We just finished a dynamic Atlantic Salmon flyfishing TV show at The Backlands on the Humber River, Newfoundland.
Posted on August 2nd, 2010[nggallery id=285]We just returned from fishing The Backlands on the Humber River, Newfoundland. We were the guests of Paul, George, Perry and Marge Hatcher. The Atlantic Salmon lodge is located on one of the best salmon fishing stretches mid-way up the Humber River (about 70 miles from the ocean). For those of you that may not be familiar with the Humber River, it is the largest river on the west-side of Newfoundland and the 2nd largest river in all of Newfoundland. It has been rated by many biologists and anglers as the most productive Atlantic Salmon River in all of North America. Annual runs can average as high as 30,000-40,000 salmon. The Backlands is strategically located right in front of a rapids that is created by the narrowing of the Humber and an island that splits it in two sections. To get to the Humber River we flew from Toronto/Halifax/Deer Lake, Newfoundland and were met at the airport by George & Parry. From there we drove about 1 hr. to the landing and than we had a wonderful 1/2 hr. boat ride to the lodge. On our drive in we had a Moose gingerly gallop in front of us literally leading us to the landing (there are a lot of Moose in Newfoundland).
I was in contact with George Hatcher before we arrived and he had let me know the salmon were there and plentiful, but heavy rains had risen the river water levels. Well, on our first night at the lodge, it poured and over the next 2-days the water continued to rise and flood the banks. On our first morning George took us to where a brook drains into the main Humber and we could see Atlantics rolling and jumping out of the water all around us. My wife Barbara immediately hooked a trophy 34″ Atlantic that weighed about 15 lb. It looked like we were going to have non-stop action, but we quickly realized that the rising water levels would put a damper on the fishing. Over the next couple of days we decided to explore one of the nearby brooks and catch eating-size brook trout and even though the conditions were tough, we did hook another two salmon which will make for an exciting Atlantic Salmon TV show on one of the most beautiful salmon rivers in North America. On our last days fishing at The Backlands Glen Meadus joined us from www.seabreezeboats.ca (Glen came to pick us up and take us to Centreville, Newfoundland to shoot cod fishing TV shows after our Atlantic Salmon fishing was done).
We landed our fish using #6 Blue Charm & Bomber flies. Our gear include Cortland 9′, #7-#9wt fly rods loaded with Cortland Precision II Reels and WWF (weighted forward floating lines). We tied our own leaders made from Sufix Fluorocarbon leader material (3’/20 lb., 3’/12 lb./4’/8 lb.). We comfortable fished from 25′ Gander River boats equipped with a 8 hp., 4-stroke Yamaha outboard.
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The Backlands offers trophy Atlantic Salmon fishing either from Gander River boats, or from shore/wading. You can catch the salmon both on dry and wet flies and you can always find eating-size brook trout near the main rapids and in the nearby brooks. The Backlands also offers a full American plan with home-cooked Newfoundland cuisine meals. We enjoyed everything from “Fish n’ brewis”, Allantic Halibut done on a cedar plank, fabulous barbacued steak and more….I think you get the picture. Restful nights are complimented with the gently sounds of the rapids right outside your rooms. If you would like to book a trip to The Backlands and enjoy everything beautiful Newfoundland has to offer, you can contact them through Facebook at, http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/The-Backlands/136883882996651?ref=ts .
If you love to travel and discover the beauty Canada has to offer, I would encourage you to plan a trip to Newfoundland. The scenery is second to none, their cuisine is excellent, you will experience some of the best Atlantic Salmon fishing in the world and meet some of the friendliest people on the planet. To plan your Newfoundland trip contact, www.newfoundlandlabrador.com .
