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Lewis Freeman, my Dad, spent his life in Nova
Scotia, the Medway river, once the largest salmon producing
river of NS, was his river. He spent many years working
for the preservation of the Atlantic Salmon on this, and
many other South Shore Rivers. Below is a note
sent to the Atlantic Salmon Federation, and a copy of the
letter was published in The Atlantic Salmon Journal,
Number THREE in July 1977.
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Save the Medway
Having been an active guide for over fifty years in
this area of the Medway River, I have always had plenty to say and do with conservation of all
fish and game in Nova Scotia, spending more time and money than I could afford. I
have attended
meetings, captured adult salmon for stripping
and stocked other streams, and feel I have all I can
do right here in this area. I am sitting at my
desk looking out of a large picture window at the
Medway, the best salmon stream in Nova Scotia,
for which nothing is being done or has been done for
years. A few hundred salmon and grilse are caught here each year.
The main problem is, political bungling and poor
management at the top level of the fishery protection,
two guardians for fourteen miles of river work from
eight until five in daylight hours, five days each week.
Numerous gill nets in the harbour block off free
access to the river and kill many tagged smolt by
entangling them in nylon mesh. I could go on for
hours on this subject but what would be the use.
I have watched a beautiful stream slowly die for
lack of someone to take note of the serious problems.
In reading your magazines I note that things are
being done for New Brunswick, Gaspe and Quebec,
with good results in improved waters. I have a son
who is lucky enough to have the opportunity to
fish there. I have fished with and know a number of your members
and have read of the many things you try to do to save our Atlantic Salmon.
Continue the good work, but please reach out to a
few remote places like my river.
Lew Freeman Queen's County Nova Scotia
Taken from the Atlantic Salmon journal Number three,
July 1977
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(Lew Freeman went to the big salmon river in
the sky
in March 1990)
Below is a note to his Dad by Bryant Freeman in
January 2002, he carried his love for the salmon to New Brunswick, and became involved with
the drive to restore the Atlantic Salmon by joining numerous
fishing and hunting and trapping associations.
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Dear Dad;
I have been in New Brunswick since 1958, and started
fishing the rivers here which were numerous and full of Salmon,
in 1964. The rivers were
teeming with wild atlantic salmon. I have not made a trip to Nova
Scotia to try my hand in fishing the Medway
lately, because
the river is closed, and has been closed to salmon fishing for the past five years. I do go see
Mother in the Manor, a couple of times of the year,
but just visit the Medway to drive along her banks and
reflect on the times we had and observe the beauty
she still provides.
Your letter in 1977
fell upon deaf ears, the politicians are still bungling the whole
scene, the bureaucrat's have
complete control,
they still know nothing of nature,
other than the sun don't shine at Midnight and Friday is payday. The Biologists have
their hands tied, they have a handle on
things, but can
do nothing because of the politicians.
New Brunswick's salmon rivers are now
reduced to Four,
the Bay of Fundy Rivers have been closed for
three years. The Northumberland strait rivers are really the last
frontier.
Is anyone listening? I am
not sure, but if the politicians govern this like
they governed the Medway, I am sure Salmon fishing
will be over in a few years.
I too have spent much time and more money I can
afford for the preservation of the species, am I
doing the right thing?
I think Mother was right when
she said we should whack em and bring em home to her to cook.
Hope the fishing is good
wherever you are!
Love
Your Son
Bryant.
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Another observation on
July 1st 2002.
| Dear Dad;
I spent the weekend of July 1st in Nova
Scotia, Visited Mother, and then drove from Mill Village to
Greenfield, early Sunday morning. The day was overcast and
perfect for fishing. It brought back memories of when we fished
the long weekend of July and the days were hot. This day was
like no other I have ever experienced on the Medway on this time
of year.
Camps were minus their owners, most were
not opened for the year, there were no fishermen at any of the
pools, as a matter of fact I drove from Glodes Falls to
Greenfield and did not see a car. My thoughts went
to "Silent Spring", did you see me?
I am still trying to think this is just a
pause in the grand scheme of things, and better days are coming.
Wife Sandra tells me it may be time to move back and start the
recovery for the river I learned to love. You know
how she loves city life, she may just be testing me, or she
could be serious. I do not know many people down there, but I do
know the river and her moods.
I see the signs, if all goes well I
may return to her shores, and try to bring some life back to her
before it is too late for me to help.
Love Bryant |
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