Matapedia River

Matapedia River
Salmon fishing on the Matapedia River at la fosse Les Fourches
Other name(s)	Rivière Matapédia
Basin
Main source	Lake Matapedia 48°28′N 67°26′W / 48.467°N 67.433°W
River mouth	Restigouche River 47°58′17″N 66°56′32″W / 47.97139°N 66.94222°WCoordinates: 47°58′17″N 66°56′32″W / 47.97139°N 66.94222°W
Countries	Canada
Physiognomy
Length	65 kilometres (40 mi)

The Matapedia River (French: Rivière Matapédia) is a river in the Matapedia Valley in the province of Quebec, Canada. It runs 65 kilometres (40 mi) from Lake Matapedia to the village of Matapédia where it flows into the Restigouche River on the provincial border of New Brunswick

Etymology

Its name may derive from the Mi'kmaq word matapegiag, meaning "river junction", from the parts mata (junction) and pegiag (river), referring to the Matapédia River that crosses the town just before its confluence with the Restigouche River.^[1] Another source from the late nineteenth century indicates that the Mi'kmaq named the area Magabegeak which means "roughly flowing".^[2] It has also been spelled many different ways over time such as Matapediach,^[3] Madapeguia^[4], Matapeguia^[5], Matapediac,^[6] Matakpediack,^[7] Madapeguia,^[7] Metapedia,^[8] or Matapediac.^[9]

History

During the river's most productive and fertile years (generally considered to be between 1890 and 1960), it was a destination for the wealthy and famous from around the world, including Prince Leopold, Duke of Albanyand Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll,^[10] American presidents Nixon and Carter,^[11] British royalty, and numerous Hollywood stars.^[12][13][14]

Course

Matapedia Lake becomes Matapedia River at Amqui, where it is a meander river for a distance of approximately 15 kilometres (9 mi). It widens into an elongated lake 1 kilometre wide and 7 kilometres (4 mi) long at Lac-au-Saumon before narrowing back to a river below the dam in the village of Causapscal. There, it joins with a major tributary, the Causapscal River, forming a pool that is renowned for its Atlantic salmon. From there, the river continues on until the New Brunswick border, where it empties into the Restigouche River.^[15][16]

Economy

The Matapedia is a world-renowned Atlantic salmon fishing river and was given the title "The Fishing Capital of the World" due to the abundance of large, healthy, bright salmon. The Atlantic salmon is mainly a fly fishing only, "catch and release" species; and salmon fishing in this area is highly regulated by the Province of Quebec, with special daily permits and licenses required. It is recommended to inquire in the village of Matapedia for information on permits and guides. Public waters are available to anglers in the upper portions of the river. Limited-access salmon fishing, generally with outfitters or guides to the most productive salmon pools is made available to the public via a special annual lottery. There are still many private fishing camps on the banks of the lower river, such as Cold Springs, Glen Emma, Runnymeade Lodge, Restigouche Salmon Club and the Tobique, most of them owned by businessmen and large corporations.^[17][18]

See also

• List of rivers of Quebec

References

1. Seguin, Yves (2005-01-01). Hiking in QuŽbec. Hunter Publishing, Inc. ISBN 9782894647608.
2. Rand, Silas Tertius (1875-01-01). A First Reading Book in the Micmac Language: Comprising the Micmac Numerals, and the Names of the Different Kinds of Beasts, Birds, Fishes, Trees, &c. of the Maritime Provinces of Canada. Also, Some of the Indian Names of Places, and Many Familiar Words and Phrases, Translated Literally Into English. Nova Scotia Printing Company.
3. (L.)), William VONDENVELDEN (and CHARLAND; CHARLAND, Louis (1803-01-01). Extraits des titres des anciennes concessions de terre en fief et Seigneurie, faites avant et depuis la conquête de la Nouvelle France par les armes Britanniques dans la partie actuellement appellée les Bas-Canada ... le tout compilé par W. V. et L. C. (in French).
4. Assembly, Québec (Province) Legislature Legislative (1852-01-01). Titles and Documents Relating to the Seigniorial Tenure: In Return to an Address of the Legislative Assembly, 1851. Fréchette. p. 140.
5. Québec, Archives de la province de (1928-01-01). Archives de la Province de Québec (in French). La Compagnie de "l'Eclaireur".
6. Bouchette, Joseph (1832-01-01). A Topographical Dictionary of the Province of Lower Canada. Longman&Company.
7. toponymie, Québec (Province) Commission de (1994-01-01). Noms et lieux du Québec: dictionaire illustré (in French). Gouvernement du Québec, La Commission. ISBN 9782551140503.
8. company, james r osgood and (1875-01-01). the maritime provinces: a handbook for travellers. p. 69.
9. "Matapédia (Municipalité)" (in French). Commission de toponymie du Québec. Retrieved 2012-01-12.
10. The Pall Mall Budget: Being a Weekly Collection of Articles Printed in the Pall Mall Gazette from Day to Day, with a Summary of News. 1880-01-01.
11. Zimmerman, Karla (2008-01-01). Canada. Lonely Planet. ISBN 9781742203201.
12. Newman, Peter C. (2014-04-08). The Canadian Establishment. McClelland & Stewart. ISBN 9781551996905.
13. Holzman, Michael Howard (2008-01-01). James Jesus Angleton, the CIA, and the Craft of Counterintelligence. Univ of Massachusetts Press. ISBN 1558496505.
14. Hawksley, Lucinda (2013-11-21). The Mystery of Princess Louise: Queen Victoria's Rebellious Daughter. Random House. ISBN 9781448192113.
15. Reference number 39703 of the Commission de toponymie du Québec (French)
16. "Matapedia River". Retrieved 2010-05-18.
17. Bodo, Peter (1997-11-01). The Atlantic Salmon Handbook: An Atlantic Salmon Federation Book. The Lyons Press. ISBN 9781558215115.
18. The Atlantic Salmon Journal. Atlantic Salmon Association. 1994-01-01.