Matthews Little Portage Camp
1959 me & my Dad The year of his passing
Click here to see a virtual tour of the camp.
Matthews Little Portage Camp, is owned and operated by me, Johnny and my son & partner Scott Matthews
It was established around the 1930s by my Dad & his brother (my Uncle Harry) with one little log cabin as an outpost cabin used for lake trout fishing by guests from their already established tourist camp on Pine Lake.
Back in the thirties the Camp was only accessable by water from a landing at the head of the lake.
After my Dad's passing in 1959, Mom, a very young widow, and I, at the age of 16 (know-it-all at that age) operated the camp until my marrage in 1964.
I am now 80 years old and not nearly as smart/know-it-all as I was at the age of 16.
Me & my wife, Judy, with our 4 sons operated the camp until our divorce in 2008.
We put the road into camp in the late 60s.
Since 2008, Scotty, my son & camp co-owner/partner & I have been operating the Camp.
Since its conception in the thirties the Camp has seen a lot of changes.
From outside toilets to carry your own water from the lake...from a water access Summer vacation paradise to a full 4 season drive to your front door place...to come to on your any-time-of-year vacation.
In 1982 we were instrumental in establishing a very succesful pickerel hatchery @ MLPC.
It is still operating and producing 1 million pickerel every year which enhances the already abundant pickerel population.
There are eight (8) cottages on five (5) acres of land with slight to modest elevation, access to lakeshore frontage with docking and boat launches on both sides of the lake.
The 5 acre camp, is on a narrows called an isthmus (like Panama), which has has connecting water on both sides giving us the advantage of close proximity to good fishing spots. This also allows plenty of open water for safe water skiing and other water sports,on the north & south side.
My job here at the camp, besides cutting the grass and taking out the trash, is to make your vacation as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. “A satisfied customer” was always my parents' policy and it's also mine. I guess that's why we have clientele and friends returning to our camp year after year for 2, 3 & 4 generations.
The camp now is a 2-man operation with lots of help from my other 2 sons and some of the 8 grandchildren. If you need anything, there's always someone to help. I can’t change the weather, nor can I make the fish bite, but I’m quite certain I can handle the rest.
Many thanks to my granddaughter (Leneath) and long time friends & customers (Jamie & Lisa Alton) for putting this website into action - a whole new experience for me! I look forward to meeting new friends and clients. If you're interested and need more information about me or the camp, it's best to send me an email message since I am usually outside during the day. It will be a pleasure to answer your questions and talk to you.
To have you stay at the camp as a guest would be the Grand Finale!
Your Future Host, Johnny
Matthews Little Portage Camp, is owned and operated by me, Johnny and my son & partner Scott Matthews
It was established around the 1930s by my Dad & his brother (my Uncle Harry) with one little log cabin as an outpost cabin used for lake trout fishing by guests from their already established tourist camp on Pine Lake.
Back in the thirties the Camp was only accessable by water from a landing at the head of the lake.
After my Dad's passing in 1959, Mom, a very young widow, and I, at the age of 16 (know-it-all at that age) operated the camp until my marrage in 1964.
I am now 80 years old and not nearly as smart/know-it-all as I was at the age of 16.
Me & my wife, Judy, with our 4 sons operated the camp until our divorce in 2008.
We put the road into camp in the late 60s.
Since 2008, Scotty, my son & camp co-owner/partner & I have been operating the Camp.
Since its conception in the thirties the Camp has seen a lot of changes.
From outside toilets to carry your own water from the lake...from a water access Summer vacation paradise to a full 4 season drive to your front door place...to come to on your any-time-of-year vacation.
In 1982 we were instrumental in establishing a very succesful pickerel hatchery @ MLPC.
It is still operating and producing 1 million pickerel every year which enhances the already abundant pickerel population.
There are eight (8) cottages on five (5) acres of land with slight to modest elevation, access to lakeshore frontage with docking and boat launches on both sides of the lake.
The 5 acre camp, is on a narrows called an isthmus (like Panama), which has has connecting water on both sides giving us the advantage of close proximity to good fishing spots. This also allows plenty of open water for safe water skiing and other water sports,on the north & south side.
My job here at the camp, besides cutting the grass and taking out the trash, is to make your vacation as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. “A satisfied customer” was always my parents' policy and it's also mine. I guess that's why we have clientele and friends returning to our camp year after year for 2, 3 & 4 generations.
The camp now is a 2-man operation with lots of help from my other 2 sons and some of the 8 grandchildren. If you need anything, there's always someone to help. I can’t change the weather, nor can I make the fish bite, but I’m quite certain I can handle the rest.
Many thanks to my granddaughter (Leneath) and long time friends & customers (Jamie & Lisa Alton) for putting this website into action - a whole new experience for me! I look forward to meeting new friends and clients. If you're interested and need more information about me or the camp, it's best to send me an email message since I am usually outside during the day. It will be a pleasure to answer your questions and talk to you.
To have you stay at the camp as a guest would be the Grand Finale!
Your Future Host, Johnny
 Me and the past boss of MLPC (Buckshot)
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