THE STORY BEHIND THE NAME The highlight of the year for a boy in our Nova Scotian fishing village in the 40's and 50's was an invitation to use the Devil's Funnel Camp. The Camp was located on the banks of Broad River and the area provided excellent trout fishing, white tail deer hunting and rabbit hunting. It overlooked a lovely Stillwater into which the River tumbled from steep rapids that were created in the shape of a funnel. In high water, the rapids ended in a small whirlpool that, when observed from directly above, gave the appearance of liquid running through a funnel. It was extremely difficult to canoe through the rapids and many a "soaker" was experienced when one attempted to defy "the devil". Legend held that the devil himself lurked beneath the Funnel and personally tipped over any canoe whose occupants were about to succeed in paddling through the rapids. The Camp was built by a group of local men from our village and they used it for personal hunting and fishing. Some of them also used it when guiding "sports" from "the Boston States". The area was off limits to the village boys when the sports were in Camp. Very few boys were ever given access to the Camp. One exception was my friend Leonard. He was very mature for his age and was regarded as such by the keeper of the key. Thus, on occasion Leonard would arrange to take a few of his friends to Devil's Funnel Camp. It was about a five-mile walk from our house, on wagon trails that meandered through thickets, bogs, swamps and barrens. All of the heavy materials used in constructing the Camp were transported by horse and wagon or by oxen and wagon [sleds in the winter if there was snow]. When the sports were visiting, all of the gear and "grub" was carried in this manner. When the facilities were loaned to us boys, we backpacked everything we needed. We were not permitted to use the canoes. It is amazing how often we were tipped over by the Devil in those canoes we never used! The first project undertaken by this Company was a catalogue that sold unique outdoor gear. The business name originally selected turned out to be a registered trademark. Once we discovered this, we had a number of discussions and my son suggested that we use a name associated with wilderness activities that would bring back fond memories. "Devil's Funnel" sprang to mind immediately! Lew
Smith | |||||||
©2007
Devil's Funnel Corporation. All Rights Reserved.