories of our Canada trip."
John and Lynn McKinney
Manchester England
GARY COLFORD
Gary Colford has been guiding on the Miramichi river and its tributaries for 50+ years at a number of lodges including 30 years at Wades throughout the years and has guided over 1,000 anglers including some world class
instructors such as Scott McKenzie, Garry Scott and everyones' favourite, Joan Wulff!
From professional to novice, spring, summer or fall, Gary's top priority is always the anglers success. Gary has been with us now for most of the time since 2007 and has been a great addition to our guiding staff. Gary is also known as "Mr. Cains river" because of his in-depth knowledge of the Cains. Gary has done a great job guiding our guests on the Upper Main river and the Cains over the past few seasons.
NB Tourism Video Gary Colford - The Ultimate Guide
"Garry Colford was my guide when I fished at Wades - he is one of the best guides
on the river. If you ever have the opportunity to add him to your excellent guiding staff
he would be good fit."
Harry Ptasynski
Casper, Wyoming
KEITH GALLON
Keith has always been know to be a great spring guide on the river, guiding for a number of lodges over the years including Black Rapids and Miramichi Adventure Inn. Keith knows the pools on the lower stretches of the Main River and the Renous very well for summer and fall fishing and knows every trick and fly in the trade when it comes to spring fishing. This will be Keith's eleventh full season with Country Haven after a very successful season guiding for us last year.
My son Tim and I had a fantastic weekend on the Miramichi
Keith is a Terrific Spring Guide.
Mark Wells
Chelsea, MA
STEVE MOUNTAIN
Steve Mountain was born in Kitchener, Ontario and moved to the Miramichi in 1977.
Behind every successful operation there is always a number of dedicated individuals working together daily for the best interest of the business. There is no better example of this than Steve. A carpenter by trade, he always gives 100% daily whether he is building, mowing, repairing boats or motors, rods or reels, transporting guest canoes, lunches or guiding. Steve is a "jack-of-all-trades" and master of them all! Every outfitter should have a "Steve" around! This will be Steve's 14th year with Country haven.
TYLER COUGHLAN
Tyler grew up on the river banks of the Miramichi, with much of his time spent at Country Haven, fishing before school in the mornings until sunset in the evenings.
He has met many famous and great anglers over the years, learning to tie flies and cast a fly rod by some of the very best. At an early age he would accompany guides and guests to learn the pools and how to fish them. Tyler enjoys guiding but over the past nine years has shared much of his time as a Miramichi River guide and also worked at the Miramichi Salmon Association. Between these two occupations there is not much of the Miramichi River he has not canoed or fished. Tyler is a knowledgeable guide with a great passion for the Wild Atlantic Salmon.
There are few guides that put as big a smile on my face as the Country Haven
guides do! Tyler is, by far, at the top of my list! April Vokey, BC
DARYL TUCKER
Daryl Tucker grew up on the Miramichi, fishing from a very early age for the Sea Runs of trout in White Rapids to the challenge of The Wild Atlantic salmon as he grew older. Daryl has guided for much of his adult life with a number of Lodges throughout the Miramichi including Dr Island and guided for a number of years for the late Great Tommy Williams - learning much from one of the better, older and knowledgeable guides on the River. Daryl specializes in guiding trout and salmon fishing anglers and loves the Renous River. He is also a well known fly tyer, having tied thousands of flies. For hundreds of fly fishermen each season, Daryl has been "The Country Haven Fly Tyer", has guided periodically for the past 18 years and has been full-time now for the past 7 seasons. There is not a single pool he does not know, a fly he can’t tie, or a song he can’t Sing.
“I’ve fished with Darryl Tucker for close to 22 years now. Besides being a great guide, a good friend and a fine companion on the river, I find I learn something new about salmon fishing every time I fish with him - which is generally what happens with the best guides, If you listen to them.
Doug Slink, Anglers Adventures, Old Lyme CT
GLEN SULLIVAN
Glen was born and has lived along the Miramichi for his entire life, fishing and guiding since an early age. Glen has guided for a number of lodges throughout the Miramichi including Black Rapids Lodge, Dr. Island and Hallihan's. Glen has been one of Country Haven's spring guides for many seasons and a full time guide now for the past four years. Glen has the East Coast Sense of Humour and is always great to spend time with as well as good experience in guiding on the Main Southwest Renous and Cains rivers.
“I Have been a guest at Country Haven for a number of years and all my visits were great but after my first morning out with Glen Sullivan and his his fly suggestions, I landed my largest salmon ever. Glen is the Man!"
Tom Hughes London England
IAN CAVANAGH
Ian has been fishing salmon for 40 years and has been connected to the outfitter business since he was born as the grandson of a camp manager who ran one of Miramichi's famous lodges in Boistown N.B. Ian is an Electrical Engineer by education and profession and had a career in the Information Technology industry which took him around the world and back before becoming a guide for Country Haven. Ian began frequenting our lodge as a guest for many years prior to joining our team of guides. Ian loves spending the time getting to know the people he guides, swapping stories of business & fishing. Ian's greatest joy is seeing people landing their first Atlantic salmon. Ian takes a fly rod wherever he travels and fishes for "Bonefish", "Permit" & "Tarpon" in a variety of places, including Barbados & Belize. His "real" passion, however, is Atlantic Salmon flyfishing on the Miramichi & Cains Rivers. Ian is also a fly tyer and runs a hobby business called Rocky Brook Fly Shop ,and he loves trying new patterns each season. This will be Ian’s 2nd full season of guiding for Country Haven Miramichi. He is a great addition to "the gang" so, make plans to come fish with Ian.
EACH OF OUR GUIDES HAS UNIQUE QUALITIES THAT SET THEM APART FROM EACH OTHER BUT ARE ALL BROUGHT TOGETHER BY THE MIRAMICHI RIVER AND THEIR LOVE OF ATLANTIC SALMON FISHING. WE ARE VERY HAPPY TO HAVE SUCH QUALIFIED AND KNOWLEDGEABLE GUIDES WORKING FOR US HERE AT COUNTRY HAVEN. IT'S A PLEASURE TO KNOW THEM AND WE ARE SURE YOU WILL FEEL THE SAME AFTER A DAY OF FISHING WITH THEM ON WHAT WE CONSIDER TO BE THE WORLD'S BEST ATLANTIC SALMON FISHING RIVER.
Melinda, Jeanie, Terri & Bev
To everyone at Country Haven, thanks for hosting our group for the great weekend!
Particular thanks to the gang in the kitchen. Their cooking was a feast 'fit for a king' and their good humor and laughter brightened the lodge.
- Dean Kesel, Washington, DC
Country Haven Crew
Just to echo my verbal thanks to you and all your great staff,
may I thank everyone for a super 13 days at Country Haven Lodge.
You should enter for Canada's Premier Holiday Facility.
They all showed a team led by great leadership on your behalf.
- Ronald Jones, Berkshire England.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FLY-FISHING FOR ATLANTIC SALMON, CONTACT: mailto:flyhook@outlook.com
Tel/Fax No: (506) 843-9010
Toll Free: 1-877-359-4665 (1-877-FLY HOOK)
