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Historic Upper Dam House Ledgers

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From the first guest signature on June 21, 1878 to the last entry on September 28, 1944, these guest registers chronicle the comings and goings of the rich, famous and politically connected, which flocked to this legendary hotel during the most important era of Maine's sport fishing past. The gradual evolution from beautiful calligraphied pen and ink signatures to those written in ball point pen, carries these ledgers through almost 70 years of notable names in fishing history.While debatable as to the very first origins of the streamer fly, the Upper Dam area took streamer fly fishing to a record level, never to be equaled. In no small part due to the talented fly tiers and prominent fishermen who resided nearby or visited the Upper Dam Hotel frequently, as is evidenced by their repeated signatures over a period of decades. The Upper Dam House cannot be discussed without the mention of Carrie Stevens, whose flies were prominently displayed for sale in the Hotel's lobby. In the annals of who's who in trout and salmon streamer fishing, the names included in these registers are certainly in the forefront. Almost all knew, did business with, or befriended Carrie Stevens, subsequently, many being honored by having an original Stevens streamer pattern named after them. These included her dear friend Charles "Shang" Wheeler, Herb Welch, G. Donald Bartlett, Col. Joseph D. Bates, Jr., Alfred French, Ed Bugbee (who originated the name Grey Ghost for Stevens' most famous streamer), Judge Charles H. Welles, and many more. One can only imagine the conversations that took place in front of the Upper Dam House's huge fireplace or Hotel dining room or expansive porch overlooking Upper Dam Pool. No doubt, lodgers such as David Abercrombie, presided over many business discussions with a willing audience of affluent sportsmen, as well as sharing their experiences with record catches.Included in the thousands of signatures, are those of well known and obscure guides alike, many entering their name with "Guide" following, as this was a highly respected position to their wealthy clientele, lodging at the Hotel on a mission to catch trophy trout and salmon.These ledgers pre-date the Upper Dam Fish Records companion ledgers (mentioned in the book Carrie G. Stevens by Graydon R. Hilyard)by almost 20 years. Thought destroyed, the discovery of the Upper Dam House ledgers is significant. These ledgers represent the most important archive of Maine's illustrious trout and salmon fishing history.* Estimate not applicable

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