By Dennis McCloskey
New Brunswick’s Miramichi River is known as “the mother of all salmon rivers” because it is home to the largest runs of Atlantic salmon in the world. Located in the east-central part of the province, the river meanders 250 km through one-quarter of the province’s territory and drains into the Gulf of St. Lawrence. About half of the sport catch of Atlantic salmon in North America is landed on the river and its tributaries.
Atlantic salmon is known as “the king of game fish” and in this eastern Canadian province, Betty Fitzpatrick – Fredericton Realtor, salmon fishing aficionado and conservation advocate – is affectionately known by several unofficial titles, including “Queen of the Miramichi.”
Married to husband Jack since 1948 and a Realtor for 41 years, this mother of five, grandmother of 12 and great-grandmother of three was taught by her father at an early age to hunt and fish near her birthplace of Chatham (now called Miramichi). She grew up and worked as a paralegal in Chatham before moving to Fredericton in 1968, bringing with her a love of the great outdoors, in general, and salmon fly fishing in particular.
She formed her own company, Betty Fitzpatrick Realty Co. and in the early 1970s was affiliated with a realty firm until they “upped the lease.” She and three other Realtors “joined forces” for about seven years. When two retired, Fitzpatrick worked on her own out of her home. She is now affiliated with Century 21 All Seasons Realty of Woodstock, N.B., selling residential and recreational properties and some commercial.
Described by colleagues as a “leader in her field” and an “open, friendly spirit of high energy” Fitzpatrick has served in numerous local, provincial, national and international executive positions in her profession. She is also known throughout the province for her many and varied extra-curricular activities. She is a licensed trapper (mostly muskrat); a deer and partridge hunter; a registered guide; part owner of a camp on the Cairns River; instructor in hunting and firearm safety courses; and she holds memberships in many other associations, including Ducks Unlimited, Ruffed Grouse Society, Woodmen’s Society, Rotary, Fredericton Chamber of Commerce, IODE and Atlantic Salmon Museum.
The inveterate outdoors person, a.k.a. “the Face of the Miramichi,” has heard the facetious advice that “if fishing is interfering with your business, give up your business.” She has no intention of ever doing that.
“I will quit when they fire me,” says the veteran Realtor, who says her age is “a number and it is unlisted.” She is quick to add that her family comes first. “They are my No. 1 priority and most important in my life. Everything else is secondary. ”
Fitzpatrick’s other “family” includes the 500 friends, colleagues, clients and sportspeople who attended a $100-a-plate dinner that honoured her last fall. The occasion was the 17th annual Miramichi Salmon Association (MSA) Conservation Dinner and Grand Auction, which raised $65,000 for the MSA. Immediate family members were also present. Fitzpatrick is a long-time member of the 60-year-old MSA river conservation association and she works tirelessly in its goals to preserve and enhance the wild Atlantic salmon and protect the habitat of the Miramichi watershed.
One of the 500 who attended the event that honoured Fitzpatrick for her role in “serving as a fine steward of the Miramichi River” was Wendy Hallihan, president of the Fredericton Real Estate Board. Hallihan told REM that Fitzpatrick – a former Fredericton Realtor of the Year – was honoured for the passion she has for the Miramichi. “We are very proud of Betty and all of her achievements,” Hallihan said following the conservation banquet. “Throughout the evening we all felt the love that was showered on her, especially by her family who are a huge part of her life.”
Betty Fitzpatrick (Photos by Sabrina Monteith)
Hallihan says the evening’s honoured guest also entertained the audience by singing, playing the harmonica and regaling them with a few of her “pranks and props.” (When Fitzpatrick goes to a fishing camp, she often brings along a “tickle trunk” that’s filled with such gimmicks as a fake arm and hand that can be strategically placed throughout the camp, rubber eggs and a set of fake false teeth that adds to the conviviality of the occasion.)
An avid traveler with her husband, Fitzpatrick has fished in Alaska, Finland, Turks & Caicos and Port Alberni, B.C. to name a few of her favourite fishing spots. And she has travelled to such countries as Italy, Spain and Singapore as a director of FIABCI, the Paris-based International Real Estate Federation.
“There is no remuneration in belonging to professional associations but the networking is priceless,” says Fitzpatrick. Her advice to her fellow Realtors is to “constantly educate yourself.” The veteran Realtor adds: “I have seen so many changes in the past 40 years; there’s always something new to learn. It’s all about keeping up with the changes and the market and constantly marketing yourself. What you learn today you will carry with you for the rest of your life.”
Her second piece of advice is to be ethical. “Follow the Golden Rule: do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” And her real estate watchword? “Everything sells. Just wait.”
Fitzpatrick would agree that fishing is extremely time consuming and she might add that’s the whole point! She speaks clearly of the importance of maintaining a healthy balance between work and leisure, and then notes with a wry smile that “cell phones don’t work in the woods.” One gets a further indication of her love of the great outdoors when she is asked how often she gets to go salmon fishing during the April-October season. “Not often enough,” she replies with typical good humour.
