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| Fishing » Small or Telescopic Rod » 5/23/2019 10:16 am |
Been using a telescoping rod from Walmart for a few years now, pretty sure it was only $20.
Just dont bother with the cheap ones at Dollarama ($2). Those will break on the first fish you catch.
| Equipment » Two paddles, or not two paddles, that is the question » 10/03/2018 2:35 pm |
I always bring a spare on my solos. I've never broken a paddle but I did once have a paddle get yanked out of my hands as I pushed off from shore and the blade got stuck between the rocks. Of course we had just portaged around some rapids and my paddle immediately shot back down the rapids. In that case I was traveling tandem and my friend paddled back to shore and we quickly carried the boat back over the portage and chased it down the stream. I couldn't imagine what I'd have done if that was the only paddle in the boat -- I probably would have been sucked back into the rapids myself.
| Equipment » Is there an GPS rescue app? » 8/28/2018 11:42 am |
Yc - I think the advantage to the Bivystick is that it claims there will be no activation or monthly fees. If true that is a big game changer.
That being said, I'm extremely skeptical of their claims. Far too many Kickstarters never see the light of day or if the do lack much of what they claimed it would originally do. I’ve had the pleasure of working with Iridium and Globalstar satellite network providers at one of my past jobs as we developed GPS trackers/loggers for other applications and both of them would laugh in your face if you suggested allowing users to use their networks without those fees. It is them who charges and collects the fees, not the people selling the hardware (Garmin, Delmore, etc). That would be like if I designed a new car and said you wont need license plates or a driver's license to use it.
| Fishing » Telescopic rods? » 8/20/2018 1:51 pm |
I use one I got at walmart for $20 that works pretty well. Just dont use the ones at the Dollarama, those will break the first time you catch a fish 
| Catch-all Discussions » Whats the most despicable thing you've seen in the back country? » 6/12/2018 10:29 am |
I can think of a few, sadly.
Little Coon
The first time I camped in Algonquin we stayed on a site on Little Coon. I had nothing but fond memories of the site and the big rock platform that was the main sitting/fire area. 5 years later my friend and I returned when on a loop that tooks us through Little Coon. I was devastated.
The site was trashed, every young tree had been cut down and turned into tent poles which were left scattered around the site. The giant wooden bench was destroyed as someone had tried to burn it (and failed). We had to pull it out of the firepit and rebuild the bench as best we could, though instead of seating 5 it could now only seat 2.
Lake Louisa
Was windbound on this lake one day so I did some exploring. There was a trail that lead from my site to another one near by, that site was pretty sad looking but I think it was more the result of nature. I then wandered in behind the site and found that someone had built a fire pit back there with several benches, shelves, etc. All built out of still green wood. Each bench had green cedar branches on it and then was duck taped in place. There was probably a whole roll of duck tape holding this crappy little camp together, not to mention all the rope/string. Also, any tree that was not cut down had been hacked away at with a hachet and were all bleeding sap profusely. I'm assuming a group of people got sick of the wind and decided to build this monstrosity and didn't even think to clean up.
I took it all down, dragged the green wood back into the bush and scattered it as best I could. Brought all the duck tape, rope, and the small amount of dry wood back to my site and burned it. Unfortunately there's still a big hole in the forest where this was built.
Also worth mentioning, I found a metal minow trap at this site, which I'm quite sure is illegal due to the no bait fish rule.
Queer Lake
This one was probably the saddest. We were just exploring the lake and spot
| Trip Planning » Is water from 'springs' safe to drink? » 7/11/2017 3:23 pm |
Story time...
The only spring I ever checked out was the one on the Rock/Penn portage (as mentioned above). I followed it up the path to the source where it came out of the rocks and I was sure glad I did because it turns out that was where some idiot had decided to do their business. There was literally a pile of crap right next to where the water came out with toilet paper all around and in the water. There was also what looked like a tampon wrapper in the water.
Needless to say I did not end up drinking any water and was very glad I traced it back to it's source rather than drinking from the pipe where it crosses the path.
Now normally I would say it's safe to drink spring water. But that doesn't mean it can't be contaiminated by the actions of an idiot such as that one.
| Trip Planning » Does anyone know if Kingscote is open? » 4/24/2017 12:55 pm |
Permits can be picked up at Pine Grove Point.
| Skills » That feeling » 6/20/2016 11:56 am |
I've definitely had that feeling before. Got it really bad on Little Otterslide one night, on three different sites. I think it had a lot to do with the sites being a mess (fallen trees and what not) combined with it being right before sunset so everything seemed dark and gloomy. Ended up grabbing a site on the island only to have a bear or moose go crashing through the bush behind my hammock just as it got dark. Had quite the uneasy sleep that night but did not see any sign of my visitor after that.
| Equipment » InReach - weather » 5/09/2016 9:52 am |
That's awesome, was a little bummed out about the price increase but this does ease the sting a little. Last year I was making my GF text me the weather each morning, so this will make life a little easier this year
| Equipment » StandUp Paddleboard in Algonquin Park » 12/07/2015 11:21 am |
Yep, saw two guys on their way into Ragged Lake as I was headed out this fall. The one guy had a kayak filled with gear that was tied to his boat then they just pulled that along behind them.
| History » Murdoch Mysteries » 11/25/2015 3:23 pm |
Just a heads up, the most recent episode of Murdoch Mysteries revolved around a murder mystery in in Algonquin Park. There's two time periods in it, one is 1875 and the other is about 30 years after. You get to see some of the old school equipment such as canvas tents, heavy cast-iron cookware, etc.
I'm not sure if it was filmed in Algonquin but the terrain looks bang on, I just wish they had some bigger panoramic shots of the lake to really give you the feel of how beautiful the place is. I would have loved it if they referenced more concrete information such as the lake they were on, the camp they stayed at and I also had expected to hear some names from that era that I would recognize (e.g. J.R. Booth).
All in all, still worth the watch.
| Trip Reports » A few days out of Canoe » 10/02/2015 11:30 am |
I think I know exactly which site you're referring to. I wouldn't want to stay there either. Every time I pass through that spot I ask myself "Who would ever want to stay there?" There's quite a few terrible sites along that section of the oxtongue. I know the one time I was supposed to stay on that lake I checked numerous sites and couldn't find anything I was willing to stay on and did the same as you, kept on heading to the boat launch.
Weird story with the camp on Teepee. I've never heard of there being any sort of store there, and generally speaking these places aren't open to the public. But yeah still no need for him to be a dick and yell at you.
Anyways, looking forward to the video Hopefully you stil managed to film lots even with a shortage of batteries.
| Equipment » Pakboat Canoe » 8/28/2015 11:43 am |
Ah right, after re-reading what you said that is clear now. Sorry for the misunderstanding.
| Equipment » Pakboat Canoe » 8/23/2015 10:58 am |
As an apartment dweller the idea of a Pakboat is something that gets my attention. Every year I spend hundreds of dollars renting ultra light canoes because I have no room to store a canoe of my own.
ShawnD wrote:
I just purchased a used pack boat. Swift 13.6. Love it. Do you have any specific questions?
A few, if you don't mind.
How much room do you find you have for gear? Even when solo I tend to have two bags, a big one with my gear and another smaller one with the food barrel in it. I just can't see how they'd fit in the canoe and I feel like strapped to the front would off balance the thing.
Also, how do you think it would fare against ice? I don't make it up to Algonquin til well after ice out but last year I sunk an inflatable kayak while duck hunting because a millimeter of ice on the pond result in a large gash along the side of kayak. Luckily it was a cheap used kayak and I was close to shore.
Thank you
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