By Greg Carpenter

In the late 1920s, fish and game associations were relatively commonplace in Vermont. According to a 1930 Vermont Department of Fish and Game report, the state of Vermont had as many as 59 public lake and game clubs. Flipping through the document, it seems like just about every area of the state was part of the club (no pun intended). And to no one’s surprise, Echo Lake-(Charleston) wasn’t going to be left out.

The origin of the Echo Lake Fish and Game Club started in 1929. The first meeting was held at Stoddard’s Hall, which no longer exists. Amos Parlin was named the club’s first president. Parlin was a local doctor and lived in the house that is currently owned by Nancy and Peter Engels. Some other elected officers from that meeting included Vice President A. Allyn, Secretary & Treasurer, W. Gray, and future president W. G. Stoddard (East Charleston general store owner), who was named to the Executive Committee. Membership comprised 25 members at the time of its founding, and the club’s objective was to “……maintain good or better fishing year after year.”In keeping with their aim, the club wasted little time in acquiring large amounts of trout to stock the Clyde River. By as early as 1937, the club managed to obtain 750 Federal square-tail trout for fishermen to enjoy. For the greater good, even children were taken into consideration, with a stream stocked just for them. Today, the lake is stocked annually with more than a thousand trout according to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department.

At the club’s apex, membership nearly doubled in just 10 years. Members were not just found locally but from as far away as Connecticut, New Jersey, and Louisiana.

The club’s sole purpose wasn’t just fishing. The organization once coordinated a 4th of July celebration that included a “massive parade, greased pole, band concerts, and running races.” Other club involvements included supplying prizes for the Northern Vermont- Land of Sky-Blue Waters Fishing Contest and an annual benefit dance and supper. Perhaps the club’s most remarkable achievement was establishing the yearly Oyster Supper, which is still taking place today and is approaching its 68th year. The supper is now run by the Charleston Volunteer Fire Department.

Regrettably, the Echo Lake Fish and Game club no longer exists, but its historical significance still remains even today.

Sources: “East Charleston,” Essex County Herald, (Island Pond, VT) March 28, 1929.
“East Charleston To Celebrate 4th” Essex County Herald, (Island Pond, VT) June 14, 1929.
“East Charleston” Essex County Herald, (Island Pond, VT.) March 28, 1929.
“State of Vermont Department of Fish and Game Thirtieth Biennial Report” The Tuttle Company, (Rutland, VT) June 30, 1930.
“East Charleston” Essex County Herald, (Island Pond, VT.) May 12, 1933.
“Fishing Contest Prizes Assembled, Palladium and News (Newport, VT) May 31, 1932.
“No Angling For Pet Trout At Echo Lake On May 1st- Lake Outlet To Be Posted “Newport Daily Express, (Newport, VT.) April 29, 1938.
“Echo Lake Fish and Game Club Meeting Held” Newport Daily, (Newport, VT) May 9, 1956

“Echo Lake Fish and Game Club To Sponsor Oyster Supper” Essex County Herald, (Island Pond, VT) April 19, 1946.