Our salmon dinner is an event you don’t want to miss!

The next Dinner and Auction will be held in October, 2024.

The 2022 Dinner and Auction was a sold-out event at the East Coast Credit Union Social Enterprise Centre, Antigonish’s premier event facility, with catering by the CACL and Chef Damian Welsh. The event was a huge success despite coming out of a more than two-year hiatus due to Covid-19 restrictions and the uncertain following Hurricane Fiona’s destruction.

The dinner has been held for more than twenty years and it continues to grow and evolve. This year’s event featured an afternoon riverside event: The West River Tent. This event hope to raise community awareness of the river conservation work being done by the ARA and to promote the sport of fly fishing. A steady stream of curious folks and anglers enjoyed a sunny afternoon with a free BBQ. There were information displays, casting demonstrations and riverside chats with story telling with notable anglers.

Pre-dinner guests enjoyed a Fly Tying Conclave organized by world renowned fly tyer, Bob MacDonald, featuring some of Atlantic Canada’s finest tyers. Guests enjoyed  a Smoked Salmon Reception and a chance to chat with friends.

Hosted by noted conservationist, angler and author, Ray Plourde, dinner surrounded by a silent auction, raffles and a live auction rounded out the evening. As a bonus Fiona’s rain brought fresh salmon into the river and produced some happy anglers.

The money raised by the Dinner and Auction is the primary source of funding for the ARA. This money is used to seed projects and secure partnerships which generate river restoration and conservation projects worth tens of thousands of dollars. You can find project details on this website.

Thank you and we look forward to seeing you in October 2024 from the Dinner Committee Chairs; Gerry Doucet, Dan Doiron and David MacNeil.

Major Sponsors

  • Archibald & Fraser
  • Bird Construction
  • Breton Petroleum
  • Bruce Wood
  • Coastal Drywall Supplies
  • Coastal Inn
  • Fred Alexander – One Stop Entertainment
  • Graham Smith
  • Guideline
  • Jim Lawley
  • Kell’s Enterprises
  • Keltic Motors
  • Keltic Quay Bayfront Lodge & Cottages
  • MacLeod Group
  • MacNeil Excavating
  • Maritimes and Northeast Pipeline
  • Marc Champoux BMO Nesbitt Burns
  • NSPC
  • Paul Tuttle
  • Pieroway Rods
  • Postech Northern
  • RBC Securities
  • Redington
  • Southeast Drywall Ltd.
  • Surette Battery Company
  • Tangier Lobster
  • Tartan Interiors
  • Wilson Fuels

See you in 2024!

“Our success is the result of our membership and the community that supports them.”

“Our success is the result of our membership and the community that supports them.”

The history of our organization is the story of a small group of concerned citizens working for a better tomorrow.

We Accept Donations.

The ARA is a non-profit organization but does not have charitable status. Anyone interested in donating money to the organization that wishes to receive a tax receipt can make a donation on the NSSA web site. Please indicate that you would like the money to be used for work by the ARA.

Fishing Regulation and Season Information.

One of the key roles of our organization is education. To help your quickly connect with the most essential information we have prepared a page with all the most critical links on regulations and seasons.