A trip to southeastern Newfoundland’s La Poile River is more than a fishing trip: it is a travel adventure to a remote reach of a scenic maritime province that doesn’t see a whole lot of outsiders. A trip here is in ways a trip back in time to where the locals live simple, grounded lives, and the forests that cloak the river valley have never seen the saw. When lodge owner Jeroen Wohe, founder of Skeena River Lodge in the greater Terrace, BC region, dove into this latest project, it wasn’t because the river had the most fish or the largest fish; it was because it offered a truly special experience that has become increasingly hard to find in the anadromous fisheries of North America; a private experience where you will never be in competition for prime water and you will likely never see another soul. The region is utterly roadless, he exclusive commercial tenure to the fishing rights, and the river is broad and clear and flows as it did hundreds of years ago. It is also a river where the grilse and adult salmon alike seem to prefer dry flies over wets, and where both Spey and single-handed anglers will find not only lite-tackle action but sanctuary from cell service, Wi-Fi, and the bustle of the modern world. His camp is very simple, utterly unpretentious, and best suited to folks that want a contemporary taste of what the great fishing lodges of yesteryear were all about.  

Guests will access the river using a raft, an inflatable jet boat, ATVs, and on foot. Once you are at your spot all fishing will be done while wading. Guests will fish floating lines on both single-hand and Spey rods. Swinging wets, skating dries, and dead-drifting bomber-style dries are all effective, with an emphasis being placed on dry fly fishing, as it tends to be the most effective method. Guests will fish two per guide. The guides are primarily warm-hearted friendly locals from the small surrounding communities that grew up hunting and fishing in the area. They know the river well and the traditional single-handed fishing techniques that have been used on the river for the past forty years. While they speak English, it should be noted that their dialect is very hard to understand and may take considerable attention and effort!  

All fishing will be done on the La Poile River. The lodge has an exclusive commercial tenure to outfit the river. There are roughly 18 prime pools and most of the fishing of done in the 3.5 miles of the river beneath the lodge. All the pools above the lodge are accessed by hiking, but these pools are not a mandatory part of the rotation. Guests will target wild Atlantic salmon in the 3-to 12-pound class and in the later half of the season there will be some sea-run brook trout thrown into the mix. Most guests will land about two fish per day with other opportunities, most on dries. 

The lodge is a simple old-school cluster of buildings and cabins. They offer a combination of single and double-occupancy rooms. The is a basic washroom complex with two showers and two flush toilets that are shared by the six guests. The lodge and common area are also rather small and very basic but comfortable and cozy. This is a minimalist camp and not for guests who need luxury accommodations.   

Breakfasts typically consist of eggs to order, and some days there will be French toast or pancakes.  Lunches will typically be sandwiches and soup served at the lodge or on the riverbank. Dinners will be hearty, locally sourced, and homestyle. Moose, lobster, and cod are mainstays of the kitchen. Because of the exceedingly remote location, fresh produce and specialty items are very hard to get. As a result, this is not a location for folks with special dietary needs.  

Day 1: Arrive Deer Lake Regional Airport, Newfoundland (YDF). Overnight at a local hotel (included) 

Day 2: Transfer by van 3½ d hours to Rose Blanche, Newfoundland. There you will board a ferry for the approximately one-hour ride to the mouth of the Lapoile River. There you will load into side-by-side ATVs and head to the lodge or head directly to fishing.  

Days 3-8: Six full days of guided fishing 

Day 9: Return to Deer Lake. Fly out or overnight depending on schedules.  

2024 Rate: Per person based on double occupancy

7 night/5½ day package: $5,750

Included: Inbound overnight accommodations in Deer Lake, transfer to and from the lodge to Deer Lake, fishing license, flies, and any needed loaner tackle.  

Not Included: Airfare, gratuities, alcohol, satellite phone use, outbound overnight accommodations in Deer Lake.  

Species: Adult and grilse Atlantic salmon, occasional sea-run brook trout 

Season: Mid-June through July 

Capacity: Six anglers 

What are the top reasons to go?

• Fish dry flies on a pristine, private river for wild Atlantic salmon and sea run brook trout
• Enjoy a true travel adventure across seldom seen reaches of southern Newfoundland
• Experience a rustic no-frills yet high quality Atlantic salmon camp at a fair price
• Wade fish in true wilderness solitude where your only neighbors are woodland caribou and moose

Who is best suited to this destination? This trip is best suited to adventuresome anglers who not only enjoy pristine wilderness rivers, but also the travel needed to reach such places. This destination is very rustic and simple and rather hard to reach and outfitt, and that is large part what makes it special. This is a great destination for anglers who want to catch an Atlantic salmon in a setting that has hardly changed over the last 300 years. It is also a super place for anglers that want to do all or most of their fish with dry flies, as they tend to outperform wet flies.

Where is the lodge? The lodge is located 3.5 miles upstream of where the La Poile River enters the Atlantic in southwester Newfoundland. 

How do I get there? Guests will fly to Deer Lake International Airport, Newfoundland on a Saturday and overnight. The following morning you will transfer 3.5 hours by van to Rose Blanche Harbour. There you will board a covered cabin boat for 50-to-90-minute boat ride (weather/sea conditions dependent) to the mouth of the La Poile River. After lunch there you will suit up and fish your way upstream to camp. On the return trip you can fly out of Deer Lake Saturday evening or Sunday morning.

When should I go? The lodge runs a 6-to-7-week season from mid-June through July. The later you go, the more emphasis will placed on natural drift dry fly fishing. The last two weeks of the season offer the greatest chance to catch a sea-run brook trout.

How will I fish? Guests will access the river using a raft, an inflatable jet boat, ATVs and on foot. Once you are at your spot all fishing will be done while wading. Guests will fish floating lines on both single hand and Spey rods. Swinging wets, skating dries, and dead-drifting bomber style dries are all effective, with and emphasis being places on dry fly fishing, as it tends to be the most effective method.

Is there wade fishing? Yes. All fishing will be done while wading.

Where will I fish? All fishing will be one on the La Poile River. The lodge has an exclusive commercial tenure to outfit the river. There are roughly 18 prime pools and the majority of fishing of done in the 3.5 miles of the river beneath the lodge.

How long does it take to reach the fishing grounds? The longest travel times will around 45 minutes but there is excellent fishing right in front of the lodge. For adventuresome anglers that like to hike, key pools in the seldom fished upper river may take longer to reach.

What type(s) of fish will I catch? Adult Atlantic salmon, grilse, brook trout and sea-run brook trout.

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.

Will I see other anglers? Very rarely, as the lodge has exclusive commercial use and it is hard place for “locals” to get to.

What are the guides like? The guide are all locals that were raised hunting and fishing the area. They have an intimate knowledge of the river and the most productive lies. They tend to be warm-hearted and hospitable and while they speak English, they are very difficult to understand because of the local dialect.

What are the physical demands? While not strenuous, guests need to be able to wade all day and climb safely into and out of rafts, jet boats and ATVs. The beat around the lodge is all walk and wade and the wading is only moderately difficulty. Guests that want to walk and wade the upper river need to be in good walking shape.

Are there any special skills required? No. If you can cast a single handed and or Spey rod you will be fine.

Does the lodge provide equipment? The lodge has plenty of rods, reels and flies. The lodge also spare waders, wading boots and jackets just in case. With that said, guests are encouraged to bring their own fishing gear. In terms of flies, guests can use the proven local patterns provided and they can also bring any thing that would like to experiment with.  

What is your favorite setup for the trip? A 12-to 14-foot 6-to7-weight Spey rod with a 400-450 grain RIO scandic is ideal. head to skate dry flies A 9-foot 7-weight single handed rod with a full floating line is also highly recommend for dead drifting dries.

What are the top flies? One of the best flies is the Lapoile bug! Its named after the river and oh boy does it work! Skated or dead drifted they want this fly!

Hairwing flies including the black bear green butt, undertaker, blue charm, are great as are natural and chartreuse muddlers. Bombers are also particularly popular in natural, green and white with and orange hackle.  Size 6 and 8 are the most popular.

What are the options if water conditions become challenging? The Lapoile river is a very stable river that will not blow out easily. It will bump up with rain, but that will bring in new fish into the river. the River will always allow us to fish somewhere.

What is a typical day like? After a 7 AM hot breakfast guests will head out for the day. Depending on where you will be fishing you will either come back for lunch around 1 PM or have a shore lunch on the river. After lunch you have the option to go back out fishing or take a short rest. Dinner is served between 6 and 7 PM andafter dinner guests will often fish near camp until dark.

What is the general vibe, atmosphere and style of the lodge? The lodge is simple and rustic and has a very laid back home-style feel to it.

Is there an on-site owner, manager or other point-person at the lodge? All staff, guides and cook will stay at the lodge for the entire duration of the season. Typically, the lodge owner Jeroen Wohe will be in camp the entire season.

Where do we eat, and what are the meals like? Breakfast is typically eggs to order and somedays there will be French toast or pancakes.  Lunches will typically be sandwiches and soup served at the lodge or on the riverbank. 

Dinners will be hearty, locally sourced, and homestyle. Moose, lobster and cod are the theme of the kitchen. Because of its super remote location fresh produce and quality items will be very hard to find and get. we wont be able to cook for special needs due to the remoteness and difficulty of getting supplies to the lodge.

What is the alcohol policy? During the drive to the harbor, the van will stop and guests can buy what they need for the week.

Where do we stay, and what are the accommodations like? Guests will have small simple single bedrooms with shared wash/bathrooms. The lodge and common area is also rather small and very basic but comfortable and cozy. This is a minimalist camp and not for guests who need luxury accommodations. Guests can watch salmon jump in the home pool while enjoying the deck.

Is there internet and/or cell service? No. There is a satellite phone that guests can use to make a short phone call to their families if needed.

Are there other activities? No, this is destination for serious anglers, adventures, and nature lovers.

Do I need a visa? No

Are there any health concerns, dangers or annoyances? Not really. Please keep in mind that you will be in a remote location and getting in and out will take some time. There are some black bears around but they are very shy and are not a threat.

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.