This Monday morning began with a performance of the Beatles’ classic, “Stand by Me,” on the ukulele by the talented therapeutic adventure facilitators, Catherine and Marie-Michelle.
For this cool and wet morning, the kitchen team trio, Karl, Marc and Vanessa, then served a “pâté à carreaux” for breakfast, that is to say waffles with fruit coulis and maple syrup. Each meal is presented with a poetic touch.
In order to offer a variety of activities, fishing is set aside for the day and as of 9:00 a.m., the group heads for Fjord-du-Saguenay National Park. The game plan is a 6 km hike on the beluga stopover trail, a round trip to the mouth of the Sainte-Marguerite River, where it merges with the fjord. It is a sanctuary where the belugas come to breed,” stresses Mario Bilodeau, one of the co-founders of the Foundation, accompanying the group.
On the way, the fog is gradually clearing, and the sun is shining through the pines, firs and cedars that we pass on our way. The scents of the boreal forest are slowly giving way to the marine fragrances.
Along the trail, Everard stops to read an interpretive sign where she finds a heart-shaped leaf. “I felt it was for me,” she says with a broad smile. I think it means there’s a lot of love in the universe.”
A little further on, the group arrived on a platform overlooking the majestic Saguenay Fjord. As the tide is low, some participants take the opportunity to walk down to the beach.
“It’s really an extraordinary place,” says Anna, before being joined by a few friends to take beautiful pictures with the fjord in the background.
Afterwards, the group headed back to go to picnic on the shores of Sainte-Marguerite Bay.
In the afternoon, an activity focusing on patience and dexterity was organized as participants were invited to make a fishing fly under the guidance of mentors Faruq, Yves and Raynald.
The task is not easy as the feathers, and thread must be handled with care. Some steps are a quick success for some, but a (temporary) fiasco for others…
“The most beautiful flies are made by women because they work with care,” says Faruq, who is also the inventor of a specialized spool sold under the Ekich brand.
Marie-Ève believes she has more talent for fly making than for fishing. “I really enjoyed it and found myself really patient,” she says.
Caroline, who makes a lot of jewelry, also enjoyed the experience. “I wish we could have done more,” she says, adding that she may get back into it in the future.
For Emily, the stress was mixed with a bit of fun. “I enjoyed it. I was trying to be Zen, but I was also tense so as not to miss a step.
In the end, all the participants succeeded in making a beautiful fly, but not to give it to the fish: it will be a souvenir of a special moment spent with outstanding fishing mentors…
Guillaume Roy, Blogger and Photographer for the On the Tip of the Toes Foundation
In pictures
