As an angler, we all have a mystical fish we all dream of catching. I have often drifted off , thinking of the rivers of Canada’s East Coast and about the Atlantic Salmon that swim in them. When I was invited to join my friends Dan, Peter and Larry I could not pass up the chance at even a shot to catch a fish that was on my bucket list for many years.  



 I must say, I was a bit worried about my fly casting skills, but a quick trip to visit Chelsea’s local flyfishing expert and member of Canada’s National team, John Huff, I was casting a respectable distance and I was ready for what the Gaspe had to offer.  


Our trip was booked 6 months in advanced, so I had loads of time to read up on the water’s I would be fishing. Day one I was paired with Larry and we drove up to meet our guide Jason near the Grand Cascepedia, which is home to some giant Atlantics!  


We spent the morning working a few pools and saw a few fish cruising and resting, they were not interested in any of our offerings. A short shore lunch was in order and we continued to cast. We noticed the skis began to darken and winds began to pick up. Moments later, the rain started and came hard, sending us for cover. The rain poured and slowly turned the river into what looked to be a “ double double” coffee and our chances to hook a Salmon started to lower to the point where our guide asked if we wished to continue. Larry had fished the river before several years back and was so excited to be standing in one of his favourite pools we decided to stay and work on our casting telling stories of fishing past.

A few hours passed and the water started to clear, we kept working the pool with a variety of flies. I tied on a “grey ghost” and casted the small fly to a rock out in the middle of the river. It started to drift and my line went instantly tight- my line then started to scream off my reel and a silver bullet went airborne! Holy, I had my first Atlantic Salmon on my line. I must say I was more excited then a pre-teen with the latest Sears Christmas Wish book and a new pen. The Salmon jumped eight times and finally was landed after a fantastic 10 minute battle. I was on cloud nine! My dream of catching an Atlantic Salmon on the fly had come true. Although the Salmon was small one- referred to as a grisle, I had caught the Salmon bug and had 9 more days to fish in Gaspe.