SAINT JOHN RIVER
2019 ISSUE #1
13
Saint John River:
A Well-Kept Secret
THE SAINT JOHN RIVER
is a well-kept secret. On any
weekday morning, you’ll
find more eagles and ospreys
than people. (In a narrow
channel called the Hole in
the Wall, this rule does not
apply in duck hunting season!)
Scorching hot in summer.
Cooling fog from the Bay
of Fundy stops at Evandale.
Upriver tends to be hot and
sunny with occasional rainy
days. It’s not unusual to see
some impressive Canadian
scenery. Recently, there has
been commercial traffic on
the river, so the channels are
well marked. There are old
concrete paddleboat wharves
all along the river that make
terrific public access points
for launching small boats.
They are well marked on the
charts. There are cable ferries
at Quispamsis, Grand Bay,
Belleisle, and Evandale, which
require some care in crossing
their cables.
Meeting the river in a ladder
formation are four large
navigable bodies of water—
Kennebecasis River, Belleisle
Bay, Washademoak Lake, and
Grand Lake—with lots of
open space.
You can walk on a sandy
beach—try Grimross or Ox
Island—enjoy an afternoon
sail, or kayak in one of the
many creeks while also having
access to some of civilization’s
amenities. Have a meal in a
pub or on the wharf in
Evandale or Gagetown.
Big Cove is a popular
anchorage in Washademoak
Lake. Across the lake is Motts
Landing Vineyard. They have
a mooring and some very good
wine.
Tuck yourself in between Ox
and Gilbert Island. This is a
popular destination for boats
coming from Oromocto or
Fredericton for the weekend.
The upriver ends of these
islands have sandy beaches.
Casey’s on the opposite side of
Gilbert Island is a popular
restaurant, particularly for
breakfast. As you go upriver
from Ox and Gilbert, the river
narrows and the current is
more apparent.
So what’s so special about
Saint John River? Its quirks. I
love that it’s a well-kept secret.
And you can do it all. Plus the
head pond and lakes—oh the
lakes, don’t get me started—
there is just so much fantastic
water in New Brunswick.
Fishing, relaxing, family time.
Do it all on your Huggable
Pontoon.