Drifting Down the Petit Cascapedia

My epic trip to the  Gaspé was something I will never forget. My favourite day on the water was a trip down the Petit Cascepedia with Peter Bennett and our guide, John Law.  

We left early in the morning after eating a fantastic meal at the lodge (eggs and fresh speckled trout I had caught the pervious day - doesn't get better then this!). After some vehicle shuffling, we were set to head down the Petit in a three-man drift boat. We were all set for our journey and the weather was perfect.  

(hard to have a bad day after a breakfast like this!)

There was a light wind and foggy conditions for most of the morning. Better yet, there was a very fishy feeling to the day. John paddled us down river which included a few sections which had some small rapids. We stopped and pulled our craft ashore and began to work our first pool. After five minutes of casting a tube fly - Peter yells " fish on!" and John and I run over to watch the battle. I had caught my first grisle ( a small salmon) a few days prior and must say I was jealous of the adversary on the end of Peter's line. The salmon jumped several times and made three huge runs. After a twenty-minute battle, a beauty Atlantic was netted by John. A quick photo and back she went. Always nice to see and feel early success in a day.    
(Peter and John with a beauty Salmon)

Peter's achievements inspired me to keep casting the pool. I worked the area and walked up the bank covering the water. My PFA (Positive Fishing Attitude) was high. As my fly had completed the drift -  there was a huge swirl behind it. Slowly, I stripped my fly back and saw a flash in the water. My rod started to scream off my reel and it was my turn to fight a heavy weight.  


The salmon stayed down, using the rivers current to its advantage and made many runs, testing my tackle, often shaking her head trying to shake the fly. John was quickly beside me with the net and the biggest Salmon I had ever caught was landed. I could not believe the strength of this fish and hoped someone else would meet her again as I let it go back into the waters of the Petit Cascepedia.   

 Our day was made. Two beautiful salmon landed and perfect weather on one of Quebec's most prestigious rivers. We ate our freshly prepared shore lunch and re-tied our flies for the final leg of our trip down the river.  

In Gaspé, the float boat is a new way to travel down the river. Most guides use 26-foot long wooden canoes or wade from shore. I really enjoyed the experience and can't wait to do it again.  
We anchored on the sectors second to final pool and Peter and I began casting. I was done my drift and was simply waiting for Peter to pick up his fly and start casting again. Meanwhile, I started stripping my fly back to the boat. Wham! A déjà vu - my line once again started peeling off my fly reel and we were hooked up for the second time. This fish fought differently and loved the fresh air- she jumped a dozen times before sliding into the net.  
What an experience. Three amazing Atlantic salmon and a day on the water I will never forget.

Thanks to John, Peter, mother nature and everyone at Camp Bonaventure for my favorite day on the water this season.

Jamie