The Boathouse | The JAHOMA | Fishing

The Boathouse

Dave Nadzam at the Back of the Boathouse
Just before I started cleaning the fish. To the left is a marshy area where I had caught the northern pike.
(Picture taken by Betty Dean Calhoun 1970)

The boathouse held an important place.  It was a landmark, the place to get a boat, canoe or a place to fish.  As a landmark, it was the first place you saw of the Calhoun property as you approached from the south after leaving the channel between Woods Bay and Blackstone Harbor. It was the place where canoeists headed since the portage to Little Blackstone Lake and beyond was  just to the right (east) of the boathouse.

Of all the buildings, the boathouse probably saw the most abuse.  It had to stand up to nature, high winds, water, waves and ice.   You can see the peeling paint and damaged decking in the picture.  On my first visit, there was a freshly creosoted log near the boathouse walk-way which was going to soon replace one that was in the boathouse crib that was rotted.

Inside the boathouse were a couple of boats (including the BEE JAY), an Evinrude outboard motor or two and some canoes. Jo couldn’t use the front dock (low water even then) so docked his cabin cruiser at the boathouse. The slip would have been to the right of the boathouse in the picture).

Except for the JAHOMA and the BEE JAY, we were pretty much allowed to use any of the boats and canoes inside or around the boathouse.  A favorite canoeing activity for Billy Calhoun was to paddle out into the harbor, roll the canoe, swim around and under it.  I think this was something all young visitors enjoyed as I did the same thing with Karl, a Norwegian visitor in 1970.  The biggest challenge was to right the canoe, empty it of water  and get back in without rolling it again!

The JAHOMA

The JAHOMA was a 25 foot cabin cruiser, hand-built in Parry Sound and used for travel between Parry Sound and the cabin.  It was powered by a 100 hp Kermath engine. It was named for Jo’s two granddaughters, Janey and Holly, and daughter-in-law, Mary Ann.  The JAHOMA was licensed in 1953 but I am not certain this was the year it was actually built.

The JAHOMA
In this undated photo, Jo’s cabin cruiser is approaching either the front or boathouse dock.
Photo courtesy of Janey Knight

The boat was noisy, slow and tended to plow water and not skim across the top when at full throttle.  The trip from Parry Sound, where Jo kept the boat, took a couple of hours.  I don’t recall the exact route but I remember going by the Pennsylvania Club on Pennsylvania Island and San Souci Island. When I look at maps and think back to all the channels and Islands we went through and around, I still ask myself how he ever found his way to Blackstone Harbor without ever getting lost.

I cannot tell you why Jo chose Parry Sound over Pete’s Place, Moon River or Woods Bay as an access point.  I don’t really know what accessibility was like in the 1940s, 50s or 60s.  It could have been that Parry Sound provided  more readily available provisions, a secure place to park his car or a host of other reasons that would need speculation on my part.

The JAHOMA was sold along with the property in 1972 to the Taylor Family.

Fishing

During my first visit I’d lift a deck-board on the boathouse dock to fish for rock bass and sunfish. The water was so clear, I could lean over the hole in the deck and watch the fish attack the bait, then I’d set the hook.  At certain times of the day, the sun would light up the water under the dock making it easy to watch and catch fish.  These fish were small; it was a fun game of catch and release.

This is confession time.  I caught the northern pike shown using an artificial worm that had hooks embedded in it.  I’m not sure catching is correct as I casted the line at about the 10 o’clock position in the direction of the marsh; it was about a 60 foot cast.  The lure hit the water on the far side of the pike.  I couldn’t see the pike but as I reeled in, I snagged it along its jaw.  I was a bit surprised I had done that.  Marshall Grisdale, the new caretaker didn’t say anything and I went ahead, removed the hook and placed the fish on my stringer.  Really, I didn’t do it on purpose but I suppose I should have released it.

I caught the other fish, a large-mouth bass, in another marshy area on the south side of the harbor.  This time I used a popper and really caught it.  Yes, we did pretty well fishing in Blackstone Harbor, I even caught an ear…

On my first trip to the Calhoun’s cabin, Billy, Jeff, Dad and I went out in the boat one evening to do some fishing.  I was back-casting and caught Jeff, my brother, in the ear.  I think my life flashed before my eyes as I did a really good job of it.   My dad had to dig the barb out of my brother’s ear.  Tears in his eyes, he gave me the dirtiest, meanest look all the while my dad removed the hook, tried to calm him down and lectured me on the fine art of casting.  My dad could multi-task!  In the meantime Billy said nothing, merely looking on to what was happening in the boat. 

On this first trip Jeff had also caught a channel cat but Jerome being nearby helped him bring it in as it was feisty.  Jeff also caught a couple of pike.  If I’m not mistaken the fish were caught off the southern tip of the property between the shore and the rock outcrop.

I did have some bad luck fishing.  One trip to Little Blackstone Lake was not very good but funny…

One my second trip Jo, my dad and I took a canoe out on Little Blackstone Lake.  Dad and Jo did well.  Both dad and Jo mentioned I wasn’t doing well although I did have one bite.  My dad said, “Your fishing rod is like an antenna and you’ll know you have a bite if you hold the rod upright and feel the strike. It will also be easier to set the hook.”  I went back to fishing and after a while with still no luck I turned them and said. “You know how you said the fishing rod is like an antenna? Both nodded as I continued, “Well, I’ve come to the conclusion that I am not getting very good reception, today!”  They chuckled and Jo responded, “Very good, Dave.”  On that note we headed back to the lodge.

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Revised and Updated November 11, 4, and September 19, 2013