A bit about our home waters:
The Ste-Marguerite River.
Situated in the Saguenay region of Quebec, the Ste-Marguerite River is about 530 km from Montreal, 260 km from Quebec City or 108 km from Chicoutimi. Running 100km along the Ste-Marguerite river valley, it has it’s head waters in the Valin mountains and empties out into the Saguenay Fjord.
For a more complete description please visit the River Associations' web site @ : Association de la Rivière Ste-Marguerite
There is also more informaion available on Salmon Quebec's Website
I’ve been fishing the Ste-Marguerite since the early 90’s and only started part time guiding a few years ago when the professional guide association sort of folded up. Recently, the river has had some new attributes as I’ve started fishing with my new family of five years now. We call these our home waters as they are about 45 minutes from the house. We try to get out as often as possible, usually every weekend.
View into the Ste-Marguerite River valley from the regional highway
The Ste-Marguerite is an Atlantic salmon river (Salmo Salar) dating back before 1834. A viable sport fishery has been in place ever since 1860 when the river was “owned” by a private company. Say what one might about the old “fishing clubs”, today, now that the clubs have been disbanded by the government, these waters are some of the best in Canada, thanks in some aspects, to the conservation efforts that were initiated during the club era.
The river is an easy river to fish. 95% of anglers wade and a few drift in canoes. Not a large river for an Atlantic salmon run, most lies are easily fished with short to moderate casts (between 30-60 ft). As the river has a normal water level in a repectable range, sinking tips, lines and leaders are frowned upon by game wardens and guides alike. Also, as it is a salmon river, all lead, metal etc is illegal on the fly and/or line (such as Moser sinking leaders). Multiple fly rigs are also banned.
Spring - Early June –to Mid July
Prime time for Salmo Salar. Atlantic salmon which are freshly arriving into fresh water are often more likely to take a fly. Early mornings and long evenings, ... mosquitoes and black flies are unfortunatly a part of the experience.
Mid July – to September 15
Sea run Brook trout, Adult salmon and Grisles.
The Grisle (a juvenile salmon) and the trout (2-8 lbs) are more active takes of a fly, though they too do not eat in fresh water.
It can be very frustrating and humbling for new comers and vets alike to cast to a pod of 50 or more trout, all over 3 lbs and not even be able to move them. That's all part of the game.
Jack with a nice grisle (he stopped complaining about the 04h00 wake-up call the instant he connected to this young Buck)
André Bernier with a nice late season sea run Brookie
September 16th – to October 15th
Juvenile sea run Brooks. Active takers they move up the river in schools and can be up to 2 lbs.
Cool nights, frosty mornings and hot coffee all add up to make the late season one of the best ways around to end the year's fishing.
Renée in the #8 chasing ""Blues"
