Atlantic salmon

Bright silver salmon fresh from the sea, with black X-shaped spots above the lateral line, few or no spots on the tail, and a slim 'wrist' just ahead of the tail that you can grip. Small one-sea-winter fish are called grilse.

Grilse 3–6 lb; multi-sea-winter salmon 8–20 lb.

About 5 ft and over 70 lb (rare today).

Capelin, herring, sand lance and krill at sea; once in the river they hardly feed, but still strike a fly.

Born in rivers, grows up in the North Atlantic, and returns to its home river; unlike Pacific salmon, many survive spawning and come back again.

Found from Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick & PEI, Newfoundland & Gaspé and Hudson Bay & Labrador. Rivers of Quebec's Gaspé Peninsula and North Shore, New Brunswick's Miramichi and Restigouche, Newfoundland, Labrador and Ungava Bay.

Rivers of Quebec's Gaspé Peninsula and North Shore, New Brunswick's Miramichi and Restigouche, Newfoundland, Labrador and Ungava Bay.

2–8 ft in holding pools.

2–8 ft in holding pools.

June through September, depending on the river's run.

Early morning and evening, when the light is off the water.

On tidal rivers, fresh fish come in on the high tide.

A small rise in water after rain brings fish up the river; low, warm water shuts the fishing down.

Not allowed: salmon rivers are fly fishing only.

Classic wet flies and hair-wing flies (Green Highlander, Blue Charm, Cascade), bombers and riffling hitches on the surface.

9–13 ft 7–9 weight single-hand or two-hand fly rod.

Single or double salmon fly hooks, size 2–10; barbless where required.

Floating fly line most of the time; sink tips in high water.

10–15 lb tippet, 9–12 ft.

Cast down and across the pool, mend, and let the fly swing slowly across the current; take two steps and repeat until you've covered the pool. When a fish takes, don't strike — let it turn and tighten.

Atlantic salmon fishing is about patience: it can take a hundred casts, or a few days, for one fish. When one rises to your fly and misses, rest it for a minute and show it the fly again.

Catch and release: wet your hands, keep the fish in the water when you can, and release it quickly. Use circle hooks and a dehooker.

Usually released — a sport fish more than a food fish.

Rich and delicious, but nearly all wild Atlantic salmon are released; only some rivers allow you to keep a tagged grilse.

Slippery, fast rivers — use a wading staff and studded boots. In warm water (over about 68°F / 20°C), many rivers close to protect the fish.

Each province sets its own salmon rules, and many rivers allow only hook-and-release of large salmon. Never fish when rivers are closed for warm water. Atlantic salmon rules are strict: fly fishing only on salmon rivers, a salmon license and tags in each province, day passes on many Quebec rivers, and nonresidents must hire a licensed guide in several provinces. Many rivers are hook-and-release only.

Wild Atlantic salmon have declined across their range. Keep big fish in the water, support them by the tail wrist, and release them facing the current.