Our Guides

At Restigouche River Lodge, we have high priority on tradition and history. This shows through in our architecture, food and canoes. In regards to our guiding staff, we like to have a healthy mixture of traditional river families as well as new school guides. Our staff is very important to us, and ensuring that our clients are fitted with the finest guides in the valley and eastern North America is paramount.

 

Sandy Mazerall “The Sandman”

Sandy’s a dandy, he’s been in the woods or on the water since he was knee high to a grasshopper. Sandy was raised on the banks of the former Atlantic Salmon mecca known as the St. John River, New Brunswick. Through experience and passion he has dedicated his life to guiding for the king of sportfish throughout New Brunswick, spending the majority of his tenure in private camps on the tributaries to the Miramichi. Sandy is one of our long-standing guides, this will be his 13^th season with us at Restigouche River Lodge. His sureness of presentation, knowledge of our water and boat handling skills make him a very crucial team member. 

 

 

Raymond Poirier “Salmon Santa”

Raymond is one of our local guides whose family was navigated these waters for generations. His deep-rooted passion, seriousness, and fish handling skills are his greatest attributes. Raymond has been with us for 12 seasons, soon to be 13. He’ll slip in on a resting salmon setting up just perfectly for his sports cast. Raymond exudes confidence and that confidence transfers easily to his sports. With Raymond you’re always in good hands, great with our lady fly fisher’s and unmatched when it comes to guiding caring for young anglers!

If you see Sandy around, just know Raymond isn’t too far away. You can often find them at the guide shack keeping an eagle eye on our boats and Home Pool.  

 

 

 

 

Rodney Gray “Hot-Rod”

A man of the forks of the Matapedia and Restigouche, Rodney has spent his life amongst the river and its people. Having guided since being a teenager. He has learned the intricacies of salmon angling, boat handling and the history to the “nth degree”. Those who have fished with Rodney know that he is a modest, quiet and diligent man who makes it his soul purpose to ensure you are comfortable, safe and having a great time on our water. This is Rodney’s seventh season with us and we look forward to many more years with him at the helm of our boats.  

 

 

 

Thomas Baudoux “Tommy”

Hailing from the North Shore of Nova Scotia, A “young gaffer” on the Restigouche, as Thomas is going into his third year guiding with us. He has cut his teeth as a Brook Trout guide in Labrador, eventually moving to Atlantic Salmon. Not only is his keen prowess on the water noticeable, but he is a man of detail and sureness from his years trapping, as well as guiding for Moose and Caribou in Newfoundland. Thomas may seem quiet at first, but his passion for conservation, and Atlantic Salmon fishing is loud. A huge proponent of long leaders, with flies a little smaller than traditionally fished, makes a difference for this young man. With Thomas, he is not going to sugar coat the truth, but his persistence and accuracy in finding and landing salmon is second to none. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jakob Lorefice “Young Bud”

Another young guide in RRL’s quiver, Jakob possesses a high level of knowledge in modern Atlantic Salmon angling. Jakob has been salmon fishing since the age of 12, and quickly became proficient. Prior to RRL, he had spent his time guiding on the Cascapedia, and his off time fishing the waters of the Matapedia for the early Causapscal fish. His expertise in two handed Scandi techniques, fly tying and big water; makes this young man a great fit for our early season. In 2025 he guided our largest Atlantic Salmon at 36 lbs, he finds the big fish and knows how to get them in the net. Currently Jakob is in the process of completing a Bachelors Degree at the University of Calgary, with a focus on medicine. 

 

 

 

 

James Bass “Bassco”

If you were going to combine an adventure junkie with a salmon aficionado, you’d have created James. A fun loving, serious salmon angler and guide who thoroughly enjoys his time on the water- James possesses an uncanny ability to get his clients into big fish on a consistent basis. James has been guiding for Atlantic salmon since 2014, starting his career on the Eagle River, Labrador. In his off time with RRL he guides for Atlantics in Labrador and for big game in Newfoundland. Whether you’re a seasoned angler, or new to Atlantic Salmon fishing, if you want to spend a fantastic day of fishing and laughter on the water – James is your man!

 

 

 

 

Jake Malolepszy “Melopseketch”

Ever since Jake was a child in Ontario, he loved all things fishing. Shortly after his 16^th birthday, his neighbor asked if he wanted to become a fishing guide. Little did he know that a decade later he would have guided all over the world; Canada, Argentina, and Norway with no sign of slowing down. Chasing anadromous fish has such a grip on Jake. “I do what I do, to be able share that passion and excitement with others.” This is Jake’s third season with us, and we are certainly looking forward to some big fish photos with Melopseketch.

 

 

 

 

Ludger Francouer “Blue-Jay”

Ludger was born and raised in the Lower Valley of the Restigouche watershed, and is a man of the woods and water. In addition to guiding for Atlantic salmon at the RRL, Ludger is great with the motors and lodge equipment and all other work at the Lodge. He truly is our right hand man on the grounds of RRL!