Hunters and anglers can’t stop thinking about their favorite pastimes and are already dreaming of their next backcountry excursions.
Unlike previous years, when there were two exhibitions dedicated to our passions, in 2023 there will be only one in the greater Montreal area, held at the Sheraton Convention Center in Carrefour Laval on weekends.
To change
The National Hunting and Fishing Outfitter Show is in its 25th edition. The event has been held at the Palais des congrès de Montréal for more than 20 years. Then, in 2017, this popular annual exhibition moved to Place Sports Experts Forzani in Laval. In 2023, to the surprise of everyone, it will move a few kilometers further to the Sheraton Laval. “Place Sports Experts was not available this year. So we had to revise our plans. The Sheraton was definitely the best choice for us. The site is well known to all and easily accessible via the 15 and 440 freeways. Parking is also free,” explains promoter Gaétan Mondou.
Large number of exhibitors
A total of 110 exhibitors came together to inform enthusiasts and awaken their passion. In addition to the various Sépaq destinations, 65 of the outfitters accepted the invitation.
At such a gathering of actors in nature one has the impression of not having enough eyes and ears to see and hear everything. During my visit on Thursday, I got to know five outfitters that I particularly chose and put on the compass rose. I have selected the most geographically distant outfitter in each of the directions associated with the four cardinal points. Here’s what these foresters had to say and showcase:
The northernmost
Broadback Outfitter is part of the Oujé-Bougoumou Cree Territory. On Lake Assinica, anglers outsmart pike weighing an average of 3.5 kg, speckled fish weighing a kilo and zander weighing 1.5 kg and more. This location, 450 miles from Montreal, closed in 2022 due to COVID and to refurbish all facilities. A total of eight guests can participate per week. A team of guides is available to assist amateurs. For information: 418.745-2519 or broadback.ca.
The southernmost
Kenauk Nature’s 265 km2 protected area is located 140 km from Montreal in the Outaouais. This five star location invites you for day or package fishing, hunting and vacationing. A total of 22 huts were built on private lakes where rainbow, speckled fish, pike, perch, etc. live together. The fly fishing school helps enthusiasts learn the art of handling fly lines. For information: 1.800.567-6845 or kenauk.com.
The easternmost
The Seigneurie du Lac Métis is 45 minutes from Rimouski or 600 km from Montreal. The 26 km long main lake hosts lake trout with an average weight of 2.5 kg and ogresses over 7 kg. Speckled 750 gy also coexist. In the other six waters, stocked and native brown trout are foiled. Guests can choose between two 12-person chalets and six smaller ones. For information: 418.750-8978 or seigneurielacmetis.qc.ca.
The westernmost
Zec Dumoine is the only controlled mining zone that manages and operates a outfitter. Gîtes Dumoine Nature is located on the banks of Lac aux Sangsues, 40 km from Rapide des Joachims, in Témiscamingue. With a length of 13 km, you can catch gray horse, zander and pike. For its part, the Zec gives access to 400 lakes spread over an area of 1500 km2. The speckled and rainbow are also present in these waters. For information: 613 586-1966 or zecdumoine.ca.
Furthest in Canada:
If you like adventure and a change of scenery, contact Yukon Fishing Adventure’s French-speaking guide Normand Leroux. He will pick you up at the airport and offer you to stay in nature, in a mobile home or in a luxury prospector’s tent, on the shore of Lake Aishihik, two hours from Whitehorse. Lake trout, pike and grayling can be caught over a length of 72 km. I had a memorable fishing trip there. For information: 1.867.335-6262 or yukonfishingadventure.com.
the furthest
In 2015 France Boucher and Éric Bergeron from Saint-Jérôme purchased 50 km2 of land in the heart of the mountains in South Africa and established three lodges there to accommodate enthusiasts. Since then, the Majeje safari outfitter has offered hunting trips for impala, blesbok, kudu, wandering buck, elk, buffalo and about fifteen other game species. Basic packs with three beasts start at $5,000. For information: 514 895-0475 or majejeafricasafaris.com.
To have
Purchase of a $12.50 admission ticket grants access to the site all weekend. In addition, entry to the promotion of young people is free for all young people up to the age of 17. After talking to the various innkeepers in the forest, visitors can take a look at a wide range of specialized services and products. You can also attend various conferences.
In addition to the Laval exhibition, which runs from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and tomorrow, Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Gaétan Mondou and his team will present the Quebec City exhibition next week, as well as those in Trois-Rivières and Sherbrooke in March. Visit pourvoirie.net for more information.
