Salmon Fishing - East Canada

General Information about Atlantic Salmon Fishing Holidays to Eastern Canada

Good to know:

Miramichi

Grand Cascapedia

Restigouche

Moise

Canadian Sport Fishing Laws & Regulations

Canada Salmon Flies

Fishing in Eastern Canada-General Overview

The Atlantic Salmon Rivers of Eastern Canada are amongst the world's finest. Although the names of the great rivers may not slip off the tongue of many European anglers, to North American fishermen the Miramichi, Grand Cascapedia, Restigouche and Bonaventure are names that are spoken with reverence and devotion. The provinces of Labrador, Quebec and New Brunswick are home to these great rivers, emptying into the Gulf of St Lawrence. Like many great Salmon rivers they have had their highs and lows; however the collaboration between the Atlantic Salmon Federation (ASF) and the North Atlantic Salmon Federation (NASF), resulting in the permanent buyout of Canada's commercial Salmon fisherman alongside the suspension of Greenland's commercial Salmon fishery, has freed the passage for tens of thousands of returning Salmon. Explosive runs of Atlantic Salmon in the 2010 and 2011 seasons would seem to suggest that East Canada may be about to make a very prominent return to the world Atlantic Salmon fishing stage.

Canadian Atlantic Salmon Rivers

Beautiful surroundings, large fish and generally excellent returns over the 2010 & 2011 seasons make the Salmon Rivers of East Canada one of the places to fish for Atlantic Salmon. A handful of the best rivers are listed below.

• Miramichi
• Grand Cascapedia
• Restigouche
• Moise

Salmon Fishing Methods and Canadian Salmon Flies

All rivers will have certain ‘key’, techniques and styles that will help unlock their treasures. A few practical tips on what to bring when fishing for Atlantic Salmon in Canada.

WWMF Tip: When fishing anywhere new for the first time it is better to bring the ‘kitchen sink’ and avoid any preconceptions you might have concerning what tackle to use – it is always advantageous to have the full range of options at your disposal as opposed to adopting a more minimalistic approach leading you to curse yourself all vacation.

A light double handed rod and a Green bomber-Perfect for the Salmon on the Miramichi

Fishing Rods: The single-handed 9 ft fishing rod continues to reign supreme as the rod of choice for Salmon anglers in North America as a whole. Double handed rods, or Spey rods as they are more commonly referred to in the USA and Canada are gaining a growing following. Many guides will look somewhat reverently as an accomplished spey caster effortlessly propels a large fly the width of the river, but it is also true that others are rightly wary of the disturbance that a noisy cast can make on the smooth clear waters which are typical of many of the Canadian rivers. The dominance of dry fly-fishing for Salmon during the prime summer months makes the more delicate presentation afforded by a single-handed rod a significant attribute and one that should sensibly be embraced as one of the fishing methods open to anglers.

Dry Fly-Fishing for Salmon: Fishing for salmon with a dry fly is one of the most popular and successful means of catching Salmon on Canadian Rivers. It has been suggested that a reason for this is on account of the geographic proximity of the Salmon to their feeding grounds in Greenland. Unlike Salmon running rivers in Scotland or Norway the urge or instinct to feed is still ‘alive’ and hence they apparently break the rules by ‘feeding’. Of course it may also be for some totally different reason, a genetic imprint from their earlier feeding behaviour whilst in the river. Whatever the reason, which will undoubtedly continue to be a topic of enthusiastic discussion, a fact that is assured is that Atlantic Salmon in Canadian Rivers will at times very readily take a dry fly. Typically these are dead-drifted but the hitched or skated fly can be equally effective.

Top 10 Recommended Canada Salmon Dry Flies: The list is far from extensive and is ever-changing, however here are some of the best Atlantic Salmon dry flies for Canada and the Gaspe Peninsula:

• Black Bomber
• Brown & White Bomber
• Brown & White-Chartreuse Tail Bomber
• Chocolate Bomber
• Burdock Dry Fly
• Labatt Blue Wulff Bomber
• Natural & Orange Cigar Bomber
• Shrimp Cigar Bomber
• White Wulff
• Royal Wulff

Top 10 Recommended Canada Salmon Wet Flies: Many of the Atlantic Salmon patterns used in Eastern Canada are fairly standard traditional Salmon flies as used all over the world. That said there have been a huge number of very effective patterns that have been developed over the years which now take pre-eminent positions in many fly-boxes; the Green Machine being one name that resonates in a great many catch record books. Single hooks are very popular. It should be noted that treble hooks and salmon flies with weighted bodies are illegal.

• Green Machine & Variants
• Glitter Bugs
• Black Bear Green Butt
• Black & Green Stonefly
• Blue Charm
• Green Highlander
• Pompier
• Cosseboom
• Red Francis
• Undertaker

Anyone booking an Atlantic Salmon fishing trip to Canada will receive a free box of appropriate salmon flies suitable for your trip

Seasons and Best Times To Fish

Individual rivers may have individual seasons however based on the Miramichi the Atlantic Salmon fishing season runs from 15 April until 15 October. The main Salmon runs are typically in June and July although one of the besat periods to fish is from mid September to mid October when the autumn colours make the scenery absolutely resplendent and totally unforgettable.

Over mid September-mid October the foliage in Eastern Canada can be truly spectacular

The Climate-Quebec & New Brunswick

The northern half of New Brunswick and the province of Quebec have a continental climate with warm summers and cold winters. Summer months (June to August) are hot and often humid, with cooler evenings. Autumn and spring are cooler and winters are very cold and snowy. Rainfall is fairly evenly spread throughout the year.

Travel to Eastern Canada

The Canadian salmon rivers of New Brunswick & Quebec are blessed with good access. From Europe there are any number of international flights to Montreal or Halifax (London approx 6-7 hrs) and from there domestic flights followed by a short domestic transfer. From the domestic airport good roads to the lodges negate the need for expensive floatplanes, helicopters or other more elaborate means of transport.

Booking a Fishing Holiday to Canada

If you are interested booking a fishing holiday in Canada and would like advice on where to go, when to go and what to take then email Justin@WhereWiseMenFish.com or call +44 (0) 208 123 3516 or +44 (0)7711 519 857