Adrien André
This is not the first fishing story we have contributed to The Glengarry News. Among the originals was relating a pleasant day on Lake St. Francis, as a guest of Glengarry’s noted sportsman, “Father Ewen” about 50 years ago. “Father Ewen” in the clergy ranks was Rt. Rev, Ewen J. Macdonald, MC, a padre of two World Wars. He is enshrined in the Glengarry Sports Hall of Fame as he was one of Glengarry’s great lacrosse players and noted for his love of outdoor life with rod and gun.
This particular outing on the lake offshore from Lancaster was spent fishing for “muskies” (muskellunge) and pickerel. Our guide was veteran “Angie” Bertrand with a pioneer trolling boat and outboard motor. “Father Ewen” had a variety of costly fishing gear. Being in the novice class “Angie” Bentrand handed me a bamboo rod fitted with a carpenter’s chalk line, a homemade reel with a feathered double hook and a shiny spinner, the top of a tomato can. By late afternoon we had a catch of pickerel, pike and a 16-lb. “muskie” that gave me quite a battle and thanks to Angie’s coaching and his skill to gaff the fish and land the prize (to me) safely in the boat, clubbed with a mallet and knifed in the skull out of swishing danger.
“Angie” Bertrand, at this time, was, as horsemen would say “getting short in tooth.” There were younger guides on their way to professionalism thus succeeding this memorable legend of South Lancaster. And one was the subject of our writing – Adrien Andre.
Adrien Andre is the son of Aldana Andre and his wife the former Rose Alman Latour, South Lancaster. Here, Adrien attended school and with Lake St. Francis in daily view, enriched with legendary fishing lore, it is only natural that Adrien developed a keen desire to some day accept the challenges of not only being a professional guide but also be a winning competitor in Walleye tournaments and fishing derbys.
Knowledge of the better fishing areas of Lake St. Francis is one of the basic fundamentals relative to being a successful guide. However, cleaning a catch of pickerel, northern pike, bass, perch and the famed “muskies” is an art that must be practised by an apprentice guide and mastered before being rated in the professional class. Adrien Andre captured those skills at an early age.
Adrien Andre’s reputation of being among the guide leaders of Lake St. Francis, centred a South Lancaster, drew the attention of TV Ontario more than 10 years ago in filming fishing at Lancaster part of the province-wide episodes.
The filming was completed at Lancaster Inn by project leader Paul Marquardt, sound man Brian Avery, star attraction Adrien Andre and noted sportsman Ian Macintosh.
Adrien Andre has been a commercial fisherman and Lake St. Francis guide since 1949. He capitalized on his vast knowledge to win the 1986 first prize of $5,000 in the Budweiser National Walleye Championship. His young daughter Linda, skilled in the art of handling a rod and reel ably assisted her father in winning the championship. Until the previous year tournament organizers did not allow local guides to compete.
As we say in the realm of sport, Adrien Andre has never looked back after that rule change. He will be inducted in the Glengarry Sports Hall of Fame at the induction dinner, Glengarry Sports Palace, September 4th.
