This hollow wooden salmon was made by Tom Hartranft’s close friend Roy Klitch in1988. It was presented to Tom at a going away party for Tom and his wife Marie when they transferred, in1988, to Watertown, NY. The salmon perched on their garage roof in New York until they returned to Veazie, Maine in 1993.
Upon his return to Maine, Tom donated the salmon to the Veazie Salmon Club (VSC) at a ceremony dedicating the salmon in memory of his friend Roger Bennet, a founding father of the VSC.
The original cupola was built in 1994 by VSC members Dick McCubrie and George King. Since the salmon was first placed on the VSC roof over 30 years ago, it has been stolen once and returned. It has been repainted twice, the last time by Gary Dinkins, a well-known and accomplished VSC fly tyer. It sits today, in 2025, on a second cupola, donated by VSC member Jim Matarazzo.
The below poem was written by Tom Hartranft in 1997 dedicating the poem “Roger’s Salmon” to all deceased members and friends of the Veazie Salmon Club.
Tom Hartranft …April 1st, 2025
Roger’s Salmon
The Silver Salmon points to the wind
Against clearing or stormy sky
And gazes toward heaven with vigilance
Spinning yet holding it’s lie
Bright link to the past, helps memories last
Of members who’ve bid us good-bye
The Salmon swings to point to them all
With caring and watchful eye
It points to where they are fishing today
To left behind rods, reels, and flys
It points to where they lived and were loved
To where they were born and died
The Silver Salmon representing them all
Brings their message from way up high
Lifes for the living, live the most of each day
We’ll meet once again, by and by
Each time you walk up, or drive down the hill
Roger’s Salmon will help you recall
Of the good times and runs, we’ve all enjoyed
Look up and remember us all
On opening day, when you make your first cast
Think of us, the good times and fun
Feel our presence good friends, on the river today
Know your best fishings still yet to come
Dedicated in fond memory of deceased friends and members of the Veazie Salmon Club… by Tom Hartranft…1997
Tom Hartranft
Greenville, South Carolina Feb 8,1997