Du 9 mile, Rouge-gorge, DuPecheur, are the names of just 3 of the seveal salmon pools Greg and I had the good fortune to cast a fly through. The good news is each and every pool we fished held Atlantic Salmon. We would see them acrobatically leap, or swirl around in a pool a mere 15 feet from where you are standing. In fact on one pool a giant Salmon actually covered me with water as he cascaded forward in the pool. The bad news, we didn’t catch any salmon. You see Atlantic Salmon fishing is not about catching fish. You have to be indifferent to catching Salmon. You have to be patient and resilent. There were times when I threw a fly and I swore I saw the Salmon smirk back at me as the fly drifted inches from his nose. They are not in the river to feed. So, they never go on a feeding frenzey. There is no “bite on” when fishing for these fish. They will take only when they are ready. It does not matter how many times or how many flies you cast to them. I am not certain I will ever feel the urge to fish for them again. However, I am certain I will yearn to return to theTrinite’ What will bring me back? Perhaps the sheer thrill of watching whales porpoising in front of your camp as the sunrises over the St Lawrence. Or maybe the solitude of the river some 40km back in the bush. And if thats not enough those 5lb Sea Run Brookies sure will. Thats right! Sea Run Bookies so fresh they still have sea lice attached. These fish are built to survive the perils of the ocean. Imagine the strength they display when hooked to a 5x tippet on a 5 weight rod. Both Greg and I caught our largest trout to date on this trip.(albeit mine was the biggest) These trout will take you into your backing! Your reel will screech! Your heart rate will increase! My largest trout ran 60 feet before stopping the first time. After awhile of letting him fight the rod I started to reel him in. Just as the flyline was returning to the reel away he went again, deeper into the backing this time. All of a sudden the fish turned and came to me at a speed that I could not keep pace with while reeling. As the line went slack I was sure I lost my chance to land my biggest trout ever. I retrieved line as quickly as I could and was pleasantly surprised to learn he was still there. The trout then swam to the shoreline looking for cover under the cut bank. Fortunately I was able to coax him away from the branches and rocks while leading him to the net.I know that the policy of Flies and Fins is not to promote products or services and I will honor that policy. However if anyone wishes to contact me for the name, number of email address to the outfitter we used feel free.Greg, Thanks for the great time and French lessons. Maybe I will try those Salmon againJocelin, Merci Beaucoup. It was a pleasure meeting you and Sunnie.
Real nice report Pat, I especially enjoyed the Trout fight you had. Screemin’ reels is tha goal, sure enough, however the sights, sounds, vistas form the essence of our adventures. “When the Salmon wants yer fly, he takes it.” That’s what John says on the Margaree, ask gregB. What I really want to know is this; Did the +arting, belching, caughing, nagging, “where’s my-?”, stuff keep you up at night?
He snores from the time his eyes close. His addicition to fishing is only on surpassed by his addiction to caffeine and nicotine, but he is one hell of a lot of fun to travel and fish with. Just watch where you leave your bottle of bourbon…….
Oh baby, I know! hee, hee, hee…
wow – seems like you guys had a great trip. so – the pools were full of fresh atlantic salmon. jumping in front of you and splashing water right in your face. laughing at you. gotta love it. i know you say, “I am not certain I will ever feel the urge to fish for them again” – but that is where I would disagree. See, you will go to bed – night after night and, granted, you will be able to have fond memories of those big strong brook trout taking you way into your backing – however, that Atlantic Salmon will pop into your mind…and laugh at you. You will then twist and turn and roll side to side but he will still be there…bright silver…big and strong and holding in crystal clear water. you will drink you bourbon and try to drown him out…but he will remain…laughing and taunting you. Then, you will start to think of what you could have done differently…and that’s when your in trouble. because, you will figure something out and it will feel like you have just found the key to the universe. maybe its the color fly, or the size fly or maybe a special leader….whatever the case….those salmon will lure you back someday and when they do…they might just laugh at you again or maybe one will take your fly…and if that happens…it will be one of the best fish you have ever tricked. i think that is why they are such prized fish…because they are NOT easy to catch and they taunt every fly fisherman. they are much like women. every guy knows this to be true. it’s always the woman who we fell head over heals for…the one that we would have done anything for…and inevitably she barely knew we existed. all of our efforts to get her to recognize us were in vain….until finally one day we said….”ahhh..forget about her – she is not all that great anyway” – but everyone knows its just because she wanted nothing to do with you. maybe next time she will turn her head your way.
on another note – i am sold on those sea run brook trout. i want to hook a brook trout that rips me into my backing and has sea lice on him. i will hopefully make it up there to give it a shot and to try my luck with the beautiful women of the atlantic (Atlantic Salmon). I got some flies that will charm them.
did he start singing…”mama don’t let your baby grow up to be cowboys”?…cuz when that happens he is starting to go over the edge and it gets ugly from that point forward.
pat – i appreciate your consideration for the fliesandfins.com policy of not using articles to promote guide services, fly shops or merchandise. this is a special instance though – and jocelin has become a friend of greg’s and now yours. so, if anyone out there is interested in doing a very affordable brook trout/atlantic salmon trip to Canada – be sure to consider jocelin’s services. he is the owner of North Shore Fishing Adventures and his wife Sunnie helps him with preparations and making sure you are having a good time fly fishing. From what Greg and Pat have told me they are very down to earth people, very easy going, fun to fly fish with and offer very affordable fly fishing packages.So – if your looking for Big Brook Trout and Atlantic Salmon…look no further – and visit http://www.nsfa-adventures.com [www.nsfa-adventures.com]
Pat you are a pleasure to fish with you and your being there definately just served to make the experience more enjoyable. Have not forgot Argentina. bought good Quebec maps at Delome yesterday.
Sorry about the snoring, Etc.
Great story pat! I have long wished for the chance to chase the “fish of 1000 casts”. They are arguably the most majecstic species of fish one can cast to, and I envy your time spent fishing to them in such a pristine setting with your good friend and your gracious hosts.
But it seems that the sea run brookies (salters?) have won the day! Nicely done.
Nate
Jeremy,
I have already started reading atlantic salmon fishing techniques. You are right, I will go back and try them again. I will make it a point to beat one of them… However I will think of my wife as the brook trout always there, dependable, and fun. I will let the other woman remain forever uncatchable.