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text
and photo by
Patrick Campeau
illustration: Robert Biron |
June - Brook Trout,
Lac du Club, Quebec
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Just as
the weather begins to heat up in June, so too does the brook
trout fishing in Quebec’s Réserve faunique de Papineau-Labelle.
This pristine wildlife reserve features 746 lakes and 27 rivers,
but it’s Lac du Club that stands out when it comes to
trophy brookies. From mid-May to the first week of September,
this wilderness setting attracts hundreds of anglers pursuing
specks as big as six pounds. And making the trip all the more
worthwhile is the cost: less than $70 a day for a group of three
anglers (a boat included, no less). Or for a family of two adults
and two children under 18, $420 will get you a cabin for four
days and four nights, a boat and access to several lakes. As
for the fishing, May is good, with the trout in shallow water
and scattered throughout the lake. But it’s the June transition
period, when the water warms up and the brookies gather in depths
of 16 to 23 feet, that’s prime trophy time. Just focus
on the deeper holes and related structure, and the catch of
a lifetime could be yours.
| BEYOND
BROOKIES |
| While
only brook trout are found in Lac du Club, a variety
of other species are close at hand in neighbouring
lakes. Good bets include lake trout in Lac Montjoie,
Lac des Sept Frères and Lac Preston, and
monster smallmouth in Lac des Ecorces, Lac de la
Fourche and Lac Manitou. |
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TACKLE
AND TECHNIQUE
Long-line
trolling a worm on a small hook with a spoon, such as a Williams
Wabler or Mooselook, used as an attractor about three feet from
the bait is an excellent technique. You can also try fishing
small in-line spinners or spoons. Fly fishers should use sinking
line with black or brown Woolly Buggers.
GETTING THERE
Réserve faunique de Papineau-Labelle is easily reached
from Ottawa/
Gatineau. Take Route 50 east to Masson, then Highway 309 north
to Val-des-Bois. The reception centre is located at #443, route
309.
BEYOND
LAC DU CLUB
Looking
for more local brookie hot spots? Also try:
•
Lac Kennedy
•
Lac Travers
•
Lac Trottier
•
Lac de l’Hydroplane
•
Lac Binet
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TO HOT SPOTS |
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