Some of My Observations While Staying in Rimouski, Quebec, Canada

Rimouski, Quebec is a very picturesque, tidy city in Canada. Unquestionably, one of its finer assets is the St. Lawrence River. At the large dock located on the St. Lawrence River you can witness some truly spectacular sky capes, a kaleidoscope of colors at sunrise and sunset, or the city itself as seen from the dock. The St. Lawrence River is 28 miles wide from shore to shore at Rimouski, Quebec.

If balmy weather is what you are seeking the best you will get is a really "hot" day of 76 degrees. I experienced a "heat wave" of 76 degrees in the beginning of September, it was the talk of the locals. If 76 is too hot, simply go down to the dock where you will more likely than not have a good breeze. This breeze is almost ever present and during the cold months of winter this wind turns into a real frostbite potential. The winters can long and harsh in Quebec with bitter wind-chills along the St. Lawrence River.

The dock is where you will meet a lot of local friendly folks. Most only speak French but a few do, and will, gladly practice their English language skills with you. English is slowly but surely encroaching everywhere in Quebec, many signs are in both languages and English is quite common in the city of Quebec.

On the dock two hours preceding and following high tide, you can go fishing along with these local Canadians. While I was there, they were fishing for, and catching, smelt. Everyone backs their car up and within seconds or minutes they start to fish. Most of the regulars already have their poles set up, hooks and all. They just simply whip out their poles, cast, and fish. During daylight, all are inquisitive about one another, it may range from sly glances of others' catches to lengthy conversations that start out about fishing and meanders into a wealth of other subjects. I've heard that many fishermen (and women) come at night as well, I just couldn't manage to get there at midnight or so.

Bait is not a problem for anyone fishing, there is usually a fisherman who digs up sea worms during low tide and shows up at the dock with these nasty little creatures (they bite) for a one or two bucks per dozen. My first day fishing in Rimouski, Quebec I had plenty of tips of how to set up the line, what number hook (#8), found some at the local Canadian Tire store), and plenty of fish tales. One fish story, heard from different individuals at different times rang true. When the fish are there, they are THERE! Everyone has at least four hooks per line on their fishing rod, they sometimes even hook six fish (with six hooks) at a time. One couple told me that between them in an hour they hooked 167 smelt in a little over an hour. Although I spent many hours there, I think the fish sensed I was only a visitor to Quebec, I only got bites. One woman, about four cars down, however, got the gold star, smelt after smelt, sometimes 2 or more at a time. Geeze....yup, I had smelt envy.

Speaking of the St. Lawrence River, it recently coughed up a doozy. A few miles down the river, they had quite a site to behold. Originally at the big dock I was fishing at in Rimouski, a rather large submarine had been contracted to be towed and dragged inland for the purpose of a hotel rental at $125.00 per night. I am not sure of the age of this black beauty, but I heard it was an old Canadian navy sub. Apparently they had some huge steel cables attached to the hull one evening (they had waited for the highest tide available), and some seriously big time wreckers. These wreckers (I can't attest to this but I heard four), could easily pull tractor trailers. A neighbor abutting the landing explained it was foggy and dark while the attempt to pull the submarine out on a previously built railroad like apparatus. Unfortunately, the attempt failed and there is now a huge submarine listing about forty five degrees which now lays like a sad beached whale in Pointe-Au-Pere, Quebec. On the conning tower you can clearly see "Rimouski". If not for a rock, I think it would have completely slipped on her side. The local officials are waiting for the next big high tide to try to move her again, I wish I could be there. I heard that would be around Sept.1th. It was a surreal sight, certainly one you don't see every day. It became an instant free tourist site, (and local interest was plentiful), digital cameras appeared with frequency. I personally experienced the English language in abundance never before experienced after many trips to the Rimouski, Quebec area. There was even a group with "Boston" embroidered on their shirts. They couldn't stop gaping any more than I.

A few tips for traveling around Rimouski, Quebec. The road running along the St. Lawrence River is beautiful, yet it would be wise to take caution. I found most people drive 20 kilometers above the speed limit more often than not. Prices can also be steep. At the local IGA in Rimouski, Quebec, a six pack of Budweiser beer was $11.29 for cans. Add in the tax and deposit for cans and you are looking at almost twelve dollars a six pack. Gas, cigarettes, and any kind of liquor is a bit expensive compared to what I am used to in the U.S.

This may not be Quebec City with the wonderful historical sites but it is truly a gem of a little city, perhaps a more realistic sense of the province of Quebec without the tourist trappings. A very nice hotel with a view of the St. Lawrence River is available for a visit and finding a place to eat will definitely not be problematic. If you would like more information regarding Rimouski, Quebec, I would advise visiting Tripadvisor.com for lodgings, advice, and other pertinent information.