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John
What is it that would inspire someone to come to such a remote and isolated place to start a business, a business literally built on the ruins of another? In my case, the inspiration was the profound beauty of Lake St. Joseph, a deep respect for the Native people who live in these wilds and a burning entrepreneurial spirit to create something from almost nothing. The result is The Old Post and Village, a world-class fishing lodge that rose from the ashes of a 200-year-old Hudson’s Bay Trading Post on the shores of this legendary lake. This is my story.
Born and raised in Goderich, Ontario, I spent my summers at a family cottage on the Cape Croker Reserve on Georgian Bay. It was during these extended vacations that I first had contact with Native peoples, their character, philosophy, and accepting ways. A free spirit and the positive influence of these generous people early in life eventually brought me to the northern community of New Osnaburgh where I accepted a managerial position with the Hudson’s Bay Company store in 1976. I have fond memories of those times when Hockey Night in Canada on CBC Radio was the highlight of the week. The roads were rough and it wasn’t always an easy life but the isolation allowed for the development of very special relationships with the people who call this area home; a unique and lasting bond was created, not only with the people but also with the land that has supported them for a thousand years.
[Click Here] John's Fall Newsletter 2009 |
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Jonathon
The Mystery of Lake St Joseph - My life, My Story
I was only a year old when my parents had the vision to rebuild the Hudson Bay trading post on Lake St Joseph. This cultural and historically significant property was to be transformed into a state of the art, conservation focused fishing resort named The Old Post and Village. Thus began the journey for me.
- Sleeping in the nose of a cedar strip boat, (undercover) while on many a journey down the lake to pick up supplies and sometimes to have a quiet afternoon nap. It would drive my mother crazy looking for me.
- Catching my first big pike over 40”, at nine years old,
- shooting rabbits or partridge using just a sling shot with the kids of some of dad’s workers,
- watching the otters play at the back beach on ice flows during break-up
- I quickly graduated to following moose and caribou as they crossed the lakes by water
- I remember a friend and I picking up a baby caribou and putting it in our boat – we were 12 years old at the time.
- What about chasing that big black bear across the property on an ATV?
- Dad was not impressed with some of my large animal pursuits and thought that maybe I should stick to observing the wild life rather interacting with it.
But as a kid I spent as much time as I could on the lake, not so much fishing, but exploring. I was one of those kids who would say “Look Dad, No Hands”, always a little bit on the edge, and always going full blast.
I remain today, very mindful of conservation with a real passion and love for the outdoors, committed to our family business and the pursuit of a high quality, customer service oriented delivery of the fishing experience.
Customer relations are very important to me as I have grown up building many long term relationships, Many of these individuals and families are still guests at The Old Post: Jack Lickens, the Daly and Seuntjens group, The Paradis Family, Don Osbron, Elwyn Bruhl and Phil Turner, The Sawyer Family and, of course, Al Mathes. All of these people and numerous others, have played a significant role in my life and in the family business as we know it today.
Life other than camp has been a whirlwind. I chose not to pursue an education beyond high school, but to travel. I’ve spent a couple of winters in Australia, a summer in Iceland and have traveled Europe on the rail with friends, I’ve ventured across Canada and into the States, Mexico and Cuba. But I still get really excited every spring as I prepare to return to camp. My mother always said that I would get more excited about heading to camp than about Christmas and I love the shear excitement, the laughs and smiles that each of you is able to share. I quote Steve Frytak, “The fishing was so good, I forgot to pee”.
The fishing is not all there is to this, it’s the people, the camaraderie, the lake, the trees, the weather, the wild life and the vastness of Lake St Joseph. I know that when I’m on the lake, I’m the happiest.
I’ve decided that the travel needs to slow down for a couple of years as I focus on furthering my education. Really that will be geared towards business and marketing as I find a greater interest in some day taking over the family business. I know it will be a challenge, but I so much look forward to it and will some day be able to take on more and more of the daily operation of The Old Post. As time goes by and I get more involved, I just have to figure out how to get it away from Dad.
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| Jordan
It was a long summer, but a good summer.
Along with my brother, Jonathon, I headed to camp in early May and didn’t come home until October. I’m out of High School and in the midst of determining what next to do and where to go- College or University. I just moved out of the family home and am living 70 miles away in the city of London, out from underneath parents and living with three of my buddies. It’s been a great move. Now I just need to find an interim job while I contemplate my next move. I have most recently bought my first car, a 2000 Honda Civic, with less than 100 Klicks (60,000 miles) on it. What a sweet car. Dad can keep driving those gas guzzling, environmentally hazardous trucks and Suburbans - they’re not for me.
Decision time
It’s weird, I’ve lived and spent every summer of my entire life at camp and even one winter. I fully realize that decisions are going to have to be made around work, school and camp. As you are all quite aware, The Old Post and Lake St Joseph are very polarizing and this will also be part of the equation.
I don’t have the passion my older brother Jonathon does for fishing and the outdoors, but it is quite possible that I lean more toward my Dad’s interest in business, culture and history and I just really enjoy spending as much time as possible at camp.
I started guiding last year in 2008, and will continue to focus on that. As my father has always said “It’s a family business and that means you do whatever is needed and at whatever time it is needed”. He’s a bit of a slave driver wouldn’t you think? But that is what a family business is all about and being involved in one like a fishing camp with the entire family is the envy of many.
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| Joel
Returning to High School
Well I’m just completing my last semester in high school. I had planned on graduating last June but, because I wasn’t successful at gaining entrance to the program I wanted, I decided to return and pick up a couple of extra courses, regroup and start the University entrance process again. My focus now is more on the technical side with either recording technology or a piano technician degree offered through The University of Western Ontario. Going back to High School has also allowed me to be involved with more music related activities and a couple of plays. Music and theatre (the arts) are really my passion. And no, I don’t take after my father, but I do lean more in mom’s favour as she is a musician, artist and has also done a lot of community theatre. My interest in music is very broad as I play percussion in the High School concert band, electric base in a punk rock band with my buddies and, when I get the opportunity, will jam with friends and family on piano and acoustic guitar and have recently added vocals to my repertoire. Actually it’s Jordan, Mom and I who have the interest in music. Jonathon is learning to play acoustic guitar now along with singing lessons and there is no hope for Dad.
It’s not all music and school
I do have two part time jobs, one pumping gas and the other at a Salvation Army Thrift Store, all while keeping up an essential social life.
I am going to be returning to camp early this spring as I will be finished school in February. This will allow me to help Jonathon open camp in May and I’m looking forward to it. I started last season under the tutelage of my brother learning how to guide, did a couple of double guides with him and will start venturing out on my own- Hopefully more guiding than camp work this summer. It’s exciting and really interesting with the different people you meet throughout the summer especially having that
one-on-one opportunity with guests in your boat. I look forward to the upcoming season.
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