Return of the River Punt - The TaraCarol

Numbers of Atlantic salmon returning home to the St. Mary’s River have increased substantially over the past three years, especially in 2008. So have the number of anglers fishing the river. This, we hope, is the beginning of a resurgence of that wonderful sport on the St. Mary’s, and better days ahead for residents and local businesses that relied on salmon fishing to attract and keep visitors in our region.

Notably absent in recent years have been the many river punts that used to be seen all along the St. Mary’s River. These were boats that were designed especially for salmon fishing on the St. Mary’s, also known as the Tom Ross Punt, made in Waternish, on the West side of the St. Mary’s River.

Well, we have some good news! Not only have the salmon and anglers returned, but we have a new river punt on the river – in Waternish, where these boats were originally designed – named the TaraCarol.

Barrie Reid of New Glasgow recently bought a camp on the St. Mary’s River in Waternish, a place that he and his friends could enjoy and fish from for many years to come. He refused any financial contribution from these friends, so four of them, Mark Smith, Joe Robichaud, Jason Tremblay, and Phil Hatcher decided to build a river punt as a gift for him, over the winter of 2007 - 2008.

Mark Smith describes the project as follows, “It is 19.5' long and a little deeper and wider than the traditional sizes, made from marine grade 3/4 plywood, fiberglassed on all seams and butt joints. The seat decks are made out of cedar decking.  Each seat and front and rear platform is hinged so they double as storage compartments and one seat has a built in cooler. The bow has a stainless checker plate guard and aluminum arm that supports the anchor. The anchor line runs from the stern to the bow through pex pipe that's used for water line in a new home. It helps protect the line from damage. The stern also has a stainless checker plate guard with a motor mount and two carrying handles. Her top edge is protected with strips of puck board as is her bottom, four strips from bow to stern.”

“We named her the "TaraCarol" after Barrie’s wife and daughter, and he really enjoyed that. We had her name machined into two pieces of aluminum and place them on the sides for an added touch.  You should have seen his face when the four of us carried it down to the camp. Barrie had no idea. This is just another great story of how fishing can bring friends even closer together!”