WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE IN AN INDUSTRY YOU LOVE?
LIFE AT A FISHING AND HUNTING LODGE
Over my forty-four years in the industry, I have been to a lot of different lodges across western Canada. The people that own them are a different kind of person. Almost all are extremely hard working, care about their customers and employees and love what they do. It also helps if you can adapt on the fly! This includes rescuing guests, fighting off wild animals and the never-ending cycle of fixing things.
I do warn you however, before you decide it is something you might want to try, talk to some who have owned their lodges for awhile.
WORKING IN THE OUTDOOR INDUSTRY
I speak from firsthand experience as I started in this industry as a guide at Eagle Nest Lodge in the early 1980’s and went on to mange the resort for two years. As it is a remote camp, I ran the show most of the time. The owners lived at Pointe du Bois, giving me a good idea of what owning a lodge looked like.
We didn’t have any big game licenses, so it was strictly a fishing operation, which simplified things. Our season started as soon as the ice was off, and we could load supplies upriver to the main lodge before the guests arrived. This included food and fuel, and everything needed to run an operation that regularly had 20 people in camp. We also would get the boats back in the water and make sure the motors were fired up and ready to go.
The first guests arrived the second week of May when the season opened, and things would slow down by the middle of August. I also guided pretty much every day during that time, so I had to look after any issues after a full day on the water, then cleaning fish. We did have good help with a maintenance person on staff, as well as a cook, and two people to serve meals, clean cabins and everything that goes with that. Still, those were pretty much 18-hour days during the busy season.
It was a great experience as I met my wife of 44 years who had just graduated from university. She worked there my first year, then got a job at the Manitoba Theatre Centre, where she still is. When you put in these long hours, under all conditions, you soon get a good idea what kind of person you are working beside. There have been many lodge romances and marriages over the years, most of which have stood the test of time.
From there I went on to freelance guide, fish tournaments and write stories about my adventures which are all in my book which you can find a link to on the Hooked website. In 1989 I worked with a production company out of Regina to start The Complete Angler television show, a name my sisters thought up for me. After 15 great years it was time to move on, still working within the industry as a consultant, writer, magazine editor and advocate for the outdoor industry. This included a run of 30 years as the Fishing Columnist for the Winnipeg Free Press.
Over that time I got to experience what this part of the world has to offer. From getting chased by bears at shore lunch, to experiencing untouched wilderness.
PRESENT DAY
I am currently the Executive Director for the Manitoba Lodges and Outfitters as well as the Editor of this publication. Both jobs keep me in constant contact with other members of the industry. I have also made many friends who I enjoy time with. All are passionate about conservation and protecting our way of life and our fish and wildlife resources. Looking after the resource is not always easy but in Manitoba we have made a substantial contribution to sustainability. It has been a varied and interesting career; one I would not change for the world. Just ask the people who make it a living from it and protect our great land.
