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Adventure Behind, Adventure Ahead
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Destination Angling Travel for 2024
Take a moment to soak it in… The arresting time-lapse image above was captured by good friend and colleague Steffen Juhl in our recent season at Lyall’s Camp on the Ekaluk River in the Canadian Arctic. In my estimation, it fairly well captures the soul of our shared passion — the pursuit of wild sea-run fish in moving water — a challenging endeavor composed of such exquisite moments, each a fragment in an adventurous angling life, each a swirl of poetry, filled with anticipation, in advance of magic. Not only that, the photograph illustrates a choice bit of water to encounter one of river’s impressive Arctic char on its return migration. Well done, Steffen!
(Learn more about our Arctic char program and Lyall’s Camp here.)
It has been a fascinating year. From another enjoyable week on the Rio Gallegos at Estancia Carlota, to discoveries on the Rio Santa Cruz, followed by fine spring steelhead fishing on the Skeena with good friends at Nicholas Dean Outdoors, a memorable salmon lost on the Matapedia at Tobique Salmon Club, and a season of extreme highs and lows in the Arctic — a series of logistical trials set in motion by the Yellowknife wildfires. To the far ends and edges of the American continent, 2023 has been a wild ride.
Now it’s time to look ahead…
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Patagonian Sea Trout & Steelhead 2024 Openings at Estancia Carlota / Rio Gallegos
As we did in 2023, we’ll start the year with a trip to Argentine Patagonia in late February/early March. My hosted trip combining a week on the Rio Gallegos at Estancia Carlota for sea trout and half-week on the Rio Santa Cruz for steelhead is full. However, I have access to the few remaining openings in the Salmon Junkies program at Carlota, which will in 2024 feature exclusive access to an additional 20 km of highly desirable water at Estancia Morro Chico.
Currently availability is as follows: January 6–13 — 1 rod January 13–20 — 1 rod January 20–27 — 1 rod January 27–February 3 — 3 rods February 3–10 — 1 rod February 10–17 — 1 rod February 17–24— 1 rod March 9–16 — 2 rods (perfect to combine with Rio Santa Cruz)
Rate is 5200 USD for 6 days fishing and 7 nights single occupancy at Estancia Carlota. Double occupancy is 4995 USD; 2700 USD for 3 days and 4 nights on the Rio Santa Cruz at the Salmon Junkies Piedrabuena Program. This is an outstanding value for civilized sea trout and steelhead fishing in the Southern Hemisphere. I urge you to give it a try. I can help with all travel arrangements.
Visit the trip page on my website and/or contact me for a PDF brochure with details.
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Spring Steelhead on the Skeena
2024 Hosted Week
Some of the most enjoyable steelhead fishing to be had is on the lower mainstem Skeena in early spring — light sink tips in shallow riffles and tailouts for dime bright fish in clean pre-melt water works for me every time. First week of April was good this year and we’re looking to return next year in the same week with the expert crew at Nicholas Dean Outdoors. With so many traditional steelhead fisheries seeing suppressed returns, this once “second season” in Skeena Country is now looking more attractive. Contact me now to get in.
Visit the trip page on my website for more photos and information. |
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The Best of the Best
High Stakes Salmon Fishing on the Matapedia
Some of the largest Atlantic salmon in North America return to the famous Restigouche River dividing New Brunswick and Quebec. The biggest and brightest of the biggest and brightest enter the river in their prime on higher water in the weeks of late May and early June, many taking a right turn into the storied Matapedia River, the system's largest tributary. Salmon anglers from the world over come here to try for a shot at the Matapedia's highly desirable early fish, hoping to find them in either the mainstem near the confluence or in the Matapedia proper. Like early-running summer steelhead or early spring chinook from the Pacific, these special Atlantic fish are in a class of their own — among the planet's most spectacular salmon.
In his book Atlantic Salmon Magic Topher Browne says of the Matapedia’s fish, “ Matapedia salmon are deep, full-bodied fish. Their fighting characteristics are matched by few strains of salmon in North America … Early-season salmon bound for the Causapscal, the major tributary of the Matapedia, are among the strongest salmon that swim.”
These are the salmon you want! Fortunately, friend and associate Toby Gilbert/Bespoke Flyfishing has developed a package developed specifically to pursue these grand fish in the weeks and on the water prime for finding them — all in the comfort of two historic private camps with experienced salmon guides. I’m thrilled to be involved again in 2024, helping with booking and hosting on site again last week of May. I hooked and lost a huuuuuge fish last year; I have unfinished business!
This kind of angler-as-hunter fishing surely isn’t for everyone — it’s not a a numbers game — but if just the talk of these fish increases your heart rate even the tiniest, you owe it to yourself to get in touch and find out the details. It might be right for you. We’ll have a two-week window to pursue these special fish and aim to sell 4-day and 8-day packages.
Visit the trip page on my website and/or contact me for a PDF brochure with a full rundown on this program at both Tobique Salmon Club and Cold Spring Camp. |
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A River Like No Other
Back to the Dean River in 2024
As many of you know, British Columbia’s incomparable Dean River was an annual stop on my hosting calendar from 2007 to 2014, and the site of so many remarkable angling moments for my guests and me. When Blackwell’s Lodge was sold, my opportunity was put on hold. The situation on the lower river has changed in recent years — BC West and Kimsquit Bay Lodge are now operating under one management entity. In my estimation, that’s good news as the two fishing programs can now be managed in concert. As a byproduct, an exciting opportunity is coming our way.
The door has reopened: I’m launching an effort to assemble a group and return next year in early July at BC West. This is a split program, three days unguided above the canyon and three guided days on the lower river, and perfectly situated on the calendar to find both bright steelhead and chinook in the river. This is sure to be an unforgettable experience on the Pacific Northwest’s most desirable summer steelhead water. Get in touch now for details and to secure your spot. Exact dates and rate forthcoming.
Visit the trip page on my website for more photos and information. |
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More Than Pretty Pictures Photographic Fine Art Prints Now Available
My inventory of fine art prints is now available for purchase from my website. Perfect for your office, study, studio, den, fly tying room, man cave — whatever real estate you’ve managed to negotiate! — or as a gift. The holidays are right around the calendar corner, and birthdays know no season. In other words, there’s never a bad time to bestow an inspirational image on your fishing buddy. Who knows, it could get you invited on the next great trip.
Made with archival pigment inks on fine art paper (sometimes called gliclée) deckle-edged and mounted to museum board on foam core backing, each print is ready to ship and ready to frame. To review the selection, sizes, and pricing, begin here. If you don’t see what you want or have questions, don’t hesitate to be in touch.
Lastly, in case you’re wondering, the travel packages I offer are priced at the same rate as a direct booking. The benefit of booking with a small-scale agency such as mine is that I can provide a higher level of personalized attention to your booking. I’ve never met a trip-related question I didn’t like.
On any given day of the year, somewhere on the planet, there is a big, bright, sea-run fish, charged with the ocean’s relentless energy, pushing into a river, ready and willing to ambush a well-presented fly. All we need to do is get there and make the cast…
Best regards & good fishing,
Jeff Bright Steelhead Flyfisher 415-317-9400
PS — I've sent this message to you because I've either fished with you, talked fishing with you or have a notion that this will be of interest to you. If you'd rather I not bother you — or tempt you — with these emails, please let me know. As much as I want you to join me on these trips, I want to respect your time and privacy. An unsubscribe link is included below. |
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