When was the last time you explored a new piece of water, untouched by crowds? For most of us, it’s a rare occurrence—finding yourself on a fishery that feels like it’s being pioneered for the first time. What if I told you there’s a group of dedicated Canadian and Quebecois guides doing just that on the Gaspé Peninsula? They’re charting new waters, chasing striped bass on the flats like never before in Eastern Quebec.
Enter the Gaspé Coastal crew, led by Andrew Murphy and his partner Sarah Nellis. This energetic duo has built a guiding operation that grinds 24/7 through its short season, chasing everything from 100-fish days with striped bass to Atlantic salmon in the rivers where they honed their skills. Their passion is infectious; one trip with them will leave you craving more.
More was exactly what my wife, Morgan, and I were after when we booked our week with this crew. After a long, dry summer in central PA, we were craving some cooler, salty air. It would be my second trip up and Morgan’s first, and by hour six of the 16-hour drive, I’m sure she was ready to start collecting Gaspesie memories of her own rather than hearing me recount mine.
The Gaspé Coastal Crew
I first met Andrew at the Edison Fly Fishing Show. He showed me videos of sprawling flats—sand, mud, grass, and gravel—alive with tailing bass. It was like watching a dream unfold. We quickly made plans for the summer, joining them to explore this emerging fishery and help dial in their guiding team for the lodge’s upcoming season.
This group of passionate guides makes every visit feel like a family reunion. Meals are shared around a common table, where French and English blend as seamlessly as the gin and tonics. Not only is Andrew an obsessed angler, but he’s also a phenom in the kitchen. The camaraderie around the table is special—regular gatherings where stories and ideas from the day on the water flow freely. This kind of fellowship fuels their dedication to uncovering the secrets of the Gaspé fishery day by day.
Discovering the Gaspé Peninsula Fishery
The Gaspé Peninsula has gained some notoriety recently, thanks to viral drone videos showing striped bass tailing in mere inches of water. It’s the dream of every striper angler from the Long Island Sound to the flats of Maine—only now, it’s happening far to the north, where stripers have found a new stronghold.
These bass have taken advantage of warming waters, expanding their range and thriving in rivers like the Miramichi. Every spring, the bass population wakes up from its winter slumber and begins feeding to prepare for their late-season spawn. By May, they finish spawning in the Miramichi estuary and start migrating north toward the bay just south of the Gaspé Peninsula. This is where they dominate the waters for the rest of the summer, coinciding with the arrival of the Atlantic salmon—an event that kicks off the summer awakening for the region’s fisheries. The bass stick around, feeding on shrimp and baitfish in the warm mudflats and estuaries until their fall migration in late September.
For someone who loves chasing bass on the flats, this place is heaven. But it’s not just about the fish. The Gaspé Peninsula’s scenery is as jaw-dropping as the fishing. The Appalachian Mountains stretch toward their northern limits here, framing expansive flats and towering above the coastal waters. On calm days, when the easterly wind is down, the mountains create a natural windbreak, leaving the waters glassy and perfect for fishing.
A Day on the Gaspé Flats
Stepping onto a skiff in the far north is surreal, especially for someone used to casting shrimp patterns in tropical waters. AP, our Acadian guide for the next two days, launched the boat from a dirt ramp onto the rocky shore. It was clear that we were far from the tropics. The crisp northern air, paired with the bright sun on this bluebird day, was exactly what we’d hoped for as we motored toward the first flat of the morning.
The flats were vast—muddy stretches covered in flowing eelgrass, swaying with the dropping tide. Soon, we started spotting those telltale dark spots that give away schools of striped bass, feeding frantically as the tide rushed out. The sight was breathtaking: schools of bass blowing baitfish into the air, the water erupting with each cast.
To capitalize on the action, we threw lightly-weighted shrimp flies like Gotchas and Peterson’s Spawning Shrimp on our 8 weights, although a 6WT and a click-pawl reel would’ve been even more fun. Truthfully, it didn’t matter what we used—these bass were demolishing anything that moved with the tide. We probably could’ve caught a few with bare hooks.
For hours, we had the flats to ourselves, catching schoolie after schoolie with smiles plastered on our faces. The best part? We weren’t just alone on the flat—we were probably the only boat for miles.
Eventually, though, you start wondering where the bigger fish are. Andrew suggested we try a new zone, and soon we were motoring past towering red sandstone cliffs. I’d been honing my Beast Fleye tying skills all summer, so I was eager to see how the bass reacted to my 8-inch all-white creation. AP was curious, too. We tied it on and began working deeper rock structures, hoping for something substantial.
It didn’t take long. Morgan hooked into a hefty bass that had her line screaming. The fish won the battle, but the thrill of the fight and the stunning backdrop made it an unforgettable moment. Later, AP and I planned an evening tying session so I could share some tips on tying big bucktail flies.
Chasing the Gaspé Grande Slam: Striped Bass, Brook Trout, and Atlantic Salmon
No trip to the Gaspé would be complete without mentioning two other iconic species: Atlantic salmon and sea-run brook trout. These fish have made the peninsula a world-renowned angling destination for decades.
After a few days on the flats, we switched gears and headed upriver in search of brook trout. The rivers here are pristine, lined with private salmon camps and managed beats. After a long hike, we finally reached a promising pool. A few casts later, we were rewarded with some of the largest brook trout we’d ever seen, their red bellies flashing in the crystal-clear water.
On our second day fishing the sweetwater, we had a surprise encounter. As we fished a deep tannic pool, Morgan spotted a rolling fish. From higher ground, we could see a school of 40 to 60 Atlantic salmon—much earlier than we’d expected to see them. Armed with just our trout gear and floating lines, we did our best to entice a take. When Morgan finally hooked into one of these golden bars, the fight was on. It was a wild, exhilarating battle, ending with our too-small trout net barely able to contain the massive fish.
The Journey Home
As we packed up the 4Runner and headed south, it was hard to leave Gaspé behind. This trip had it all—striped bass tailing on untouched flats, monster brook trout, and an unexpected encounter with Atlantic salmon. For two anglers from Pennsylvania, this felt like more than just a trip; it was a pilgrimage. We left with one Gaspé Grande Slam under our belts and the promise of more to come.
This place has earned a permanent spot in our minds, and I’m already counting the days until we return to chase fish in this angler’s paradise.
For more information and to experience this untouched fishery for yourself, check out Gaspé Coastal or visit them on Instagram.
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