Well, this is not going to be one of the more exciting trip logs, but hey, a bad day in Algonquin is better than a good day at work, right?

On Thursday May 21st I left Ajax at 3:41am and headed north to the permit office on Shall Lake. At 7:35am I was in the parking lot and had 25 minutes to wait, so I took a quick snooze. At about 8am, Markus showed up and we headed in to get our permits, load up the canoes and head on out.

By 9am, my brand spanking new Swift Osprey had it's hull dipped in an Algonquin lake for the very first time and we were on our way to the portage into Shirley. I had thought I would wear one pack while carrying the canoe across the portage, but that did not work out as planned. The pack seemed to get in the way of the seat. So this became a triple portage. This would not do, however, all the gear was eventually across the portage. We met a school group on the portage heading into Shirley for an over-nighter. The two male teachers were very interested in the Osprey and even told a couple students it was 'state of the art ultra light' as I was paddling off.

Markus had headed out before me as I chatted with the teachers about the Osprey, but once I was on the water, I made good time catching up to him. As I pulled past the point and onto Shirley proper, I was hit with a wind that was picking up the farther across the lake I got. Once across the lake, it was a fight for Markus and I to make our way up to the second campsite north of the portage to Ryan Lake. The wind and the waves were trying to battle us off the lake, but we eventually made landfall where we had planned.

After we scouted out the campsite, we got to the business of setting up our home for the next 4 days. Little did we know how much time we would be spending on the site. With the wind blowing, we spent the rest of the day setting up camp, made dinner and sat around the campfire chatting. It was an early night since we were both tired from being up so early.

Friday morning we awoke to a cloudy, but calm morning. Taking advantage of this, we were on the water to explore Shirley Lake, starting with Ancona Bay. We checked out a couple sites on the north end of the lake and met up with the school group who were headed out to spend the next night on Crotch Lake. We also saw a Bald Eagle which ended up being harassed by a couple of crows.

While we circled the islands around Ancona Bay, we decided we would drop a line in the water to see what the fishies were doing. Well, one was feeling a tad peckish and ended up on my lure and eventually, on our lunch plate. A nice 17", 2lb trout. Mmmmmmm, good! As we headed back south, the winds started picking up, so it was back to camp for lunch and wait till the winds died. Just enough time to have a snooze.

That evening, the wind died enough for us to head out, both in Markus's canoe, and made our way across to the portage to Fog Lake. A few notes about that portage. It should be re-marked as an unmaintained portage. There is a 68m difference in height between Shirley and the peak of the portage. This height difference occurs in under 300m, so the portage is extremely steep.

Fog Lake is a nice, small lake that is home to one very busy beaver that was swimming all around the lake while we were there. The purpose of the trip was to latch into a couple more trout, but seeing the number of bugs on the surface and no fish rising to feed, we knew there were no fish to be had, so back to camp we went for dinner and a camp fire. There was a nice sunset and lots of mosquitoes buzzing around looking for a snack. After watching the stars for a while, it was off to bed we went. The plan was to see if we could get to McKaskill's Lake and even do some exploring up the Bonnechere.

Sat morning came and our plans were dashed. We ended up being wind bound ALL day. The wind and waves were so bad, we would risk being swamped if we headed out. We spent the day on shore exploring some of the area around camp and gathering fire wood. We had a nice dinner and campfire and headed off to bed, knowing we would be headed out the next day.

Sunday morning we got up a bit later than normal to a stiff breeze, so we made breakfast, packed all our gear and headed out. With the wind behind us, we were pushed all the way down the lake with minimal paddling effort. We made the portage and this time, after figuring out the sweet spot for the removable yoke on the Osprey, I was able to take my big pack while portaging. Lickity split down the 1050m portage I went. Wow, was I happy. A nice walk back, taking in the scenery and I picked up the Barrel and took it across the portage.

Once on the water, it was a quick trip down to the end of the lake to the permit office and out vehicles. We had to carry all our gear from the beach to our vehicles across the parking lot because a group of grown, older men had blocked the area with their van and trailer and were chatting about their trip while dawdling with their gear. Portage and put-in / out etiquette deficiencies never fail to amaze me in Algonquin.

Anyway, we loaded up the gear, tied down the canoes, said out goodbye's and made our way home. Not the trip we had planned, but it was a good trip regardless.

On with some photos...


Wind and waves on Shirley Lake





Our beach where we parked the canoes





Sunset on Shirley Lake





Our lunch. This is the BEFORE shot





Our lunch. This is the AFTER shot





Markus and I got out of our canoes to check out a site and I found it funny that we both pull up our canoes a bit on shore and lean our paddles on the front. Just something I noticed.





Markus paddling on Shirley Lake





Markus loves taking shots of fungus and shrooms, I like cones.





Markus at camp in the kitchen





Painted Trillium





The Bunny that lived around our site

Thanks for the trip log, and congrats on that sweet new ride!

Interesting times...and one NICE fish...I wonder if the winds helped keep the bugs away or if this is proving to be a mild bug year.

Nice Osprey...that boat zips through the water. You'll have no problem keeping pace with tandem paddlers.

A thought for portaging. When I went tripping in one of these canoes, I found that the sweet spot for the yoke was important, but that where the sliding seat was placed was also important. With the sliding seat in the right place, I'd tie a full waterbottle to the stern of the canoe, this would tip the canoe back, and the seat would rest on top of the pack or barrel, transferring some of it's weight off my shoulders to my hips.


Karior

Funny, the way I saw it they had all of their gear and four canoes as far as possible to the right on the beach, which was quite considerate. As for the truck and trailer, should they have moved so you could load up your solo canoe? Hey, they were a very pleasant group of scout masters from Ottawa. Cheers Tom

Tom,

Yes, the canoes were to the far right, but in my opinion, bring your vehicles over and load them up quickly and move them out of the way if you see others coming. Solo canoe or not, why should I have to haul my canoe and all my gear across the parking lot, and Markus do the same (not a solo canoe for him)? In the past, when I have been in this situation, I will bring my truck over, throw all my gear in quickly, throw the canoe on top with a quick tie down and move it out of the way to allow the next group to get their vehicle in. Just a courtesy thing in my opinion.

A group we encountered on the portage out of Shirley left their canoes right on the landing. This is not the first time I have encountered this, not the last I am sure.


Sean (of Ajax)

Yes, Sean we had the same thing happen as we where taking our gear out at Smoke this spring, a group of 8 guys standing around 2 vans right by the docks with all their gear still in the canoes shooting the breeze and we got our truck around them loaded up canoe tied down and they had not made one move to get their gear packed, like you say, do it in an orderly fashion. Looks like a nice sized laker, tasty for sure.....

"As for the truck and trailer, should they have moved so you could load up your solo canoe?"

Do you need to ask? Of course they should have, solo canoe is irrelevant. It's a trick question really, the answer is that they should not have blocked off the area in the first place. It is very easy for multiple vehicles to have access in this spot if one parks with a little consideration for others in mind. They may very well have been the nicest group of folks one could hope to meet but that doesn't mean they weren't being selfish or rude, intentional or not.

Sorry, this is one of my biggest pet peeves along with groups that completely take over portage put ins or take outs.

Thanks for the nice trip log and pics, I hope to get back to this area soon myself.

Hey Sean ...

Congrats on the new ride; she (or he) looks great! (Are canoes male or female?!?!?!?)

Looks like you guys had a nice time, even if you were winded in for a day.

Thanks for sharing!

Jeff P

btw... whats with the ads?

Jeff P
http://algonquincanoeing.blogspot.com/

Great mini report and Pics Sean!

I love the color but like you have found out...dark colors show those scraps!
I like the sliding seat option.
Sad I could not make the trip.....

Cheers
Mike

Hi Sean

Great photos.

I've always enjoyed Shirley Lake .. daytripped off Crotch once .. camped twice.

Was it in front of the two campsites on Ancona bay that you got the trout?

Any chance of a PCI report on the portage to Fog Lake? Or of the campsite?
http://www.algonquinadventures.com/PCI/PCIindex.htm

Barry Bridgeford
http://www.AlgonquinAdventures.com
http://www.ABRweb.ca .. Algonquin Backcountry Recreationalists - Caring for Algonquin's Backcountry

Hey Sean - Nice Fish it has really red fins, eh? Oh, and nice Osprey canoe.

A couple of questions - Is the solo canoe easier to paddle in wind conditions VS. a tandem canoe? Or is it about the same?


Also does the Osprey feel a little more tippy than a standard tandem canoe?

Is your osprey a KevlarFusion?

Sorry for all of the questions.

I have been considering test paddling/some day buying a solo canoe.



SBA

oh and thanks for the trip logg.

SBA

Jeff P... aren't all boats referred to as female? "She is a beaut, eh?"


Mike B... It is a shame you couldn't make it. Personally, I think you didn't show because you were worried I might kick your butt in an Osprey race... hahaha... We had a drink for ya.


Barry... The little islands in Ancona Bay were between me and the campsites when I caught the trout. I had initiated my troll in front of the campsites and wound my way through the bay and around the islands... I have already printed off the PCI forms, just have to get a minute to fill them out and will pass the info off on the site and the Fog Lake portage.


SBA... Yeah, noticed how bright the fin tips were. As for your questions, I found the Osprey to be fairly easy to paddle in the wind, easier than my other tank. With the wind behind me, I sailed down the lake with no effort at all. When you first get into the Osprey, it is a bit tippy, but once you get yourself settled, it feels really stable. It has a tendency to want to turn into the wind, but you have to really watch out if the big waves hit you from the side. I have never tipped a canoe in over 20 years of paddling (knock on wood), but I thought I was about to at one point when the wind and waves hit me at once as I came around a point.

Yes, this is the Kevlar Fusion model w/ cherry wood trim, seat, etc...

I would say head out and test paddle a few solo canoes and if you can afford one, I would buy one. The new ones do get pricey, so check 'gently used' rentals. I know Randy at AO comes across some once in a while.






Sean (of Ajax)

http://www.ABRweb.ca .. Algonquin Backcountry Recreationalists - Caring for Algonquin's Backcountry

"Mike B... It is a shame you couldn't make it. Personally, I think you didn't show because you were worried I might kick your butt in an Osprey race... hahaha... We had a drink for ya."


Well Sean....I wanted you to get the hang of the Osprey before we have out race. October should be enough time for you to get up to speed dood...Count me in for the "solo" trip!

You guys own me my drink!

When putting your foot and butt in the canoe...you do have to make sure you are centered and have a paddle stuck firmly in place just in case....Once on the move, they are great!

Cheers
Mike

Thanks for your reply Sean & Mike

SBA

Sean-

You mention the Osprey's tendancy to want to head into the wind. I suspect with your canoeing experience that you are well aware of this, but it might be helpful for some others with less canoeing experience to know how trim affects canoe handling, especially a higher performace design like the Osprey.

When your body is positioned at the pivot point of a well balanced solo canoe like the Osprey, whether on a seat or kneeling, the tendancy of the canoe to head up wind or down wind is strictly a functon of trim. The canoe will want to act like a weather vane and let its lightest end blow down wind. In other words, it wasn't the Osprey's tendancy to head into the wind, it was the weight of your gear toward the bow that was telling it what to do. So a canoe trimmed with more weight in the bow will tend to want to head into the wind. That can be desirable under some circumstances, but if that trim isn't working to your advantage, shift some weight toward the stern and it should make a significant difference.


Mark S.

http://www.ABRweb.ca .. Algonquin Backcountry Recreationalists - Caring for Algonquin's Backcountry

Just adjust the seat for better trim in windy conditions. She tracts like she's on rails and as quick as a bullet when properly trimmed, wind or no wind.
-Envious argosy owner, T.O.TOM

I don't think they are stocked in Shirley
It does happen naturaly in rare instances and that one certainly looks like it could be a splake?

Its always tough to tell in pictures but I think you may have a rare natural splake there!
Forked Tail indicating a laker, and red dots and tri color fins indicating Speck, light spots on dark background with red lacking the blue halo...
I think we have winner?
Its a beauty fish regardless, but a natural Splake...very cool!

I could be wrong but hey...just saying
Cheers, and thanks for sharing!

Ah, so, T.O.Tom. Of course. The two ancient solos I use, each more than 25 years old, have fixed seats. Looking at the photo of Sean's Osprey, his seat has a huge sliding range that should neatly adjust for whatever trim he wants.

Mark S.

http://www.ABRweb.ca .. Algonquin Backcountry Recreationalists - Caring for Algonquin's Backcountry

Sean will have to fine to his Osprey to go as fast as possible to keep up with my Osprey. He needs all the help he can get! hahahahahahahahahah

Mike