Written by: Scott McEnaney, Eastern ELOG Director
![]() |
|
Occasionally I get to escape and head north rather than south. Since I live in Vermont, that is not usually the case, but in this case I was given a reprieve from heading to the “more populated” areas.
I recently went on a lodge visit to Tuckamore Lodge, on Newfoundland’s Great Northern Peninsula. As is often the case, most of what I know about the area I discovered right before I headed up there. Newfoundland is not talked about as much as many other Atlantic salmon destinations, but is an area rich in fishing history as evidenced by the following facts:
- An astonishing 68% of North America’s salmon rivers are in Newfoundland.
- There are more than 200 rivers with wild runs of salmon.
- Some of these rivers have annual runs up to 30,000 fish.
My guide, Junior, told me he has been fishing the river full-time for 19 years and that it has gotten better and better every year for the last 5 years. He spoke a lot of the conservation efforts as well as the importance of the “net buy-outs.”
While at Tuckamore, I fished the Salmon River, which is easily accessible by boat from the lodge. (I even saw my first caribou while on this short ride.). Normally, there are a number of options of water to fish, but low water limited with our choices. That said, the Salmon River should hardly be thought of as a consolation prize. It is a beautiful, medium-size river that has some great holding pools right near the lodge. The river was teeming with fish, and every time I started to lose concentration to stare at the beautiful surroundings I would immediately be brought back to reality by a jumping salmon waking me up. While most of the fish a caught (all on dry flies!) were on the smaller side, I did see a number of larger fish.
Barb Genge the owner and host at Tuckamore Lodge is very active in conservation and has been a longtime advocate for responsible use of natural resources. She is a very neat lady. By the way, a “Tuckamore” is a low tree beaten down by intense wind to the point where it never increases in size. (Wow…makes me want to be there in January.)
Newfoundland is a beautiful place, and the four-hour drive from the airport in Deer Lake seemed to fly by because the scenery was endless. Enjoy the pictures, and add Newfoundland to your list – you will be glad you did!
Scott McEnaney is Orvis’s Eastern ELOG (Endorsed Lodges, Guides, & Outfitters) Fishing Director