We don’t really care about the grey sky because after several months of waiting, if not years, it is this morning that we finally meet in person. Finally! Our group of participants and members of the On the Tip of the Toes Foundation team are more than ready for this first therapeutic adventure expedition in a context of a pandemic. For the occasion, nothing better than to embark on a brand-new pilot project and discover the pleasures and benefits of fly fishing on the Escoumins River.
We don’t really care about the grey sky because after several months of waiting, if not years, it is this morning that we finally meet in person. Finally! Our group of participants and members of the On the Tip of the Toes Foundation team are more than ready for this first therapeutic adventure expedition in a context of a pandemic. For the occasion, nothing better than to embark on a brand-new pilot project and discover the pleasures and benefits of fly fishing on the Escoumins River.
The road is also part of the adventure.
We gathered in Quebec on Thursday evening July 1; we still have several hours of road to cover ahead of us before arriving at our camp. The bonds between us quickly begin to weave through our sincere exchanges and our contagious laughter, even before the departure of the minivans.
Once on the way on this Friday morning, the road is as beautiful to look at as the emerging chemistry between the different transportation teams. Every little thing seems a valid reason to rejoice. From the late arrival of the sun warming our faces, through the image of Louis our logistician, a real giant using the tiny toilet of the Fourchette et vinaigrette restaurant. Without forgetting the turquoise waters of the river at Cap à l’Aigle and the majestic crossing of the Saguenay Estuary. Monica, who is on her first ferry experience, even tells us that she thinks she is on a cruise.
We can believe that our adventure is on a fabulous start.
The interesting similarities between fishing and crafts
Arriving at the Zec de la Rivière Escoumins, we are greeted by Benoit, a professional fly fisherman whose love of fishing shines through each of his explanations. With a masterful hand, he gives us his tips and tricks by guiding us in the making of our first flies.
Learning about a lesser-known aspect of fishing reminds Marie-Claude of crafts and earring making. However, we must admit that it is sometimes heartbreaking to sacrifice the aesthetic aspect of our lures for the benefit of their efficiency by cutting a beautiful feather that we have carefully placed on our hooks.
As Benoit reminds us, the fly’s first customer is not the fisherman, but the fish. It is therefore not for us to judge the appearance of the result. Salmons and trouts will be happy to take care of them over the next few days.
Organizing our 5-star camp
The fruit of our labour added to our fly collection, which has been generously offered to us, we head to the Rapide-Blanc campsite while admiring the cliffs and shallow rivers of the Côte-Nord.
Finally, on the site prepared especially for our project, setting up the tents begins with a certain confusion. Let’s admit that many of us are not so used to sleeping in these little shelters. With a little effort and a lot of mutual help, we all end up making ourselves comfortable for the days to come. It’s hard not to enjoy the moment anyway, as each of us has their own tent and we are constantly amazed by the flowers, butterflies and the gentle roar of the river following us wherever we go.
Meanwhile, the cooks from Café Chez Karl (nickname given to our camp kitchen) prepared a delicious meal for us. On the menu for this first evening, miso soup and peanut pad Thai prepared with as much love as there is coriander. Chez Karl begins his seduction crusade with a big blow, and our stomachs thank them for it.
Let Nature Begin Its Work
Once we have had our fill and washed our dishes, we gather around the fire to hear Mario tell us about the origins and reasons for the On the Tip of the Toes Foundation. Inspired by the storytelling skills of this legend on two legs and cofounder of On the Tip of the Toes, we ended the evening by sharing our expectations and fears for the coming days.
It is therefore ready to let nature do its work, to experience this return to basics, to come into intimate contact with the world, with others and with oneself that we snuggle up in our sleeping bags at the end of this successful first day.
Jean-Mathieu, nicknamed the Polar Bear by the participants
Blogger and Photographer for the On the Tip of the Toes Foundation.
In pictures
