Lower Humber River

Lower Humber River

The Humber River, although it is located near the third largest city in Newfoundland, does not have a problem with congestion from fisherman or boating traffic.  Most of the time you spend on the river during the week it is pretty lonely, which is just what most fly fishermen like.  Some evenings a good number of local anglers are on the river but they stick primarily to the main pools. The Lower Humber has over 100 good areas where salmon lay and you couldn’t possibly fish them all during a six-day fishing trip.  

Fly fishing is the only type of fishing permitted on all Newfoundland Salmon rivers and the Lower Humber offers a truly unique fly fishing experience.  The Humber is big and wide with a number of areas that are well suited for wading.  Boats are used more commonly and give an angler a distinct advantage.  The Humber cannot be crossed on foot anywhere on the lower section, unless there is a bridge and most of the best pools are best accessed by boat.  Spay casting is another way an angler can gain an advantage on the salmon and other anglers on the lower Humber.  There are many areas were lays for salmon are located in the middle of the river and can’t be reached with a nine-foot rod and regular casting techniques.  Spay casting also helps anglers when there are trees at your back making it difficult to cast a long line.  In these areas, a good spay caster can fish very effectively.

Many anglers like to fly fish with light tackle to give the salmon a little more advantage.  On the Lower Humber if you go too light, you can say goodbye to your rod, reel and line. Best scenario you’ll just loose your line.  The gear that the fly fisherman on the Lower Humber most commonly use is as follows:

• 9 weight 9' rod

• 9-10 weight line weight forward

• Reel must be able to hold at least 150 yards of backing.

The most important thing is the amount of line on your reel.

The weight forward line helps with the mid- day winds we often have.

The Lower Humber is a large wide river.  Our power boasts make very good fishing platforms for ultimate access to all pools.