For 76 years, this man made a living as a fishing guide in an iconic Canadian park
84-year-old Frank Kuiack is Algonquin Park’s very last fishing guide
Local legend Frank Kuiack is Algonquin Park's last fishing guide. At 84, he considers his legacy and wonders who will carry on his work. Watch The Last Guide on CBC Gem.
Frank Kuiack is the last traditional fishing guide in Ontario's Algonquin Park.
Kuiack is a time capsule of a bygone era, carrying a wealth of stories behind each wrinkle on his face. He generously shares his knowledge with anyone who journeys into the park.
Kuiack represents the final bastion of guides who once traversed the park like characters from an old adventure novel. The spirit of those guides lives on in the remote campsites, canoe routes and portage trails they left behind.
As one of the remaining guardians of the land, Kuiack takes great pride in sharing his wisdom and expertise with a new generation.
In 1944, Kuiack was offered five dollars to show a group of American anglers where to catch fish. He was eight years old then; he's been a fishing guide ever since.
Over 75 years later, Kuiack still carries a child-like twinkle in his eyes. Always excited to hop in the canoe and cast a line, he treats each catch like his first. His magnetic personality and skill with a fishing rod attracted many customers in the 1940s and 50s, and allowed him to turn his favourite pastime into his livelihood.
Kuiack's life and work inspired two novels that earned him modest fame, and made him a draw for fishing tourists in search of his famous shore lunches.
Today, the demand for guides in Algonquin Park has largely vanished.
At 84-years-old and recently diagnosed with bone cancer, Kuiack's health has taken a turn for the worse. While he's attempted to train guides and pass on his knowledge over the years, the physically demanding nature of the job has turned away most potential apprentices.
Kuiack's niece Sharleen has shown a unique ability to go toe-to-toe with Frank on the water. The two develop a close bond as she eagerly absorbs his wisdom on their many trips through the park. But despite Sharleen's ability and love for Frank, she remains unsure about how to carry on his legacy, or whether she desires to be the next "Last Guide."
Watch The Last Guide on CBC Gem.
Cristian Gomes is the director, Aidan Cheeatow is the Executive Producer of The Last Guide.
