eel

Brian Kolender and Harry, Jimmy, Danny
and Ben Aronovitz clean the catch.

the

LISA BARSON
Special to the Jewish New

ir

iffy-three years ago, when
Harry Aronovitz took his two
young sons fishing, the current
Bloomfield Hills resident had
no idea that he was starting a tradition
that would span decades and generations.
Growing up fishing with their father, it
was natural for Marvin and Leonard
Aronovitz to love the outdoors. In 1956,
Marvin, now 62, went to Camp Tamakva
as a counselor. His younger brother
Leonard, now 58, joined him as a camper
just three years later. The brothers came to
know Ontario's Algonquin Park quite
well. The two would find fishing streams
Ben, Harry and Marvin Aronovitz enjoy their private 'fishing hole."
in the park and began making a yearly pil-
grimage there.
ing, enjoying nature and each other. "We would see
Those were special times for the brothers, as they would pitch a
all sorts of wildlife, including moose and deer on the
tent and live off the fish they caught. They thought they reached the
shore, and beaver in the water," says Leonard.
pinnacle of luxury when Len bought a Volkswagen van, and the two
"We would catch perch, bass, and sometimes trout
could sleep in it.
in the adjoining rivers," adds Marvin.
Each year, they would return to the same spot. But in 1974, they
The lake is approximately the size of Orchard
hired a guide to take them to an area northeast of Algonquin Park.
Lake, and part of a chain formed by the Madawaska
They were guided to a privately owned lake, and obtained permission
River system. Beyond that, Marvin is reluctant to say
from residents to fish there.
more about the location. It has become the family's
Marvin and Leonard had an incredible day. Together, they caught
private retreat, and the week spent there each year
100 fish. But they only kept six, enough to feed them for the
offers Harry and his two sons the opportunity for
evening. When they returned from the lake, they met Mr. Dunne,
quality rime together.
the man who owned the property.
As the years progressed, other family members
When he saw that the boys respected nature enough to only keep
joined in. The first was Marvin's son, Danny, now
the fish they could eat, he invited them back, and even allowed them
39. Just a few years later, son Jimmy, now 36, started
to stay in one of his cabins at the lake. It was the beginning of a rela-
fishing with them. Later, Marvin's son-in-law Marc
tionship cherished to this day.
Katz joined the family and became a part of the
yearly fishing trip.
When Leonard's daughter was dating Brian
Tradition Begins
Kolender,
Kolender expressed an interest in joining
Once the boys began using the cabin for their lodging instead of a
them.
He
was
quickly told that he needed a license
tent or the van, their father Harry joined them.
in order to be a part of the group. He said he could
For a week every August, Harry, Marvin and Leonard Aronovitz
get a fishing license. The Aronovitzes explained that
would drive 772 hours to the cabin and spend the week fishing, hik-

An annual

fishing trip

develops into a

four-generation

tradition.

4 14,, Aiook

.

Leonard Aronovitz jilkts dinner

