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A Business Deal Runs Through It
July 25th, 2008
A Business Deal Runs Through It
Ben Shingler
Telegraph-Journal
July 25, 2008
A few days at a fishing lodge has long been recognized as a great way to broker a deal.
New Brunswick’s department of tourism reports that in the last two years, 10 per cent of visitors from elsewhere in the country went fishing in the province, and seven per cent of visitors from the United States did the same.
K.C. Irving once said, or so the story goes, that he sold more pulp and paper on the Restigouche River in summer than at any other time in the year.
While the forestry industry may not be booming like it once was, New Brunswick's fishing lodges continue to serve as a site for business associates to broker a deal.
Keith Wilson, owner of fabled Wilson's Sports Camp on the Miramichi, estimates about 30 per cent of his clients come to his lodge with business associates.
"They don't come and conduct meetings or use laptops and that sort of thing. They do their business on the river," Wilson said.
This summer, outfitters are hoping the high salmon numbers lure more anglers to their lodges - whether for business, pleasure, or both.
After low counts in rivers across Atlantic Canada in 2007, small and large salmon are running the rivers in abundance so far this year.
At roughly 70 monitoring sites across the region, the Atlantic Salmon Federation, an international non-profit group, reports some of the best wild Atlantic salmon returns in years.
"It's been wonderful - an immediate increase in bookings," Wilson said.
Capacity is at about 85 per cent for the summer months at Wilson's Sports Camp, and nearly full for the fall. Capacity was at around 30 per cent at the same time last year, Wilson said.
Katherine Hughes, manager at Black Rapids Lodge, also on the Miramichi, says the abundance of salmon has made landing a catch just a little easier.
"It's been great for morale," Hughes said, but added: "As anybody who's done it knows, it's still pretty challenging."
Perhaps it's the challenge itself that brings together anglers - and helps build ties between business associates.
"It's better than golf. Golf is fleeting. You go to the course for a few hours, have a beer in the clubhouse, and that's it," said J.W. (Bud) Bird, the former politician and founder of J. W. Bird and Company Ltd.
"With fishing, you go for a day or two, and the fish can be very fickle, but you're out there together through it all."
An avid angler, Bird fishes nearly every weekend during the season and is chairman emeritus of the Miramichi Salmon Association.
"Last weekend, I hooked a few fish on Saturday and a few on Sunday. But none on Monday. Salmon are fickle like that," said Bird, a conservationist, who throws his catch back.
Through his years in politics and business, Bird says fishing retreats have proved a great way to develop a more trusting relationship with colleagues.
"There's no question that a fishing trip or a hunting trip is a good way for friends - and business friends - to bond," he said.
But lodge owners are crossing their fingers this year's high salmon count will give a boost to more than just business deals.
In recent years, outfitters have been hurt by a string of low salmon counts, and now contend with rising transportation costs and the on-par loonie.
"We would love to see a huge increase (in visitors), we hope people see these numbers and decide to come out here," Hughes said.
Despite last year's trouble, fishing continues to be an important part of the province's tourist industry.
New Brunswick's department of tourism reports that in the last two years, 10 per cent of visitors from elsewhere in the country went fishing in the province, and seven per cent of visitors from the United States did the same.
"A lot of time reservations are made quite a bit in advance, and not always so easily on spec," said Sue Scott, a spokeswoman for the Atlantic Salmon Federation, adding:
"Certainly if they weren't all booked up, when these numbers get out they might fill them up pretty quickly."
nbbusinessjournal.canadaeast.com/journal/article/365033
If you have any comments on Atlantic salmon issues and coverage, or would like further information, contact:
Sue Scott, V.P. Communications
1-506-529-1027
E-mail: sscott@asf.ca
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