What follows appeared in the October 6, 1896, edition of the RANGELEY LAKES newspaper. The first installment shares what the buckboard trail running from the outlet of Rangeley Lake down to Indian Rock was like. The second about a huge salmon nearly landed on a cold rough day on Rangeley Lake. 

(Contemporary commentary in Italics). 

Side Tracts 

After crossing the bridge at Rangeley Lake outlet, you soon come to a straight and narrow road and as we are commanded to follow such, the path is taken. It isn’t very long, for it ends where the ferry begins, but if the ferry is gone you can wait or swim. You can’ t turn, there isn’t room. Nevertheless, it’s a lovely little road and the last of September shows it at its best. It is a private road, by the way, and calculations must be made not to meet the ‘Rock’ team, for on this thoroughfare “there’s only room for one,” and the outcome would be like two trains attempting to pass each other on a single track. You would be apt to find it Hubley, in case Stephen was driving. This road leads to Indian Rock, not ‘the Rock’ as it was known 25 or 30 years ago, but what is now left out of water. It is supposed that years and years ago, the festive Indian gambled over and about the laminated veins which make the rock itself. That they gambled, over and about the rock, there can be no doubt, for the noble red man inherited a love for games of chance that was as deeply seated as his desire to add another scalp-lock to his varied collection. A few stone arrow points and spear heads have been found about here and if the whole section could be searched, a rich find would result. Across the stream are the buildings of the Oquossoc Angling Association, comprising quite a number of buildings and making quite a good sized village. The Mayor, Alderman, and Common Council are all embodied in the person of the genial superintendent, C. T. Richardson, Esq. By the time this paper is issued the guests will have departed and the main buildings will be closed.  

(The enterprising Cornelious T. Richardson actually sold the Oquossoc Angling Association property to its wealthy original members. Hats off to “Corn” for performing the classic “double dip”, as he was then then hired as their Superintendent. Richardson was clearly a savvy businessman, but he was also in upper echelon of early Rangeley Guides. He was an accomplished woodsman, a skilled hunter and trapper as well as regarded by his peers as the strongest oarsmen to ever row a Rangeley Boat).  

(And now the story of a late season raw day of fishing and the one that got away) 

That old saying “it is the big fish that gets away” must, like the cry of “wolf,” that the boy made, be true on certain occasions. Last Wednesday, Mr. Geo. T. Gregory, of Boston, with Marsh Carlton as guide, went up Greenvale way. It was not such a day as one would take from choice to go out on the lake fishing, but if time is limited there is no choice. Most of the sportsmen sat as closely to the cheerful open fires, in the Rangeley Lake House office, as the large half circles would admit. They had looked out on the lake and seen the waves dashing against the shore, those who had ventured up into the cupola had seen the top of Saddleback white with the first snowfall of the season. Some had seen ice that had formed in a pail of water. In the face of all this, is it to be wondered at, that the fire presented such attractions? Mr. Gregory wanted fish, and his guide wanted to have him get them. The inlet at Greenvale would be the quietest place to try and for that place they headed. It was easy pulling with the wind and they made good headway. Mr. Gregory was trolling when he felt a regular ‘Bob Fitz strike’. It was a powerful one, but he was waiting for just that one and he fastened it. Whew, but didn’ t the water fly when the fish found out his liberty was limited! He splashed and out of the water he went, showing him to be an immense salmon, then he ran this way and that, getting line, or having the slack reeled in, as he ran out or rushed toward the boat. Then he would rest; then quickly dive for the bottom, but the hook was still fast, and realizing this, he would come to the surface and go out into the air in his mad attempt to clear himself from the fastening. But in vain. Again, he would repeat the performance with a like result. The heavy wind and rough lake caused the guide to use all his skill in managing the boat, he could therefore render but little assistance in the fight. Three times the monster had leaped from the water, giving both a good view. But the fourth Jump cleared him from the line and he was gone. For 25 minutes there had been a fierce battle, now it was ended. Both Mr. Gregory and Guide Carlton say the fish was fully 2 feet long. The guide says It was the largest fish he ever saw in these waters. There is little doubt that he would have gone a plump 15 pounds. There is no doubt but what there are salmon in Rangeley lake that will weigh over 15 lbs. Mr. Skinner, who fished all through the spring, is positive he saw salmon that would weigh over 15 lbs. The guides, generally, believe there are salmon in this lake that weigh more than that. If this be true, why may not Mr. Gregory have had one on his hook? Someone will get hold of this fellow and then the truth will be known. In the meantime, keep an eye out, as well as a line, for a hair-lipped 15 pound salmon, recently, almost the property of Mr. Gregory.  

(Who among us can’t share a tale or two about… the one that got away? Have a great week everyone)! 

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