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Campsite Cooking » How do you cook your fish in the backcountry? » 4/05/2017 7:10 am

PaPaddler
Replies: 19

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For most fish I prefer just a bit of salt & pepper, dotted with butter, wrapped in foil in done on the grill over hot coals with little to no flame.  This allows just the flavor of the fish to dominate and the cooking above the coals is a bit slower but doesn't dry out the meat with direct, super-hot heat that you would get by placing directly on the coals.

When available, I will often squeeze a wedge of lemon on the meat when served.  I sometimes use a variety of veggies, herbs or spices if I want to dress it up - onion, dill, cajun, etc.  Those go better on mild, white fish such as perch, walleye or bass; I don't typically add much to my trout...and actually prefer perch/walleye over most freshwater fishes for eating.

Trip Planning » Big Porc vs. Bonnechere, Phipps vs. Kirkwood, Harness vs. Head » 4/05/2017 7:00 am

PaPaddler
Replies: 10

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Sites # 1 & 2 on Bonnechere come closest to your "optimal" site definition of having sunrise and sunset views.  With that requirement you are limited to island sites or southern peninsulas.  

Site #2 is a beauty and is often occupied in the summer months but early arrival may get it for you, site #1 is about a 7 in for me...not as good of sunset views there, average layout.  We didn't look at 3, 4 or 5; our visit on 6 was brief due to skeeters but it felt confined.

Equipment » Re shock-cording tent poles » 4/04/2017 6:40 am

PaPaddler
Replies: 3

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Great to see you back, regardless of the bloodlines!

Equipment » Which canoe manufacturer and model would you recommend? » 4/02/2017 7:36 pm

PaPaddler
Replies: 9

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Ok, I'll be looking into test-paddling a few of the mentioned canoes.  Thanks so much for your insights and opinions - and I just might be bouncing around in Martin's Prospector after all of this hemming and hawing!

Equipment » Which canoe manufacturer and model would you recommend? » 3/31/2017 3:09 pm

PaPaddler
Replies: 9

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We've moved into a new place, settled in and it's time to get a canoe.  We will get out and field test a few options but I wanted to get the insight of the vast knowledge that is here first.  I respect your experience and opinions.

Details (not in any particular order):
a.) Usually two of us plus gear; rarely with a third person or pet
b.) Will need to handle flatwater conditions, maneuverability isn't as critical as stability, tracking and speed (but I do want it to turn faster than an aircraft carrier)
c.) Strong primary stability highly desired - my bride doesn't like the tippy feel in the front of a craft with lousy primary stability but good secondary stability
d.) Lightweight - most of this comes from the material, so manufacturers that have kevlar and/or carbon options under 50 pounds would be desirable
e.) Does NOT need to handle solo - I'll likely get a used boat down the road for solo/rocky/maneuverable destinations so this one can be a dedicated tandem touring craft.
f.) We will also be doing some river travel, but don't think of upper Tim River as narrow and full of twists and turns; think of larger rivers with less maneuvering being necessary.

Early consideration and thoughts include:
Swift Keewaydin 17'
Wenonah Minnesota II 18' 6"
Northstar Northwind 17'
Souris River Quetico 17'

Any stinkers or stars in that list?
Should I be looking at prospectors as well for that balanced effect of tracking, turning, capacity and handling rough water?  
Are there other manufacturers I should consider?
I'm located in southeastern PA but would drive a considerable distance to make sure this is the right one.  Other than my house and car, this will be the most expensive thing I own (not counting kids in that mix...I would own a fleet of canoes if I were without those, but I wouldn't be nearly as happy nor blessed!!!)

I would also consider buying used but am willing to shell out for a beautiful canoe that will last me a decade or more.  I have garage storage spa

Equipment » Helinox One chair » 3/30/2017 11:43 am

PaPaddler
Replies: 29

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We started using the Alite Monarch chairs a few years ago - at 16 ounces and packs down to a little smaller volume than an nalgene it is worth the extra weight for the comfort it provides.

Everyone has a different "line" for weight vs. comfort that they are willing to cross.  Most say that the weight of a sleeping pad is worth it...but it certainly isn't necessary.  A tent adds extra weight, but isn't necessary.  

As I age (turning 50 this year), the value of "comfort" starts winning more arguments over the light weight.  I'm going to be sore when I hit camp whether I carried 30 pounds or 31 pounds on my back...I might as well be comfortable when I get there!

Trip Planning » Would appreciate guidance- Fishing Trip Access Point #3 May 2017 » 3/30/2017 11:30 am

PaPaddler
Replies: 12

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Cullie, a few specific tips for trolling:

1. with multiple poles, have them all roughly the same distance out (you wouldn't want one to be 20 meters and another 60 meters) as they won't trail behind the canoe the same around corners and may tangle

2. Get them out pretty far.  I would get the canoe moving in a direction (say north, for example) and then have one cast southeast as far as he can and the other cast southwest as far as he can.  After a minute or so the lures have fallen behind the canoe in trolling position, have them let out additional line so that they both might be 40-60 meters out.

3. Second option for getting the lures out would be to just dip them in the water and slowly let line out until they are an adequate distance.  The only difference is that this way you will be sure the lure is not tangled.  Many lures have an "action" that can be felt through the rod to confirm the lure isn't tangled but it becomes more difficult to tell it there is a lot of line out since the stretchiness of the line dampens the movement before it reaches the pole.

4. If you get a hit but it's not hooked, try a few sharp jerks to make the lure bounce and then just open the bail for a couple seconds to let the lure stop...it might entice a second hit when you close the bail and continue the troll.

5. Start with one lure that is about 3-8 feet deep at the troll and another that runs 8-15 feet deep - this way you'll be covering your options on how deep the fish might be feeding. Early in May the trout will be anywhere from feeding on the surface to 20 feet deep but as the water warms through May into June they won't come quite as shallow quite as frequently.

6.  Look for structure - fallen trees in the water, rocky shoals, islands, points that continue into the depths; all of those are areas where forage/baitfish will be located and the trout naturally follow.  Troll/cast in vicinity of those to up your odds.

Trip Planning » Would appreciate guidance- Fishing Trip Access Point #3 May 2017 » 3/30/2017 6:30 am

PaPaddler
Replies: 12

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All good guidance here.  I will add my two cents as well...

First, spend a few bucks to buy the little gem of a book called "Volume 1:  The Chars" by Stephen Molson (I've pasted the link below).  The insights that Stephen offers are so valuable in their breadth, scope and organization.  For someone like yourself you will find it indispensable.  You will learn to look at the topography and utilize many features to your advantage as opposed to blindly casting with a hook and hope.

http://www.molsonmapping.com/Products.html

Hit as many streams/rivers as possible.  If you're going to be around access point #3, make a full day of hitting the Petawawa River between Daisy and Little Misty.  Hit each deep pool (that means quietly approach and pull the canoe off to the side and make multiple casts with different lures/worms into the pool for ten minutes or so), fish each area where a smaller cool stream meets the river and every portage.  The portages can be the most productive...walk the shoreline and cast into the current around big rocks, logs, anywhere.  We've had great luck with the very tiny tube jigs (the kind for panfish) on a 1/8 ounce jig head in streams like that.  You won't catch any monsters, but you will improve your chances of catching many smaller fish - and that's the sort of thing that keeps kids (assuming they are young, but they may be in their 30's!!) engaged.

And like JonP said...troll everywhere.  Rapalas have been best for us trolling - silver/black, gold/black, perch, etc.  The X-rap goes a little deeper, floaters stay more shallow - adjust with weights if needed.

good luck!

Trip Planning » Black fly season » 3/24/2017 9:06 am

PaPaddler
Replies: 10

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My experience is that the bugs are usually non-existent to tolerable through the first half to two-thirds of May.  Once you get past the halfway point of the month the risk goes up.  It's primarily the black flies that offer the greatest hassle and the easiest solution is to wear the right clothing.  Long sleeves with a tight cuff, long pants tucked into your socks and DEET on your hands and exposed neck/face.  If it does get really bad pull out the headnet or get a change of scenery...out on the water or around a smokey fire.  

I don't own a bug jacket...that would probably be needed for June.  The mosquitoes are typically only annoying around dusk and dawn and are repelled very well by DEET.

Equipment » Canoe Tumpline » 3/24/2017 8:04 am

PaPaddler
Replies: 3

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I expect you will enjoy the difference once you overcome the learning curve.  It takes some getting used to and some fine tuning but, similar to walking sticks, helps to distribute the load to a broader muscle group and extend your stamina.  It also takes some time to build up you "tump muscles" so work it in gradually and build up the amount of weight you carry with the line.  You will likely find that the tump line will cross your forehead a little higher than expected; instead of where the brim of a baseball hat would be, it tends to be a little higher.  You ultimately want the direction of the force to be as closely aligned with your spine as possible so you are minimizing the torque between your cranium and spine.

Another element I love is to use a slack painter line tied from bow to stern.  Similar to Coureur des Biere's description of using the extra length of the tails to assist with stability, the painter can be held by one hand in a semi-relaxed position (arm down, elbow bent between 90 and 150 degrees) to assist in lifting or dropping the bow during the carry.  This way, you can shift the positioning as you ascend or descend the trail and never really lift your arms to hold the canoe.  I find this extremely comfortable compared to hanging a hand on the gunwale during a carry.

Where In Algonquin? » Where in Algonquin? No.114 » 3/24/2017 7:46 am

PaPaddler
Replies: 34

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Trillium, that's an excellent guess.  I cannot imagine that it would be correct since it is such a commonly visited location that someone would've noticed it outright, but often times Peek forces us to look so remotely that he's conditioned us to not looking at the obvious.  It's like a Pavlovian reaction. 

Trip Planning » White Partridge Express » 3/24/2017 7:42 am

PaPaddler
Replies: 21

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Whoa.  Talk about a blast from the past!

I wish you all the very best!!!

Trip Planning » White Partridge Express » 3/21/2017 11:42 am

PaPaddler
Replies: 21

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Sadly, my work and family commitments will prevent me from going this year but I'd like to make a recommendation to any new or old AAer who might be the least bit interested in going...DO IT!!!!

The opportunity to access a remote location through such a traditional means is priceless.  I cannot wait for the day when my work commitments wane and I have the opportunity to pick up and go - I've traveled much of the world but feel there is a gap in my experience from never joining the White Partridge Express.

Go!  Go!  Go!  WPExpress!

Trip Planning » White Partridge Express » 3/20/2017 7:11 am

PaPaddler
Replies: 21

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Just sent you a PM, Bo.

Trip Planning » White Partridge Express » 3/17/2017 9:04 am

PaPaddler
Replies: 21

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Daughter's graduation is May 7th.  If the dates stick to May 6-10 I won't be able to make the trip. If they shift in some way, I may be able to make it.

Rats.  This is a bucket-list-worthy trip.

Trip Planning » White Partridge Express » 3/17/2017 6:26 am

PaPaddler
Replies: 21

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Hi Bo,

I'm going to have to check with my better half but if this doesn't interfere with our daughter's university graduation it shouldn't be too hard to convince her to come along.  Will respond later today for certain.

And I'll bring along that gin I owe you.

joe z.

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