Look what I found.

[smitty55]

Went through an old box with a bunch of maps and found one of my original copies still folded up in a zip lock bag for use in the boat. Didn't know I still had it. Bought it from the seaplane base in in early 80's. Now that brings back some memories. Fortunately I had a bunch of copies made up way back and always used them and had 1 laminated. Is there even a paper copy available for sale anymore?

I'm a bit surprised I never read anything here about Corbeau Lodge from back in the day. I think T-Bone's recent one about the dog races is the first I've seen. I don't remember them though, and I stayed there at least three times before getting an opening at Alwaki and then we never looked back. It was far better suited for us guys than Corbeau after they lost their liquor license when it was sold and became more family oriented, which was cool. Plus the prices were unequaled at Alwaki. The bar was great, we would run a tab all week long and We were paying $500 for the cabin for a week with 4 guys for many years. So it was easily the best $125 I have ever spent, that's for sure. The gas and the booze bill were both more lol.

Speaking of booze bills, here's a quick story for y'all from Alwaki mid 90's. So a bunch of us regular Kipawa gang worked next door to the Carleton Tavern in Ottawa. It was a good mix of white and blue collar clients. I worked next door for 25 years so I knew the regulars. Over the years they always would hear us talk our stories about our great trips to Kipawa every year. So one year 4 of them decide to rent a cabin and at least one boat. Serge had a motor I know. He was the only real fisherman of the bunch but was a boozer who didn't even drive lol. Anyways, his partner Rick is just as big a boozer, but likes his liquor too. I'll come back to him hehe. So first day they get picked up mid day. Well I tell you, if Carl was still alive he would tell you that it was the heaviest load his big blue boat ever hauled out to the camp, there were so many cases of beer lol. Well those lads got too hammered that day to go fishing. The next day late morning Bud is going to try and run two small portable riggers for the first time ever. We were coming back from our morning trolls and all we could hear was the loud cursing as they had got the lines tangled again. We didn't see them much on the water the rest of the week. Let's just say for them it was still a great getaway from the rest of the world for a week, even if they didn't fish much. How can you not love just being up there, even for a first timer.
So to close with this story, Rick's bar tab alone at the end of the week was way over 3 bills. He had a great time. I wouldn't be surprised if Mary remembers that week.

Cheers

[Canuckbass]

If you have any old pics of Corbeau Lodge back in the day I'd like to acquire them. Would be great to put back into main lodge.
We found a bunch of fishing pics during renos.

[puckster_guy]

If you have any old pics of Corbeau Lodge back in the day I'd like to acquire them. Would be great to put back into main lodge.
We found a bunch of fishing pics during renos.

Those pics would make a great album. This place has a lot of history.

[T-Bone]

We had some good times at Corbeau Lodge...some wonderful memories; Bernard was a character and his wife Eunice was absolutely one of the finest people you could ever meet. I know Bernard rubbed a lot of people the wrong way, but I always got along with him just fine. After Eunice passed away it all changed; we went back a few times, but it was clear he was going to sell the place and we eventually wound-up at Alwaki Lodge and really have never looked back.

I found a letter from Bernard that he sent in 1999 when we were exploring new territory to get away from the Kawarthas. Still had the old brochure in it...classic stuff and priceless to me. I bought a map off eBay a few years back with a regional lake map on one side and business listings on the other. Appears to be from mid/late 50s...titled "Hunt - Swim - Fish - Relax in Quebec's Famed Kipawa District - - 40 miles of Scenic Paved Highway from North Bay Ontario".  Some of the listings in/on Lake Kipawa include. :

P.R. Bucher: Hudson's Bay Blankets, Fishing Tackle, Camping Supplies, Boats and Motors to Rent (building still there, I'm sure)
Kipawa Hotel: Meals - Rooms - Fully Licensed
Kipawa Lodge: Raymond Vaillancourt, Proprietor; Camp Telephone: Radio 20, Ring 3
Miwapanee Lodge: Wayne Stroup, Proprietor
Kipawa Air Service: Gilbert Vaillancourt, Proprietor
Spruce Lodge Trailer Court: H.R. McBride, Outfitter
Hunter's Point Trading Post, Reg'd: Telephone 20, Ring 2
Haulemin Club: Contact Rick Bellamy
White Pine Lodge: Alex Roney, Proprietor
Turtle Camp: Leo Vaillancourt, Proprietor; Radio 40, Ring 4
Kip Kamp: G.A. Nichol, Proprietor
Lakeview Restaurant, Herve Pigeon, Proprietor
Dorval's Camp: Amy Dorval, Proprietor (American Plan - Rates per week - $75 per person, Housekeeping Cabin for up to 6 persons - $80 / week)
McLaughlin's Sunset Lodge: Norm McLaughlin, Proprietor
Eastview Cabins: Leslie Downs, Proprietor
Kipawa Supply: Headquarters for Vacation Supplies - 18-ft and 16-ft cedar boats
Maple Leaf Cabins: Len Grace, Proprietor (Laniel)
White and Blue Lodge: Pat Bouthillette, Proprietor (Laniel); Telephone 3383

I'm getting it framed in a couple weeks...

34....

[smitty55]

Sorry guys. I just realized that the pic of the map I found didn't post lol. Here it is.

[SgtCrabby]

I love that map!

[Canuckbass]

Nice!!
We have a nice laminated map in the main cabin but I don't think it is the same one as that, I'll have to check next visit.

[JigginFool]

I don't know how this will turn out, but I found this map from 1969 that my dad had.

[SgtCrabby]

Oh how I would love to scan over that one too.

Y'all know that I once was a cartographer (fancy name for a map maker).

[smitty55]

Oh how I would love to scan over that one too.

Agreed, that would be very neat to look over. Sure were a lot more lodges back in the day compared to now. I wonder how much better the fishing was back then.

Cheers

[limacharley]

In my high school days back in the late 70's early 80's, a lot of kids used to drink at the bars in North Bay which closed at 1 am, then head over to the White Oaks for their last call at 3 am. Fun times...

[puckster_guy]

 Too bad that bar ain't still open. I had a few good times in that bar.