Midway between famous fishing holes at Kathleen Lake, Pine Creek and Otter Falls, Canyon Creek lodge this year is being outfitted as a fisherman's hide-out. In March the lodge at Mile 996 was leased by former California residents Roy and Dorothea McKenzie. The couple plan several alterations at the lodge with special lures to attract Yukoners.
"Mac" McKenzie said this week all his promotion would be in the Yukon because he felt he didn't want to rely on tourist business alone. First on the list of innovations will be the "Sportsman's Tavern," when the bar is reopened. Besides this attractive bait, Canyon. Creek lodge features nine comfortable rooms and two cabins.
Fishing licenses and supplies will also be available at the lodge, Mac said. He plans a special fish derby for the area and will offer the "Canyon Creek annual trout derby" this year. Starting around July 15 and winding up about August 15, headquarters for the derby will be at the Sportsmen's Tavern where the engraved trophy
will be displayed until some smart angler nabs it.
Ohio born, 36-year-old "Mac" McKenzie has spent 18 years in the catering business. After four years with the U.S. Navy, he was catering manager at the Shirley Savoy in Denver, then managed The Sands Hotel in Phoenix and went on to be catering manager at Mission Valley Inn, San Diego. His wife also has several years experience in restaurant management. With them in the Yukon is their 17-year old son Alfred, who will be attending school in Whitehorse.
While in the Navy, Mac and his wife were stationed for a while in Alaska, where the northern spell bit them both. Since getting out of the service, Mac says he always felt he wanted to return north. Now, "happy as a clam working from 6 am to midnight," the energetic lodge proprietor is looking forward to permanent residence in
the Yukon.
Besides slicking up the lodge premises, Mac recently began eyeing the old bridge at Canyon Creek which he thinks could be fixed up as a major tourist attraction for highway travellers.
