TURN YOUR ANGLINGTALES INTO LEGENDS

Guide to Angling

ONE OF THE LAST GREAT WILDERNESS AREAS in the world, Newfoundland and Labrador is the ultimate angling destination. Whether you’re �shing for wild Atlantic salmon, trophy brook trout, or large Arctic char, you’ve come to the right place.

Here you’ll �nd pristine waters set against a rugged landscape, plenty of breathing room, and an abundance of trophy-sized species.

�e province is home to some of the friendliest, most

knowledgeable guides on the planet. And they have what it takes to turn a great angling experience into the stu� of legends.

So visit NewfoundlandLabrador.com/angling for a sampling of our �nest out�tters and angling packages. �e adventures they o�er, including exclusive �y-ins to remote, untouched areas, are some of the best in North America.

ARE YOU READY TO TURN YOUR ANGLING TALES INTO LEGENDS?

WELCOME TO THE START OF SOMETHING LEGENDARY

AT LEAST, that’s the case in a destination like Newfoundland and Labrador. Where you’ll �nd more than 60% of North America’s best wild Atlantic salmon rivers – nearly 200 unspoiled

rivers in all. Some with annual runs in excess of 30,000, with trophies that can weigh up to 30 pounds. Which means, you’ll never have to exaggerate again.

THERE ARE LEGENDARY RIVERS. AND THEN, THERE ARE RIVERS

FULL OF LEGENDS.Wild Atlantic Salmon

AT LEAST, that’s the case in a destination like Newfoundland and Labrador. Where you’ll �nd more than 60% of North America’s best wild Atlantic salmon rivers – nearly 200 unspoiled

WELCOME TO THE BIG STAGE.

For those of you lucky enough to have already �shed here, your hope is that the secret doesn’t get out.

�e truth is the province is so vast and unspoiled that the �shing experience here is virtually unchanged since I �rst visited 35 years ago. Communication has gotten better, and travel has gotten safer and more predictable, but the things that drew me north in the �rst place remain the same. It is still a place where the only sound you hear while �shing is nature, where moose emerge soundlessly from the forest, where your mornings start with the smell of co�ee and bacon, where the accents of the guides are musical as they dispense advice and lore collected over generations.

FOR THE PASSIONATE SALMON ANGLER, all roads eventually lead to Newfoundland and Labrador, where the Atlantic salmon angling of your dreams waits for you.

WELCOME TO THE BIG STAGE.

As a photographer, I was initially entranced by the visual beauty of salmon angling here. Against the backdrop of mountains, forests, rapids, and waterfalls, I was mesmerized by the lightplaying o� lines snaking over pristine pools. I was intrigued by the arcane art of �y tying, captivated by the beauty of the rods, and thrilled by the sound of a big �sh stripping line from a �y reel.I watched as anglers �shed patiently for hours, fought a �sh, landed it, and then to my disbelief, lovingly released it back into the river.

I saw that contented, faraway look on angler’s faces a�er an amazing day of �shing.

As the world shrinks and life gets more complicated, it’s hard to �nd a way to leave it all behind, to reconnect with

yourself and �nd that inner peace that a day on the river brings you.

�e magic of Atlantic salmon �shing in Newfoundland and Labrador is not just about the abundance of big �sh, but where the pursuit of these �sh takes you. It’s the feeling of shedding

the world as you drive farther down remote roads, motor up wilderness rivers, or watch as the last roads disappear beneath your �oatplane. �e life you le� behind becomes a dim memory as the daily pursuit of �sh becomes the only thing you think of or care about.

I’ve experienced many places that most people can only dream about, but Newfoundland and Labrador will always hold a special place in my memories. Incredible �sh, incredible beauty, incredible people. All the components of the perfect fishing experience are waiting for you here.

It’s time to think of all the salmon �shing you’ve been doing up to now as the dress rehearsal. IT’S TIME TO STEP UP TO THE BIG STAGE.

Greig Cranna ~ Commercial Photographer and Journalist

GO A FEW ROUNDS WITH SOME OF OUR GREATEST FIGHTERS.

SURROUNDED BY PRISTINE WILDERNESS AND UNSPOILED WATERS, there’s not much more an angler could ask for. Except, perhaps, an abundance of wild and ready brook trout. And that’s exactly what you’ll �nd in this legendary angling destination. Where 5- to 7-pounders are common, and trophies can weigh more than 10 pounds. With heavyweights like these, no wonder they call it the best brook trout angling on the planet.

Trophy Brook Trout

, there’s not much more an angler could ask for. Except, perhaps, an abundance of wild and ready brook trout. And that’s exactly what you’ll �nd in this legendary angling destination. Where 5- to 7-pounders are common, and trophies can weigh more than 10 pounds. With heavyweights

MY FIRST NATIVE BROOK TROUT AS A YOUNG BOY AT AGE SEVEN WAS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL CREATURE I HAD EVER SEEN… even to a colour-blind boy.

At age 77, I am now �nally complete with brook trout having caught the biggest and most beautiful ones in my life in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Seeing the spawning colours of a late fall brookie is enough to stimulate this colour-blind man back to full normal vision.

One may see hundreds of small lakes and rivers all full of virgin �sh swimming in the cold clear water, most of whom have never seen an arti�cial �y

HUGE TROPHY BROOK TROUT IN THE LABRADOR WILDERNESS.

and never before angled by humans.What a wilderness feeling of unique isolation from humanity. Not a house, a person, or any trace of civilization for hundreds of miles in all directions. �e only creatures in this extreme wilderness are the wild ones. I landed and released forty huge brookies, from 3 to 6 pounds, on home-tied streamer �ies. �ese are the biggest native brook trout I’ve ever caught.

Excellent �y rods were furnished with reels with excellent drags, much needed for these large trophy �sh, with each having a tapered sinking line and tapered leader. Many hand-tied �ies proved to be a winner.

I cast my �y toward shore, let it sink a few seconds and began an erratic retrieve. Bang! A heavy hit followed by a line-ripping run, some splashing

on the surface and a 4-pounder came to a skillful glove, was quickly photographed, and released. �e action kept up one a�er another for 4 hours.

�e �rst and most beautiful �sh I ever caught when I was seven years old – a 7-inch beautiful �sh – and now these huge wild brookies all blessed in spawning colours make this majestic �sh complete for me as an angler.

What once in a lifetime angling thrills I had packed into one week in the spectacular wilderness of Labrador. YOU CAN ALSO MAKE IT HAPPEN ALONG WITH MEMORIES YOU’LL NEVER FORGET.

Dr. Harold C. Lyon, Jr. ~ Author of Angling in the Smile of the Great Spirit - Professor of Medical Education

TRUST US, YOU MIGHT NEED A STRONGER ROD.Large Arctic Char

TRUST US, YOU MIGHT NEED A STRONGER ROD.

THAT IS, IF YOU WANT TO TRY YOUR THAT IS, IF YOU WANT TO TRY YOUR LUCK with the legendary Arctic char. A LUCK with the legendary Arctic char. A northern cousin to the brook trout, char can northern cousin to the brook trout, char can weigh a he�y 15 pounds or more. Rumour has weigh a he�y 15 pounds or more. Rumour has

it that the wild Arctic char of Labrador may break the record for the largest in the world, weighing in at more than 26 pounds. Or, a mere 13 pounds per arm.

THE ARCTIC CHAR OF LABRADOR.

THE ARCTIC CHAR IS BOTH A FRESHWATER and saltwater �sh in the Salmonidae family, native to Arctic, sub-Arctic lakes, and coastal waters. Most of the waters in Newfoundland and Labrador fall into this category. With many characteristics of both salmon and trout, its close relatives, individual �sh can reach 20 pounds or better, with the average �sh in the 4–6 pound range. By mid-August migrating arctic char are found in some interior lakes near river mouths and reefs in large numbers. During this time the �anks of male �sh take on a bright red hue that is quite breathtaking to observe.

During a recent trip into the interior of Labrador, I had the pleasure of �shing one of these beautiful interior lakes with outstanding success. I waded

to the end of a sandbar and �y-�shed a ledge at the mouth of a stream. �e successful �y this trip was a bead head Prince Nymph. I allowed the �y to sink to near the bottom and slowly retrieved it until I felt the �sh hit. I lost count at the number of �sh that I hooked into.

�e �ght of the Arctic char matches any other trout species I have encountered.

Both spin �shing and �y-�shing are e�ective during this time, with spoons and spinners working best for spinning rods. For �y-�shing, the �ies to use would be bright coloured minnow patterns with lots of �ash, and bead head Prince Nymphs.

�e equipment to bring would be medium action spinning rods with 10-pound test line, or 6- to 8-weight �y rods, with sinking tip lines or sinking leaders.

�e absolute beauty of the interior of Newfoundland and Labrador had me wanting to pinch myself to make sure I was actually there. �is is a reason, along with the incredible �shing, that makes me come back to Newfoundland and Labrador time and again.

Bill Spicer ~ F.F.F. Master Certi�ed Casting Instructor and Host of �e New Fly Fisher Television Show

SAY GOODBYE TO PEACE AND QUIET.Record Landlocked Salmon

AND SAY HELLO TO OUR FEISTY LANDLOCKED SALMON. As lightning-fast swimmers and acrobatic jumpers, reeling in a legend like this is not a tranquil pursuit. But it’s certainly worth the �ght.

Record-sized landlocked salmon are alive and well here. In a place where they’ve tipped the scales at nearly 23 pounds, the only question that remains is – will it be you that lands the next big one?

CATCH THE ONETHAT GOT AWAY.

In fact, this pristine wilderness playground is teeming with record-setting salmon, just waiting to be caught. Most landlocked salmon are in the 2–8 pound range but it is not uncommon to catch them over 10 pounds.

�ough they don’t grow as large as their sea-run brethren, landlocked salmon are prized because of their exceptionally aggressive nature. It is one of the reasons why I love to �sh for them.�ey will readily slam a fast retrieved streamer, and then give you an acrobatic performance that is second to none. Their colouring is magni�cent with hues of silver, brown, and gold. And many mistake them for brown trout.

In the vast wilderness of Newfoundland and Labrador, landlocked salmon are abundant, and out�tters have developed excellent access to some of the best waters for �y�shers.

LANDLOCKED SALMON, ALSO REFERRED TO AS OUANANICHE, are one of the incredible species to angle for in Newfoundland and Labrador. Found principally in both rivers and lakes, landlocked salmon grow very, very large here.

You can cast for them from both a boat or while wading. �ey can be caught from June through to September.

I have learned a lot about this outstanding game �sh a�er numerous trips. Some tips to consider: Bring full-sinking and sink-tip lines for casting streamers to help get your �y down in the current. Use a very fast retrieve with your streamers (it seems to incite violent strikes that will jar your arm). Don’t forget to try traditional Atlantic salmon dry �ies – they love to hit a waking bomber or other dry �y. Some streamer patterns include the Ballerina, Zoo Cougar, Scottys McFly, Cats Ass, and Muddler. For topwater, large Stimulators, Bombers, and even mice patterns all work well.

Best of all, when you are casting large surface �ies for landlocked salmon, you are o�en surprised and delighted to catch

a massive brook trout as well. One recommendation about �shing Labrador landlocked salmon – bring heavy gear. �ey are exceptionally strong �sh and tireless �ghters that will truly test your equipment. Fast action �y rods in 6 and 7 weight are ideal coupled to large arbor reels with quality drag systems. Don’t

forget to bring quality leader and tippet in the 0x to 3x sizes. A big landlocked salmon will easily break light terminal tackle so use set-ups that are similar to those for sea-run Atlantic salmon.

Excellent places to �nd landlocked salmon include in front of and behind large rocks and boulders, de�ned seams between di�ering current speeds, points, drop-o�s, and ledges are all good bets.

Fly-�shing for landlocked salmon is one of the strongest arguments for why you should come to Newfoundland and Labrador. In the same waters where you will cast for them you will also usually catch massive brook trout, lake trout, and northern pike. THERE IS NO PLACE IN THE WORLD THAT I KNOW OF THAT H AS SUCH I NCR EDIBLE AND DIVERSE FLY-FISHING IN UNSPOILED WATERS.

Colin McKeown ~ Producer and Host of �e New Fly Fisher Television Show

LEGENDARY ADVENTURE AWAITSNewfoundland and Labrador, Canada’s easternmost province, o�ers anglers some of the best and most rewarding outdoor adventures on the continent.

�is is where you’ll �nd wild Atlantic salmon, trophy brook trout, lake trout, record landlocked salmon, large Arctic char, northern pike, and white�sh. Plus a whole lot more:

• Home to 60% of North America’s wild Atlantic salmon rivers – some with record annual runs in excess of 30,000 where salmon can grow up to 30 pounds.

• Many call this place the best wild brook trout �shing on the planet, where 5- to 7-pounders are common, 10-pounders have been released, and the giants love dry �ies.

• Large Arctic char, weighing upwards of 15 pounds, can only be found in pristine, remote waters – just like ours.

• Looking for the next world-record landlocked salmon? Consider Labrador, where one lucky angler came close, landing a 22 pound, 11 ouncer.

All this is close by, and it’s among friends and neighbours. �e out�tters here speak your language, and they’re only too willing to tell you about high catch rates and remote lodges located in places so captivating you won’t want to leave. Enjoy your adventure.

Get Out�ttedYour out�tter will be your primary contact and source of information for your angling adventure in Newfoundland and Labrador. If you have any questions regarding your

trip or your angling experience, feel free to give them a call.

For a sampling of outfitters and angling packages, visit: NewfoundlandLabrador.com/angling

�ings You Need To KnowHow do I get there? Where do I stay? Find everything you need to help plan your angling adventure in Newfoundland and Labrador right here:

• Salmon and trout �shing information.

• General information about the province.

• Travel information.Still have a few more questions? Visit

our website for more trip planning information: NewfoundlandLabrador.com/angling

Here you’ll find links to official

websites of Provincial and Federal departments where you can obtain the latest detailed information on regulations covering angling, customs, and passports.

Booking a PackageFishing lodges and camps are located throughout the province in areas close to �sh populations.

Your Atlantic salmon licence, which may or may not be part of your package, includes tags for each river classi�cation. Check with your out�tter for angling licences (this includes both Atlantic salmon and brook trout).

How to Get HereYou can reach the island of Newfoundland by air or superferry, and Labrador by air, sea, road, or rail. �e airlines listed �y regularly scheduled or charter �ights to and within the province.

By Air

Air Canada

aircanada.com888-247-2262 (Canada/U.S. Toll-free)0871-220-1111 (London)69-2711-5111 (Frankfurt)Partners include United Airlines, Lu�hansa, Scandinavian Airlines, and all Nippon Airlines.

Air Labrador

airlabrador.com800-563-3042 (Toll-free)709-896-6730 (Local)

United Airlines

united.com800-864-8331 (Toll-free)Service from Newark, NJ, to St. John’s, NL.

Provincial Airlines

provincialairlines.com800-563-2800 (Atlantic Canada Toll-free)709-576-1666 (Outside Atlantic Canada)

WestJet

westjet.com888-937-8538 (Toll-free)

Porter Airlines

�yporter.com888-619-8622 (Toll-free)416-619-8622Service from Canadian and U.S. destinations including Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Halifax, Newark, Boston, and Chicago.

By Rail

Tshiuetin Rail

tshiuetin.netRail service between Sept-Îles, Québec and Western Labrador. Passengers must make arrangements to be picked up and dropped o� at Emeril Siding, 60 kilometres east of Labrador City where Route 500 meets the rail line.866-962-0988 (Toll-free)418-962-5530

By Sea

Marine Atlantic

marine-atlantic.caMarine Atlantic operates year-round superferry service between North Sydney, Nova Scotia, and Channel-Port aux Basques in southwest Newfoundland. Crossing time is about �ve hours in summer, and seven hours in winter.

There is also a summer service between North Sydney and Argentia on Newfoundland’s Avalon Peninsula from mid June to late September. Advance reservations are essential in summer, and recommended the rest of the year.

For more information, please contact Marine Atlantic Reservations at: 800-341-7981 (toll-free). Information on sailing times is available on the website.

By RoadTo catch the ferry to Newfoundland, follow the Trans-Canada Highway (TCH) through Nova Scotia and Cape Breton to North Sydney. �e TCH is Route 104 in Nova Scotia, and becomes Route 105 in Cape Breton.

You can drive to western Labrador along Québec Route 389 from Baie-Comeau, Québec. Most of this road is paved. It connects with Route 500 (a mainly paved road) that crosses Labrador from Wabush and Labrador City in the

west, through Churchill Falls, to Happy Valley-Goose Bay in east-central Labrador on huge Lake Melville.

A new gravel road, an extension of Route 510, connects the Lake Melville area with Cartwright and other communities on Labrador’s southeast coast as far as L’Anse-au-Clair on the Labrador-Québec border.

Five kilometres from L’Anse-au-Clair in Blanc Sablon, Québec, is a seasonal ferry to St. Barbe on Newfoundland’s northwest coast. In winter, an ice-strengthened ferry operates between Blanc Sablon and Corner Brook on Newfoundland’s west coast.

Getting AroundAll the main highways on the island of Newfoundland are paved. �ere are only a few short gravel sideroads, and these are well maintained.

In Labrador, Route 510 is paved from L’Anse-au-Clair to Red Bay, and is gravel

beyond that to Cartwright/Happy Valley-Goose Bay. �e majority of Route 500 from Happy Valley-Goose Bay to Churchill Falls and Labrador City/Wabush is paved.

Charter Aircra�Many remote lodges can be reached only by �oat plane or helicopter. Discuss this with your out�tter, who can either �y you in their own aircra�, or recommend a company. Space in these small planes and helicopters is limited, so keep your gear to only what’s required.

Newfoundland and Labrador TourismNewfoundlandLabrador.com/angling 800-563-6353 (Canada/U.S. Toll-free) 709-729-2830contactus@NewfoundlandLabrador.comYouTube.com/�shingNLFor the latest angling packages and trip planning information, sign up for our enewsletter at:NewfoundlandLabrador.com/enews

2013 Photo Credits

Roth and Ramberg, Dale Spartas, Coopers’ Minipi Camps, Gabriel Cavallaro, Destination Labrador, Greig Cranna, Dr. Harold C. Lyon, Jr., Bill Spicer, and Colin McKeown.

Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism has made every e�ort to ensure that the information contained in this guide is complete and accurate at the time of printing.

For the most up-to-date listings and information contact 800-563-6353, NewfoundlandLabrador.com, or visit one of our Visitor Information Centres while in the province.

�e information listed in this guide by the provincial government is for the convenience of visitors and does not imply liability for injury, damage, loss, or accidents.

Deer Lake St. John’s Happy Valley-Goose Bay

Miles KM Flying Time Miles KM Flying Time Miles KM Flying Time

CANADA

Gander, NL 190 306 2:20 207 333 0:45 783 1260 1:41

Halifax, NS 526 847 1:38 923 1485 1:30 1211 1950 3:46

Montreal, QC 1177 1895 4:32 1574 2533 2:26 1105 1778 5:56

Toronto, ON 1514 2438 4:22 1912 3077 2:58 1448 2330 6:36

Vancouver, BC 4223 6797 8:18 4619 7433 8:23 4157 6689 12:51

UNITED STATES

Atlanta, GA 2135 3436 6:23 2532 4075 8:58 2319 3732 8:51

Boston, MA 1065 1714 5:37 1461 2352 6:28 1345 2164 7:56

Chicago, IL 2028 3263 6:07 2423 3900 7:20 1961 3155 8:36

Cleveland, OH 1698 2732 5:18 2093 3369 7:52 1690 2720 8:06

Dallas, TX 2821 4540 9:35 3216 5175 9:29 2866 4612 10:01

Denver, CO 3015 4852 8:36 3411 5489 9:22 2948 4744 21:27

Detroit, MI 1738 2797 5:51 2134 3434 6:48 1671 2689 7:18

Los Angeles, CA 4025 6479 8:43 4422 7116 9:52 3959 6372 13:50

Minneapolis, MN 2438 3924 6:13 2830 4555 8:42 2367 3810 9:31

Miami, FL 2548 4101 8:38 2944 4738 8:23 2729 4391 10:06

Newark, NJ 1284 2066 5:49 1679 2702 5:57 1462 2352 8:31

Raleigh, NC 1759 2831 7:27 2156 3469 7:49 1940 3122 11:01

Distance Chart

Note: Actual �ying times may vary depending on connecting �ights and routings.

Labrador CityLabrador CityLabrador Cit /y/y Wabush

Canada

USABoston

New Yow Yow Y rk

Newark

MontrealMontreal

TorontoToronto

BlancBlancSablon

St.Barbe

Deer Lake

StephenvilleStephenville

North SydneyNorth Sydney

Halifax

GanderGander

St. John’s

NewfoundlandNewfoundland

Labrador

St. AnthonySt. Anthony

ArgentiaArgentiaArgentia

Channel-Port aux BasquesChannel-Port aux BasquesChannel-Port aux BasquesChannel-Port aux BasquesChannel-Port aux Basques

Happy Valley-Goose Bay

Canada

USA

Provincial Airport

Major City

Town/City

Ferry Route

Air Route

NewfoundlandLabrador.com/angling