| Equipment » Two paddles, or not two paddles, that is the question » 10/01/2018 10:40 pm |
I've never tripped solo without a spare paddle. I've dropped them overboard while fishing enough times to appreciate the back-up. I did recently overcome my fear of jinxing myself by tripping without my deluxe water-absorbing rescue-rope-in-a-throwbag which weighs at least 2 lbs. soaking wet, and it always gets wet. Of course the time when you finally give in and leave the thing behind will be precisely that trip where you'll need it...
| Trip Planning » Solo fall canoe fishing trip » 10/01/2018 10:23 pm |
I got out on Tues. the 25th, paddled up Opeongo, across Proulx and Big Crow, down the Crow to Lavieille, then back the way I came. Good trip, but very windy and rainy for my two-nighter on Lavieille, so didn't get out much on the lake. I hummed and hawed more than usual about planning this route and continued humming and hawing even till Windy Point halfway up Opeongo. I did the trip back down Opeongo today in beautiful weather. The difference in fall colour over 6 days was amazing. This thread probably planted the seed to do this trip at this time, so thank you ATV.
| Trip Planning » Solo fall canoe fishing trip » 9/20/2018 2:42 pm |
Another thought: Go in at Tim R. access and come out at Magnetewan. I've done this 3 times on Nip trips. Unload at Tim, Hide gear/canoe near put-in, drive vehicle to Mag., Park vehicle, ride bike 1hr back to put-in at Tim access. It's a way of avoiding unpleasant carries at the beginning and/or end of the trip.
I'm in awe of your itinerary as listed this morning. I don't know how you can paddle/portage all that AND fish brookies. Your original plan included Lavieille, which to me is a good paddle from Big Crow, but a long day if fishing en route. Gives me thoughts of doing my own humble version of en end-of Sept. trip. Whatever your plan, have a good one!
| Trip Planning » How are the bugs!? » 6/11/2018 4:06 pm |
"How bad could it be?"
That question could come back to bite you.
Like the movie title: "There will be blood!"
| Photos and Videos To Share » Photos from a recent 7 day fishing trip » 5/31/2018 1:26 pm |
Great report and pics! I met Matthew Roy on his first evening out when he was camped at the end of the Stacks Rapids portage, May 11th. Friendly guy, and I'm glad to hear his trip went well. We talked for a while, and Matt shared some of his homemade beef jerky with me. It was a fantastic time to be in Algonquin. Say hello to Mathew for me!
| Trip Planning » White Trout to Grassy Bay into McIntosh » 5/06/2018 2:40 pm |
Early may last spring the water was too high to permit upriver travel on the Petawawa out of Grassy Bay, so I re-routed via Mckintosh to get to my car parked at Magnetawan Access. No problems coming up the creek even during very high water. And above Misty, pretty tame flow even in high water.
| Backcountry » Cold camping with a propane heater » 12/21/2017 6:40 pm |
Drew, I used the same heater this fall, but in a large canvas 9x12 wall tent. Outdoor temps only dropped to 8 Celsius. The heater really kicks out heat, even at the lower setting. I've considered using it with lighter nylon 3 and 4-season tents, but haven't done so yet. Many winter campers are wary of them due to CO gas risk. That said, many RV-ers use them in their vehicles. Basic precautions: 1) never leave it on during sleep, and don't fall asleep accidentally while it's on. 2) Don't depend on the built-in O2 detector to shut down the heater in case of oxygen depletion. Use a separate CO gas detector and ensure that its batteries stay good, i.e. warm. 3) Keep it away from any fabric. 4) Plan an escape (i.e. sharp knife handy) in case you have to escape a burning tent. 5) ensure that there is air flow (window or door slightly open)
A downside mentioned by many is that these types of heaters create a lot of dampness, i.e condensation inside nylon tents.
| Photos and Videos To Share » Opeongo River Video » 6/02/2017 11:15 pm |
Great video-report! Really looked like fun. Thanks for sharing.
| Fishing » Some Huge Brook Trout » 5/27/2017 11:02 pm |
Those are amazing specs! I suspect those are the biggest specs caught anywhere in the park this spring. Your timing this year was right. I went down the Nip and back up the Pet via the big lakes from Apr. 28 - May10. Pretty awful weather and fishing. Congratulations to you and your son on a wonderful trip!
| Trip Planning » SNOW????????????????????? » 5/14/2017 6:57 am |
Starting Apr. 28 I spent 12 days on the Nip and the big lakes from Tim R. access. For my return west I had to bypass the Pet from Grassy Bay (McIntosh, Timberwolf, Misty) as the river was too swollen for feasible upriver travel back to the vehicle. The sun finally came out when I was 30 minutes from my car. Challenging weather and water levels.
| Trip Reports » McKaskill Lake in the Rain » 5/14/2017 6:39 am |
BTW, Drew, my family enjoyed your presentation at the KW symposium. Well done. Thanks for posting this recent trip report.
| Trip Reports » Part 1 (of 2): 6-day solo, Opeongo to Round Island » 5/14/2017 6:36 am |
Good report. I was on a solo up in the NW corner, the Nip and big lakes from Apr. 28 till May 9 and the dreary light was all too familiar. Thanks for posting.
