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Fishing Tackle
Canada - sight fishing for Atlantic salmon on the Gaspe peninsular
23 April 2009
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Nothing if not determined, the much sought after Atlantic salmon is well versed in running a variety of rivers, and hence us anglers are accustomed to pulling out a variety of weapons to assist us in the pursuit. Little in fly fishing is as graceful as a well executed Spey cast, indeed I could gladly sit and watch a maestro all day long. But what about fishing for those same salmon in smaller, more intimate and completely crystal clear rivers, and being able to use your favourite #8 outfit ?
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I hear many different people talk about so called “crystal clear” water, but in my mind what constitutes crystal clear is when I can see the fish virtually as clearly as I can see the view in front of me. Granted, you’ll need a decent set of polarised sunglasses, but to really see the fish you are trying to catch is going to forever give me that thrill I seek from my fishing. I happen to know of a small part of Canada that is home to a few intimate salmon rivers that run properly clear, and the fish can grow properly big as well.
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You can access the Gaspe peninsular with some degree of ease from the UK (two flights and you’re there), and whilst a couple of the larger rivers do lend themselves to a Spey rod during the early part of the season, for most of the time you can travel with an #8 outfit and one for backup, plus floating lines, breathable waders and outer clothing to deal with all kinds of weather. The fishing is tightly controlled to ensure the safe passage of the salmon and so that fishermen do not find others on their beats. I would strongly advise staying at a decent local fishing lodge and utilising the skills of a good guide to enable you to maximise your success rates.
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If you come from the world of salmon fishing then you will find some degree of comfort in the actual techniques employed, for the big difference I found was that I learnt so much about a salmon’s behaviour around the fly because I could so easily see what was going on in front of me. This level of insight gives on a valuable lesson that can be applied to other forms of salmon fishing.
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The outer layers you wear will determine how effectively you can fish when the weather closes in, for the lighter and more efficient your waterproofs, the easier it is to keep fishing. Water dripping down the small of your back while you stand thigh deep in a cold river is something we could all do without. We were testing prototypes of the new EWS wading jackets and they performed flawlessly. Whether fishing or photographing, I tend to live in my EWS breathable waders and wading boots, for as much as I love my wet-wading, you won’t find me doing so in a late summer river on the Gaspe peninsular. Few people realise just how unique this particular brand of salmon fishing is, and how cost effective and accessible it actually is. We came away with the feeling that we had gone and stumbled upon a well-kept secret.