Lucille (Jean) Gallant

1919 - 1997

 Lucille Gallant was born on October 8, 1919 in Rivière Bleue, Quebec.  She was the daughter of the late Leopoldine (nee Roy) and Emi1le Jean.

Lucille's family moved to Atholville, New Brunswick in 1921.  In 1940, Lucille and her sister Hélène were the first women to be taught the art of fly tying by professional fly tier, David Arthur (D.A.) LaPointe, from Atholville, New Brunswick.  Hélène later become one of the very few professional female fly tiers in Canada. 

Lucille tying in 1996

L/R: Dewey Gillespie, Hélène LeFebvre, Corrine Gallant, Lucille (Jean) Gallant, Robertine St. Laurent and “Budd” Kitchen at Where The Rivers Meet “The Fly Tyers of New Brunswick” display in Miramichi City in 1996

 Lucille and Hélène are among the earliest known women in New Brunswick to learn the art of fly tying, and the first women to tie trout and salmon flies exclusively for D.A. LaPointe.  Lucille tied flies for two years at D.A. LaPointe=s Fly Shop before quitting.  For the next several years Lucille concentrated on raising a family before she began fly tying again.  She started tying the flies in her home and before long was supplying large quantities to Dr. Carett in Campbellton, New Brunswick.  Most of her orders consisted of flies called “Parmachene Belle”, and “Jock Scott.” 

Joseph Clovis Arseneault, a well-known and established fly tier in Atholville, asked Lucille to tie flies for him, but she had to refuse. 

As the number of commercial fly tiers increased, the number of salmon fly orders decreased.  Before long the fly tying business for Lucille deteriorated to the point where she stopped tying all together.  It was a wonderful and exciting hobby for Lucille. She enjoyed it immensely. She enjoyed having the financial support from the people who purchased her trout and salmon flies for a dollar each.  She also felt rewarded in knowing that her trout and salmon flies were successful for the angler.

 

Dark Montreal Tied by Lucille (Jean) Gallant 1955

 

In an interview with Lucille in 1996, she said, “The memories I have from the years of fly tying with my sister and friends are treasured.  The 1940's were a golden era for fly tiers. It was just the beginning for New Brunswick Fly Tiers, who sought to experiment with new patterns.  The potential was unlimited in what could be done with tinsel, silk, fur and feathers.” 

Although Lucille never gained fame by creating a world renown trout or salmon fly, she deserves the distinction of possibly being the earliest female fly tier in New Brunswick.  She is the first of “Five Lady Fly Tiers” who were taught the art of fly tying by D.A. LaPointe.

Lucille loved to fish trout in the Restigouche River.  To catch the trout she used her favourite fly, the “Parmachene Belle.”