NDR, family canoe trip...

tod osier

tod osier

Well-known member
Supporter
We had a great family canoe trip to the Adirondacks this weekend and I thought I’d post up some pics for anyone who is interested. We had been planning a trip later in the summer dovetailed to another trip, but last minute we decided - screw that, now is the time and pulled Gus out of school for a couple days.

This trip is a pretty easy trip with a put in on one lake a paddle and then a modest half mile carry to the next lake. Jen and I really like flat-water canoeing, but we haven’t been doing all that much lately. To test potentials for making it work with 2 dogs and a kid, out we brought a small 8’ kayak to supplement our tripper. Our plan was to tow the kayak and that worked well, but Gus took to the Kayak right away and did a fair share of the paddling by himself. What a great feeling it was to see him take off in his own boat and explore by himself.
IMG_7048_zps72764ca3.jpg


We set up camp on a large point with great views of the water.
IMG_6869_zps65be4970.jpg



Gus was quick to get a nice fish on the stringer the first morning. This Splake was an absolutely lovely fish when landed that looks comparatively awful in the pics, after having only been landed a minute before. He was lovely dressed up in a bit of flour and swimming in butter later in the day.
IMG_6892_zpsa1341355.jpg



Although I have to formal training in limnology, I can say that that was a pretty brookie.
d8fc14cd-3ce8-4ff5-ad35-c6099d35b6c1_zpsd7e0ccc2.jpg



Lots of loons and everyone loves loons….
IMG_6882_zps00ad2396.jpg



Evening cruise.
IMG_7016_zpsfbd40975.jpg



Trophy Laker!!!
IMG_7024_zps2f1e6b28.jpg



Beginnings of a fine dinner.
IMG_6987_zpse3b0abd6.jpg



King of the mountain…
IMG_6962_zps961b96b2.jpg



And more loons…
IMG_6944_zpsa9f8692e.jpg



Scenery pic…
IMG_6926_zps448e5898.jpg



Trolling on the way to do some exploring….
IMG_6920_zps5854b46e.jpg



Pretty flowers…
IMG_7079_zps7fdce50b.jpg



Just so no one thinks that I’ve been slacking in the turkey woods… I had a great season; I got out a lot and tagged my fair share of birds. Was a weird season, but fun overall.
alfkja_zpsb581b69b.jpg



Dinner!!!! Fresh grilled turkey, garden asparagus and butternut squash from last year - yum.
IMG_6815_zps81dec6a9.jpg

 
Last edited:
Nice, looks like a great trip. Way to take control and make it happen. That's the stuff Gus will always remember, catching fish with mom and dad!
 
Great post Tod, It looks like you guys really had a great time. Kudos to you guys for the PFDs as well to many times people just sit on them or don't bother to bring them along.
 
Tod
You know better than to pile gear that high in a canoel :-) Great pictures.
wis boz
Click to expand...

That thought crossed my mind too, I figured Tod just wanted to go for a swim.
Click to expand...


Hey, hey, hey... :) No, we were loaded pretty well. Notice the 180 pounds of canine ballast on the hull bottom. The dry bags are just clothes and sleeping bags and tent. Gus had the food in the Kayak and the gear bag was forward and low. That canoe is larger than it looks in the pics. Either way, it felt good and we will do it that way again without hesitation. We (as in me) are considering a Minnesota III in the near future :). The Wenonah Escape is just a bit smaller than a Minnesota II.
 
Tod
You know better than to pile gear that high in a canoel :-) Great pictures.
wis boz
Click to expand...


Thanks Jim, not your North woods, but the North woods nonetheless. Was nice to set the seasonal clock back a couple weeks and have Spring again.
 
Tod~

Great idea - well-executed - well-told - well-illustrated!

FYI: Re "Tilted Lake" - I use Picasa (free download) for photo editing. Their "Straighten" tool has leveled many a horizon and plumbed many a building in my photos....

All the best,

SJS
 
Thanks guys, it was great. Great to see Gus sad to see the trip over and ready to head out again. Great to have him carry some gear and help out too and to have him catch the biggest fish - that is always the best.

T
 
Tod


I enjoyed seeing your pictures, although it made me a bit envious. How was the bug population?
Click to expand...


Thanks Dave. Bugs were OK! There were a couple times the blackflies were a little annoying and the mosquitos in the deep woods were a little much if you were still for any amount of time :). Overall, we didn't need DEET and a long sleeve shirt was all you needed, which in the North woods is pretty damn nice.

There were a few too many aquatic insects emerging for the fishing, though. There was good mayfly hatch going and it looked like the tail end of a big midge hatch and I think they trout were a bit off their feed. We caught fine, but I feel like the bite was a bit off.

I always enjoy your BWCA/Quetico trips. Jen and I are talking about getting out there next couple years.
 
Tod~

Great idea - well-executed - well-told - well-illustrated!

FYI: Re "Tilted Lake" - I use Picasa (free download) for photo editing. Their "Straighten" tool has leveled many a horizon and plumbed many a building in my photos....

All the best,

SJS
Click to expand...


Thanks Steve!

On the pics, I felt guilty with providing less than my best content and fixed the worst one :).

T
 
Great post Tod, It looks like you guys really had a great time. Kudos to you guys for the PFDs as well to many times people just sit on them or don't bother to bring them along.
Click to expand...


Thanks Brandon! You have any suggestions for a similar trip in your neck of the woods in August? We are gonig to be out visiting Jen's parents near Grand Rapids and I've been thinking of sneaking up to the UP for a few days before or after. It has been too long since I've been up there. Maybe an out of the way lake with some walleye that are just dieing to be caught - of course no bugs would be nice while I'm at it :).

T
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top