Hello Clam Lake!
Good news for hunters this year! Due to our mild winter last year a plentiful deer harvest is predicted. Good luck to all and we wish everyone a safe season!
BOOK CLUB – The next meeting of the Clam Lake Book Club will be held at Lisa’s cabin on Tuesday December 10th running from 2:30 to 3:30. The book being discussed will be “Hill Women” by Cassie Chambers. For directions and RSVP contact Lisa at Lisaspeifer@gmail.com
COMMUNITY CLUB MEETING RECAP – The Clam Lake Community Club held their monthly meeting on Thursday, November 14th. It was decided to have a Community Christmas Party – our first in the new building! on Thursday, December 12th beginning at 5:00. We will have a Pot Luck and for those wishing to participate, there will be a gift exchange with a price limit of $15. Gifts should be labeled Man or Woman.The Filters were the big winners of the night with Rick garnering the door prize and Alice taking top honors in “Small Bucks Bingo”. Congrats go out to them! (For anyone that is interested, we will be decorating for the Christmas Party on Thursday, December 5th at 10:00 am. All are welcome!)
HUNTING CAMP MEMORIES – LEINENKUGELS AND CLAM LAKE – THE “LEINIE’S CAMP” – Having grown up in Chippewa Falls and living but a couple blocks from the Leinenkugel Brewery I was saddened to learn that Molson Coors will be shuttering this historic brewery as of January 2025. All operations will be moved to Milwaukee although the Hospitality Center and small micro brewery will still be in operation in Chippewa. In 1927, a group of gentlemen from Chippewa Falls came to the Clam Lake area and formed the West Fork Hunting and Fishing Club. My grandfather, Dr. J.B. Collins was one of the founding members. Now, my cousin John Collins is a 4th generation member and the only one whose family were part of the original group. It always consists of only eight members that must be voted in. As the years went along, Bill Casper, the only surviving grandson of Jacob Leinenkugel, became a member. His mother was Rose Leinenkugel Casper. He would be the first Leinenkugel descendant to gain membership. After Prohibition was repealed, Bill returned to Chippewa to work at the brewery. He served as chairman of the board at Leinenkugel’s until 1989. Later, Paul Mayer and his brother Ray would become members. They were great great grandsons of Jacob Leinenkugel – their great grandmother being Susan Leinenkugel Mayer. Following their passing their sons Dave (Paul) and Bill (Ray) would become members. During much of this time my cousin Mike Collins served as president of the West Fork. Following Mike, Dave Mayer became president. Dave served as supply chain manager at Leinenkugels. For almost a century, this Camp has been the place where these men have hunkered down to enjoy the great outdoors, camaraderie and copious amounts of Leinenkugels. It is a simple place – no electricity, no running water and has the distinction of being the only cabin on Day Lake. Although often referred to as the “Leinie’s Camp” it’s name remains The West Fork Hunting and Fishing Club for all time and is the oldest hunting camp in Clam Lake.
Until next week…..
Pictured is the entrance to the West Fork Hunting and Fishing Club.
Also pictured is a 1959 ad for Leinenkugels that was done at the West Fork Hunting and Fishing Club.
