Evée LeBlanc (August 20, 1878 – September 26, 1978) was a Canadian fishing captain who pioneered the tuna fishing industry in Wedgeport, Nova Scotia . LeBlanc was internationally known for taking American tourists on fishing trips, including President Franklin D. Roosevelt and aviator Amelia Earhart .
7-601: He was born in Wedgeport, Nova Scotia , the son of Jean Toussaint and Dorothée (Boudreau) LeBlanc. In the 1920s, harpooning tuna began as a small industry in Wedgeport, Evée LeBlanc was one of three men who pioneered this industry. During this time, LeBlanc would bring along tourists on his boat, "The Judge". By 1934, LeBlanc had pioneered rod-and-reel fishing in Wedgeport, having taken several well-known American tourists fishing in his boat. One of these tourists LeBlanc took tuna fishing
14-555: A tuna. In July 1942, LeBlanc caught an 800-pound tuna off of Wedgeport. On June 25, 1978, an Acadian celebration was held in Ste. Anne du Ruisseau , during which LeBlanc's 100th birthday was celebrated. LeBlanc played the accordion at his birthday celebration. LeBlanc died in Yarmouth on September 26, 1978, one month after his 100th birthday. He was married to Rose (LeBlanc) and they had six children. Wedgeport, Nova Scotia Wedgeport
21-697: Is an unincorporated place in the Municipality of the District of Argyle in Southern Nova Scotia , Canada. Wedgeport was settled in 1767 by returning Acadians who had been deported to the Boston area. The village of Wedgeport was formally called Tusket Wedge, and was also at one time called the "Chebec". In 1909 by an Act of Parliament , it was changed to Wedgeport. In the 20th century, many famous Americans and Canadians traveled here due to large amounts of tuna in
28-560: The International Tuna Cup Match began with the participation of 28 different countries. In 1949, 72 Bluefin tuna were caught for a total weight of 30,161 pounds, the most tuna as well as the highest weight ever caught in a tournament to date. The tournament ended in 1976 due to a lack of tuna, but the tournament was revived in 2004. The 13th annual Wedgeport Tuna Tournament & Festival took place in August 2016. Wedgeport hosts
35-435: The annual Festival Acadien de Wedgeport each summer. The Festival celebrates Acadian heritage and includes concerts, variety shows, a parade, an Acadian pageant, traditional costumes, dances and a softball tournament. In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada , Wedgeport had a population of 1,071 living in 478 of its 534 total private dwellings, a change of 0.9% from its 2016 population of 1,061. With
42-555: The area, including Babe Ruth , President Franklin Roosevelt , Kate Smith , Gene Tunney , Amelia Earhart , Ernest Hemingway , Jean Béliveau , Ethel du Pont , Thomas Gifford , Michael Lerner , Zane Grey and Tony Hulman . It is known as the "Historic Sport Tuna Fishing Capital of the World". Many of these famous Americans were taken on fishing trips by Captain Evée LeBlanc . In 1937,
49-666: Was American aviator Amelia Earhart , who spent two weeks in the area in 1934. In August 1935, American angler Michael Lerner and his guide Tommy Gifford visited Wedgeport to fish tuna. He managed to convince LeBlanc to take him fishing and he caught five Bluefin during his first visit. Lerner returned to Wedgeport in September 1935 and accompanied by LeBlanc and Gifford, caught 21 tuna in the course of 11 days, varying in size from 86 to 450 pounds. In July 1936, LeBlanc took American President Franklin D. Roosevelt tuna fishing on his boat "The Judge II". President Roosevelt did not manage to catch
#35964