A Hidden Gem

It was 2007 before Doug could convince us to visit the Slate Islands ... and he couldn't have picked a better time.

The caribou population was high enough so that sightings were commonplace ... and we'd visit in the fall when they were in their prime and just entering the rut.

Doug was the owner of Caribou Charters and spent countless hours looking after his clients.

I'd known Doug for almost 30 years ... he was a real friend ... Kathy and I would stop and see Doug and Mae whenever we were traveling along the North coast.

I moose hunt along the north shore ... that's how I met Doug in the first place ... the year was 1976 ... Doug was recommended as a reliable charter and since he was also the search and rescue guy I contacted him to take me to a hunting spot.

That began a friendship that lasted through several iterations of moose hunting parties.

Since Doug's trapline encompassed our moose hunting area I helped him out by prebaiting some of his marten boxes and would arrange to get picked up last so that I could help him get his beloved Bullfrog ready for the trapping season.

I never got tired of listening to his stories of north shore living, whether they were about his hockey games, adventures while having a few pints at the Jackfish Hotel or his trapping exploits.

Through these stories I learned some of the history of the north shore ... about the town of Jackfish ... about the second world war internment camp near Schreiber ... I got to meet people who were born in Jackfish ... Kathy and I visited Jackfish and the last spike monument along the rail line just west of Jackfish.

Doug took us to the internment camp site and showed us where the residents of the camp had their gardens ... he was still in touch with one of the residents.

We'd often have breakfast at The Bakery (a spot that is now out of business) ... It seemed that everyone who met there for a coffee knew Doug ... After all Terrace Bay is a small town and a lot of the retirees met for coffee almost every day. I got introduced around and in true northern hospitality the locals soon began calling me by name ... even later when I'd show up in the spring or fall it was always "Hi, how are you? Here on another visit to the Slates or moose hunting?"

Once we got hooked on the Slates Doug helped us get there from 2007 to 2013.

Born July 3,1934 Doug passed away on Thursday May 7, 2015 in the McCausland Hospital in his hometown of Terrace Bay.

Hardly a week goes by that something triggers a memory ... I miss the old fart ...

So ... In honour of Doug ... take a look around ... see what the Slates were like in their heyday ... there are also some pictures of Jackfish.