| When the topic of fly fishing comes up, fishing | | | | todo is prepare a big meal so the best thing to do |
| forwild Atlantic Salmon in the Gaspe' region of | | | | isplan and prepare the meals before your trip and |
| Canada isat the top of the list. Even though it can | | | | freezethem. That way once you're back to the |
| be veryexpensive, it is worth every single penny! | | | | campsite, theevening meal is much easier to |
| I can thinkof no other place like it where the | | | | make which leaves moretime to sit by the |
| people arefriendly the water is gin clear, the | | | | campfire, sip some scotch and talkabout the days |
| salmon areplentiful and also very willing to take a | | | | events. |
| fly. Evenentering the lottery to "win" a chance to | | | | Of course if you can afford it, I highly |
| try forthese incredible fish is exciting! | | | | recommendstaying at a lodge right on the river. It |
| The lottery is held during the winter month of | | | | just doesn'tget any better than this. The lodge will |
| November (Nov. 1st) and each draw costs $6.00 | | | | be clean anddry and the food will be nothing short |
| with amaximum of 10 draws per river. The 4 | | | | of excellent! |
| rivers that Ilike are the York, Dartmouth, | | | | A very important thing to do is hire a guide. A |
| Saint-Jean and my mostfavorite, Petite | | | | guidewill know the rivers intimately, know where |
| Cascapedia. If you are lucky enoughto win the | | | | the salmonare and most likely will have a favorite |
| draw, you must follow up with a phone callto the | | | | fly for youto try. Having a guide will definitely |
| Société de Gestion des | | | | allow you morechances to hook up and could |
| Rivières du Gaspébetween | | | | make the differencebetween never feeling a fish |
| January 16 and January 27, 2006 between | | | | on or landing plenty. |
| 8:30am to 4:30 pm (Eastern time) Monday to | | | | Please remember to tip the guide after his or |
| Friday, toreserve rods that have been sold on | | | | herservices. One time I over tipped because my |
| November 1st. | | | | guide letme use his "secret weapon" dry fly and I |
| If you don't win the lottery for your river but | | | | caught asalmon within minutes of him tying it on! |
| aregoing with friends who have, there is still a | | | | The weather and water conditions can be hit or |
| chanceif you enter the 48 hour draw once you | | | | miss. |
| arrive in | | | | The water could be too low on one day and the |
| Gaspe'. The best time to go is very hard to say | | | | next dayit's too hot or cold or windy with rain but |
| aswater levels and when the salmon are in the | | | | I'll tellyou something... if you hit it just right, you'll |
| riversvary from week to week. I have been in | | | | havea salmon fishing experience that you'll never |
| June and Julyand enjoyed both times very much. | | | | forget! |
| After a long day of fishing the last thing you want | | | | |