Wally Kidd Real Estate Blog

Before Twitter and Instagram, fishing was a popular pastime on Walloon lake. You could almost say that modern-day Walloon is what it is because of fishing. The fact is, that in the late 1800’s the Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad was looking for a way to remain profitable.  To do this they had to transition from hauling lumber to the south to bringing tourists to the North. The railroad touted the clear waters and exceptional fishing on our beautiful lake and in turn, the railroad branded itself as “The Fishing Line.” The generations before us were all too familiar with our exceptional fishing. 

In this issue, you’ll see a vintage copy of The Fisherman Magazine that my father had saved. It’s a nostalgic look back at fishing and of 1950’s Walloon (the full article and pictures can be seen at WallyKidd.com). Tom Hunter, John Worcester, and my dad shared many a day fishing Walloon, and the watercolor artwork in this magazine is from the reflections of Tom Hunter captured on his fishing exploits.

To those who know, Walloon fishing is still a big deal. Plenty of smallmouth, walleye, brown trout, and northern pike can be caught if you know where to go. We can’t replicate the old days, but we can continue the traditions. I recommend inviting your son or daughter or your grandchildren to spend time with you in the quiet of an early morning...create some timeless memories of your own while fishing.