I start my 2018 canoeing season June 1, ending on September 21, travelling a total distance of 515 km over a period of 16 weeks. My first trip is from June 1 to July 26 in eastern Central Saskatchewan, extending into Manitoba, 302 km in and out on the same route, south of and into the Churchill River. The second trip in the centre of Central Saskatchewan is 213 km south and north of the Churchill River, July 28 to September 21, also in and out over the same route. Except for a short distance, both trips involve old portages, some of which need extensive clearing. The first trip covers the route unable to be completed last year due to forest fire, and allows me to retrieve my "good" canoe in exchange for an old aluminum canoe. The second trip was intended to be a circle route, but I reach an impasse in an area that had been extensively burned and do not have enough time to cut portages through the mass of down trees.
The shortest stay in camp is one day on only two occasions. I prefer to camp at least two days in one spot as it is more restful after sometimes arduous travel. The longest stay is eight days when stormbound, a near record length of time. There are 39 campsites over the 16 week period, with only three rapids run, and 44 portages totalling 12,166 metres, with several strenuous ones. This year there are very few forest fires in Saskatchewan, only one near me. There is much rain and cool weather, and I am very thankful to use the canvas tent and wood stove many times. It would have been miserable camping without the stove to provide warmth and to dry clothes.
The first trip has numerous rapids and falls providing excellent walleye fishing (36), only eight pike. The second trip, with more flat water, produces two walleye and 54 pike. In addition to fresh fish at least twice per week, all meals are supplemented with fresh salad or fresh fruit.
Interesting encounters:
- awesome sunset, camps 2, 6 and 29
- magnificent waterfalls provide excellent walleye fishing, camps 2, 6, 8, 10, 12, 17
- sounds of migrating waterfowl, camp 4 Canada geese, camp 36 snow geese, sandhill cranes
- portage requiring extensive clearing, camp 5
- dragonfly hatches, camp 5
- ancient pictographs, camp 7 and 38
- very steep portage and deep river gorge, camps 9 and 13
- patching canoe with glue stick and duct tape after upsetting in rapids, camp 9
- rainbow, camp 11
- retrieving my Clipper canoe, camp 12
- close humorous encounter with a black bear, camp 13
- heavy rainstorm, camp 16
- abandoned cabin site, camp 17
- pelican and gull partners, camp 19
- sky mirrored in lake, camp 24
- gorgeous sunrise, camps 24, 26, 27, 31, 36
- woodland caribou with her calf, camp 33
- curious mink, camps 33 and 36
- ominous clouds, camp 34 and 36
- vole in canoe, camp 36
- Cree tribute of animal bones hanging in tree, camp 36