"Atlantic salmon? That’s for other people to fish for.
I never really saw myself as an Atlantic salmon angler. From Ontario, the species always felt out of reach. It was something you read about or saw in magazines, tied to faraway rivers, high costs, and a level of commitment that didn’t feel realistic. It just didn’t seem like something you could decide to go and do.
That changed in 2017.
At the time I was 19, working in the fly shop and making what you would expect from that. A friend mentioned a last-minute opening at a lodge, priced far more reasonably than it had any right to be. It was short notice and a bit of a gamble, but it felt like one of those opportunities you say yes to and figure out later. A couple weeks after that conversation, I was on a plane.
The travel itself was surprisingly simple. A short flight from Toronto, about an hour drive from the airport, and I was standing on the banks of the Restigouche River the same day. This is one of the most well known Atlantic salmon rivers in not just Canada but the world, a place with a long history and more than a few record fish to its name. It is the kind of river that carries a reputation long before you ever see it in person.
Within about thirty minutes of stepping in, I hooked my first Atlantic salmon. It was a 10 pound dropback, not even a fresh fish, and it still managed to show me how powerful these fish are. It moved fast, and forced mistakes out of me right away. It felt different than anything I had hooked before.
The next day is what really stuck with me. I connected with my first fresh run fish, straight from the ocean, somewhere around 20 pounds. That fish didn’t just fight, it completely took over the situation. Long runs, heavy pressure, moments where you feel like you are barely in control. It reset my understanding of what a fish can do on a fly rod. Pound for pound, and even overall, they can outmatch just about anything most of us will realistically encounter. When it finally hit the net I felt an exhilaration that I hadn’t with any other fish in my life, it was incredible to see what felt like a mythical beast in front of me.
That trip changed how I look at Atlantic salmon fishing. What I realized is that it is not nearly as inaccessible as it seems, especially for anglers in Ontario. The travel is easily manageable even for a trip of just a few days, the timing can be flexible, and it does not have to be a once in a lifetime kind of expense. I made it there at 19 on a fly shop wage, making it work because the opportunity was there.
The fishing itself feels familiar in a lot of ways. If you have spent time chasing steelhead in Great Lakes tributaries, you already understand it! Reading water, covering runs, managing swings. The difference is the environment and the fish themselves, everything feels a little bigger and more awesome.
You are also doing it in places that are genuinely special. The rivers, the surrounding landscape, the pace of the days. It all adds up to something that goes beyond just catching fish.
If you are looking for a reason to explore new water, to see a different part of the country, and to challenge yourself against one of the most respected gamefish in the world, Atlantic salmon are well worth your time. From Quebec rivers and beyond to the rest Atlantic Canada, these fisheries are closer and more realistic than most anglers think.
For me, it started as a last-minute decision. It ended up becoming one of the best fishing choices of my life!"
Chris Krysciak - Manager
Drift Outfitters & Fly Shop
