PAYNE RIVER FISHING CAMP
Exciting Arctic Char Fishing...above Canada’s Treeline   

Location - Latitude 60o North, Longitude 70o 40’ West The Payne is a major Arctic river flowing into Ungava Bay. It is the main watershed for the northwest tip of Quebec. The Payne River Camp is situated on the 60th parallel, 1100 miles due north of Montreal; 150 miles northwest of Kuujjuaq, and approximately 25 miles upriver from the village of Kangirsuk. The camp is only minutes away from the best Arctic Char fishing to be found anywhere in North America.

Access has been simplified as guests travel to camp aboard a Twin-Otter on wheels and land on the camp’s 1100 foot landing strip a short distance behind camp. 
Rates and dates for Payne River Fishing Camp

 

 Download the Payne River Camp brochure

 

YOUR HOSTS

The Inuit of Kangirsuk (Payne Bay) were traditionally nomadic, following the caribou and fish along the torturous coast-line of Ungava Bay. When several families decided to form a small settlement, they chose the mouth of the Payne River as the base from which fishing and hunting excursions would be made. The Payne Bay Inuit are cheerful and relaxed. They have a thorough knowledge of the waters they fish and they handle their freighter canoes with native expertise. They will be waiting to greet you upon your arrival at camp– all set to embark on a memorable fly fishing vacation.

YOUR LODGINGS The main lodge at the Payne River Fishing Camp has indoor toilets, showers, a dining room and lounge area where our guests enjoy friendly conversations with their Inuit hosts. Guests stay in cabins adjacent to the main lodge which are oil heated and equipped with linen and sleeping bags.

A diesel generator supplies the camp with electricity and a satellite telephone system keeps our camp in touch with our office in Kuujjuaq. Guests are served three hearty home cooked meals each day which normally includes a delicious mid-day shore lunch prepared by our Inuit guides.

THE FISHING

The significant tides in Ungava Bay fill and drain the Payne fjord of salt water twice each day. Guides work according to the tidal schedule and know where the fish stack up when tides are lowest. Besides offering non-stop action for Arctic Char from our 24 foot freighter canoes, anglers can explore the shores by wading.

 

Fish are plentiful at Payne Bay and fly fishermen can experience dynamic action using streamers, dry and wet flies. A variety of effective fly patterns are available for sale at camp. Arctic Char will attack most silvery spoons, but anglers with spinning gear have the best results using two and three inch Daredevles, Mepps spinners in sizes two and three, and various colored three inch Pixies.

Pro Advice on Fly Fishing for Arctic Char in Payne Bay

I recently experienced World-Class fly-fishing for Arctic Char at Arctic Adventures’ Payne River Fishing Camp in the Ungava Bay region where it was possible to catch 40-50 Char a day with a fly rod. And I’m not talking about small fish. The average fish weighed over five pounds, fish between six and ten pounds were common and the camp record is 18 pounds!   Read full fly fishing article
By John Beaven who has fly-fished several times at the Payne River camp with Arctic Adventures.