Costumer story - Just being there is an adventure

Patrice Sanvido was born in La Tuque. Kathleen Bérubé too. They both love to fish, making them a great duo of adventurers, ready to take on anything to catch walleye. They’re hooked, you might say.

At age 4, Patrice started fishing with his grandfather, inheriting both his passion and his techniques. “My grandfather was a member of private clubs in Haute-Mauricie in the 1970s. When the clubs opened up to the public, he was able to buy a cabin and share the magnificent untouched wilderness with his family. Now I have a cabin of my own, in the place where I spent my childhood. We come here for snowmobiling, hunting and, in summer, for fishing,” said Patrice. There’s no Internet but there’s plenty of brook trout. “Kathleen is an even bigger fanatic than me. She ties her own flies and hunts as much as she fishes.” 

As walleye enthusiasts, Patrice and Kathleen sometimes like to ‘venture out’ and ‘hunt down’ the species wherever it’s found in abundance. “Walleye is as tasty as it is feisty. The Gouin Reservoir is the place to catch them.” 

The Gouin Reservoir: an inland sea 

You need to be well prepared to venture out here. “The reservoir is practically an inland sea. Changing temperatures and winds sometimes create waves several metres high,” said the seasoned fisherman, who is particularly attached to this part of the world.  “We’ve been coming here for ten years, at least twice a year. It’s our little paradise, just 2.5 hours away from home.” 

Your own island paradise 

Five years ago, Patrice and Kathleen discovered Aventurier du Gouin and loved it immediately. “The outfitter is located on an island and accessible by water taxi. The twenty-minute crossing is part of the fun.” 

The surrounding landscape is a demi-paradise. “You’re far from everything. There isn’t a sound. It’s totally peaceful.” The reservoir is surrounded by beautiful coniferous forests and dotted with floating islands. “You could easily think it’s 100 feet deep there, but it’s not the case at all. A reservoir isn’t a lake—it’s a different world that you need to adjust to.” A guide service is offered to first-timers to ensure a smooth experience. 

Even though the couple has all the gear they need to locate fish, they also rely on their instincts. “We take into consideration the wind and the sun, but also count on our own skills, which we’ve refined over the years. We often get incredible catches,” said Patrice. Two weeks ago, the couple made their biggest catch ever. “We caught sixteen walleye in thirty minutes.” 

Aventurier du Gouin includes a 4-star lodge with a restaurant, but the couple prefers staying in a cottage. “We enjoy cooking our own meals after getting in some evening fishing.” 

Caribbean-like beaches 

One summer, Patrice and Kathleen arrived at Aventurier du Gouin during a heatwave. “It felt like we were in Cuba. The beaches there are spectacular.” Between two bouts of fishing, Patrice and his family prepare shore lunches that rival those of top chefs. “We land on the beach with our skillet, potatoes and onions in hand and make lunches that are out of this world.” Food doesn’t get any fresher than that! 

Whenever they can, the couple sets off on new adventures. “We’re lucky to work only four days a week.” Guess where they spend the rest of their time! 

For more information or to book a stay

Written by Diane Laberge