F.D.R. goes fishing, Summer 1943.

In the summer of 1943 Rooseveldt left behind the high-pressure wartime atmosphere of Washington and took the train to Northern Ontario for a week of relaxation and fishing. The trip had no political significance and was recreational in nature only. He took along a coterie of advisors and security staff and stayed in his rail-car parked beside the waters of Georgian Bay. The presidential party fished McGregor Bay for Small Mouth Bass, Wall Eyes and Pike. Fishing was apparently good. The fishing venture lasted from August 1 to 8, 1943, then it was back to the grind in Wahington. The president kept in touch with Washington by twice-daily flights of a Beechcraft Staggerwing float-plane (UC-43-B) which shuttled the 215 km (134 miles) between Oscoda MI and Jumbo Bay. These flights carried mail and despatches. Interestingly one of the planes caught fire after routine maintenance and sank in Jumbo Bay. It was recovered some years ago and is now in the Sheguiandah Centennial Museum.


www.cnrs-scrn.org/northern_mariner/vol11/nm_11_3_23to32.pdf

meanderingmichiganhistory.weebly.com/fdrs-secret-fishing-trip-to-lake-huron.html



F.D.R. goes fishing Summer 1943..kmz (3.83 KB)