voelker spent much of his time fishing near ishpeming when he was not writing. he kept his car stocked with fishing poles and other supplies, and for seven or eight months of the year, he was out fishing or hiking in the woods. he was said to have fished five or six days a week for 20 years, according to one close friend. he was also known for his skills as a card player, specifically cribbage. many readers attempted to locate frenchman's pond based on the descriptions from his books. voelker did many things to discourage them from finding it, including leaving debris in the road to the pond, although he did take some people with him to the pond. frenchman's pond is still owned by his daughter grace and his grandson adam.