8/17/69 Bob called this a.m. to say that due to complications at home, he wanted to quit. Jesus Christ, what next. I asked him to come back until we could find someone else and he said he would. When we got in at dark, I learned that Brian had brot Bumsey home, more dead than alive. He has been drunk for two weeks. Bob agreed to stay until Bumsey in shape.
8/19/69 L.E. Vanderford an outstanding guest. He says we should come to Tennessee for turkey next spring, and maybe we should. Art Sax wants us to go down Mississippi with him. Sounds good.
8/20/69 This was to be our break but Lowell Andreas took it. Who could say no? All eight - 4 couples - looks good. They ran to Swell Bay for a couple hours of fishing and did very well. We tell ourselves that this is a very, very important party. Our lease comes up for renewal in 10 days. What will Mr. Andreas do about that?
8/21/69 To Oveson’s early for minnows. Layna and I to “Smooth Rock” in Swell Bay in houseboat where we had shore lunch with gang. A very happy group. fishing had been excellent - a full limit of walleyes all around. They decided to stay out and Layna and I came home alone in houseboat. Saw big, brown bear swimming across near Water Narrows. Cliff had been to park meeting and said it was rigged. Saw a big black bear on Cleveland’s Island. Two in one day.
PS 2:30 a.m. Layna and I awakened by Bernice screaming “There is a bear in the kitchen!” I loaded the shotgun, wondering what in hell I would do if I met Mr. Bruin face to face in the house. I hoped he would go out a window. As it developed, I did not have to make the decision. He was not in but under the house. His back bumping the floor joists sounded like footsteps inside. He took off to return at 5:30. I ran him off again. All quiet rest of night.
8/22/69 Andreas party out by 8:30. Layna and I met them again at Smooth Rock to learn all had gone well again. Many WE caught. A happy group. The guides cleaned 30 WE for lunch and all gone! Whole group went home on houseboat. We then took 6 of them for tour of Dahlbergs. The usual “Oh’s” and “Ah’s”. At 6 p.m. we loaded gang in boat and off for supper cruise. Everyone but Mr. & Mrs. Andreas went fishing. They stayed on boat and we cruised slowly home as sun set on starboard and moon came up on port. A most beautiful setting and they talked freely about everything - except NWI. We won’t learn anything definite from him on this trip.
8/23/69 Lowell Andreas took off with his party in Sabreliner at 10:30 without having said one word to the Johnsons concerning next year. If his having a good time has any bearing on the situation, we are in. The weather perfect, fishing excellent, guides all performing in top notch condition, cooking great, his company the people he really wanted to be with. However, I remember how well Bob Hansberger seemed to enjoy the Mando just before it folded. Well, the issue will be decided in 7 days. We can wait that long.
8/24/69 No guests on island. At 10:30 I ran in to get paper and stopped at Buck’s. He was having a well earned break, too. He gave me a rather extensive account of his week with Union president Hartley, and I am sure that by now the big shots know what a great guy they have running their operation.
8/25/69 To Edwards for dinner at 6 p.m. and I’ll be damned if I did not thoroly enjoy the evening. The food was good and conversation excellent. We left at 8:30 and Layna agreed they were fine people to be with as long as there were not too many around to give orders to. Stopped to say goodbye to Clarks. They have had a series of minor disasters and I think they are glad to leave.
8/26/69 We don’t talk much about it but my thots filled with contract time with ADM. I am sure Layna the same. According to our written agreement, if either party wants to terminate lease they must advise the other in writing by Sept. 1. I have conditioned myself to take any eventuality but I know that down deep, I am pulling for a renewal.
8/28/69 Fish still cooperating in Red Gut. Another limit of WE plus about 10 bass. One weighed 5 pounds. A happy group.
8/29/69 We all agree that the tax situation is getting intolerable but none of us have the faintest idea as to the solution.
8/30/69 Karen and Robin at house so we joined them for a fish dinner. Gene Monahan and the Murphys there, too. I was full of fresh air, good drink, good food so when Gene began to show slides of Northern Indians, I fell asleep. Didn’t feel too badly about it when Layna reminded me that Gene had fallen asleep this spring when I was showing pictures of Mexico.
9/1/69 Robin, Timmy and I to Dahlbergs and found old grates from the barbecue I built way back when. We took them home - perfect for our garbage burner. About 3:00 the Rays came over with their friends the Gooders. They invited us for dinner and we went. Dave Gooder swam completely around George’s narrows while we watched him. When he landed I told him “You just swam further in one setting than George and I combined have done in a lifetime.” It was almost true.
9/2/69 We don’t know what ADM has in mind for next year, but from the way we interpret the contract, we are all set.
9/3/69 Had a good chance to observe railroaders as they prepared to go out. How much they reminded me of Hufferds parties on Mando. All full of bull - and poor stories!
9/4/69 Jim back on island and gave us a good running account of his trip to B. C. It must have been very interesting altho the rain and snow must have been unpleasant at times. He tells things well and we got a kick out of hearing of his encounter with the grizzly.
9/6/69 Brian and I took boat back to C & S. We hope we won’t need it again but know it is wishful thinking. To Boyds for dinner. Rays there, too. A very, very enjoyable evening.
9/8/69 No fishing in a.m. I played 2 games of cribbage (we split) with Harold Hoffman. All it did was remind me of the many, many games I played with guests on Mando. I try to tell myself that I don’t miss the old setup but know damned well that a part of me went when we closed her up.
9/9/69 I took off for Kettle Falls with Messrs. Banen and Sharkey. All went very well on surface and I am sure Sharkey was impressed and interested. A very reasonable sounding man. He even said he thot we would have plastic buoys next year. I still doubt that one. Much laughter when I told him to find out just what in hell was bugging Mr. Hall on Brule Narrows buoys and he said, “Mr. Hall is in Seattle, I am his replacement!”
9/10/69 Jim said he wanted to go to Cascades to see Mr. Becker about using a shack on his (Jim’s) trapping grounds. Layna and I went along. We stopped long enough at Cascades to look over the old Herb Huchins layout. What a mess - much worse than Dahlbergs.
9/15/69 Saw bear “treading water” near little island between Keyes and Deer island. He took off when I almost ran him down. Jim Larson (mechanic) said boat had to go to town for repair. Nuts. We will rent one for rest of season. Sure need new ones for next year. Karen and Robin, Laird, Bob Snipe, Gene and Hannah Rosenberg and Layna and I to Gourmet House for double celebration. Gene’s anniversary and Layna’s birthday. We had a drink with guests before we left and they gave her a beautiful sweater (picked out by Karen). A great day.
9/16/69 I had a commitment to show Mexican slides for Juniorettes at 9:30. Girls seemed to enjoy our show. Layna there to help fill in with chatter. Good.
9/17/69 Layna and I stopped at Sheridan Chevrolet to “look around” for a second car. We bought the first one we looked at! A 1967 four door. Dick Williams said it was a good buy and we believed him. 26,926 actual miles. They gave us $400 for old Chevy. New one came to $1713 total. We are well pleased with deal.
