Dad's first cabin on MLPC 1930's
Dad & me on Main Dock @ MLPC in 1959
Dad at Stillers landing
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Matthews Little Portage Camp, is now owned and operated by a continuing "Matthews" heritage. Me, (Johnny) and my son & partner Scott Matthews and my grandaughter Leneath (Scotty's daughter) and needles to say also with the continuing help of my other 2 remaining sons Billy & Jamie plus theit children and their childeren We lost our youngest son in 2013 due to an ATV accident MLPC was established around the 1930s by my Dad & his brother (my Uncle Harry) with one little log cabin as an outpost cabin used for overnight accommodations by guests guided by my Dad to troll for Lake Trout from their already established tourist camp on Pine Lake. Back in the thirties the Camp was only accessible by water from a landing at the head of the lake The 20 foot Gas Boat was our main means of getting to Camp It was a 3 mile water trip in the gas boat taking about 15 to 20 minuets. The main dock during the 40's to the late 60's was in thr marshy bay mid center of Camp From main dock to cabins everything ,Guests luggage /groceries Ect. had to be moved by "A steel tired Wheel barrel.Trust me when I say Steel wheels & tree roots are not "Compatible 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. We /My wiife Judy & I put the road into camp in the late 60s. I am now 83 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. - Since 2008, Scotty, my son became co owner/partners & have been operating the Camp. As of last year, my grandaughter Leneath became a full partner & worker of / @ MLPC. Since its conception in the thirties the Camp has seen a lot of changes. The transition from coal oil lights to hydro in 1952 was a major change From outside toilets and carry your own water from the lake to flush toilets was the next big change. From the wood-fired cook stove to modern electric stoves was inevitable. From a "water access" to a full four season drive to your front door Camp was the necessary final major change. We are not done - changes for the better as we speak are "a work in progress" 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 sure that your vacation @ MLPC is as good as it gets “A satisfied Guest" was always my parent's policy and it's also mine and my new partners. 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 3 person 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. 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 Hosts, Johnny Scotty & Leneath |
