The History of Johnson Outdoor Adventures
Submitted by Chuck Johnson
Johnson Outdoor Adventures was originally formed in 1989 while preparing for
the inaugural fishing trip, Dasant Lake, 1990. At that time, the original
team consisted of the following members:
Cy Johnson
Frank Johnson
Rich Johnson
Bob Johnson
Chuck Johnson
Darren Johnson
We had a great trip despite the rain. As we would find out later, Dasant
isn't the most exciting lake in Canada!
In 1992, Chuck married Charlene Potteiger (Charli), and shortly thereafter
petitioned the group to add Les Potteiger, his father in-law, as an honorary
member of the team. The team concurred.
Our next fishing trip was in 1994, our first visit to the fabulous Tew Lake.
In 1994, we had all the original members of JOA and our new honorary member,
Les Potteiger. We had a great first trip to Tew Lake. At the time, Tew had
no shower facilities, battery power, or running water. Like at Dasant, we
hauled buckets of water from the lake to wash our dishes and bathed in the
lake.
Darren married Ava Leanio in 1995 and then petitioned JOA to add Dave
Leanio, his father in-law, as the second honorary member of the JOA family.
The team concurred.
1997
was the next trip to Tew Lake. Again,
we had all the original team
members, and with the addition of Dave, JOA had grown to 8 members. We had
another great trip to Tew lake in 1997. By this time, running water,
battery power, and showers had been added to the camp. We were living in
the lap of luxury! The weather was great, as was the fishing also!
Shortly after the 1997 fishing trip, Cy Johnson, fell prey to cancer and
died in the early part of 1998. I am so happy that Dad had the opportunity
to enjoy 3 great fishing trips with this great group of people. Dad loved
to fish, but more than that, he loved being with his family, and there is no
better place to be than on a lake in Canada with your family and friends.
While part of JOA, Dad was awarded the "Silver Spoon", which can only be
earned as a senior member of the JOA team, and those awarded must be older
than 75 years of age. The Silver Spoon exempted Dad from cooking and
cleaning duty. Although, I believe Dad was out there cutting wood with the
rest of us when it got cold at Tew Lake in 1994.
In 1999, Dori Johnson, daughter of Rich, had a significant other, James Courtney.
Rich
petitioned the JOA group to add James, his future son in-law, as the third honorary
member of JOA. The team concurred. Dori and James were married in January of 2001.
The
next fishing trip, Tew Lake 2000, was
yet another great fishing trip.
JOA had grown to a total of 8 members, and we all thoroughly enjoyed to
trip.
This year, 2001, we had another edition to the team. Brandy Johnson,
daughter of Frank, married Jeromy Raycheck. Frank petitioned the JOA team
to add Jeromy, his son in-law, as the fourth honorary member of the team.
The team concurred.
The current team membership stands as follows:
| Member | Honorary Member |
| Frank Johnson | Jeromy Raycheck |
| Rich Johnson | James Courtney |
| Bob Johnson | |
| Chuck Johnson | Les Potteiger |
| Darren Johnson | Dave Leanio |