Blackville
Blackville is a village of almost 1,000 people (2016) in the Miramichi River Valley on the Southwest Miramichi River where the Bartholomew River flows into the main river. Blackville is considered the Salmon Capital of the Miramichi.
Understand
The parish of Blackville, for which the town is named, was named in honour of William Black, the acting governor of the colony of New Brunswick from 1829 to 1831.
Blackville's economy was once tied to the forest industry. A large sawmill that employed 200 workers had been operated in the village, but it closed in 2007 as a result of economic pressures.
Blackville was founded before 1801 by United Empire Loyalists from the lower St. John River valley and by people from Miramichi, especially the Scots.
In 1825, Blackville was affected by the Great Miramichi Fire, which devastated 10,000-20,000 km² in the centre and northeast of the province and killed more than 280 people.
Get in
It is approximately 40 km southwest of Miramichi, and 130 km northeast of Fredericton.
There is Via Rail and Maritimebus service to Miramichi, but from there you'll need a car.
Fredericton Airport (YFC IATA) has flights from Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa.
Get around
By car.
See
- Watch the fish jump in the rivers.
Do
- Fishing: Blackville boasts plenty of excellent fishing pools, and New Brunswick yields tens of thousands of fish every year for anglers. Atlantic salmon fishing in North America is restricted to fly fishing only and there are strict seasons, catch limits and other restrictions. Non-residents of New Brunswick are required to hire a licensed guide to fish for Atlantic salmon. Guides are available locally and one can be hired to guide up to three anglers. The Main Southwest Miramichi is also one of only a few remaining rivers in which the fishing rights are still privately owned in North America and fishing access can be difficult unless arranged through a commercial sporting camp or outfitter. The Miramichi River produces nearly fifty percent of all the rod-caught salmon in North America.
- 1 Vickers River Tubing, 906 Howard Rd, Howard (9 km S of Blackville), ☏ +1 506-843-6707.
- The village also hosts a municipal park on the site of the village's first sawmill, and is an access point to an extensive snowmobile trail system.
Buy
- 1 Foodland - Blackville, 85 Main St. M-Sa 8AM-8PM, Su 10AM-6PM. Grocery store.
- 2 Curtis Miramichi Outfitters, 163 Main St, ☏ +1 506 843-2481, curtisoutlet@aibn.nb.com. Apr 15 - Oct 15: M-F 9AM-6PM, Sa 9AM-5PM; off-season gym appointment (send an email). Fly fishing and paddling equipment, canoe rentals, and a fully certified fly fishing school.
Eat and drink
- 1 Hooked N' Cooked, 208 Main St, ☏ +1 506 843-3474. Tu 8AM-2PM, W Th 8AM-8PM, F Sa 8AM-9PM, Su 9AM-8PM. Fried seafood.
- Burke's Diner, 12801 NB-8, ☏ +1 506 843-6503. Daily 11AM-8PM. Turkey dinner, mashed potatoes and gravy, cheap burgers, sandwiches, fish and chips, diner breakfasts.
- Trio Pizza, Shaffer Rd, ☏ +1 506 843-6526. Daily 9AM-5PM. Great pizza, hamburgers, chicken, fries, ice cream, fish and chips, breakfast, daily specials.
Sleep
There are numerous privately owned fishing lodges in the Blackville area, where anglers can purchase accommodations and the services of a fishing guide.
Hotels are available in Miramichi.
- 1 Country Haven Lodge, 601 Route #118, Gray Rapids (3 km from Blackville), toll-free: +1 877-359-4665. Lodge consists of five bedrooms, 3 bathrooms,and a modern kitchen and dining area. 2- and 3-bedroom cottages available. Accommodations, meals, equipment, instructions (guides and private fishing), transportation to and from airports.
- Mountain Channel Salmon Club, 703 Route 118 (on the Southwest Miramichi River where the Bartholomew River flows into the main river), ☏ +1 506 843-6477, +1 506 843-2524.
Connect
Cellular service is available in the village to anyone subscribed to a Bell Canada affiliate.