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Overview
Rated in the top 6 Atlantic salmon rivers in Newfoundland and Labrador, the mighty Pinware river is famous for its prolific runs of Atlantic salmon, fast flowing nature and spectacular surroundings. Notorious for fishing the dry fly for multi sea winter fish, visiting anglers are able to learn the art of fishing the dead drifted bomber to entice these aggressive fish.
Big Land Fishing Lodge is situated right on the banks of the Pinware river on the southern coast of Labrador. The recently renovated lodge offers the perfect relaxing retreat after a day’s fishing on the river to ensure an experience of a lifetime.
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Fishing
The river Pinware offers a huge variety of pools to fish, with its fast flowing nature in the upper river to smooth glides in the lower river. The falls on the east branch and west branch of the river provide a natural resting spot for the fish around 15 km from the sea. The upper part of the river comprises of well defined pools and pockets which is ideal for fishing the dry fly. Separated by swift tumbling rapids and chutes, the fast flowing water gives the fish the advantage and fishing here often provides tales of battles with extremely hard fighting salmon.
As the river cascades down towards the sea the flow subsides as it approaches the tidal pools above the estuary. Here anglers can often swing a fly and fishing a hitched single is very effective. Although most local anglers will fish with single handed rods, a spey rod can be extremely effective when covering fish entering straight from the Atlantic Ocean.
Along with the abundant runs of Atlantic Salmon there are also runs of Sea Run Brook Trout, Speckled trout and Arctic Char. This world class fishery offers fly fishing for multi sea winter fish and grilse in a spectacular accessible wilderness.
In late June anglers can expect to be pursuing 2 sea winter fish averaging around 12lbs and up to 20lbs. These fish are powerful fish and provide a real challenge when hooking them on single handed rods. As mid July arrives so do the grilse in prolific numbers. By this time of year there are fish in every section of the river and as they arrive from the sea they are extremely aggressive.
A team of experienced guides are on hand to transport our guests to and from the Big Land Lodge and along the river for each day’s fishing. Catching salmon on the dry fly is something that our guides love to share with visiting anglers.
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Accommodation
The Big Land Fishing Lodge is designed to offer visiting rods maximum comfort during their visit with easy access to the river. The main Lodge is recently renovated and offers a comfortable retreat with a rustic traditional style. Sleeping up to 12 guests, there are single rooms and twin rooms with 4 shared bathrooms in the lodge and private cabins in the grounds available for visiting guests. There is a stylish dining room where all meals are served and a lounge area with a small bar and balcony to rest and relax in the evenings. Nestled in the forest of southern Labrador there is often lots of wildlife visiting the lodge grounds also. The staff are always on hand to ensure you have everything that you need to enjoy your stay.
The Big Land Cottage is another superb option for visiting anglers. Situated just 10 minutes away from Big Land Lodge, this recently renovated beautiful cottage sits directly on the oceanfront. Guests can enjoy ocean views in the morning while sipping coffee on the patio and viewing Minkie and Humpback whales cruising along the coast line. The cottage is a very special option and provides an unique experience for a small group of people.
Each morning the guides will meet you at the Lodge and head out onto the Pinware river, if you would prefer to fish the bouldery rapids in the upper section or the wider pools in the lower sections the guides will take you to the best spots during your time on the water.
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Food & Cuisine
Situated just a stones throw from the Atlantic Ocean there is an abundance of seafood available for the chefs to cook up for our visiting guests. From lobsters and crab, halibut and cod the cuisine is second to none with barbecues, fine dining, shore lunches and local delights to fill the palette.
The lodge has their own lobster posts and you can help pull them up if you so wish. The staff will always go that extra mile to ensure everything is just how you like it.
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Example itinerary
DAY 1 – HOME CITY TO NEWFOUNDLAND – Deer Lake
- Fly from home city to Deer Lake
- Pick up Hire car and overnight in Deer Lake
DAY 2 – CONTINUE JOURNEY TO BIG LAND LODGE
- Drive to St Barbe Bay Ferry terminal in the morning
- Take the Ferry from St Barbe to Blanc Sablon
- Continue journey to Big Land Lodge
- Option to fish in the afternoon.
- (Option of flying direct to Blanc Sablon and transfer to Lodge)
DAY 3 – GUIDED FISHING
- Breakfast served at 7:30am
- 8:30am Meet guide and drive to river
- Fishing all day with river side lunch or option to go back to lodge for lunch.
- Evening meals Included
DAY 4 – CONTINUED FISHING & OVERNIGHT AT BIG LAND LODGE
DAY 5 – CONTINUED FISHING & OVERNIGHT AT BIG LAND LODGE
DAY 6 – CONTINUED FISHING & OVERNIGHT AT BIG LAND LODGE
DAY 7 – GUIDED FISHING & CHECK OUT
- Guided fishing during the day and check out of Big Land Lodge.
- You will be transferred to either Blanc Sablon or use own hire car to continue with own travel plans.
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Specifics
5 NIGHTS – 6 DAYS FISHING – COST $4,900 USD (+15% Provincial Tax)
INCLUDED:
- Full board accommodation
- 1 Guide between 2 fisherman
- Six days fishing
- Fishing Licence
- Transfer from Blanc Sablon Airport or Ferry Terminal to Lodge if required
EXCLUDED:
- Gratuities
- International Flights
- Ferry or hire car’s
- Any extra hotel in Labrador / Newfoundland outside of the lodge.
- Items of a personal nature
Pinware River
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Location
FAQ
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Are there mosquitos / midges?
When the wind drops, there are biting insects as you would expect in the wilderness of Labrador. We have available and use our Mygg jackets, which keeps the nasties off you so you can continue to enjoy the fishing.
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How do you get there?
Most visitors will fly to Deer Lake and hire a car for the trip. Driving to the ferry at St Barbe Bay to Blanc Sablon across the Strait of Belle Isle. This way our guests have the freedom to tour around in an evening, whale watching, or visiting the national park.
Sometimes guests will fly directly to Blanc Sablon and get a transfer to Big Land Lodge. This is a really convenient route however the small airport only have flights three days a week and can sometimes be subject to high winds and some flights will be cancelled.
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What size rods should I fish there?
One of the highlights of fishing the Pinware is the dry fly fishing. For this we recommend a single handed 9’ – 10’ rod in a 6# or #7 weight. A single handed rod is essential for fishing the Bomber fly effectively and maintaining control of the drift.
Swinging flies in the lower river can also be very exciting and fishing a switch 11’6” #7 or 12’ – 12’ #7 or #8 rod with a Scandi line also can be very effective.
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Why choose LOOP Travel?
LOOP Travel has extensive teams worldwide, all working to give you the best possible advice when travelling the world in search of top-class fly fishing. Our advice is totally free to you and booking with us comes at no extra cost.
Our decades of experience between the teams and plethora of knowledge is second-to-none. Our team members know all of our destinations backwards, having spent many years guiding, managing & fishing these lodges.
Suitable gear
Many anglers will use single-handed rods for all occasions, while fishing the Pinware river. Typically we use 9’ – 10′ rated #6 or #7 for salmon fishing, paired with our specially designed SST Dry Fly Line, with an elongated rear taper for picking up maximum line and a compact front taper for turning over bombers into a wind.
Anglers that are used to spey casting may also like to take a switch rod or 13’ rod with a floating shooting head. This can be particularly useful in the lower river where the river widens out and it can be highly effective swinging flies near to the ocean.
A larger arbour reel is also excellent for salmon fishing with single-handed rods. This allows you to gain more control over the fish and keep tension with ease.
When the wind drops, there are also biting insects as you would expect in the wilderness of Labrador. We have available and use our Mygg jackets and neck gaiters, which keep the nasties off.
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