What are the top reasons to go?
- Fish for large wild Atlantic salmon in a remote un-pressured river
- Enjoy easy wading as well as options to fish from large canoes
- Sight fish clear water with dry flies and wet flies on floating lines
- Fish 10.5 miles of water and 25 pools where seeing another angler is true rarity
- Fish one of the most northern salmon rivers in Canada and have the option of rustic ten-camp overnight
Who is best suited to this destination? This trip is best suited to anglers who not only enjoy pristine wilderness rivers, but also the adventure of getting to one of Eastern Canada’s northernmost salmon rivers. This destination is simple yet comfortable. This is a great destination for anglers who want to catch an Atlantic salmon on a river that is essentially private. It is also a great choice for folks who like the option of both wade fishing and boat fish, single hand fishing and Spey fishing and both dry fly and wet fly fishing. Guests that make the trip should understand that the weather swings can be extreme and there can be bugs.
Where is the lodge? The lodge is located on the Flowers River in northern-central Labrador, roughly 175 miles north of Goose Bay.
How do I get there? To get to Flowers River guests will fly through Halifax and then on to Happy Valley-Goose Bay. There you will be met by a lodge representative and taken to an included overnight at their Otter Creek Bunkhouse. The following morning you take a float plane 175 miles north to the lodge.
When should I go? Their season runs from mid-July through early-September.
How will I fish? Each morning pairs of anglers will depart the lodge with their guide in a large, motorized canoe. Most of the fishing is done while wading but there are sections that can be fished from the boat as well. All fishing is done with floating lines and unweighted single barbless flies. Both single-hand and two-handed Spey rods work well and both dry flies and wet flies work well. The clear water makes dry fly fishing extremely popular among guests and often times you can see the fish you are targeting. Much of their dry fly fishing is done with dead-drifted flies. Adventurous anglers will also have the option to do an overnight at their upper Top Pool outpost camp and see some of the river’s most remote and technical water.
Is there wade fishing? Most anglers will wade fish most of the time. The river has lots of easy wading making it approachable to anglers of all ages and abilities.
Where will I fish? The lodge has 10.5 miles of water and 25 named pools that they fish. Guests will rotate through the beats and guests might also fish some smaller pockets. Guests will also have the option to head to the Top Pool outpost camp to fish additional water there.
How long does it take to reach the fishing grounds? The closest pool is just five minutes from camp and our furthest beat can take an hour.
What type(s) of fish will I catch? Atlantic salmon primarily and Artic char if you target them in the second half of the season.
How many fish will I catch? The nature of swinging and skating flies for any anadromous fish is there is a lot of variation in catch rates. That said, we feel that guests should go into the trip with the expectation that hooking 1-2 fish per day is a great trip. Typically, there will be additional opportunities, many of which are visual. The Flowers also has large fish with fish in the 20+ pound-class.
Will I see other anglers? While it is possible to see anglers that are not staying at the lodge it is highly unlikely.
What are the guides like? The guides have a variety of personalities. The lodge tries to pair guests with guides that will best serve their experience level and physical needs. All the guides are skilled, passionate fly anglers. They all speak English but there may be some strong accents!
What are the physical demands? The main ones are getting in an out of the boat and rather easy wading. This is not a demanding trip.
Are there any special skills required? Really just proficient fly casting.
Does the lodge provide equipment? The lodge has backup equipment in case of breakage or loss but we recommend guests bring their own gear. The lodge presents guests with 10-12 flies at the beginning of their trip.
What is your favorite setup for the trip? A single hand nine weight rod with a weight forward floating line is a staple. 11-14 ft seven-weight Spey rods with scandi heads are also great.
What are the top flies? Blue charm, thunder and lightning, bee bombers, and other assorted bombers.
What are the options if water conditions become challenging? This is a single system fishery, but the lodge is good at adapting techniques and locations to the conditions at hand.
What is a typical day like? Breakfast is served from 7-8am and then guests head out fishing - choose your own adventure style. You can stay out on the water most of the day. Come back for lunch or take it on the water, stay back for a nap, or go out for the afternoon. If you come back for supper, you can go back out for an hour or two. In the evening guests rest, play cards, and share a drink and a snack.
What is the general vibe, atmosphere, and style of the lodge? Newfoundland hospitality. Laid back and relaxed but in comfort. There is often teasing and joking among staff and guests.
Is there an on-site owner, manager, or other point-person at the lodge? The Camp Manager is Chris Duffett, is always on site and guides during the days as well.
Where do we eat, and what are the meals like? Guests will take their meals in the lodge’s main dining room though some days when you fish the more distant beats, you will likely take lunches with and enjoy them streamside. Meals are served at 7AM, noon, and 5PM, but you also have the choice to stay on the water later in the evenings and have your dinner heated up when you return from fishing.
Breakfasts are made to order and guests will fill out a request form with a variety of options the day before ensuring you get a great breakfast that works for you. Lunches consist of a variety of soups, sandwiches, and salads. Dinners are hearty and alternate between fish, beef, chicken, and pork dishes.
Please do not drink the tap water. Filtered water is available in the main lodge and near the housekeeping cabin.
What is the alcohol policy? Guests will bring in all their own alcohol. Drinking on the river during the fishing day is not permitted.
Where do we stay, and what are the accommodations like? There are a few different accommodations. There are two single rooms in the main lodge near the dining room that share a bathroom. There are also two double-occupancy cabins and a larger guest building with three double-occupancy bedrooms. Guests can request specific rooms, but there is no guarantee on room requests due to the six-person changeover every three days.
Is there internet and/or cell service? There is Wi-Fi internet in the main lodge but no cell service. The lodge has a phone that can be used by guests to make/receive phone calls.
Are there other activities? No.
Are there any other expenses? Gratuities and additional flies are not included.
Do I need a visa? No visa is required.
Are there any health concerns, dangers, or annoyances? This far north you need to come well prepared for a wide range of weather and biting insects. We recommend bringing an antihistamine in case of a reaction to bug bites. Because this is a remote camp, we recommend that guests bring any medications that they may need, even if it is not something that you use daily.
We recommend that guests always consult with the U.S. Department of State and the Center for Disease Control websites for general travel information and guidelines.
