Ed Zaruk's Archives

The following information is from my book Ontario Central Airlines - The Kenora Years.
Shortly after Barney Lamm purchased Ontario Central Airlines, he began fly-in fishing operations up at Gods Lake in northern Manitoba.  By far the majority of his clients were upscale American businessmen who wanted to get away from the big city crush and experience spectacular fishing. For this he needed something faster than a Norseman for the 400 mile flight from Ball Lake Lodge.  Don Watson signed a deal with Glynn Griffith in Seattle for the lease of a Grumman Goose.  Operating with OCA as CF-IEC, this airplane was the first of two Barney used during the 1950s.  A very versatile aircraft, it could pick up a party of clients at International Falls and either land them on water at Ball Lake or go all the way to Gods Lake.The lease with Griffco was for summer use and each winter it was returned to Seattle.  There is an interesting account in the Ontario Central Airlines book called ‘Flora and the Goose.’  Returning this airplane was not always easy. 
After the summer season ended in 1957, Glynn wanted to sell the airplane to OCA but he and Don couldn’t agree on a price.  Glynn had another buyer and that was the last year CF-IEC was with OCA.
This 8mm film clip was provided by Fraser Jansen who also flew the Goose.   It is shown leaving the dock at Red Lake, Ontario probably in 1956.