Spate · Mixed · Nova Scotia (Cape Breton), CA

Margaree

The Margaree River bending past a steep, layered rock cliff and autumn-coloured trees, with a gravel bar in the foreground.
Fair · Atlantic Salmon
Green Highlander · sizes 2 8
Fairlive now
A side-water session, not the main event
River dropping into shape after a lift. Worth a few hours before it drops away.
70% confidence
What moved it
  • Level0.50 mDropping after lift
  • Water temp6.7°C
  • ClarityColouredColouring up
Today's fly
Green Highlander
Green Highlandersizes 2 8
River-specific pack, filled from the regional salmon default.
Conditions on the water
Live gauge
Level
Steady
0.50 m
Dropping after lift
Water temp6.7°C
ClarityColoured
Weather5°C
WindN 58 km/h
Pressure1015 hPa
Rain · recent8.0 mm
Rain · ahead2.3 mm

The nearest gauge doesn't record temperatures, so we've estimated it — defer to the river keeper's advice.

Water temperature for Atlantic Salmon
Cool — slow
7°C est.ideal 10–16°C
0°14°28°
How to fish it · for Atlantic Salmon
When
Morning into early afternoon.
Where
Pool tails, steadier runs, and any water with pace.
Method
Fish a sensible line-and-fly combination for the height and pace of water.
Kit
13 ft #8/9 double-hander in spate, 10 ft #8 single in low water. Floating line plus a fast-sink tip. 12–15 lb fluoro tippet.
Why this works
Fair — time of day is working for you, but water temperature is the limiting factor today.
Likely species
Gammarids
Hatch timeline · todayQuiet day

Hatch predictions

Today's headline hatch shown — see all 3 active hatches hour by hour as a supporter.

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Beyond the hatch · worth watchingambient prey(1)

Hatch predictions

Supporters see what else is on the menu.

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Evidence
Records-basedModerate confidence

Based on species-occurrence records, not local invertebrate surveys.

Through the year
0–3 scale · October highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Salmon runRun
1
2
2
2
1
Trout seasonSeason
1
2
2
2
2
1
Early Black StoneflyHatch
2
3
2
Eastern Golden StoneHatch
2
2
Slate Drake / IsonychiaHatch
2
3
3
3
3
2
Yellow SallyHatch
2
3
3
2

Numbers are intensity 0 (none) to 3 (peak) — a guide, not a guarantee.

Ranked for today
Fly box · Atlantic Salmon
Permits & access
Permit required — see local rules.
  • Nova Scotia salmon rules apply, with fly-only traditions and late-season management making current local regulations worth checking closely before fishing.
What's coming
Plan ahead
5-day outlook
Other water nearby · 3
Middle River
23 km
0
Salmon · Brook trout
Baddeck River
26 km
0
Salmon · Brook trout
Mabou River
38 km
0
Salmon · Brook trout
Gallery · 2
  1. The Margaree River bending past a steep, layered rock cliff and autumn-coloured trees, with a gravel bar in the foreground.
    A salmon pool on the Margaree River
  2. Terrain map of the venue
    Terrain map
Why this score · for Atlantic Salmon
  • Temperature3030% weight
  • Flow6025% weight
  • Clarity4020% weight
  • Feeding Time9015% weight
  • Pressure8510% weight
Directions
Apple MapsGoogle Maps
Seasons & zones
  • Salmon 1 June → 31 October
  • Trout 1 April → 30 September
  • Brook trout 1 April → 30 September

    The Margaree is renowned for Atlantic salmon but also holds genuine brook trout fishing, especially in tributary streams like the North East Margaree. General NS season April 1 – September 30. Margaree Salmon Association manages access on private water — check current rules. NS Angling Licence required.

Related guides
Atlantic Salmonsalmon tacticsEuro Nymphingsubsurface methods
Booking & contacts