SALMON LODGE
We are proud to welcome you to the world-renowned Salmon Lodge which has more stories to tell than anyone could imagine. Sitting high on a 30m cliff overlooking the Grand Cascapedia;
The Salmon Lodge was built in the late 1800’s and the historic lodge has been painstakingly maintained and from the moment you arrive there’s a special feeling of being swept back in time to an era of when Atlantic salmon fishing was at its grandest.
Location
Quebec, Canada
Fish
Atlantic Salmon
Season
June to September
Information
The Salmon Lodge sits on the banks of the world-famous Grand Cascapedia and offers the flyfishing angler the chance of catching Atlantic Salmon on three famous rivers: the Bonaventure, the Petit and Grand Cascapedia. These are three of the most productive freshwater fly fishing rivers globally, not just by numbers of fish but also by incredible average size; with fish over 40lb landed every season is not uncommon. Each river is unique and will both challenge you and reward you with their crystal-clear waters and supreme fish.
ACCOMODATION
Although the lodge may be over 100 year’s old; you will not find a finer lodge with everything you could require. After an ambitious renovation in 2011; the lodge can host up to eight rods and four non-fishing guests all with private bathrooms. Queen beds are standard throughout. Breakfast is served in the dining room and lunch is generally served riverside by the guides. The lodge boasts a living room , computer room and cigar porch and if that was not enough, the highlight of any stay is relaxing on the veranda looking out over the Grand Cascapedia watching an eagle fly down the valley at sunset.
Separated in its own building, and adjacent to the main house; you will find the rod room, where you may store your rods, wading gear and all other fishing equipment. There is also a well stocked store which you will find all the flies and tippet material you would require as well as shirts and caps. The rod room always has fresh coffee in the morning and cool drinks at the end of the day.
Before a day’s fishing; you will be offered breakfast served typically from 06.00 where you will be offered different options every day. The chefs will make a picnic including soup, sandwiches, salads, fruit, snacks and cold drinks to enjoy either riverside or back at the lodge together with your guide. In the evenings, dinner starts with hors d’ouevres served in the sitting room or on the deck overlooking the Grand – perfect for catching up with the other anglers over a cold drink and hearing of the tales from the day as you watch highlights on the large tv of photos the guides have taken during the week.
A 3 course meal is served in the dining room including fresh lobster, seafood and steak from the area, whilst ensuring dietary requirements are met. Wine is included with dinner and guests are welcome to bring their own spirits.
Non-Angling Activities
Although fly fishing for Atlantic salmon is the main activity, the Lodge can help with non-fishing activities for the non-fishing guest. There is everything from hiking, birding and biking. There’s even an excellent 18 hole, par 72 golf course situated just ten minutes away. The bioparc is approximately 40 minutes drive from the lodge and is recommended.
Internet / Communications
For your convenience, the Lodge also offers free high-speed wireless access. A computer for checking e-mail or sending fish bragging photos is also available for your use in the main Lodge.
FISHING
The fishing schedule at Salmon Lodge is typically 9 hours split between a morning and an afternoon session. After breakfast, your guide will take you to the beat that you will be fishing on for the morning session. Fishing is normally by wading, but when water levels are higher – typically in June and early July, the traditional 26 foot canoes may be used to access some of the beats and place you on the hot spot. After lunch you will continue fishing until around 5pm and return to the lodge for dinner and drinks with your fellow anglers.
The guides are all qualified instructors and speak both English and French, committed to the sport, and will do everything they can to provide the best chances of landing that dream fish and with their expertise and knowledge of the river systems, will help choose your flies and tactics for that pool. Even the most experienced angler will learn something.
Based on which river you are fishing that day, it pays to have a single handed rod with you for dry fly fishing and a switch or short two handed rod for wet flies. Only the Grand Cascapedia is a wide river where a larger rod can come in handy, but even then a 12 foot rod with a floating line and possibly a slow sinking tip is sufficient. All rivers are fed by mountain streams and brooks with cold water which helps keep the rivers cooler than other rivers in the area.
The 112km Grand Cascapedia holds the largest fish and we believe that if someone had designed the perfect salmon river, they would have used the Grand as a template. The river is crystal clear but due to logging in the 18 and 1900s, the river has a slight brown ting. To us, it may look tea coloured, but to the salmon looking up, it is crystal clear.
The Petite Cascapedia may be smaller, but holds the same broad shouldered strain of Atlantic salmon as the Grand. It is a much more intimate river but crystal clear. We like to think of the Petite as a mix of the Grand and Bonaventure.
The Bonaventure is deemed to be one of the clearest rivers in the world. Here you will see guides using a periscope to spot fish in the river – even possible in turbulent waters. The river is renowned for its dry fly fishing and to see a fish rise from the deeps to take the fly from the surface will most certainly have your heart in your mouth. Fishing here is best from a canoe and due to the water, this is possible most of the season.
We highly recommend getting in touch with us to gain a better understanding of the three rivers.
Fishing in the Gaspe is a mix of private waters, public waters and the lottery allocated. Each river is different with regards to this but together with Salmon Lodge we will do our utmost to give you the best chances of prime waters. Even if you do not win in the lottery, you will still fish pristine waters. We highly recommend to have booked by 1st of November to have the best odds by entering the grand lotteries, however, there are still the 48h lotteries held each day through the season and so should not be considered as an absolute must.
TRAVEL
Salmon Lodge is a two hour drive from Bathurst airport. Gaspé is served by daily flights from Montreal, and Bathurst from Quebec. It’s also possible to take the overnight train from Montreal to Campbelton which runs 3 times a week and is one hour from the lodge. Driving from Montreal takes approximately 9-10 hours and is a simple drive.
When is the best time to visit?
The season starts in late June and ends in September with the early runs holding the largest salmon and fishing done from the canoe with a wet fly. Fresh fish will enter the rivers all the way up to August. As the rivers drop wading will become more common. A quick thunderstorm can easily lead to the rivers being high enough through the summer to be able to fish from a canoe. As the water warms up, dry fly fishing becomes more prevalent.
Typical Length of Stay
The typical length of stay at the Salmon Lodge is seven (7) nights with six (6) days of fishing, but shorter stays are possible.
Typical Itinerary
Saturday: Depart home
Saturday: Arrive Montreal and overnight
Sunday: Fly from Montreal to Bathurst and transfer to the lodge
Monday – Sunday: Seven days of guided fishing
Sunday: Depart the lodge. Fly from Bathurst to Montreal
Monday: Depart for home
Documents Required
Valid passport. Citizens of the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, the UK, and other Western European nations do not need a visa for tourist trips of up to ninety days.
Travel Insurance
Prior to booking, please ensure that your travel insurance covers for travelling to remote areas and for the type of activities you are planning. We highly recommend also considering a Global Rescue Membership
BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE
We have worked hard to be able to provide you with the best prices possible. If you are quoted a lower price we will endeavour to beat it.
