Eastern Canada

Anglers have journeyed to Canada’s east coast since the early 1900s, each in search of the legendary Atlantic salmon. Fly fishing in Canada began in the Maritimes and anglers are still making the pilgrimage today, testing their skills on historic waters, such as the Miramichi, Bonaventure, Grand Cascapedia and Restigouche. And they are finding new waters farther north in the wilds of Labrador and Ungava.

Eastern Canada is divided into two main sections—Newfoundland and Labrador, and Quebec, and the Maritimes, which include New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. Each year Atlantic salmon push into these rivers beginning in April and May and they can be present well into September before returning to sea. An average Atlantic salmon weighs between six and 14 pounds, but truly gigantic fish of 40-to 50 pounds are still possible. These salmon eat swung flies, such as the Silver Rat and Red Francis, and traditional dries including a variety of Bombers.

Atlantic salmon aren’t the only game in town. In fact, eastern Canada offers incredible fishing for arctic char, brook trout and, more recently, striped bass. Arctic char are tough fighters and northern Quebec’s and Labrador’s brook trout get as big as any in the world. In a perfect world, the chance to catch a 10-pound brook trout on a dry fly is not something you want to miss, and eastern Canada’s northern tier is just the place to do that.

With such an extensive fishing history, and with such outstanding options to be had—whether targeting big Atlantics, char or brook trout—river access and fishing rights are fiercely guarded. We know the ins-and-outs of the permitting process and work with some of the most respected lodges in the area. Let us know when we can make your eastern Canada adventure come to life.