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SCREAMING REELS & NORTHERN LIGHTS |
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January 4, 2006 |
North Shore Fishing Adventures, NSFA PAGE 2 |
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\ · WORLD CLASS FISHING
· EXPERIENCED, SKILLED & KNOWLEDGEABLE GUIDE SERVICE
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IN THIS ISSUE
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<<<<GO BACK TO NEWSLETTER CLICK HERE<<<<Quebec North Shore A Destination To ConsiderTRINITÉ RIVER QUEBEC NORTH SHORE By Paul Marriner
It all looked the same to me—typical north-woods scrub birch and poplar mixed with the odd serious spruce, half the latter upright, half fallen. But, as I concentrated on the indicated spot along the shoreline of a Trinity River (Rivière De la Trinité) pool, Jocelin promised it wasn’t. So, while he worked the head of the pool, I bushwhacked to the intersection of a green-fleshed spruce with the gray bones of another. An on-site inspection failed to revise my opinion, it was just a small, moss-covered, soggy bit, a few feet from the river’s edge. The first flip of a few feet of line and the leader changed my mind. A one-pound sea-run brookie was quickly followed by a trio of fellow-travelers, the largest pushing the three-pound mark.
North Shore Bound Other than a short visit to the Godbout and Laval rivers nearly two decades ago, the north shore of the lower Saint Lawrence was, for me, unexplored territory. So when Jocelin LeBlanc, owner of North Shore Fishing Adventures, heard of my interest in sea-run brook trout (from hereon called simply sea-runs) and suggested we spend a few days on the Trinity River, I eagerly agreed.
The Trinity is one of more than fifty rivers gouged out of the Canadian Shield between the Saguenay and Blanc-Sablon by the great Wisconsin glacier as its northeastern corner retreated into the Laurentian highlands. Like many, but not all, of the smaller rivers, the lower section features slow pools studded with big boulders, while in the upper reaches one finds faster currents and typically a gravel substrate. Barring a deluge, most of the upriver pools are wadeable, but in some of the lower ones that first step could be a hat-floater. With the bank-side brush hard at one’s back, I found myself wishing for a light two-hander to reach a little further with Spey casts. Even though it’s a spate river and so subject to the vagaries of rainfall, the Trinity generally moves up and down in an orderly fashion and is thus seldom unfishable. Moreover, the general absence of human activity in the uplands keeps the rain from altering the colour of the normally tannin-tinged water.
An index river (Atlantic salmon) for the region, the Trinity boasts a counter that records every salmon and sea-run heading upriver. This eliminates reliance on estimates for up-to-the-minute run-strength information. Furthermore, as lengths are also recorded, any tendency to inflate the average or maximum size of the river’s fish is stifled.
Sea-runs Usually considered a nuisance by salmon anglers, and widely ignored by fisheries biologists, sea-runs are one of my favorite species. True, at times and/or in certain places they offer little in the way of challenge, however, tracking down and seducing trophies (in my book 5+ pounds) is never easy. The Trinity has recorded an 8-pound specimen, and when combined with an average annual run of 4500, ranks the river as a first-class sea-run destination. Each year a number of 26 - 28" trout pass through the counter and about 10% of the run is in the 24 - 28" bracket.
A majority of the larger sea-runs arrive in two groups, the first during the first two weeks of August, the second in early September. Exact timing of each varies from year to year and depends primarily on water levels. Near the end of August there is a run of what are generally called “blue trout.” These 12" trout are likely non-spawning juveniles which retain their silvery coloration for a longer period in the river.
On the
river we searched for holding lies based on the following criteria: 1) cover
extending out from the bank combined with some deeper-than-surrounding
water; 2) deep pools with a well defined tail-out; 3) current edges in large
pools created by underwater or above-surface points; or 4) holes associated
with feeder brooks or nearby springs. We experimented with a variety of flies with two, quite different, types being the most successful. Jocelin ties a series of marabou-winged streamers featuring bodies of Mylar tubing or plastic chenille. Those with white wings were consistent producers. My top fly was the MW Golden Shiner, a simple pattern made from Superfly Diamond Wing material.
That Sinking Feeling Absent a significant hatch, the best daytime trout-fishing hours surround sunrise and sunset—an observation which seems particularly true for sea-runs. Regardless, for a variety of reasons, I often find myself flogging pools during banker’s hours and under a blazing sun. Enticing sea-runs to take near-surface flies in these conditions is a challenge rarely met. At some point, to improve the odds, my floating line gets a make-over with a long sinking-leader or traded in for a sink-tip. Some folks prefer a full-sinking line to get down, not I. Once the need to get deeper than an intermediate or slow-sink line can reach, full sinkers will tangle in the near-shore rocks. To avoid this the angler begins to retrieve too quickly, before the fly has gotten deep enough. Perhaps you were asking yourself, “why not weight on the fly or leader?” The answer is, “not allowed, recall that this is an Atlantic salmon river.”
On one Trinity pool I began with a fast-sinking leader but, when it got too cozy with a boulder at the end of the swing, quickly changed to a medium sink. That proved to be a good match for the depth and current-speed of the pool. Virtually all the trout, and the number wasn’t embarrassing, took between the middle and tail-out of the pool. And although the first pass was the most productive, subsequent passes with a different fly generally generated additional hook-ups. During the next few days this rig, with appropriate leader adjustments to account for depth and current speed, proved itself on several occasions.
Atlantic Salmon Strange as it may seem for me, this trip Atlantics weren’t the target. So although a couple shook their tails enticingly in our direction, we resisted their charms. Like so many other salmon rivers, particularly those located in Quebec’s Zone 18 (North Shore), the Trinity has fallen on hard times. With runs reduced to about 25% of those in the late eighties, the success rate has fallen, but not as far as one might suppose due to a simultaneous reduction in angler rod-days. Given normal conditions, if such a thing exists with respect to Atlantic salmon fishing, the first two weeks of July is the preferred fortnight. Basic wet-fly selection includes the dark-river-bottom standards such as the Rat series (particularly the Rusty Rat), Cosseboom, Green Butt, and Green Highlander. When fishing for early arrivals in the lower pools, always include a Black Ghost as part of your probing strategy.
As stated at the outset, Quebec’s North Shore (Côte Nord) has an abundance of rivers. The attractiveness of the Trinity is the excellent population of sea-runs combined with easy and inexpensive access. Oh yes, and there are those pesky salmon as well. Non-fishing family members will appreciate the seaside location with access to a variety of activities. For these reasons, as part of an wider exploration of the region, it’s a standout.
Background and Management As is true of most of Quebec’s salmon rivers, the Trinity has only “recently” become publicly accessible. Prior to 1976 the river was privately controlled, first by the St. Lawrence Company and later Domtar. Today it’s managed by the SABT (Societé Amenagement de Baie Trinité). The river’s 58 pools are divided into two sectors. Sector 1, below the counting weir, consists of six “pools” (in reality each of these is a group of potholes). The Sector is limited to six rods, which can be reserved via a pre-season (November) draw. Any days not taken in the draw become available on a first-come, first-served basis. The 52 pools in Sector 2 have no rod-limit restrictions and are fished on a day-ticket basis.
Getting There It’s a long, but scenic, day’s drive from Quebec City north to Baie Trinité. From the Maritimes the fastest route is to take the ferry from Matane to Godbout. Those in a hurry can fly Air Labrador from Montreal or Quebec City to Sept Isles (less than an hour’s drive to the river).
Guides and Arrangements As very little English is spoken in this region, unilingual readers will want help making arrangements and, as is usually the case, a guide is an excellent investment, particularly for a first visit. Jocelin LeBlanc of North Shore Fishing Adventures is fully bilingual and knows the Trinity well. As both an outfitter and guide, Jocelin is able to make all the necessary arrangements. Visit his company on the web at www.nsfa-adventures.com, email: brooktrout@globetrotter.net, tel: 1-866-799-2131
Cost Summary Atlantic Salmon 1 Angler per Guide When you use our guide service coffee and a shore lunch is Included Self Catering (1 Guide per Angler) Included: (Guide, Cabin, all ZEC permits and daily transportation to fishing location)
Full American plan (1 Guide per Angler) Included: (Meals, Guide, Cabin, all ZEC permits and daily transportation to fishing location)
When you use our guide service coffee and a shore lunch is Included Self Catering (Minimum 2 Angler per Guide) Included: (Guide, Cabin, all ZEC permits and daily transportation to fishing location)
Full American plan (2 Anglers per Guide) Included: (Meals, Guide, Cabin, all ZEC permits and daily transportation to fishing location)
When you use our guide service coffee and a shore lunch is Included Self Catering (1 Guide per Angler) Included: (Guide, Cabin, all ZEC permits and daily transportation to fishing location)
Full American plan (1 Guide per Angler) Included: (Meals, Guide, Cabin, all ZEC permits and daily transportation to fishing location)
When you use our guide service coffee and a shore lunch is Included Self Catering (Minimum 2 Angler per Guide) Included: (Guide, Cabin, all ZEC permits and daily transportation to fishing location)
Full American plan (2 Anglers per Guide) Included: (Meals, Guide, Cabin, all ZEC permits and daily transportation to fishing location)
Sea Run Brook Trout & Atlantic Salmon Combo 1 Angler per Guide When you use our guide service coffee and a shore lunch is Included Self Catering (1 Guide per Angler) Included: (Guide, Cabin, all ZEC permits and daily transportation to fishing location)
Full American plan (1 Guide per Angler) Included: (Meals, Guide, Cabin, all ZEC permits and daily transportation to fishing location)
When you use our guide service coffee and a shore lunch is Included Self Catering (Minimum 2 Angler per Guide) Included: (Guide, Cabin, all ZEC permits and daily transportation to fishing location)
Full American plan (2 Anglers per Guide) Included: (Meals, Guide, Cabin, all ZEC permits and daily transportation to fishing location)
A la carte services
GUIDE RATES: Non Resident Sea Run Brook Trout Pass $ 23.00 CAD per day Non Resident Atlantic Salmon Pass $ 43.00 CAD per day or $ 28.00 CAD for half a day
Access fee for road use
$ 6.00 CAD per day per
vehicle
Rod and reel rentals: (guided
trips only) CALL OR EMAIL US FOR MORE DETAILS
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