Spate · Mixed · Québec (Gaspésie)

Saint-Jean

Saint-Jean terrain map

The Saint-Jean flows north to the St.

Poor · Atlantic Salmon
Bomber · size 4–8
Poorlive now
Not the day for it
River temperature is the limiting factor today, not the flow. This is not the day to push it. Check the thermal advice above before you head out.
90% confidence
What moved it
  • LevelDry recentlyNo gauge reading
  • Water temp21.3°C
  • ClarityClear
Today's fly
Bomber
Bombersize 4–8
Standard Gaspé surface fly. Clear Saint-Jean water means fish see the Bomber clearly; fish it on a dead or nearly-dead drift through the pools, then skate it across the tail.
Conditions on the water
Estimate
Level
Dry recently
No gauge reading
Water temp21.3°C
ClarityClear
Weather22°C
WindSW 14 km/h
Pressure1018 hPa
Rain · recent1.9 mm
Rain · ahead1.0 mm

No gauge on this water — readings are regional estimates from weather, not a live gauge.

Water temperature for Atlantic Salmon
Warm — slow
21°C est.ideal 1014°C
0°14°28°
How to fish it · for Atlantic Salmon
When
Morning into early afternoon.
Where
Pool tails, steadier runs, and any water with pace.
Method
Fish a sensible line-and-fly combination for the height and pace of water.
Kit
13 ft #8/9 double-hander in spate, 10 ft #8 single in low water. Floating line plus a fast-sink tip. 12–15 lb fluoro tippet.
Why this works
Water at 21.3°C. This is the line where catch-and-release kills atlantic salmon. Do not fish for them today.
Hatch timeline · todayQuiet day

Hatch predictions

Today's headline hatch shown — see all 2 active hatches hour by hour with Pro.

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Sub-surface · on the nymphunder the surface

Hatch predictions

See the full sub-surface read with Pro.

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Beyond the hatch · worth watchingambient prey

Hatch predictions

Top prey shown — see all 2 with Pro.

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Evidence
ModelledModerate confidence

Modelled from regional ecology — no survey or occurrence data for this water yet.

Through the year
0–3 scale · July highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Salmon runRun
1
2
2
1
Early Black StoneflyHatch
2
3
2
Eastern Golden StoneHatch
2
2
Slate Drake / IsonychiaHatch
2
3
3
3
3
2
Yellow SallyHatch
2
3
2

Numbers are intensity 0 (none) to 3 (peak) — a guide, not a guarantee.

Ranked for today
Atlantic Salmon fly box
Permits & access
Permit required — see local rules.
  • QC salmon licence + sector permit booking.
What's coming
Plan ahead
5-day outlook
Cooler water nearby · 1
Probably above the Atlantic Salmon safety line — these are likely cooler, but carry a thermometer.
About this water

The Saint-Jean flows north to the St. Lawrence — a Gaspésie river with an early-season reputation. Multi-sea-winter salmon are taken in June, before the grilse runs dominate July and August; this makes it worth visiting before the summer crowds settle onto the more famous systems. Pool-and-run structure throughout, with fish that respond to correct presentation at any height. Less known outside Québec than the Grand Cascapédia or the Bonaventure, and fishes the better for it. Atlantic salmon are managed under Québec's rivière system — mandatory catch-and-release of large salmon applies on most rivers, with limited grilse retention; check the river's current quota and rules before fishing.

  • Mixed
Why this score · for Atlantic Salmon
  • Temperature130% weight
  • Flow4525% weight
  • Clarity9520% weight
  • Feeding Time8515% weight
  • Pressure8510% weight
Directions
Seasons & zones
  • Salmon 15 June30 September
  • Brook trout 3rd Saturday of May30 September

    Québec brook trout (truite mouchetée) general season from the 3rd Saturday of May to September 30. These Gaspésie rivers are primarily Atlantic salmon waters regulated under ZEC (zone d'exploitation contrôlée) or FAPAQ reserve zones. Brook trout are secondary; present in upper tributaries, smaller feeders, and headwaters. A Québec fishing licence plus ZEC/reserve territory permit is required. Check the specific ZEC (e.g. ZEC de la Rivière Bonaventure, ZEC Casault) for current dates and brook trout limits.

Related guides
Booking & contacts