Auction Details
WHAT YOU ARE BIDDING ON
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The Lodge is beautifully situated about 80 feet above a bend on the Cains River 13 miles
outside of Doaktown, New Brunswick. The property encompasses approximately 7.5 acres
and sits back four miles into the woodlands and is completely private. The lodge itself is over
100 years old and has a wonderful history. Over the years it has entertained many people
although the ownership has been limited to a few groups. Back in the 50s Ted Williams of the
Boston Red Sox was a regular visitor for Salmon fishing here. We have many photographs
provided to us by a person associated with the lodge at that time showing Ted fishing and
even sitting at the current kitchen counter.
The property itself is, and always has been, held under a land lease from the Canadian crown
with full ownership of all buildings and related infrastructure. The main building is a large log
lodge featuring a spacious kitchen and dining area with a wood-burning stove for heat as well
as a complete kitchen including a six burner gas stove and oven. There are three bedrooms
off this major room that will accommodate six or seven people. At the back of this room is
another very large room with a great stone fireplace, a pool table and windows with a view of
the river below. Out the door from this room is a covered back porch with rocking chairs.
The lodge is served by very fine well water. We also have an LP gas system that provides
permanent lantern fixture lighting in all rooms as desired. But we also have propane and gas
generators to provide full electricity and lighting.
The overall condition of the lodge is very good to excellent. In addition to renovating all
when originally purchased, we have constantly maintained it over the years, including
replacing all logs and windows as required. And the large stone fireplace in the game room
was completely restructured a few years ago and pointed up again two years ago. It is a
fabulous fireplace.
The roof of the lodge is a screwed down overlapping metal roof that has been maintained
well over the years as and is in great condition. There are no leaks.
The secondary building is a complete smaller facility with two bedrooms and a loft, as well as
a full kitchen and bathroom. It is perfect if you don’t want to open the larger building, or if
you have multiple guests. We have used it as guides quarters during grouse and woodcock
season.
There is an old track leading past this smaller building that will take you down to the river
below. A good place to salmon fish. Or see a moose or three.
HOW DO WE GET THERE?
The lodge is located @13 miles from Doaktown NB, and is essentially in the center of the
province. The best way to get there is to fly into Fredericton and drive up. The drive is about
one hour and 20 minutes door-to-door. Rental cars are available at the airport. Fredericton
can be reached by air either through Toronto or Montreal. An alternative is to fly to Bangor,
Maine and drive. That drive is about 4 1/2 hours.
Doaktown has a full-size grocery store and a small liquor store. Also located there is WW
Doaks, a very nice fly fishing shop, as well as a Tim Hortons and other typical establishments.
SEASONAL OPPORTUNITIES/THINGS TO DO
Our focus during the time we have owned the lodge has been on fall hunting for woodcock
and grouse. The best time for Woodcock and grouse hunting combined is usually the middle
of October. A lot of flight birds come through then swelling the population of Woodcock. The
resident grouse population ebbs and flows according to the natural cycles. But there are
always woodcock and grouse in the local coverts.
Salmon fishing is also something we have pursued as the Cains River has its own run of
Atlantic Salmon and it feeds into the Miramichi a few miles downstream which is one of the
most famous Atlantic Salmon fisheries on the eastern seaboard. Salmon fishing runs from
spring to the middle of October. The fish move upstream with rain and hold in pools along
the way. In recent years striped bass fishing has become a phenomenon. With millions of
striped bass moving into the river to spawn. This leads to some incredible fishing
opportunities. In addition, there are shad runs and local trout with ocean run trout nearby as
well.
Moose are common on the property. In fact, the large moose that hangs over our fireplace
was harvested a mile or so from the lodge by our local member.
In wintertime the river below the lodge freezes and members in the past have snowmobiled
up to the lodge on the river to spend some time there over Christmas or otherwise. The large
fireplace in the back game room is tremendous.
In summer the lodge is a great place to just get away and be in nature. There’s floating and
canoeing on the river. And there are day trips to St. John and Saint Andrews on the coast
which provide a completely different experience. It is a great place to just relax as well as to
enjoy nature and pursue fun activities. Hunting and fishing licenses are available in
Doaktown. Guides are required.
THE PROPERTY CROWN LEASE AND LEASE TERMS
The property upon which the lodge sits is owned by the Province of New Brunswick and is
leased to the owner of the lodge by a standard form of conveyance between the province and
a private party. The lease currently is in the name of Chris Smith and his wife Kelly Smith who
are our Canadian members. A copy of the lease is available in the data room.
The property always has been utilized under this lease arrangement with the crown. The lease
has been in place at least since approximately 1918 when the lodge was built. It is a 10 year
lease that automatically renews each 10 years as long as the lease payment is made annually
and taxes are fully paid. The current lease payment is approximately $1200 Canadian
annually. The annual rent on the property is to be paid by May 31 of each year. Annual taxes are approximately $800 Canadian.
Per the lease covenants the lease is subject to the Crown Lands and Forrest act. These
covenants are attached to the lease in the data room. The covenants are basic standard terms
and conditions from the government of Canada which are uniformly applicable to all such
leases. The lease is essentially an Evergreen Lease with 10 year successive terms. The current ten year lease began on March 1, 2022. The lease renews every 10 years as long as rent and taxes are paid and the property is maintained so as to avoid fire hazards. This in essence means clearing brush and undergrowth away from the property line on an annual basis.
The other external costs associate with the lease property is liability or other
insurance which is of course subject personal preference. Road maintenance into
the camp is the responsibility of the lessee. This equates to periodically scraping the road if
there has been substantial damage due to rainfall or winter weather. It is not an annual
event.
Must make a $500 deposit in order to bid. This can be done by Zelle to Jack at (404) 840-6945; or by Venmo to @Jack-Pittard.
Property visits and inspection July 1- August 30, 2026, by appointment.
Please contact Jack Pittard at +1(404) 840-6945 or Rod Jones at +1(770) 402-8199.
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