Requiem for an Outdoorsman

Don Jones

by Joe Hackett

The late September woods fell strangely silent. The waters flat and black. The wind went still. The welcome wail of the sounded especially mournful. It was as if the forest knew. It wouldn’t be until I left camp a week later that I would learn.

Remarkable Outdoorsmen

On September 28, 2005, the Adirondack outdoor industry lost a remarkable woodsman with the passing of Don Jones of Lake Placid.

A lifelong outdoorsman, Don Jones was an avid fly-fisherman, dog handler, paddler, hiker, backcountry skier and upland bird hunter. He was also a good friend and mentor, who freely shared his skills and knowledge with others. I was most fortunate to rank among those people.

“The thing that we found when we called people to let them know is the unbelievable impact he had on people’s lives,” explained his business partner, Chris Williamson. “Don was truly a gift! And the lord gives us gifts like that for a reason. He taught us that the simple things like dogs and fishing offer you a much needed perspective on life. We continue to be amazed by how many people’s lives he affected.”

Born in Pittsburgh and educated in forestry, Don pursued the occupation while working for the US Forest Service in Pennsylvania and later worked with the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation after moving to Lake Placid in 1974. He also served a manager of the Laurel Mountain Ski Area in Pennsylvania and later headed up the Ski Patrol for Whiteface Mountain Ski Center during the 1980 Winter Olympic Games.

Nicknamed “Trapper” in high school, Don later named his only son, Forrest, providing early evidence of the direction his life would take. Never one to use a roadmap for the journey through life, Don preferred to travel along a woodland trail.

In 1984, Don purchased the former Clarke’s Canoe and Tackle Store located in Lake Placid and renamed it Jones Outfitters. He moved the store to Main Street to permit access to Mirror Lake for he recognized the fact that buyers needed to demo a boat or cast a rod before considering a purchase. He was there before paddle sports were considered cool and while fly-fishing was still an obscure pursuit.

Don groomed the business into a reputable specialty shop that featured quality outdoor equipment, clothing, books and art. However, it was his knowledge, enthusiasm and friendly manner that solidified a customer base. He was proud to operate the oldest Orvis store in the country and honored when it was recognized as the 2005 Orvis Dealer of the Year.

While many ‘mom and pop’ tackle stores struggle in today’s business environment, the success of Jones Outfitters serves as a testament to the fact that small specialty shops providing quality service and operating with an honest approach to business can still survive in the age of box stores.

Don hunted and fished in remote and exotic locations around the world, yet he remained most humble about his life. He played hard and would willingly share stories of his adventures, but not unless pressed. An ‘old school’ outdoorsman, he dispensed sage advice from behind the counter of his shop as easily and effectively as he detailed how to accomplish a telemark turn on the slope or lead a bird in the field.

Don’s greatest pleasure was instilling his love and enthusiasm for the outdoors in others. A supporter of Trout Unlimited and Ducks Unlimited, he was an advocate for conservation and outdoor education without par who influenced the lives of generations of Lake Placid’s youth.

He treated everyone fairly, regardless of stature or station. Whether a customer arrived in a brand new Hummer or parked his ‘hand-me-down’ bicycle on the curb, Don always gave his full attention. The sale of a $500 fly rod took no greater priority than selling a pack of hooks and a container of night crawlers, as long as each individual was planning to enjoy the outdoors. It’s simply the way he was!

Don was also a much sought after trainer, who somehow managed to get the dogs to work as hard as he did. He loved working the dogs afield and spent a great deal of time helping his friend, Bill McNamee, run his dogs at field trials around the country.

“He took me to towns I’d never go to; to restaurants I’d never eat at; to motels I would never dare enter and to meet people I’d never consider talking to,” McNamee revealed.

“I’d be sitting there with people I’d never met before, knowing that I’ve got a six-hour ride home. And I’d love every minute of it. With Don, it was comfortable. I’d often tell him, ‘We’re the luckiest guys on the planet.’”

There is never an appropriate time to lose a loved one, however it is fitting that Don left us during the fall, in the autumn of his years. He always referred to this time as the “Holy Days” of the year and if there’s a trout stream in heaven, Don’s already on his beat with his old, bird dogs obediently assembled at his feet.

To honor Don’s influence on the young people he taught to fish, hunt and ski, his family and friends have established a memorial scholarship at the National Sports Academy in Lake Placid. Donations may be made in his name in care of the National Sports Academy, 821 Mirror Lake Drive, Lake Placid, NY 12946.

Joe Hackett, a longtime Adirondack guide, lives in Ray Brook with his wife and two daughters. Visit adirondackguides.com for further information.

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