It’s a good thing that the sweet voices of the Escoumins choir, made up of Marie-Michelle, Pascale and Anik are there to wake us up gently on this Tuesday morning because opening our eyes at 4:30 a.m. (even when you don’t sing) is pretty brutal. You have to believe that there is a price to pay to experience the ecstasy of fishing a salmon.
As soon as we get up, we get ready, we eagerly drink our smoothie and we jump into our minivans.
Two falls are better than one
As we arrive at the salmon pools after having driven on a rather bumpy road, we are welcomed there with open arms by the rising sun. The light piercing the trees is absolutely sublime, although Mario is a little disappointed that he doesn’t see rain on the horizon, the showers increasing our chances of catching lots of fish.
To add to all this, we are parked right next to a waterfall and a stairway carved in the stone to help the salmon move upstream. All this beauty adds to our excitement.
Competition and mutual aid
Some groups approach their fishing day with a competitive spirit while others rely more on the strength of the group and choose different flies to increase their chances. The beauty of some bait impresses many; it remains to be seen whether they are as effective.
On the shore, Roberto, our mentor artist, waits impatiently for the water to boil while dreaming of his coffee while Catherine B has airs her behind by lowering her wader (while keeping her long johns) between two fishing sessions.
A little later, Chloe comes to get me to show me their salmon pool at the bottom of the fall. But what a place to get lost in one’s thoughts while waiting for a fish to bite!
Do you know this one?
Our mentors share with us the extent of their knowledge with great generosity. They don’t mind taking short breaks during which they tell each other jokes, say, different from what we might be used to.
Here is one. “Unshared pleasure is only half a pleasure, as they say. ‘
Once there were two earthworms chatting, you see. One asks the other how he is. The second worm answers: It’s bad, I’m going fishing. ’
To be honest, the jokes make us laugh, but the real pleasure is seeing Mario laughing at each of them.
The experience begins to sink in
As we cast our lines, we notice that each of us is constantly improving. That’s truly impressive. For example, Anik dazzles more than one with her professional aura surely emanating from her unfailing confidence. Sophie for her part is developing her own casting technique which will eventually be called after several hours of reflection the ‘backhand.’ For her part, Catherine B, the accompanying doctor who came especially for us from Kuujjuaq, tries to stand out by fishing in depth with water up to her waist.
Celine’s first appearance
Following this fabulous morning, we return to the camp, listening to Celine Dion sing, ‘Tel est mon destin. Je vais mon chemin.’ Marie-Claude and Anik take the opportunity to sing the words of Jean-Jacques Goldman with all their hearts. A quality show similar to the Super Bowl halftime.
After a very relaxed supper, we rest while cooking smores on the fire in the one and only possible way.
Well rested, we return, supper in hand, to try our luck once again in the salmon pools. Chloe and Catherine A. take advantage of this moment to fish very calmly during the last moments of light.
On the way back, we are treated to an absolutely ‘supercalifragilisticexpialidocious’ sunset, to quote Anik. A few minutes later, nature spoils us again in the form of a moose casually strolling down the road. Aren’t we the luckiest!
As soon as we got back to our tents, we quickly plan for the next day before going to bed, quite tired.
Jean-Mathieu who takes the opportunity to thank Karl whose coffee has definitely propelled this text.
Blogger and Photographer for the on the Tip of the Toes Foundation.
In pictures
