The Gaspé Peninsula is rich with Atlantic salmon rivers, and there are ways to fish them without spending a wallet full of "looneys." On the lovely Matane River, anglers can fish any one of five river sectors that cover over 33 miles for the modest price of a daily permit—no guide required. The season opens June 15, with salmon entering the river in earnest by mid-July. You can stay in the city of Matane, but I prefer to camp 25 miles upstream in the Matane Wildlife Reserve. Here's the per angler cost for a party of two for three days of fishing, using Burlington, Vermont, as a starting point.

TRANSPORT: It's a 475-mile drive from Burlington. Save on gas by filling up south of the border. $90

LODGING: The John Campground in the Matane Wildlife Reserve has tent and RV sites (800-665-6527; sepaq.com) $40

FOOD: I buy groceries in Derby, Vermont ($80). But save a meal for the region's famed seafood at the Hotel Belle Plage in Matane ($40 per plate with drink). $120

LICENSES: Get provincial salmon licenses ($90 for the season; $25 for the day) and daily river access permits ($55) at the Matane River welcome center (418-562-7006). Catch-and-release anglers can get a $9 license. (418-521-3830; www.fapaq.gouv.qc.ca) $240

TOTAL PER ANGLER: $490

All prices in U.S. dollars.