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CHUMMY PLUMMER
“There was no one else like him. He lived his life on his own terms and I respected that. There will never be another.” - Tim
The first week of June, just like many times before, Chummy Plummer climbed on board one of his float planes bound from Winnipeg for Plummer’s Lodges in the Northwest Territories, raring to start his 70 season on Great Slave and Great Bear Lake. There were generators that needed to be fixed and fuel hauls that needed to be done, and he wasted no time getting at it when he got to camp. He loved all of it. He loved this life and he was going to live it, no matter what. The lodges were his passion. Each Spring when he arrived up North, he was home.
Guiding from the age of 13, getting his pilot’s license at 15, he was the third generation of Plummers in the Lodge business. His Grandfather Chummy Plummer and Dad Warren had been in Yellowknife since 1935 starting with a pool hall in Old Town just below Bush Pilot’s Monument. In the 40’s they started Plummer’s Lodges on the east arm of Great Slave Lake at Taltheilei Narrows. Chummy was a trailblazer, eventually buying the lodges from his Dad in the ‘70’s and growing Plummer’s Lodges into the entity it is now. During this time, he received his Business Commerce degree from Moorhead State. In all his summers at the Lodges, he only came out of the bush once, and that was to go to his college graduation because he promised his Mom that he would.
Chummy met countless numbers of people, many who became like family. Ask pretty much anyone who met Chummy Plummer and it became clear that to meet Chummy was to know there are certain people that you cross paths with who make a lasting impact on your life. Often referred to by guests as “the Legend”, one friend. Curt, said, “When I was a kid, I always said, if I ever met Chummy on the street, I would stop him and ask him for his autograph. Later in life I had chance to meet and do business with him and despite our age difference, I considered him a good friend.”
Up North this Spring, when Chummy was asked what he considered his biggest accomplishment of his life at the Lodges, without hesitation he replied, “Building the airstrips, at Great Slave, Great Bear and Tree River.” Chummy personally built these airstrips where 737 jets could land, and did.
Spring and Fall, it would not be unusual for Chummy to work on his own, from driving the D9 Cat pushing the rocks into the dump truck, climbing into the truck and dumping the load, and then hopping on the backhoe or driving the grader.
Besides 737’s, the two main strips accommodate Hercules, 727’s, ATR aircraft, which haul cargo, and guests into the remote fly-in Plummer’s Lodges in the Arctic. This is the North country where planes are your vehicles and the skies and lakes are your highways.
In the early days, step by step, year by year, Chummy moved necessary equipment over ice roads, and later in Hercules airplanes, to continue building the strips longer and wider to hold larger aircraft. For many years, his trusty DC-3 flew guests from Great Bear to Tree River, landing on the Tree River strip.
These past years, Chum had the help of many great people who worked tirelessly with him on the air strips because building an airstrip is one thing and keeping it well maintained is another.
The airstrips are just one example of Chummy’s vision of what needed to be done and his drive to accomplish anything he set his mind to. Those who knew Chummy, knew that all he needed to hear was, "that’s impossible" or “it can’t be done” and he would immediately set out to prove just the opposite. Every improvement he made was with the Lodge guests in mind and making it better for them.
From moving every building but the main Plummer’s Great Bear Lake Lodge in the late 1960’s,150 miles over ice roads from Sawmill Bay to the northeast side of Bear on the Dease Arm in -40 below temperatures, to marking out an airstrip on the ice on the Arctic Ocean for the Herc to land near Tree River, Chummy was never daunted by huge challenges. He met them straight on, devised a strategy and made it happen.
Chummy touched the lives of so many people along the way, often giving them a second chance. There were those who considered him a father figure. He could be a tough boss and you knew that if you screwed up, you were going to hear about it. He expected a lot out of people; he knew what they could achieve and in many cases he helped them achieve it. He wanted people to be the best they could be and with that, many of his staff have come back for 25 years or more. Some for the full season and some, now lawyers, realtors, financial advisors, who specifically carve out time to come up to work at the Lodges. Plummer’s staff is truly a family, even holding Plummer reunions off season. The camaraderie and friendships they have built with each other and the respect they have for the Lodge guests, is driven in part through Chummy’s example.
Chummy’s family regularly visited him up at the Lodges but from a young age his nephew Chandler was Chummy’s constant shadow. He came up to the Lodge one summer to visit and never went home. Chandler spent ten summers learning the ropes from Chummy, everything from the role of “snack man”, to grooming the cabins of the 737’s before guests boarded.
Chummy always called a spade a spade. There were no pretenses. There was a huge and kind heart under that sometimes serious exterior. He was selfless and loving in his own quiet way. His dry sense of humour and wit never ceased to make you laugh.
Chummy really enjoyed hunting. It was a chance to get together with his buddies and they meant a lot to him. He was a true marksman. He started hunting at a young age but what really made him excel was his attitude, to “take the shot”, even if you thought you might miss it. Chummy would say, “Go for it. If you don’t take those hard shots, how are you ever going to know what you can truly do.” That was truly a metaphor for his life.
As a young kid, Chummy spent a lot of time with his two sisters. His sister Berva tells of the time Chum brought home a motor bike without a motor and convinced his Mother to borrow the motor off of the washing machine to get it running. She relented and he made it work, but Monday wash days the motor had to be back on the washing machine. Valery would ask Chummy to sew her doll clothes, her “big brother” always complied.
Chummy and Lori had a love for the North and love for each other. They worked together in the business. She understood his vision and drive and worked alongside him acomplishing their goals.
Chummy was a rock to his wife Lori. He was a loving son to Adeline and Warren Plummer, his sisters, Berva (Joe) Bocklage and Valery Plummer. His nephews and spouses, Jorgen (Sonja) Bocklage, Barrett (Crystal) Bocklage and Chandler (Alanna) Bocklage, his great-nephews and great-nieces, his sister in-law, Merrilin Poersch and Lee-Anne Poersch, and his extended family, Rebecca Parkinson and Andrew Parkinson and families.
Chummy’s spirit lives on in the legacy he leaves behind – in the Lodges he loved, the strips he carved, and the people he shaped.
“When I got off the plane, Chummy looked at me with a huge grin and said, ‘nothin’s changed...well, it has.” – Steve
A Celebration of Life will take place at a later date.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 11, 2026
Condolences & Memories (17 entries)
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Sending my and Ducks Unlimited Canada's condolence to the Plummer family and friends. Chummy was a generous person supporting our wetland conservation programs for 25+ years and was always a true gentleman. The outdoor community will always appreciate his support to conservation. - Posted by: Tim Binch (Ducks Unlimited Canada) on: Jul 15, 2026
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Always remember Chummy’s gracious hospitality when I was privileged to visit his amazing northern lodge. My sincere condolences and love to Lorane and immediate family. - Posted by: Paul Valder (Acquaintance) on: Jul 14, 2026
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I never had the pleasure of meeting the man but my son worked as a guide and camp manager for Chummy. Met his wife at camp, had two beautiful kids, started his own outfitting business, and they both spoke very highly of Chummy. I believe that the guiding for both fish and muskox had a significant impact on their future together. A great man and great mentor. Always missed. - Posted by: Corwyn Chubb (Employees Father) on: Jul 13, 2026
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For many years I chatted with Chummy on hf radio being the only means of communication with the fishing lodge.This was essential for aircraft scheduling and ordering supplies A lasting friendship developed with Chummy and Lorie which resulted in an annual visit to Taltheli Narrows each September long weekend with wife and two children starting when the youngest was two years old. Our daughter,Daina ,now 50 spent her university years working at Plummers Great Bear Lake Lodge and learned a lasting work ethic from the Plummers group. Chummy's was a good friend to me,admired as a mentor by daughter Daina and the ultimate expert on fishing by son Erick RIP John jeannie daina and erick - Posted by: John robertson (Friend) on: Jul 13, 2026
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Passing of a great man. A visionary who built a fishing empire in the wilds of Canada. Always hoped I might meet him again, but was very fortunate to have met him and spent time in his company sharing stories and drinks. Go in peace, Chummy. - Posted by: Frank Bluch (Former guest at Great Bear Lake Lodge) on: Jul 12, 2026
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Dear Plummer Family, On behalf of everyone at The Explorer Hotel, please accept our heartfelt condolences on the passing of Chummy. Chummy was a long-time valued partner and supporter of our hotel. He was always kind and appreciative of our staff, and we truly valued the relationship we shared with him and Plummer’s Lodge. Each year, we have the pleasure of welcoming more than 150 Plummer’s Lodge guests, and we always looked forward to seeing Chummy and your family as you travelled to and from the lodge each season. His warmth, kindness and support will be greatly missed by all of us. Our thoughts are with your family and the entire Plummer’s Lodge team during this difficult time. With deepest sympathy, The Explorer Hotel and Nunastar Properties - Posted by: The Explorer Hotel (Long term guest, partner and supporter of The Explorer Hotel) on: Jul 12, 2026
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Sending my deepest condolences to Lori, Valery, Berva and Joe, and all of Chummy's extended family and friends. My heart broke when I learned of his passing, and will break again in September, when I realize he will NOT be walking through the office's front door to tell about his summer at Great Bear and how he loved flying his new Cessna. Rest in Peace Chum - I will miss you...... Brenda Prins Office Manager/Plummer's Lodges (PS - this is not how I wanted to get your parking spot CP) - Posted by: Brenda Prins (Office Manager, Plummer's Lodges) on: Jul 12, 2026
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A real pioneer and legend in the North. Met Chummy in 1973 on my first of numerous trips to Great Bear and Slave. A more gracious host could not be found. His achievements were enormous and his passing is truly the end of an era. Now in the lodge of the heavens, rest well my friend. - Posted by: Steve Cuppy (Client and friend) on: Jul 12, 2026
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What a gentleman! Years ago our company leased a Beaver aircraft from Chummy, we had the aircraft for 10 or 15 years. I took my two boys to Bear lake a few years back, had a great time, and as everyone knows , Chummy was looking after the airstrip and everything else from a distance. In the evening off he would go solo to catch whitefish… we all wished we could go to learn how to catch them, that was his secret. Teri and I would like to share our sincere condolences to the family, our thoughts and prayers are with you all. - Posted by: Peter and Teri Arychuk (Friends) on: Jul 12, 2026
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On behalf of the Cummings Party, Pat, Keith, Kevin and Darrin - who have benefited so much from our time at Arctic, our heartfelt condolences to you and your family. What a life Chummy led - truly an exceptional man and inspiration who through his perseverance and hard work gifted so many people so much through what he created up North. God speed to you Chummy on your next adventure. - Posted by: Pat Cummings (Fisherman) on: Jul 12, 2026
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Chummy was my Aunt Irene Landry’s boss and friend for many years. I also worked in the lodge as a young girl in 1969. My sympathies to the family. - Posted by: Gisele Dugas (Irene Landry’s niece) on: Jul 11, 2026
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Chummy was always friendly when greeting us at the start of each season. A very interesting life he lived indeed. He will be missed by everyone he met. Our condolences to Lori and family. Darrell /Tina Hughson. - Posted by: Darrell and Tina Hughson (Plummers employees. ( circle lodge)) on: Jul 11, 2026
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Reading about this amazing human being makes me realize how fortunate the world was to have such an inventive, adventurous, determined and quietly caring person. We need more Chummy’s! - Posted by: Audry Letain (Admirer) on: Jul 11, 2026
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What a great man! Loved standing around the pool table with him telling me stories. Love what he built, this will be my 7th time there, I will go as long as I can. Treated me like family and really hate he is not here anymore. He is in a better place I am sure. Sorry to chuck and all of his family. I leave Wed and am headed back to plummers and hope we celebrate his life! - Posted by: Bama (Friend) on: Jul 11, 2026
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As a kid in love with fishing and the ourdoors growing up in the late 80's watching Saturday morning fishing programs was looked forward to all week long and come Saturday morning I would be skied to the television if I wasn't camping with my family or fishing with my Dad and brother. To say that Chummy Plummer is a legend in my opinion is the absolute truth! I can still remember watching those shows on Plummers lodge and thinking man those guys are so lucky to fish there, I'll never get to do that. If you heard of Plummers you knew who Chummy Plummer was. 3 years ago I was lucky enough to do my first trip to Plummers and soon as I walked off the plane there he was, the Legend himself. With a firm grip and a serious face Chummy Plummer shook my hand and welcomed me to the paradise he had built. I could go on and about Chummy and the legacy he built. On last year's trip I actual even got to show him photos of fish that I had caught, I was so proud! He will be missed by so many people. Every time I step out of the plane and onto the runway at Plummers I will think of Chummy and smile! Terry - Posted by: Terry (3 time lodge guest) on: Jul 11, 2026
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We should all aspire to live our lives as fully as Chummy did. It is with sincere gratitude that I have been the beneficiary of Chummy's drive and vision. So many absolutely wonderful memories for me and my family revolve around experiences at Plummers. I hope the legacy that he created will be cherished and nurtured for many years to come by all those who have experienced it. I feel honored for the time I spent with Chummy and appreciate the culture he created amongst the whole Plummers community of staff and fishermen. I know I am not alone in wishing I could thank him again personally for the great experiences and friendships that came out of his efforts. A life well lived. - Posted by: Tom Jarvis (Customer) on: Jul 11, 2026
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I spent 2 summers working at PLUMMERS lodges, was at both Slave Lake, and Bear Lake. Chummy and Lori, kept things running smoothly - Posted by: Michelle Dewey (Employee at PLUMMERS LODGE) on: Jul 11, 2026