JOIN THE CELEBRATION! GRAND OPENING AUGUST 8TH
DSF is continuing the tradition of providing a community gathering place at the Dennys River Sportman’s Club, now a DSF Preserve, in Dennysville, Maine. The open-air pavilion is now complete!
Dennys River Sportsman’s Club FlyerThe Dennys River Sportsman’s Club dates back almost a hundred years to its founding in 1936, when the Dennys River was known as “the outstanding fly-fishing Atlantic salmon river of the nation” and the Club acquired 750 members from all over the country its first year. The historic Dennys River Sportman’s Club (Club) was unique compared to others in Maine, in that they allowed any fisherman, whether a member or not, to fish on Club property. In the 1950’s, Club members built the clubhouse themselves and constructed a large stone fireplace in 1965. Over the decades, salmon numbers declined and membership dwindled. When maintaining the club was no longer feasible, and following their by-laws that the property would “never become independently owned”, the Executive Committee members were left with a choice of turning it over to the State or to another non-profit. The Club selected DSF to become the long-term steward in 2015. The Dennys River Sportsman’s Club was a founding member of the Downeast Salmon Federation – along with three other local salmon clubs in 1982.
The clubhouse was saved from dilapidation thanks to a generous grant from the Ram Island Conservation Fund of the Maine Community Foundation and DSF member donations. We contracted Eric Holm, of Holm Inspections LLC in Lubec, to transform the old log cabin clubhouse into a pavilion this past winter and spring. The walls were compromised by rot and Eric and his assistant, Devin Byrne, craftily saved what they could. A metal roof was installed and the walls replaced by locally donated cedar posts that support the structure with custom “knife brackets” made by Larry Balchan. DSF’s Land Steward, Mike Sloan, put the finishing touches on the pavilion and installed new signage for the Preserve thanks to funding by the Maine Community Foundation’s Washington County Fund.
Dennys River
As the landowner and steward of the property, DSF aims to keep the tradition of outdoor “sporting” alive, restore sea-run fish to the Dennys River, and sustainably manage the riparian habitat. A conservation easement was established in 1995 by Club officers and is now held by Downeast Coastal Conservancy. The easement limits development of the property; it does, however, allow for future construction of an Atlantic salmon hatchery!
We hope you will join us on Thursday, August 8, 2024, to celebrate the grand opening of the pavilion. You can also sign up to be a volunteer steward of this or other DSF properties. The pavilion can be reserved for private events. Contact us for more information.