Jimmy Carter (left) and his wife Rosalynn pose alongside guide Richard Adams
Photo credit : Kris Lee, courtesy of the Atlantic Salmon Journal
A Loss, A Photo, A Story
By Stéphane Francoeur
Translated by Marisa Zachovay- Blättler
🔉 Audio version coming soon!
Jimmy Carter, the former President of the United States, passed away on December 29, 2024, and social media were flooded with accounts of the statesman’s life. Several publications highlighted Mr. Carter’s visit to our region during a fishing trip. I was intrigued and surprised by a photograph, taken in 1982 on the Matapedia river bank, showing the 39th president, and his wife, with renowned local fishing guide Richard Adams. In the distance, the former Hôtel de la Montagne in Routhierville is clearly visible.
For almost two hundred years, our region has been an ideal destination for sport fishing enthusiasts. In the mid-19th century, British officers of the 78th Highlander Regiment stationed in Halifax came to practice angling on the Restigouche and Matapedia rivers. In 1858, the government decided to pass the Fisheries Act, granting fishing leases, and opening the door for private hunting and fishing clubs. This lead to the establishment of approximately 50 fishing camps along the banks of both rivers, some still in business today, including the Restigouche Salmon Club, Camp Harmony, Indian House, Cold Spring Camp, Camp Brandy Brook, and Glen Emma Lodge, named after the wife of its owner, John S. Kennedy, a wealthy American banker.
Daniel Fraser was the first to establish an outfitting operation, welcoming both Canadian and American fishermen. According to some writings, Mr. Fraser owned several pools, some of which caught up to 40 salmon a day. Around 1865, the wealthy businessman built a huge hotel to accommodate his clientele. It was the same Fraser who housed the Acadian settlers from Prince Edward Island in 1860. Guests often traveled over 2000 miles to take advantage of the abundance of salmon in our rivers. The construction of the railroad in 1876 facilitated traveling for fishermen, most of whom came from New York and Boston.
Over the years, salmon fishing has attracted prestigious visitors to our region, including members of England’s royal family: Princess Louise, King Edward VII, then Prince of Wales, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. Statesmen from the governments of Canada, England, Australia and the United States still enjoy fishing our waters. And the tradition has continued among military officers, businessmen, passionate fly-fishers, artists and celebrities.
Since the beginning, fishing camps hired guides to assist fishermen. At first, it was the local natives who served the visitors. Later, other guides from our region were trained, some of whom are still remembered today: Murray Fraser, Dennis and Frank Fitzgerald. And, of course, Richard Adams, whose reputation became international as he guided ordinary people as well as many of the world’s greats.
This brings us back to Jimmy Carter. Rumor has it that he, his wife, and their entourage stayed at the old Routhierville train station and had their meals at the Hotel de la Montagne. The relationship between the former president and the experienced Matapedia guide was so sincere and warm that the two men readily agreed to be photographed together. Jimmy Carter was very grateful to his guide and wrote him letters. These letters are now known to the public.
