Newbie Northern Ontario
I'm starting to plan a canoe trip to Northern Ontario
for August/September 2006. We're experienced canoe trippers with all our own gear and a healthy aversion to risky whitewater. Right now I'm looking at the Severn, the Winisk, the Albany and the Sutton. Any first hand info on these rivers would be appreciated, especially pointers to really cheap air services. This trip is mainly a quest for a really, really big brook trout on a fly rod, so any recommendations for a good taxidermist in Pickle Lake, Sioux Lookout, etc appreciated also. Thanks in advance. -- Ken Fortenberry |
I'm really confused...why do you have an " aversion to risky
whitewater" but have a desire for "really cheap air services". Wouldn't really cheap air services put you at more risk than whitewater? |
John wrote:
I'm really confused...why do you have an " aversion to risky whitewater" but have a desire for "really cheap air services". Wouldn't really cheap air services put you at more risk than whitewater? Any air service, no matter how inexpensive, will by Canadian law adhere to basic safety standards. Our healthy aversion to risky whitewater is more an attempt to describe the kind of trip we want. That is we're not taking this trip to challenge our whitewater skills, we're going fishing. -- Ken Fortenberry |
I suggest you post some questions on wilderness fishing
news groups to ask others about their experience with fly in trips... I don't think the term "basis safety standards" means the same thing to all operators. Some might skimp on maintenance, other might fly when conditions are questionable, still other fly when conditions are poor. A friend tells me about his trip back from the Sutton river. It is a long flight a late start caused them to fly in the dark and land the plane on a river in the dark while some drunk guy on the dock waved a flashlight at them. I don't know if that conforms to Canadian law and basic safety standards but I know it doesn't conform to MY personal sense of safety. I only bring tis up to encourage you to not buy cheap for cheaps sake Any air service, no matter how inexpensive, will by Canadian law adhere to basic safety standards.... I'm really confused...why do you have an " aversion to risky whitewater" but have a desire for "really cheap air services". Wouldn't really cheap air services put you at more risk than whitewater? |
Hey there Ken.
Just as an aside, you might want to look to Newfoundland for fishing. I'm from Ontario, but I know nothing about the northern rivers, nor thier fishies. I do know that eastern Canada has some excellent fishing resources, and it might offer an alternative as well. Easier to get to as well, as you fly commercial to St. John's. Cheers |
BeeRich wrote:
Hey there Ken. Just as an aside, you might want to look to Newfoundland for fishing. I'm from Ontario, but I know nothing about the northern rivers, nor thier fishies. I do know that eastern Canada has some excellent fishing resources, and it might offer an alternative as well. Easier to get to as well, as you fly commercial to St. John's. Newfoundland/Labrador would be my first choice for trophy brook trout fishing but unfortunately that province has some really stupid game laws for non-residents. With few exceptions you can't fish without a guide unless you live there. -- Ken Fortenberry |
I did not know that. Good stuff to know I guess.
Well, good luck in Ontario. It's cooling down here in Toronto so make sure you realize how cool it could be. Also, this year has been one hell of a year for bears. I'm not sure if it's just Alberta, but there was a ban on the spring hunt, and populations apparently went 'boom'. Bear attack stories came out of the woodwork. Check with MNR (Ministry of Natural Resources) and local townships for news on such items. Cheers |
Newbie Northern Ontario
You may have already gotten the information you are looking for but if not,
here's my two cents worth: TAXIDERMY: - I live in Pickle Lake and to my knowledge, there is no taxidermist in Pickle Lake, Sioux Lookout, Ignace or Dryden. Kenora and Thunder Bay both have taxidermists but the one used by the local outfitters is Hawkins Taxidermy in Winnipeg (www.mytaxidermy.com). AIR SERVICE: - As for cheap air service, I don't know how cheap it is compared to other operators but I wouldn't hesitate to recommend North Star Air, based in Pickle Lake. In addition to their charter service they offer trip outfitting, guided canoeing, kayaking and fishing trips. Even if all you need is the charter flight, they are still good people to talk to you and know the paddling conditions from year to year. Their website has ballpark figures for flights and they vary depending on which river you want to paddle. Heck, for that matter, if you have enough time you can start your Albany River paddling trip from Pickle Lake and only need a one way flight to get back. North-Star's sister company is Canoe Frontier and I went on their one week guided whitewater learning trip on the Otoskwin River last year and I can't say enough good things about the flight, the equipment, the guides and the management. Canoe Frontier is a first class company. I know North Star Air/Canoe Frontier service the Severn, the Winisk and the Albany Rivers but I'm not certain about the Sutton. www.canoefrontier.com Flying out of Pickle Lake makes a lot of sense since it's as far north as you can drive by paved road in Ontario and driving is cheaper than flying. Canoe Frontier/North Star Air is the only local company that specializes in flying canoeists up north but it's possible that a couple of the other fly-in camp operators would be willing to fly you in. Another possibility would be to fly to a northern community by commercial scheduled flights (www.wasaya.com) but I think this would end up being much more time consuming and possibly more expensive. Let me know if I can offer any more suggestions. Karen Golec Pickle Lake ON --------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Ken Fortenberry" wrote in message . .. I'm starting to plan a canoe trip to Northern Ontario for August/September 2006. We're experienced canoe trippers with all our own gear and a healthy aversion to risky whitewater. Right now I'm looking at the Severn, the Winisk, the Albany and the Sutton. Any first hand info on these rivers would be appreciated, especially pointers to really cheap air services. This trip is mainly a quest for a really, really big brook trout on a fly rod, so any recommendations for a good taxidermist in Pickle Lake, Sioux Lookout, etc appreciated also. Thanks in advance. -- Ken Fortenberry |
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