Traditional Arts in Upstate New York. Traditional Arts of Upstate New York
53 Main Street
Canton, NY 13617
(315) 386-4289

James Brabant

Clayton, Jefferson County
1000 Islands Fishing Guide


Jim Brabant of Clayton is a fifth generation river man. His great-great grandfather was one of the settlers of Grindstone Island; his grandfather drowned while sailing on Lake Superior; his father ran boats out of Cape Vincent. After taking fishing parties from June to October for over 30 years, Jim represents the quintessential 100O Islands fishing guide. In his teenage years he would hang out with the old guides in the same boathouse where he keeps his boat on French Creek Bay today. Many of his customers—including some of the rich and famous—have returned to him for many seasons. He specializes in  a traditional guide’s shore dinner, featuring the catch of the day, corn on the cob, guides’ French toast, and all the trimmings. Since guiding has always been a highly competitive business, Jim, a fine storyteller himself, maintains that ‟the only way to beat the other guides is to tell your story last.”


Click here to listen to the TAUNY/NCPR "Meet the Masters" story about Jim.



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