YOUR HOST
Lorne Spotswood, a seasoned, knowledgeable and enthusiastic angler, has gained a wealth of information by keeping up to date with recent research, developments and techniques related to modern-day angling. His fishing began at the age of five on the Ottawa River at the family resort and homestead, Laurentian View Resort. Few anglers, if any, have such a vast fishing knowledge of the Ottawa River as this Canadian. As a result, he constantly provides key guidance to his guests ensuring them of productive angling adventures.
Lorne Spotswood was born in Westmeath, Ontario, one of two children of John Spotswood and Doris Pappin. He is the great-great-grandson of William Spotswood who settled on the Spotswood property along the Ottawa River 6 miles (9 km) north of Westmeath in the year 1840.
Lorne grew up as a youngster at the Spotswood homestead and attended elementary school in Westmeath and high school in Pembroke. He attended Ottawa Teachers' college and received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Ottawa. He spent 22 years employed with the Renfrew County Separate School Board as a teacher, vice-principal and principal.
In 1961, Lorne met Marjorie Kathleen Harney at a dance in Westmeath. They were both 15 years old at the time and became childhood sweethearts. After Marjorie graduated from Lorrain School of Nursing, they married on August 12, 1967. Marjorie and Lorne raised three children: Christopher, Paula and Gregory. They have two grandchildren, Meghan and Lilah Mae. Unfortunately and untimely, Marjorie passed away on October 10, 2008.
In 1980, while still teaching, Lorne began freelance writing for newspapers and magazines. Many of his informative articles have appeared in popular U.S. publications (IN-FISHERMAN, BASSMASTER, PETERSON'S HUNTING, WALLEYE MAGAZINE, MICHIGAN SPORTS AND RECREATION and New York State's HOOK, LINE & SINKER. Canadian magazines (OUTDOOR CANADA, CANADIAN SPORTFISHING, ANGLER & HUNTER, ONTARIO FISHERMAN, CANADIAN ANGLER and JUST FISHING) have published many of his works. He has made guest appearances on radio and television shows in both the United States and Canada. He has contributed outdoor columns to Ottawa Valley newspapers. He is a former member of Outdoor Writers of Canada and Outdoor Writers Association of America. He continues to write for various publications.
In 1986 he left the education field and he and his wife, Marjorie, assumed operation of the family business, today known as LAURENTIAN VIEW RESORT, R. V. PARK & MARINA (www.laurentianviewresort.com).
In 1996 Lorne launched FISHING MAPS 'PLUS' (www.fishingmapsplus.com), a series of depth maps designed to provide detailed, reliable and up to date fishing maps of the lakes and rivers in the Ottawa Valley. Today, over 1500 maps are published for lakes and rivers across Ontario.
In 2004, Fishing Maps "Plus" expanded with the production and publication of a regional guide for the province of Ontario titled "FISHING WATERS OF ONTARIO - OTTAWA VALLEY REGION".
Also in 2004, Fishing Maps "Plus" introduced a series of 765 maps for the province of Saskatchewan, 200 maps for Manitoba waters and 320 maps for waters in Alberta.
In 2007, Fishing Maps "Plus" added a series of maps for the province of Quebec, published in both English and French, making Fishing Maps "Plus" one of the largest publishers of fishing maps in Canada. Today, over 4000 maps are published for lakes and rivers in five provinces.
In 2008, Lorne became involved with genealogical projects and began research on a text, "HISTORY SERIES - WESTMEATH & LAPASSE REGION". He also began researching family histories, those families that were related to Harney's and Spotswood's and began compiling these histories into booklet form.
As of 2011, Lorne resides on the Spotswood property along the Ottawa River and operates Laurentian View Resort and Fishing Maps "Plus", as well as as researching and writing articles, texts and family histories.
He still finds time for his favourite hobby, fishing, and regularly travels the Ottawa River from May through October in search of walleye, bass and northern pike. A few autumn days are devoted to duck and grouse hunting with his black lab "CHARLIE".
