Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1877-02-06

ncaueu on tne OCcaolou hituUOu w n'"e0
its way to the lake, ria Dixdeld, Carthage,
Weld, Phillips, and Madrid. striking first
the upper end of RtngeleY. Oae OF It's
members. Mr.. George Shepard Page. Of
New York City, was so delighted with
his experience upon this trip that in 1868
he made a second journey by the same
route. He returned from this trip, bring
ing with him eight brook trout weighing
respectively s S-S. IA, Z II, 6 -. g.,
. 1-2, 5. 5-total, 81 rs lbs, or an aver
age OF nearly G l-2 lbs. each. William
Cullen Bryant. Henry j. Raymond and
George Wilkes wero presented with the
three largest, and made acknowledgements
duly in the "Egening Post" the New
York Tiues," aud the spirit of the
Times" Then there broke out an eX-
element among anglers altogether with
ont precedent. Scores OF letters were
sent to The papers which had presumed
I to call these brook trout, some OF them
interrogative, others denuDciatory Others
theoretical, and others fatty contradic-
tory. The Adirondacks had never yielded
brook trout which weighed more than
! 5 lbs., and that, therefore, must DO the
standard of brook trout the world over.
But Mr.. Page had foreseen the violent
sccp,icism which was sure TO manifest
itself, aud had sent seven FOUNDER TO
Professor Agassiz. who speedily replied
that these monster trout were genuine
specimens OF the speckled or brook trout
/ family, and that they were only found IN
/ large numbers in the lakes and streams at
/ the head waters OF the AndToscoggin
River, in North. western Maine. 10 1864,
several New York gentlemen visited
Rangeley. amoag the number Messrs.
Lewis b. Reed, K. &. Allerton, and J..
L. L1zell. Upon thar return they fully
corroborated the report made by Mr..
Page the year previous, and brought
back with them several trout which
weighed from three 10 eight pounds. In
1867, Mr.. Page again visited Rangeley
in company with Mr.. Stanley, and ten
days fishing by these two gentlemen and
Mr. Fields, OF Gorham, y. H.. showed
this extraordinary result; Number oil
tro1t -, Total weight 29&, average nearly
lbs
In 1868 the number of anglers visiting
the lakes had so rapidly increased that it
was decided TO organize an association
for the purpose OF leasing ground. erect
ing buildings, and purchasing boats
Messrs. Bowles, OF Springfield, Mass,
Lazall and Reed. of Brooklyn, n. T.,
George Shepard Page and r. e. AIlerton,
OF this city, Hon. w. p. Frye, of Lewis
ton, Me-. w. S. Badger, OF Augusta,
Me., and +. J.. Page, OF New Orleans.
who were all in adjacent camps at the
outlet OF Rsngeley Lake, formally organ
ked the Oquossoc Angling Association
| by the election of Mr.. G.. S. Page as
president and Mr.. l.. b. Reed, secretary.
In the year following CS69). the assocl-
atisn purchased the buildings, improve,
ments and boats belonging 10 &. L. Rich
ardson (now superintendent OF the assc-
ciation) at the junction OF the Rangeley
and Kennebago, and Immediately began
the erection OF Camp Kennebago. Mean
time The membership rapidly increased,
/ and in 1870 the association was formally
incorporated under the laws OF The State
OF Maine. The membership OF the asso-
citation is limited to seventy-iye. There
are now, however. q lew vacancies
Shares are 500 each, aud the capital
stock is $40, 700, which is invested 10
camp buildings. furniture, boats, etc.,
etc The annual dues are s25. Camp
charges are 81 per day for board. 81 fol
board Of guide, and so cents per day tol
use Of boats. The best guides receive
a. per day, making the total cost per day
while in camp $3.50. unless two person:
choose to fish from the same boat, when,
OF course, the expense OF guide, board
for guide and hire of boat may be shared
the fishing season extends from about
May % TO October !, when the law pro
hibits the capture OF trout save for sci
entifc purposes By written permission o.
the fish commissioner. During the frs
month and the last three weeks OF tht
fishing season, guests are only admitted
upon the invitation OF members, since
the camp accommodations are then likely
to be overtaxed, but between June q
and September 10 the camp is open to
all visitors upon the same terms as tC
members. Ladies and children are alsC
admitted between the dates named. A
roomy building with separate apartments
is specially reserved for them, and as two
or three female servants are constantly
employed in the camp, they are sure t
be quite as comfortable as in ordinary
country hotels.
Without drawing any invidious com
parisons, it may be stated in general, ,tha
there are few organizations of the kind ii
the country the morale OF which has beer
so carefully guarded as has that of tht
Oquossoc Angling Association. The pre-
m, board of trnsfees consists of HeOr Qt