LIFE HISTORY 1919 - 1921

Tohmajärvi, in Finnish Karelia

Summer Vacations in Karelia, 1919-1921
Here I have to mention our summer vacations before the year 1921 when Father remarried and our home situation completely changed. At school they began giving out train tickets for summer vacations to those students who had relatives in the countryside -- and we were among those who did -- Father had relatives in Tohmajärvi and Värtsilä.

Tohmajärvi 1919
In Tohmajärvi, 5 kilometers north of the village of Kemie, lived Father's sister, Iida Kolehmainen. The name of the house was Kolehmala. The old man of the house (her husband) was named Jussi, and his bachelor brother was named Eemeli. During the summer of 1919, Father's brother, Juho, who was ailing and very sickly, was looking after the house. He had contracted a terminal illness while a prisoner of war. I can't recall him ever saying much of anything. In my memory is etched the face of a suffering old man and his stern, almost cold eyes. The old man, Jussi, was equally a man of few words -- I'm sure they didn't care much for us being there -- we must have been more of as a nuisance. But Aunt Iida was like a substitute mother to us -- gentle and understanding.

Finnish "savusauna" or smoke sauna

We especially enjoyed the smoke sauna and were always ready to help in getting it warmed up. During haying time we had the sauna heated up every day. Perhaps we were of some help out there in the fields --I remember standing on top of the hay wagon stomping down the hay so it took up less room. And I probably was able to swing a rake when need arose. That first summer (1919), we probably didn’t do much more than that, just played most of the time. Every day, however, we had to go berry-picking. Each of us had a little basket which had to be full when we returned home. The berries were then dried in the warmth of the baking oven, and we could later take them home as treat. The baking oven was huge and one could sleep on the shelf above to it, and perhaps someone did. We boys slept on a bench next to the wall, and the older folk in two bedrooms.

Uncle Eemili was still a bachelor that first summer (1919). One day we were with him out on the bogs where he was clearing more land for pasture. I guess he swung his pick a bit too vigorously because he got a bad cut on his left foot. That probably was the end of clearing the land because the old man of the house was too infirm to do it. He was a quiet man, crippled with arthritis, very old and bent over. We continued adventuring in the nearby forests, feeling quite at home as we roamed around. As we had been ordered to come back with our baskets filled with berries, and only a few could be found in any one place, this meant going far afield to pick them.

Summer of 1920
By the following summer, that is 1920, we were quite familiar with the area. There wasn't much for us to do, so we were constantly into mischief. Aunt and Uncle tried to find work for us to do to keep us busy, so they sent us to a nearby farm to work for a family named Ruuth. For some reason I recall that this house had once been in our family, but there is no way of knowing. There we were put to work weeding the garden. For the first two or three days we performed our required task pretty diligently. It was a fairly easy task -- weeding the turnips and rutabagas and such which were easy to spot among the weeds. Then we were asked to weed the carrots and by this time we were getting tired of this kind of work.

We boys had acquired no type of work ethic or sense of duty, because at home in Helsinki we had always done pretty much what we wanted. We were rarely assigned any tasks, unless it was gathering firewood and chopping it up. Somebody had to do it, if there was any firewood to be found. If none could be found, then we had to buy firewood from the wood shop, if there was any money. Well, our work at the neighbors became worthless. We just goofed off together. There were a couple of boys our age at the house and we occasionally played with them.

The Ruuth family lived most of the time in Joensuu, but spent the summers at their farm in Tohmajärvi. There may even have been several families living at the home, because they had cattle and a breed bull, so some of them must have lived there even in winter. Well, this bull captured our interest. Because it had a nose ring with a chain attached to it, we boys decided to harass it and started throwing pieces of turf at it to get it riled up. Some neighbor saw what we were doing and reported it to the family. The result was that we received a few coins for our work and our walking papers. And off we boys went!

Map of Tohmajärvi and Värtsilä area, Finnish Karelia

Värtsilä
The last part of the summer we were sent to Värtsilä (a few kilometrs east of to stay with our Aunt Josefiina (Nousiainen) and Aunt Vilhelmiina (Laasonen). Actually we didn't stay at the Laasonens. Aunt Josefiina was also a very kind and religious woman -- though she may have been a little more formal and strict than was Aunt Iida. At least we were quite shy around her, and we had to apologize right at the start for the silly songs we had sung to her while in the forest a year earlier. Aunt Vilhelmiina was more gentle and quiet, but not many memories of her have remained. I recall Aunt Josefiina much more vividly since we spent a lot more time with her. Most likely we only spent a couple of weeks with our aunts before we had to return home to Helsinki as school was starting again. Summer vacation was then -- as it still is now -- three months long, June through August. So it may have been that same summer that we took that trip to go berry picking with Father in Haagalund.

Viborg Train Station in the 1920s

Journey Home to Helsinki
On our way home on the train we traveled through Viipuri, and were in awe as we gazed around inside the imposing depot lobby. The building was truly magnificent and we wondered how we could take a quick look around the premises. And as luck with have it, there was a kindly young man sitting on the same bench who said he would be happy to watch our things for us. And off we went. How long we were gone -- probably not very long -- on our return we saw this guy carefully going through our basket. Whether he found anything, I don't know. Maybe there were hidden gifts in there for the folks at home we knew nothing about it. Well, we were too young and inexperienced to pay any attention to such things. This guy may have forgotten it, but I clearly recall this incident even to this day. Wonder if his conscience ever troubled him?

Tohmajärvi and Karelian Food
During our vacations in Tohmajärvi, we became very used to delicious Karelian foods, such as oven-baked pies, talkkuna (made from a mixture of roasted barley, rye, oats and pea flours), and Karelian pasties. Karelian talkkuna was like a stiff pudding; you took some from a dish placed in the middle of the table using a spoon or your fingers, which you then rolled between your palms into a ball and popped into your mouth with a little butter. Milk was plentiful, as was buttermilk and sour cream. We could get a squirt of warm milk right from the cow, but I never cared for this and to this day still prefer my milk to be cold. Having grown up in the city I wasn't used to warm millk.

Final Summer in Tohmajärvi 1921
Our last summer spent in Tohmajärvi was in 1921. Most likely we were as much of a nuisance then as we had

Tohmajärvi and Värtsilä area in Finnish Karelia

been on previous visits, always doing mischief and goofing around. On one occasion then it so happened that at the dinner table we got the giggles for no apparent reason. All we had to do is glance at one another and we would burst into laughter. The old man finally had had enough and tapped Veikko on the head with the bowl of his pipe. Veikko was extremely offended by this. No one seemed to notice that in the afternoon he had gathered all his gear and walked the 5 kilometers to the Tohmajärvi train station. Not until that night did anyone notice that the boy was nowhere to be found. They eventually discovered that he had walked all the way to the train station, climbed on the train and gone home. And Father probably wrote the folks to inform them that the boy had come home.


Lahdenpohja
I don’t recall what Voitto’s fate was, but I spent the rest of the summer with Uncle Eemeli Nousianen in Lahdenpohja (just a few kilometers east of Värtsilä). He owned a lemonade factory, and I helped there washing bottles and doing other chores as well. He had a lemonade stand by the railroad station and there I sat on many a day. There wasn’t that much business at the stand

Lahdenpohja, Viborg and Lake Ladoga. Area of
Finnish Karelia ceded to the Russians in 1944

so it left me free to read and ponder, whatever thoughts I might have pondered in those days. Nothing at least comes to mind, forgotten like so many other things by now.

I do remember that Uncle Eemeli had a hunting dog that needed to be walked every day. One day I decided to let the dog run, and it was such a strong dog that a little boy like me couldn’t control it. It soon got loose after having dragged me along on my knees until they were bloody. I suppose eventually someone found it and brought it back. On another occasion Uncle Eemeli took us on a boat trip to some islands at Ladoga Lake. We beached the boat at one island, but were very careful as we walked around because it was rumored that the island had snakes. That’s where it got the name Kyysaari (Serpent Island). We did have a picnic there, so that at least was a break from the daily routine.

 

 
Translated from the original Finnish: Marja-Leena Tolvanen-Rogers

FISHING JOURNAL Sept 1960 Part II

Alexis Creek and Chilko Lake Area, BC

September 1960

10.9.60 — John came by plane to visit us. There were 3 others with him in the group plus the pilot. The others were from the Department of Fisheries — the only one I knew was Harvey. Didn't receive any letters — they are delayed! We received fresh bread, etc., plus some books and magazines. — They stayed for about two hours because the department guys checked out the Springs on the river. Seems they didn't find any. After they left we picked the rest of the trays and then did the dead count for the whole area — total of 30.

11.9.60 (Sunday) — We started off by boat around the lake at 9 a.m. The weather was calm and sunny. Didn't see any Sockeye but one Moose was swimming across the lake. It looked like there was another one as well, but it dove under, so it most likely was a beaver. Now I know what this bedrock is composed of: mainly conglomerates, in other words, Breccia. Went to check out a rock vein. It turned out that the red color was caused by lichens and the white was calcium. — We tried to go check out a narrows at the south end of the lake but it turned out to be too shallow so we turned around. I would have liked to continue on. We beached the boat at the mouth of Cedar Creek. There wasn't much water in it. Ate lunch and were back at camp by 1500 hrs. We collected the eggs, and that took another 2 hours.

Onion Lake, BC

12.9.60 (Monday) — The daily chores only took until 1500 hrs. Did the DR (dead recovery) on the east shore by foot and wandered a bit further than was required. I climbed up the ridge on the way back and found a great trail. Followed it for about one and a 1/2 miles after which I turned back toward the main road. Crossed our stream, and ended up right near our campsite so it was only a few hundred yards to the cabin. In the afternoon we drove to Onion Lake and attempted a few half-hearted casts. The place where we were was shallow so all I caught was some grass. Drove to the north end of the lake — Onion Flats. Took a couple of photos. Well, at least got to see the area.

13.9.60 (Tuesday) — In the afternoon we went by foot to the nearby foothills. From the campsite we followed Jim's cart trail. Delightful, shady forest trail — maybe 3 miles long. At the end of it there was a meadow with a small lake. Gunnar named it Steve's Meadow because Steve (Vida) was so taken by it that he made Gunnar swear he wouldn't divulge its location to anyone. Saw several grouse.

14.9.60 (Wednesday) — Was finished with all chores by 1400 hrs so I took my fishing pole and went off to explore the river. Waded across some shallows to a sandbar and fished from there. Saw one Spring which was completely bright. Caught 2 Rainbows and a Dolly, and released all of them. Continued on downstream along the bank, mostly wading to make my way. I soon realized the terrain was quite the jungle of undergrowth in those areas where it was impossible to wade downstream and I had to clamber onto the river bank. Worked up quite a sweat but didn't come across any good fishing spots. It was about 1700 hrs when I reached the spot that I saw from the ridge last fall when I was with Steve (Vida) chasing down elk. Here there are multiple currents with many inviting pools and eddies to explore. Unfortunately didn't have more time to fish. The road is no more than 300 yards from the river. Probably saw about 30 grouse along the way. Saw 4 dead Springs. Back to camp by 1800 hrs.

15.9.60 (Thursday) — After collecting and sorting the roe went fishing for about an hour at the sandbar. Gunnar came along and waded with me. He was quite surprised when he realized I hadn't been kidding about my luck fishing yesterday. I caught 2 Dollies: a 1-pounder and a 1 1/2-pounder, but the larger one dropped off the line and the stream took it. Was quite surprised that one Dolly took the hook in its mouth and fought for about 10 minutes. With each cast I could feel how the lure or the line touched a fish, and a few took the hook. Well, at least we had some fish to make dinner.

16.9.60 (Friday) — My birthday (age 51) — and the plane made a visit. Was at the downstream backwaters fishing and inquired about some places where it was possible to wade across. Found that one could do it if there ever was need to go across to the other side. Saw the plane land and take off. Flushed a moose — didn't see anything but the tracks. It had swum to the other side. Followed the tracks and found an arrow — a birthday present! Expected a letter — it didn't arrive. On the radio Gunnar inquired after the mail and was told that the mail plane had not stopped at Alexis Creek for two weeks. No wonder the post has been delayed.

17.9.60 (Saturday) — In the afternoon I hiked to "Steve's Hill." My own name for the place. Followed the lake shore and tried to get to the meadow. Finally had to cut through the forest and that took a while. The forrest was made up of a thick growth of young trees, so don't have any desire to try that again. Lots of signs of elk and moose — wintering spots? The ridge was made up of quartzite; then finally located the meadow at the top as I had surmised. Found a 9-pronged rack of deer antlers which I dragged back to camp.

18.9.60 (Sunday) — Fishing — beautiful, cooler day. We brought in some firewood — enough probably to last for two weeks.

19.9.60 (Monday) — It had showed during the night in the mountains. No. 22 — mine — poor — about 750. No. 26 — Gunner's — even worse — about 1500. Ate a quick bite and headed directly across the lake. On the north end there was a huge cloud — looked pretty ominous. The wind was from the northeast and increasing. The waves suddenly turned into whitecaps and I thought to myself that it might be better to turn back. Gunnar had the same thought, but we kept going. The boat pitched dangerously a few times, but we managed to make it across. There was nothing we could do however when we reached the other shore so Gunnar beached the boat and we started exploring the shore a little further. A little later it started to snow and we built a fire. We waited for a couple of hours until the snowstorm went over us and the weather turned more calm. Crossed the lake quite comfortably. It was cozy and warm back at the cabin.

20.9.60 (Tuesday) — Beautiful and sunny. About 1 1/2 inches of snow on the front steps, and also covering the ground. The road is clear. The roe was pretty good — No 22 about 400 and No 26 about 800. Fishing in the afternoon. the water level has risen so some water got inside my waders. Not even a sign of any Springs. On the other shore there were 4-5 dead ones. No fish. A elk cow with her calf swam across to the other side. It was about 1600 hrs. It saw me but did not turn back. Maybe it's getting used to me!

Chilko Lake, BC

21.9.60 (Wednesday) — My best day to date. No. 22 — only 71. No. 26 seemed to be about the same. The weather is cold but sunny. The wind from the south and chilly. The mountains with a covering of snow. Have to wait for the waves to calm down a bit. Seem to have read all the available books so pretty soon I'll have to start reading fishing literature. Have to make a note that until last Sunday (18.9 that is) we had the most amazing Indian Summer. It began the moment the boys left. Gunnar and I have had a real summer vacation. Royal came last Sunday to Chilko, and John asked over the radio what the grouse situation was. Gunnar said it was poor — he received two separate reports — one from Gunner and one from me. Wonder what Killick will say when we return to town! My report was based on actual facts — Gunnar on the other hand didn't care to have the boss here.

22.9.60 (Thursday) — Were done by 1035 a.m. — collected about 400. The wind was fierce so we weren't able to cross over during the whole day. Radio connection kept cutting out so we couldn't get much out of the transmission. We listened to the conversation between Chilko and Alexis Creek — Stan Killick is on his way — Taseko — but that was about all we got from it.

Translated from the Finnish: Marja-Leena Tolvanen-Rogers

NB: This blog had been compiled from an autobiography and journal entries by Andy (Valto Antero) Tolvanen. He is renowned in fishing circles in Finland for being one of the first individuals to bring the art of fly-tying to Finland. Andy translated the instructions from English to Finnish in the early 1950s since there was no literature in Finnish on the art of fly-tying at that time. He is mentioned on several Finnish fishing club websites regarding this noteworthy fact. ~ MLTR