Atlantic salmon anglers have been pleasantly astonished by the incredible numbers of salmon returning to the rivers of Atlantic Canada this season. Many fish counting stations have reported near record numbers and many veterans are proclaiming 2011 the best salmon fishing in nearly 50 years! While there has been an upward trend in recent years, no one can explain this huge spike in 2011. But it is pretty clear that “buy outs” of commercial fisheries coupled with catch & release regulations, now mandated on many Quebec and Newfoundland rivers as well as New Brunswick, are paying huge dividends. The 2011 spawning escapement has been the best seen in many years holding promise of even bigger runs in years to come!
With all the excitement over this fantastic season, rebooking has been extremely high. But as of this writing, some excellent slots are still available for the 2012 season. And with the recent increase in value of the US dollar against the Canadian, now’s the time to deposit and lock in your space.
Quebec, Gaspe Peninsula
Fishing was “off the hook” at Camp Brûlé on the Petite Cascapedia where guests enjoyed an impressive 1.2 salmon landed per rod per day average, for the entire season! Brûlé rotates through their 3.5 miles of private water on the Petite and fishes the nearby Grand Cascapedia and the Bonaventure as well. The gin clear Petite is the coldest river on the Gaspé and fishes well right through August and has a fall run in September. Current openings include:
June 14 – 21, 7 nts/6 days, 2-rods, $3,515 CAD + tax – prime week for big fish
July 22 – 29, 7 nts/6 days, 4-rods – $4,372 CAD + tax – primetime on the Petite
July 29 – August 5, 7 nts/6 days, 6-rods – $4,372 CAD + tax – excellent dry fly week!
Sporadic openings throughout August and September. Rates subject to change October 15th, 2011.
Camp Bonaventure had over 1,000 fish landed to 12 rods this season, their best in their 16 year history. Many fish in the high to mid-30’s were taken. While they concentrate on both private and ZEC water on the “Bonnie”, Camp Bonaventure also fishes the Grand and the Petite.
June 9th to 13th for 2 rods, 4 nts/4 days, $3,400 CAD + tax – prime big fish
July 10th to 15th for 1 rod, 5 nts/5 days. $4,250 CAD + tax – wheelhouse week!
July 22nd to 25th for 2 rods, 3 nts/3 days, $2,550 CAD + tax – great dry fly
Sept. 16th – 23rd for 6 rods, 7 nts/7 days, $5,950 CAD + tax – prime fall run
Sporadic openings throughout August and September
The Salmon Lodge is located on the mighty Grand Cascapedia, one of the world’s top producers of trophy Atlantic Salmon. This 120 year old lodge enjoyed a season reminiscent of the good old days. The camp released over 700 salmon on 8 rods this season. We had guests hook as many as 18 and land monsters up to 35 pounds this season!
June 2nd – 9th, for 6 rods, 7 nts/7 days, (call for rate) – monster week on the Grand!
July 19th to 22nd, for 3 rods, 3 nts/3 days, $2,550 CAD + tax – prime time
July 22nd to 29th, for 6 rods, 7 nts/7 days, $5,950 CAD + tax – high numbers of fish
July 29th to August 5th, for 4 rods, 7 nts/7 days, $5,950 CAD + tax – great dry fly week
There are also sporadic openings in August and September.
Labrador, Newfoundland
The Eagle River is Canada’s most productive salmon river. I was able to secure a rod for a single angler the week of July 8th – 15th this year at Pratt Falls Salmon Lodge. He hooked 52 fish and landed 30! He reported the catch as about a 60/40 mix of salmon to grilse with fish up to the high teens. Rates are $4,900 CAD + tax.
June 29 – July 6 Prime Time! Best bet for large salmon without being too early. 8 rods.
July 6 – 13 Prime Time! Peak catch rates with lots of large and grilse. 2 rods
July 27 – August 3 Prime Time! Peak catch rates with lots of large and grilse. 10 rods.
August 3 – 10 High catch rate of grilse, large ‘jacks’ and sea-run trout. 12 rods.
New Brunswick, the Miramichi River
The Miramichi enjoyed excellent water flows and enormous runs of fish from early June right through September. Anglers who hit conditions right reported catching upwards of 20 fish for a week!
We represent two of the finest lodges on the river, the venerable family owned Wilson’s Sporting Camp on the upper river and Country Haven Lodge below Blackville. Both lodges offer guests miles of private water including some of the very best pools on the river. Fishing rates start at $450 CAD + taxes per day and packages of any duration may be arranged. Please call for details.
