Route:
Day 1: Magnetawan-Petawawa-Misty
Day 2: Misty-Tim-Queer
Day 3: Queer-Little Trout-Ralph Bice-Hambone-Magnetawan

This trip was our second outting this year, and this time, were treated to the company of our also avid-canoer friends. The trip was another memorable one, this time with Mother Nature throwing everything at us from well-timed sunny moments, a rainbow sighting, A LOT OF RAIN, persistant headwinds and even snow. In the end, we cherished our time out there and soaked the simplicity of our paddling days and surroundings, as we normally do on these trips. Oh and the fishing was not great (only 3 lil specks caught and a lot of monster chubs). The route has potential but you really needed to be patient and persistant, especially on the Tim river.


Waiting at the portage into Shah lake


Spring flowers


More spring flowers


Scat...can anyone ID this? My initial impression was from a wolf?


Portaging


While this photo may not seem that interesting, the fact that we had a campfire was really the cause for celebration. It rained HARD all day, but we still managed to start and enjoy a fire in the evening. It was truly a great team effort.


My friend's "The Joseph and Technicolor dreamlure" that may one day excite a bass (or pike)...just not specks or lakers.

Rest of pics are here:
http://life-outside.smugmug.com/gallery/4992864_sSmvD

Thanks for looking!!!

Nice photos and mini-report.

Scat - either coyote or wolf, I'd say.

Technicolor dreamlure...you'd be suprised what the allegedly finicky specs will take. I caught three this past trip on a bright chartreuse mister twister with a powder blue jighead. When they're in the mood to eat, they'll eat anything that moves.

Fire - if you can't make a fire in any and all conditions you shouldn't be in the interior of algonquin or anywhere more remote. It is the first and one of the most essential skills to ensure survival in difficult conditions. It's always a sense of accomplishment when the conditions are tough and you get it going. I swear by birchbark as the best catalyst for challenging conditions.

good survival words Pa, and also a dead standing tree for firewood!


Bo

I've always used birchbark too, in tough conditions.
One sure fire way to get one started fast, is with the method Dave Harman showed me. Splitting a rained soaked log, inside was dry wood, where Dave produced a nice hunting knife, and shaved off the dry wood inside, the shavings caught fire in no time.

Markus
Etobicoke, Onterry-airy-airy-Ohhh!