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Labrador Heli-Fishing Atlantic Salmon
Swing for Atlantics in Labrador.
East Coast Heli-Fishing at its absolute finest. Swing flies for Eastern Canada’s notoriously difficult Atlantic salmon.
Labrador is a land of superlatives.
It is a land that truly can awaken your heart and soul as the Newfoundland and Labrador tourism slogan promotes. Its stark beauty betrays the hard realities that hardy individuals endure in this land of vast natural splendour. It is not only worth the trip to Labrador to fish, it is worth the travel to just experience it both naturally and culturally. No one would go home disappointed. Much or our fishing is near the town of Cartwright which only 20 years ago was roadless, completely cut off from the rest of the region. It curves around a sheltered bay and is connected only recently by road to the trans-Labrador Highway. Cartwright, at the mouth of Sandwich Bay, was named after George Cartwright, an 18th-century merchant and adventurer who spent 16 years in the wilds of Labrador. On the heli trip over from Goose Bay guests are to be rewarded with an expansive view to the north of cathedral icebergs drifting southwards in the Labrador Current. Small, stunted spruce trees hunkered in depressions, some merely thirty centimetres high and probably over one hundred years old. This land is stunningly unique and littered with rivers holding prolific runs of Atlantic Salmon
Show more +Why Fish with Epic Waters?
Biologists use the term immaculate to indicate “having no spots or marks.” It is the precise term to describe the pure white leading edge of a fresh run Labrador Atlantic Salmon “Spotless and pure” also describes the pristine environs of this remote swath of Labrador. It is as pristine, wild and pure as any fishery on earth. Many of the Atlantic salmon rivers in these region never see an angler for years at a time. Rightly so, this is a vast land with no roads and extremely difficult to access. Atlantics come easy in Newfoundland with 174 rivers, creeks and brooks holding returns of salmon. That is 60% of all Atlantic salmon in North America.
Goose bay is the only option to base our operation as they have all the needed amenities in town including 3 helicopter companies to utilize for fishing. The few atlantic salmon lodges there are in Labrador all travel in from Goose Bay either by float plane or helicopter. However there is a massive expanse of river systems that are completely untouched, many of which have known populations of fish but no data on run sizes. These are truly un-fished systems. For anyone who loves to explore, name new runs, and see magical moments on the water this is one of the last opportunities to pursue in North America.
Show more +The Accommodations
We are working with and staying with the folks at Red Wine bed and Breakfast. It is 2 suites with a common kitchen and is tucked away in a very small, quiet town 30 minutes from Goose Bay . Each suite has a king-size bed, full sitting area with TV and full bath. The owner has renovated this historic home and it has all the modern amenities you would want. The chef cooks our meals and we have tailored it to our guests preferences. The town is called North West River, and is the furthest point you can drive northeast in Canada. We have found it to be the perfect location with a spectacular view of the ocean. It is a historic house that has been elegantly refurbished maintaining the original charm and is a 2 minute walk to the beach. Each day we either drive to a river from the lodge or shuttle to goose bay for a heli day.
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Experience
The morning starts with a coffee session in the living room as always. At 6:30am we will head to the lodge for a hearty breakfast meant for king or at least a hard days fishing. A little time to get dressed, get your gear together and off we go. We either head out in the truck for some drive-to fishing or drive 30 minutes to Goose Bay to the heli base. The helicopter will stay with us all day bumping spots or rivers as needed. Each direction we head we will cross several rivers, so you change rivers during the day it doesn’t add any extra heli time. Many of the spots we land offers access to several runs just by walking or utilizing our heli raft. Fishing all day with the odd snack break and freshly prepared lunch you will eventually make your way to the lodge in the evening. Hang your wet gear, have a hot shower and head for the nearest bottle of scotch. Gourmet appies are in your near future followed by beautiful meal prepared by a wonderful chef. All that’s left now is to tell a few fish tales, hit the hay and do it all again tomorrow.
Amenities
Guides
Oliver Massey
Operator
Ollie is an import from Vancouver Island who has found a new home in the north. His career path in the industry has been on a steep rise over the past six years, and he came highly regarded to our team from the crew at Queen Charlotte Lodge in Haida Gwaii. Since then, he has guided on the Babine River, Bulkley, and Skeena and has now settled into his groove on the Morice River Lodge for the fall. He does suffer from one ailment: His addiction to steelhead. It keeps him waist deep in the rivers from fall, through winter, and into spring. Ollie received the highest amount of compliments from our guests in 2018 and has remained an excellent addition to our team. He has guided folks on polar bear viewing tours up north and several years of commercial fishing for BC spot prawns, and sustainably caught Ling Cod. You should feel extra safe fishing with a Polar bear guide. Before the end of a day fishing with Ollie you will think of him as a friend. His endearing personality, hard work ethic and heightened fishy senses make him an instant lodge favourite.
Logan Landry
Guide
One of the owners of Nam fly rods, Logan has a healthy appetite for exploration. Just like Epic Waters, he is constantly looking to expand the map, finding great fisheries outside the reach of the general public. He has fished many rivers in Labrador and has a massive reach of contacts and has gathered invaluable information on these waters. Logan plans each custom adventure on what rivers to fish depending on the week by factoring in run timing and conditions. It takes a lot of planning and logistics to ensure each day sets up to be a successful one in the helicopter.
Logan hails from the far north east, Nova Scotia. Despite the frigid winter temperatures of his home, the wave quality in this part of Canada is second to none. He is a professional surfer and has chased waves all over the world. But more often than not, you can find him at other cold water destinations like Iceland, Scotland, and Sweden swinging flies for his favourite fish, the mighty Atlantic Salmon.
Jimmie Pedersen
Guide
One of the new era, anadromous spey fishing guides. He has spent countless hours guiding and fishing Atlantic Salmon all over the world. Jimmie’s work ethic on the water is second to none, and throughout his career, he has focused on the overall experience of a day spent on the river fishing hallowed waters. Catching fish, and navigating rivers came easy to Jimmie, so he spent his time mastering spey instruction, and honing his incredible natural ability with photography. After putting in years of practical study, Jimmie is now an acclaimed spey instructor and photographer, which he brings to the table each and every day with guests. His passion for time spent on the water is contagious, and an excellent reminder to not take the beauty of the landscape, and the zen of casting for granted. He shines a much-needed light on the fact that it is the overall experience of each day swinging for these magnificent fish that fills our souls. The fish are the bonus. He truly captures his philosophies through the lens each day sending guests home with images that represent what swinging flies is all about. A day spent with Jimmie is filled with laughter, joy, and appreciation for the wonders of nature. He wants you to take something special away from each and every day while you hook the greatest fish in the world. Operating on the Heritage Margaree, and Cheticamp rivers, Jimmie likes to chase Wild Atlantic Salmon in early spring and summer. Fishing primarily with dry flies. Large salmon taking flies on the surface is an exciting experience like nothing else in fly fishing.
The Fishing
The Labrador landscape is a maze of interconnected wetlands, rivers and lakes. The result is a steady flow of cool water and stable flows after rain. The land becomes a giant sponge that absorbs precipitation and produces water clear enough to spot large white lined fins waving in the current. The coming of the short Labrador summer starts the end of June and is greeted with huge schools of magnificent salmon working their way through the cold waters of the iceberg-strewn Labrador Current to the rivers of their birth. And the rivers coöperate with ideal flow conditions that are dependably maintained by the melting of the deep snow cover in the Arctic interior. Here is a fishing paradise that is beyond the imagination of most anglers. Some of the big rivers start taking fish by the end of June while others see the first pushed in early July. Our focus is catching the rivers as early as we can to target the adults and avoid the big pushes of grilse (6lb and smaller). Our target is big fresh adults. The first river in Labrador to get fish is the mighty Eagle. By June 27th you expect to see consistent pushes of fish, this is typically a good week to catch large fish. Usually very few grilse this early. We are looking for quality fish Statistically you should see multiple hookups per day, and nearly all large. Results can vary with river and weather conditions and timing of fish runs, but this is a reasonable expectation to have going into this week. We are strictly catch and release, single, barbless, and no weight on fly.
Show more +Getting There
There are scheduled flights to and from Goose Bay from most major Canadian and U.S. cities (direct flights into Goose Bay are limited).
Air Canada: Call 1-888-247-2262
Provincial Airlines: Call 1-800-563-2800
You will need to arrive in Goose Bay the day before your trip begins. We will have a representative from the lodge meet you at the airport, take you to our accommodations. We will do the same on your departure date. Ground transfers in Goose Bay are included in your package.
Air Canada: Call 1-888-247-2262
Provincial Airlines: Call 1-800-563-2800
You will need to arrive in Goose Bay the day before your trip begins. We will have a representative from the lodge meet you at the airport, take you to our accommodations. We will do the same on your departure date. Ground transfers in Goose Bay are included in your package.
Information
Details
- Please purchase your license. You must have:
- An angling license for your duration
- Tackle and Other Equipment – Most fishing equipment should be placed in your checked baggage, especially tools and other tackle equipment that can be considered sharp and dangerous. Expensive reels or fragile tackle such as flies should be packed in your carry-on baggage. (*T.S.A. Recommendation from T.S.A. website, March 1, 2009)
- Duty-free is a great place to purchase alcohol before entering Canada. Our health care is expensive and you will feel it when you buy booze here. Please note there is no liquor store at the lodge and people regularly regret not bringing scotch to toast that Atlantic Salmon they caught!
Weather
Labrador weather is unpredictable, to say the least, and can sometimes be challenging. We suggest that you pack a set of warm clothes should the weather drop to the low end of the range, which would be about 5 degrees Celsius. At the same time that we tell you to pack a set of warm clothes, please remember that it’s not uncommon to see the temperature reach 25 degrees Celsius in mid-July.
Weather Delays
With unpredictable and challenging weather can come the dreaded weather delays. Unfortunately, these delays can happen in and out of Goose Bay but it is rare. Usually, the flight can make it in but we can’t guarantee it. Our policy is as follows: If you get delayed in Goose Bay, any additional meals or accommodations will be at your own expense. If the incoming guests weren’t able to get it we are more than happy to keep you at our house. If they did make it in, but you are unable to fly out will help you source new accommodations at your own cost.
Before travel
Traveling with Special Items: Fishing Equipment
- Travelling with outdoor gear and most fishing-related items is permitted. Outdoor enthusiasts should carefully prepare and pack to avoid the removal of prohibited items from checked baggage or surrendering prohibited items at the security checkpoint. Here is a specific list of all permitted and prohibited items.
- Fishing Rods – Rods are permitted as carry-on and checked baggage. However, please check with your air carrier to confirm that it fits within their size limitations for carry-on items. Ultimately, it is the carrier’s decision as to whether or not it can be transported as carry-on baggage.
- Tackle and Other Equipment – Most fishing equipment should be placed in your checked baggage, especially tools and other tackle equipment that can be considered sharp and dangerous. Expensive reels or fragile tackle such as flies should be packed in your carry-on baggage. (*T.S.A. Recommendation from T.S.A. website, March 1, 2009)
- Please keep in mind that these are T.S.A. policies for flights originating within the United States. Canada may apply different standards and different policies with regard to rods, reels, flies, etc.
ID Requirements for Airport Checkpoints
Adult passengers are required to show a U.S. federal or state-issued photo ID that contains the following: Name, date of birth, gender, expiration date and a tamper-resistant feature in order to be allowed to go through the checkpoint and onto their flight. Passengers who do not or cannot present an acceptable ID will have to provide information to the Transportation Security Officer performing Travel Document Checking duties in order to verify their identity. Passengers who are cleared through this process may be subject to additional screening. Passengers whose identity cannot be verified by TSA may not be allowed to go through the checkpoint or onto an airplane.
Acceptable IDs include:
- U.S. passport card
- DHS “Trusted Traveler” cards (NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
- U.S. Military ID (active duty or retired military and their dependents)
- Permanent Resident Card
- Border Crossing Card
- DHS-designated enhanced driver’s license
- Drivers Licenses or other state photo I.D. cards issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles An airline or airport-issued ID (if issued under a TSA-approved security plan)
- A foreign government-issued passport
Information for Traveling with Liquids: T.S.A.’s “3-1-1 Plan for Carry-Ons”
3-1-1 for carry-ons = 3.4 ounce bottle or less (by volume) for each item; 1 quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag; 1 bag per passenger placed in screening bin. One-quart bag per person limits the total liquid volume each traveller can bring. 3.4 oz. container size is a security measure. Consolidate bottles into one bag and X-ray separately to speed screening. Declare larger liquids. Medications, baby formula and food, and breast milk are allowed in reasonable quantities exceeding three ounces and are not required to be in the zip-top bag. Declare these items for inspection at the checkpoint.
Show more +Packages & Rates
$6,900
USD + Tax
5
Days
4
Nights
June-July
Dates
Transportation to and from the Airport. Guided fishing, all rods, reels and flies, over 12 hours fishing a day. 2 Delicious professional chef-prepared meals served with wine. A vehicle to get around in if requested.
helicopter prices (paid directly to heli company) Airfare, hotel, alcohol, fishing licenses, and gratuities.