We drove eight hours +/- to a town on the St. Lawrence seaway. Then mde a 2 and 1/2 hour Ferry ride across the St. Lawrence to a small town at the Mouth of the Trinite River. Ken, his 15 year old son and I got a cabin at the mouth of the river where it makes it’s way into the Atlantic Ocean. The combination of Big Sea Run Brookies, Alantic Salmon and the natural beauty of the North Shore of Quebec makes the 8 hour drive more than equitable. There are no crowded pools or runs, you and your friends are alone every day in a wilderness area as remote as it gets. There were Atlantic Salmon and Sea Run Brookies in every pool we fly fished. The Sea Run Brookies were taking our flies consistently. Salmon, did what Atlantic Salmon always do and only ate when they felt like it. Ken’s 15 year old son Garth, had a great time with the Sea Run Brookies which makes this trip excellent for young fly fishermen who need the occassional catch to maintain their interest. Our local guide was casting to rising Trout and hooked a beautifully colored Sea Run Brook Trout. The fish had more than just the fly in his mouth, he also had tale hanging from it’s mouth! I had no idea that Brookies ate mice. I’ll take mouse patterns next time. If anyone out there is interested in some info about this trip, feel free to send me a private message. I would be happy to give you some info about when, where and point you in the right direction.
greg — how long does that fishery hold up? still time to make a trip? leave maine at night … fly fishing first thing the next morning … or after the ferry ride across st. lawreence …. close enough ..
i got some mouse patterns …..
do those brookies really rip since they are sea run? any chance of 4-6 pounders? how bout the salmon? sight fishing? did they take streamers or dries?
do you have to have a guide or can you go it alone? … let me know … if it is a doable last minute trip for those reasons .. lets go sooner than later…
ps .. how far is the actual fishing spots from the atlantic ocean? i would imagine that the fish closest to the ocean would be the freshest?? i would love to get a fresh atlantic salmon in this region of canada … close to home .. and i really like the idea that if the salmon are not taking .. i can fish to the greedy brookies ..
ps .. what makes conditions good and bad? in otherwords … are water levels good now but moving towards getting too low? or are they high now and getting better? .. how does the fishing look like it is going to be over the next 2 weeks ?
ps .. can we stay on the river? thanks.
Looks like the drive/ferry ride is well worth it. I would love to fish leming patterns to sea run brookies. Nice job Greg.
whippa, your correct that is a Lemming. The longer hind legs give it away.
Plenty of time to make a trip. The river will hold Salmon and Sea Run Brookies until closing day at the end of September.
The Brookies are very strong and aggressive especially coming fresh from the ocean. I caught A Brookie with sea lice 20 miles up the river. Although there are major runs fish are coming in all the time. The water levels and water temps. effect the Salmon more than the Brookies but those variables effect any fishery. You do not have to hire a guide, though if your going for the first time I would and did.
A fresh fish can be 20 miles + up river as some make it up in hours. Right now water levels should be perfect as I just checked the weather up there and it is raining. We had a full moon while we were up there and that creates higher tides which get more fish coming in.
The really great part is the amount of rivers and ponds for float tubes and canoes that are full of native brookies. I do stay on the river and for those that like to camp, tent or camper there is plenty of room.
Greg it sounds like an awesome trip. I am heading up to the york and dartmouth on the 15th of next month. How far is where you fish from Gaspe bay? Greg do you know if the sea run brookies are in any of the rivers mentioned above? I am so excited for next months trip after reading your adventure. Keep up the good work!!! Speaking of salmon one of my good guide friends G.O. said he caught a good size king yesterday on the dsr. Time to put away the 4wt and break out the 7/8 wt.
Mickey
Yes there are trout in the rivers of Gaspe, although not as many. Gaspe is great and the water is gin clear, so you are sight fishing.
Distance to where I was on the North Shore is not that far. Look at a map of Gaspe and on the North Shore look for a town named Matane, this is where you get the ferry to Godbout on the North side of the St. Lawrence. The trip is 2 hous + and is a beautiful trip. If you send me a private message I can give you names and numbers on who to call.
The Trinité river is on the North shore (IE on the other side of the St. Lawrence from where you will be). Like most north shore rivers the setting is incredibly rugged and beautiful as the water comes tumbling down from high in the laurentian plateau. These rivers are usually big brawling affairs. Generaly they are acidic and low productivity rivers, which is why the salmonids go into the ocean. There just aren’t enough nutrients in the rivers to support a large population of growing fish.
I wouldn’t worry too much about it though; you are going to the York and Dartmouth, two of the most famous Salmon rivers in Quebec. The Gaspé peninsula is quite beautiful and has a spine made of Appalachian mountains running down it’s centre. The rivers in the Gaspé are different from the north shore. Here the water is almost unbelievable clear, whereas on the North Shore the water is tea coloured. And not to fret….there are sea run brookies in the Gaspé as well.
Just bring your wallet. Generally speaking the government up here will fleece you any chance it can get if you want to fish for Salmonids.
For the Trinité river location go to 49d 25m North and 67d 18m West on Google earth.
Ramacles
I have been to the Trinite twice and found the water to be tea stained a color often found in most of the rivers I fish. As I said in a repply to fishgolf, the waters in Gaspe are gin clear and you are sight fishing there. This , however does not detract from mine or my friends experieence in North shore Quebec. I took the ferry to Godbout, so I have an understanding of where it is.
I enjoy fishing in both places and have yet to find a shortage of fish in either place. I have yet to feel fleeced while in Canada and know little or nothing about the government. I go to fish and thats it. The last few years I have fished the York and Dartmouth twice a year and enjoy it. Thanks for your interest.
Hello greg.Thank’s for the great read.I’d like to know how to get there from here. (maine). How much the guides get and where to find them.What research did you do not being there before and how did you choose this spot?Thanks.
Uh greg….my response was to fishgolf. I was trying to help him out by answering some of his questions. Hadn’t noticed that you had already posted a response.
sent a pm for more info
no problem, happens to me all the time.
Greg,It looks like this is an old post, but if you wouldn’t mind sharing some info….my buddies and I are looking to fish for some sea run brookies in Canada this summer, and I was wondering if I might be able to pick your brain a bit……how exactly do you send a private message on this site? Let me know….I would love to get some info from you. Take care!