The Quebec 2009 Atlantic Salmon Mentorship - [A series – Part 2 of 3]

Chris Chin - October 12, 2009
part 1 can be found here

One of the aspects that I just love about the Quebec Atlantic Salmon Mentorat is the steps they have taken to break the myth (that is – the myth that fly fishing for Atlantics is for the Elite, the Rich, the Pros or the Snobs).

I like to get new comers to realize that salmon fishing is REALLY for anyone who cares to try it. Tradition around many rivers makes some of the old clan see Salmon fishing as a sport for the rich. Today our shore lunches are less on the cucumber sandwich side and more toward chicken pot pie and Jack Daniel's.

A few years ago, a group of Salmo salar enthusiast set out to initiate newcomers to the sport of Atlantic salmon fishing. A couple years later, this small little activity grew! The third annual edition had Pro Staffers from many of the major rod makers, literally thousands of dollars worth of door prizes for the Sunday banquet, over 40 Guides and Instructors as well as countless others who took care of meals, logistics, reservations and impromptu gastronomic picnics. (Well, Amelie Dussault did a Lion’s share of the logistics).

Even with the “bigger and better” format, the same philosophy holds true from the first event. The main purpose of the weekend is to initiate newcomers to the sport.

The participants in this year’s activity (as in the past 2 years) were divided into 2 groups:

The Mentorat Class: Anglers with less than 3 years or 10 days of salmon fishing under their (wader) belt.

The Discovery Class: Anglers who have some experience or have already done a previous Mentorat and who wish to discover a new salmon river or two.

The Next Generation: A new addition this year. A dozen youngsters from a youth center came up with a half a dozen mentors to get their first taste of fly fishing. Thanks to some fancy foot work this group got a free pass to the activity.

The whole idea of the weekend is to show folks what Atlantic fishing on the fly is all about. Therefore, we asked that all Mentorat and Discovery anglers take at least some casting instruction before the weekend. Of course, most came away from the weekend with improved casting skills or with a few new tricks (like a Snake Roll cast to get back on target without false casting into the overhanging trees on the #24 pool).

Right: Jean-Claude “arranged” his holidays to come over from France to participate in this year’s activity. He also gave a wonderful demo on the third day of traditional 2 handed rod handling skills.

Jacques – Mindfully watching over one of his charges in the Mentorat Class

Pro Staff from a major rod maker – Pascal was in the Discover Class

From our third but most important group: one of the Next Generation and a Next Generation Instructor!!

The Next Generation getting some pointers and just hangin’ out!

Gilles – A Mentorat Class participants putting one back for the Next Generation (his second ever day chasing Salmo salar)

See you all next year!!!

Christopher Chin – Proulxville Quebec
Next Week – The Instructors and Guides

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