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Restigouche: The Long Run of the Wild River
A canoe trip that spans decades of historical reflection, offering a unique perspective on the Restigouche, its impact on the people who live beside and along the river, and their impact on this natural phenomenon.
The Restigouche River flows through the remote border region between the provinces of Quebec and New Brunswick, its magically transparent waters, soaring forest hillsides, and population of Atlantic salmon creating one of the most storied wild spaces on the continent. In Restigouche, writer Philip Lee follows ancient portage routes into the headwaters of the river, travelling by canoe to explore the extraordinary history of the river and the people of the valley. They include the Mi'kmaq, who have lived in the Restigouche valley for thousands of years; the descendants of French Acadian, Irish, and Scottish settlers; and some of the wealthiest people in the world who for more than a century have used the river as an exclusive wilderness retreat.
The people of the Restigouche have long been both divided and united by a remarkable river that each day continues to assert itself, despite local and global industrial forces that now threaten its natural systems and the survival of the salmon. In the deep pools and rushing waters of the Restigouche, in this place apart in a rapidly changing natural world, Lee finds a story of hope about how to safeguard wild spaces and why doing so is the most urgent question of our time.
The Restigouche River flows through the remote border region between the provinces of Quebec and New Brunswick, its magically transparent waters, soaring forest hillsides, and population of Atlantic salmon creating one of the most storied wild spaces on the continent. In Restigouche, writer Philip Lee follows ancient portage routes into the headwaters of the river, travelling by canoe to explore the extraordinary history of the river and the people of the valley. They include the Mi'kmaq, who have lived in the Restigouche valley for thousands of years; the descendants of French Acadian, Irish, and Scottish settlers; and some of the wealthiest people in the world who for more than a century have used the river as an exclusive wilderness retreat.
The people of the Restigouche have long been both divided and united by a remarkable river that each day continues to assert itself, despite local and global industrial forces that now threaten its natural systems and the survival of the salmon. In the deep pools and rushing waters of the Restigouche, in this place apart in a rapidly changing natural world, Lee finds a story of hope about how to safeguard wild spaces and why doing so is the most urgent question of our time.
288 pages, Paperback
Published April 21, 2020
7 people are currently reading
48 people want to read
About the author
Philip Lee
4 books8 followersA journalist, lecturer, and bestselling writer, Philip Lee began his career as an investigative reporter on Canada’s east coast. Restigouche emerged from his long-standing interest in rivers and the people who love them. His first book, Home Pool: The Fight to Save the Atlantic Salmon, grew out of his award-winning reporting on the decline of the Atlantic salmon. Lee is also the author of Frank: The Life and Politics of Frank McKenna, a national bestseller, and Bittersweet: Confessions of a Twice-Married Man, which was long-listed for the BC National Award for Canadian Non-Fiction.
A professor at St. Thomas University in Fredericton, Lee developed the Dalton Camp lecture series, broadcast annually by CBC Radio’s Ideas and edited The Next Big Thing (a published collection from the lectures). When he is not writing and teaching, Lee spends as much time as he can following the currents of rivers.
A professor at St. Thomas University in Fredericton, Lee developed the Dalton Camp lecture series, broadcast annually by CBC Radio’s Ideas and edited The Next Big Thing (a published collection from the lectures). When he is not writing and teaching, Lee spends as much time as he can following the currents of rivers.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
March 19, 2021
I wish I could remember who recommended this book but I am eternally great full because I probably would never have picket it out on my own. History, geology, philosophy, Acadians, Mi'gmaq, and government fumbling in the management of the provinces timber stands, rivers and world renown salmon fishing camps are all skillfully included in this solid book. Highly recommend any history buffs give this well researched book a read.
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July 7, 2022Here's my review for The Miramichi Review (in sum: an excellent, important book - beautifully written):
https://miramichireader.ca/2021/12/re...
https://miramichireader.ca/2021/12/re...
January 15, 2021
I have a deep passion for paddling down a river, fly fishing for Atlantic Salmon and enjoying a camp-fire on the river at night beneath the stars and listening to the river. I have paddled the Restigouche river many times including all the rivers that flow into it, casted a line over its many pools in hope of rising a salmon or trout so it was only natural that I looked forward to reading this book. The book surprised me by how good it really is and as I was told by many other anglers and paddlers, they said the same thing as they all agreed that when it comes to capturing the true essence of a wild river, the author, Philip Lee, “truly gets it”.
Driven by a deep love for the region’s people, its history and the stunning natural beauty that is the Restigouche River, Lee takes us readers on a canoe journey down one of New Brunswick’s most storied waterways to reveal its impact on the region as well as the many ways the region has directly impacted this world-renowned river. I also must mention its salmon whose presence and whose fidelity in returning each spring meant so much to everyone who lived nearby and drew substance from them—or simply pleasure from hook and release—year after year after year no matter how badly humankind treated the river that was their ecosystem
When I am on any wilderness river, I seek harmony and I was pleased that the author did write about harmony - harmony between fishermen, the river, industry, economy, Indigenous peoples, government, camp owners, politics, wildlife, time and even about harmony within ourselves.
Driven by a deep love for the region’s people, its history and the stunning natural beauty that is the Restigouche River, Lee takes us readers on a canoe journey down one of New Brunswick’s most storied waterways to reveal its impact on the region as well as the many ways the region has directly impacted this world-renowned river. I also must mention its salmon whose presence and whose fidelity in returning each spring meant so much to everyone who lived nearby and drew substance from them—or simply pleasure from hook and release—year after year after year no matter how badly humankind treated the river that was their ecosystem
When I am on any wilderness river, I seek harmony and I was pleased that the author did write about harmony - harmony between fishermen, the river, industry, economy, Indigenous peoples, government, camp owners, politics, wildlife, time and even about harmony within ourselves.
July 30, 2020
Being born in Campbellton, it was a right of passage to run the river every summer. Have not been able to do it for a number of years, but the description in the narrative brought back good memories.
Loved all the background information, learned some new facts I had not known. And totally agree that our efforts to mitigate environmental damage is no where near what it should be.
Loved all the background information, learned some new facts I had not known. And totally agree that our efforts to mitigate environmental damage is no where near what it should be.
July 2, 2020
This book is masterful. Far more than a travel memoir, it connects all the dots.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews