The Lake Memphremagog basin was part of the Abenaki homeland. In Abenaki language the word “Memphremagog” loosely translates into “big expanse of water.” One of its tributaries is the Clyde River. The river, which flows from Island Pond to Newport, is the subject of one of my books, “When Salmon Was King: Voices from the Clyde River.”

The Abenaki are said to have used the river for both transportation and its bounty of fish. Then during the early years of the twentieth century, fishermen began traveling from around New England to fish for salmon as they headed up and then back down the Clyde River. By the second half of the century, salmon that once ran the river by the thousands were all but a memory. And the thousands of walleyes that also ran the river eventually went a similar dismal route as the salmon.

“When Salmon was King: Voices from the Clyde River” is a 152-page book that explores a bit of the history of the Newport section of the Clyde River fishery, including the almost complete annihilation of its salmon and walleye runs during the twentieth century. Also read the stories of some of the people who lived the history of the Clyde River fishery. The book, which is in its third printing, was first published in 2007, is also filled with historical photos of the Newport section of the Clyde.

To buy a copy of the book, send $16.95 - plus tax (free shipping and handling in the U.S.) to Vermont’s Northland Journal, PO Box 812, Derby, VT 05829, or order on this site. You can also order by phone at (802) 487-0254.

Email us with questions at: northlandjournal@gmail.com .