Rémi Brien
Passionate fly fisherman, Rémi Brien runs the Salmo Nature Shop and dedicates his life to sharing his expertise and the joy of fishing with respect for nature.
THE PERFECT FLY BOX: MUST-HAVE PATTERNS FOR SALMON IN QUEBEC
The Million-Dollar Question
You’re getting ready for your next fishing trip. The car is packed, the rods are checked, and (hopefully) the waders aren’t leaking. Only one ritual remains, one last lingering question, one final headache: choosing your flies. As you stare into your fly box, the ultimate question arises—the one that haunts every angler, from beginner to seasoned veteran: what is the special fly that will tempt the ever-finicky Mr. Salar?
Dark or light? Big or small? Wet or dry? Blue, yellow, orange, green? In a perfect world, you’d carry them all—but reality forces us to make choices. To help you navigate the options and build a fly box you can trust, we’ve compiled expert recommendations from Louis Basque and Rémi Brien, drawing on decades of experience across Quebec’s rivers. This guide isn’t a set of hard rules, but a solid foundation to handle whatever conditions come your way.
The Foundation: 7 Must-Haves for Every River
Some flies are so effective and versatile that they deserve a spot in every salmon angler’s fly box, no matter which river they fish. They form the core of your arsenal—the reliable go-tos you can always count on. The logic behind building an effective fly box is to start with this universal foundation, then add more specialized patterns based on conditions and location.
Here are the 7 essential patterns:
- Black Bear Green Butt : An absolute classic. Its black body contrasted with a fluorescent green butt makes it a highly visible and attractive fly in a wide range of lighting conditions.
- Undertaker : Similar to the previous one, but with a red butt and often a touch of flash. Another high-contrast pattern that triggers aggressive strikes.
- Rusty Rat : With its orange silk floss body and grey wings, it subtly mimics the color of many rivers, blending into the environment just enough to take salmon by surprise.
- Silver Rat: A variation of the Rat with a silver body. It’s especially effective in sunny weather or very clear water, where its shine grabs attention.
- Pompier: A distinctly Québécois name for a highly effective fly. Its bright red and yellow colors make it an excellent choice in slightly stained water or when aiming to provoke a reaction.
- Blue Charm: A fly of great simplicity and deadly elegance, especially in smaller sizes for low, clear water conditions.
- Picasse (Original Yellow and Black): Another proven Quebec-born pattern. Its silhouette and colors make it a top-tier choice across many rivers.
Build the core of your arsenal with these trusted classics. Shop our collection of essential wet flies or let us do the choosing for you with our fly box combos!
Regional Adaptation: Fishing Smart, in the Right Place
Once your foundation is in place, the next step is to tailor your selection based on the region you’re fishing. Water characteristics (clarity, color), local insect life, and even regional “traditions” all influence salmon preferences. Having the right fly for the right river can turn an ordinary day into a memorable experience.
The following table is designed as a quick reference tool to help you make the right choices. It answers specific questions like “which fly for the Matane River?” and positions you as an expert before you’ve even set foot in the water.
| Region / River | Fly Name | Type | Salmo Nature Expert Tip | Product Link (Example) |
| Lower St. Lawrence (Mitis, Rimouski, Matane) | Tiger Ghost / Undertiger | Wet Fly | The black and orange contrast is a classic and highly effective choice in these rivers. | View Wet Flies |
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GASPÉSIE – GULF SIDE (Ste-Anne, Cap-Chat |
Green Highlander | Wet Fly | A historic pattern with bright colors, perfect for grabbing attention in large pools. | View Wet Flies |
|
GASPÉ (St-Jean, Dartmouth, York |
Green Picasse | Wet Fly | In the clear waters of the Gaspé Peninsula, the green variation of the Picasse is a must-have. | View Wet Flies |
| GASPÉSIE BAIE-DES-CHALEURS (Bonaventure, Cascapédia) | Stone Fly (Paul Caron / Ghost) | Wet Fly | Stonefly larva imitation—a natural food source. Essential on these rivers. | View Wet Flies |
| MATAPÉDIA VALLEY (Matapédia, Causapscal) | Picasse (Yellow, Green, Orange) | Wet Fly | A Matapedia classic. Carry several color variations to adapt to changing light conditions. | View Wet Flies |
| CHARLEVOIX (Gouffre, Malbaie) | Copper Killer | Wet Fly | A proven local pattern. The copper body is especially effective. | View Wet Flies |
| SAGUENAY / CÔTE-NORD | Green Cosseboom / Colburne | Wet Fly | In darker, tannic waters, green tones and subtle silhouettes are often the winning combination. | View Wet Flies |
| FAR NORTH (George, Aux Feuilles) | Muddler (various colors) | Wet Fly | The deer hair head of the Muddler pushes water and creates disturbance—highly effective for targeting big fish. | View Wet Flies |
When the Surface Explodes: The Guide to Dry Flies and Bombers
There’s nothing more thrilling in salmon fishing than watching a fish rise from the depths to take a fly on the surface. To experience those moments, you need the right selection of dry flies.
- The Essentials (All Rivers): The White Bomber is without a doubt the most popular and versatile dry fly. The Letrançois, the Gariel, and the classic Brown with white wings are also reliable staples.
- Specific to Tannic Waters (Côte-Nord, Saguenay): In dark waters, contrasting colors are essential. Orange, black, and yellow bombers, along with the famous “Tous Moun’s Bud,” are excellent choices.
- Specific to Clear Waters (Gaspé, Baie-des-Chaleurs): Subtlety is key. Natural colors (brown, grey) and shades of chartreuse or green are often more effective.
- Call to Action: Nothing beats a salmon strike on the surface. Be ready. (Bombers).
Late-Season Arsenal: Triggering Aggression
At the end of the season, salmon have often been in the river for a while. They’re settled, sometimes territorial, but usually less inclined to feed. This is the time to bring out more provocative flies—those designed to trigger an aggressive reaction rather than a feeding instinct. Shrimp patterns like the Red Francis, General Practitioner, and Ally’s Shrimp, with their long antennae and unique profiles, are perfect for this. Leech imitations in orange, black, or purple can also prove deadly. When salmon get stubborn, sometimes you have to provoke them. Add these late-season patterns to your fly box.
Your Box, Your Confidence
In the end, the best fly in the world is the one that spends time in the water—and the one you trust completely. This guide is designed to help you build that trust, offering a logical and proven selection based on the real-world experience of our experts. Never let doubt creep in again when you’re standing by the river.
Build your perfect fly box today. The simplest and most effective solution? Fly Box Combos — expert-curated selections with everything you need, delivered to your door.
Now that your box is ready, do you know how to present those flies with the finesse required for low-water conditions? Read our articles.