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Sketches of the Restigouche

The Northern Enterprise (part five)

        Fishing on the Restigouche

        Probably no river in the world has a greater reputation for its fly fishing than the Restigouche. Every year brings to our midst large numbers of enthusiastic fishermen, principally from the neighboring republic, who whip the salmon pools untiringly from May to August. There are several clubs on the river, the best known of which is probably the Restigouche Salmon Club, whose club house is situated at the confluence of the Restigouche and Metapedia rivers. This club is composed of wealthy New York gentlemen. They own the principal part of the celebrated Metapedia river, with exception of four miles owned by J. P. and Alex Mowat, whose waters were fished the last two seasons by George Donald and party, who have already formed a club and want to purchase the entire Metapedia river.

        The Kedgwick club, organized in 1897, composed of ten wealthy America and Halifax gentlemen, have twenty-five miles of water on the Kedgwick. W. A. McLeod of Boston is president, H. M. Brooks of Rhode Island and Dr. Jarvis of Hartford form a small club and fish Mr. Alex. Mowat's waters at the junction of the Restigouche and Kedgwick. They have a nice club house and ice house and all conveniences and one of the most desirable spots on the river. Next to them comes Messrs. A. Rogers and Vanderbilt, who formed a co-partnership last year. Mr. Vanderbilt has built a $6,000 mansion about half a mile below the Kedgwick. It is beautifully situated. They have about ten miles of water.

        The R. S. Club waters begin at Tracey brook and extend to the mouth of the Upsalquitch, with private waters intervening. This club have houses all along the river a few miles apart, fitted up with ice house, refrigerator, provisions, etc., in addition to guardians' houses. There is also a club of Montreal gentlemen at Chamberlain's Shoals, with club house. Mr. H. Holland and Dr. Mason have a club house at Bnrandy brook. The governor general fished these waters last year. R. P. Clyde is located at Dee Side. Col. Payne and Dean Page are incorporated, with club house at the junction of the Upsalquitch river.

        This property pays taxes on a valuation of $40,000. Messrs. Mitchell and Ayr fish the Alford and Elliott waters. Mr. Armour of Chicago fishes the Dawson waters. Mr. F. Stancliffe of Montreal has a lease of the Upsalquitch river. It is to be fished this year by the R. S. Club.

        The pay roll for guardianship of these rivers is over $1,000 per month, and all the anglers combined spend over $100,000 per annum. Their catch totals between three and four thousand salmon per season, many scores averaging 25 pounds per fish.

        We learn that Mr. Maxwell Mowat has been engaged by the Restigouche Salmon club to take charge of all the rivers, with full powers to appoint whom he thinks best. From the benefit of the experience of his father Mr. Mowat ought to be the right man in the right place.

       

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