Saint John Fundy Paddlers Club Trip Log
___________________________________________________
Date: Aug 29,2010
Place: Saint John River (Queenstown to Evandale)
People: 12
Canoes: 2
Kayaks: 7
RowBoat: 1
Organizing Group: Fundy Paddlers
Westfield at 8:30am. Drove to Evandale and dropped off two vehicles at the Evandale Resort
for shuttles after the trip. Drove further upriver to the Queenstown wharf which had plenty of
parking space and a good launching area.
On the water at 10am with two tandem paddled canoes and seven single kayaks.
A novel addition to this trip was an Adirondack guide boat built recently and rowed by Hugh
Chamberlain. We went up under the old train trestle and into the center of Otnabog Lake.
The tide was down and there was a significant current (complete with eddies) coming out
of the lake at the trestle. There were various tall grasses growing in parts of the lake with some
up to five feet high. An osprey was competing with a couple of fishermen near the entrance.
At 10:30am we were out of the Otnabog and moving down the western side of Long Island.
About an hour down the island we had our lunch at the entrance to Long Island Lake. A big
colourful bullfrog watched as we ate and played in the wake of some larger boats passing by.
The lake itself was quite shallow and muddy.
Paddling downriver again at 11:50am we started to feel the effects of the headwind rising. We
stopped at 1pm at Hampstead (upriver beach of the discontinued ferry landing) for a break. Some had a swim, some tried paddling a torpedo kayak and some even tried rowing. We left Hampstead at 1:25pm and crossed to the eastern side of Spoon Island. The headwind was better for a while in the lee of the island. Paddled into the small lake on Spoon Island where it was very tranquil, with only a crane and osprey for company.
As we left Spoon Island and headed for Evandale the headwind was stronger still. Everyone
put there head down and pushed forward, except Dawn. She had her head up when a salmon
jumped fully out of the water just in front of her. She said the fish was big, as big as the power
tower we could see in the distance. We all noted how hot the sun (30C) had been on the trip and decided not to doubt her openly. Actually, several of us saw a large splash.
We arrived at Evandale at 2:50pm and took out on the western downriver side of the ferry
landing. Total distance travelled about 16km (10miles) in 4 hours of paddling (4km/hr).
We shuttled back to Queenstown for our vehicles and returned and loaded our boats
in time for our 4pm reservation at the Evandale Resort. We were the first in line for a great
buffet and a great way to end an excellent outing.
*******************************************************************************************************************
Date: Aug 15,2010
Place: Portobello Stream
People: 7
Canoes: 3
Kayaks: 4
Organizing Group: Fundy Paddlers
We went in at the mouth of Portobello Stream at Indian Lake accessed via Lakeville Corner. We paddled 90 minutes upstream (the stream is still slightly tidal at the bottom end), then turned around and paddled with a following wind back to the put in location in 60 minutes. We were shadowed by a family of four eagles -- mom, father, and two juveniles. We saw jumping fish and dead fish--- some catfish which had been killed by Pike we were told, protecting nest sites. About 60 minutes in we found a lovely bit of high ground perfect for lunch or camping.
Highly recommended as a trip for intermediate paddlers or beginners if they take along a couple of experienced wind paddlers.
Recommendation: Get the Grand Lake topo map (21 G/16) from Service NB!
E
*******************************************************************************************************************
Date: July 4 2010
Place: West Branch Musquash
People: 6
Canoes: 4
Kayaks: 0
Organizing club: Fundy Paddlers
Drove to West Branch Musquash via the Musquash exit off Highway 1 heading north. Took next left for about two miles until we reached a road to the right poorly marked "Log Falls" road. Took that dirt road another two miles into the northern section of the West Branch reservoir. Great launch site and parking area. On the water by 10am. Six paddlers with four canoes. Water in reservoir was down a couple of feet lower than normal. Paddled over to the largest central island where there is a good campsite. Next paddled to the east where there is an outlet system to the East Musquash reservoir. Walked partway on associated trail/road there.
Beaver at outlet system hung around and slapped at us a few times. Back to central island for lunch. Next paddled around toward inlet of Musquash River. A little breezy. Paddled back to south shore and over to launch site. A warm day and a good paddle. Off the water at 2:15pm
*******************************************************************************************************************
.Date: July 1 2010
Place: Reversing Falls
People: 14
Canoes: 7
Kayaks: 4
Organizing club: Fundy Paddlers
The group consisted of 14 paddlers in 7 Kayaks and 4 canoes. The group was mostly made up of FPC members with 4-5 paddlers from the greater community.Our timing was close what with a strong Westerly headwind out to Goat Island. We arrived at the predicted time, however, the tide change was a bit later than prediction so we had a bit of breathing room. We headed down slowly at about 18:40. The Westerly, now cross wind, thought not quite as brisk was still a bit awkward for the taller flags (for Canada Day). Once we turned East toward the city the wind was a boon and with the flags unfurled it was a leisurely quick sail to Market Slip and then to the takeout at Long Wharf Slip.
There was a pleasant bit of chitchat while boats were loaded and folks shuttled, too bad there wasn’t a bit more social time after.
A very nice trip with good folk.
Peter
*******************************************************************************************************************
Fundy Paddling Club Trip Log:
Entry for June 25/26/27, 2010: Trip Report -- The Tobique.
Summary: Eleven FPC members and four guests attended one or more of three paddling events on the Tobique river between Friday June 25 and Sunday June 27 .
These were the events:
- Friday: Standup poling -- several folk poled a mile up the North branch (Right hand Branch at the Forks) of the Tobique . ( The Forks is where the Fiddlers float started the next day). Nancy Clifford tried to make her fast Encore pole upstream, Maurice Pigeon used a Prospector 16 which will go anywhere, and Dino Kubik poled an elegant old wood/canvas canoe. Esquif Prospecteur and Swift Matawa canoes also attempted the fast water leading upstream. Ann Harvey surveyed the expedition form a relaxed position in the middle of Dino’s canoe.
- Saturday: This was a four hour float with the fiddlers and canoes of Fiddlers on the Tobique – from Nictau to Riley brook: The water levels were great! Aside from the canoes listed above, Mary Ann Howard and Evan Young poled and paddled a 20 foot cedar/ FG Lennon made in Plaster Rock., whilst Mz Mazerolle and Mr Pigeon and Denis and Janet Hunt paddled brilliant orange kayaks.
- Sunday: We were joined by Charlene Oprey from Nova Scotia in attending a Canoe dance basic clinic given by Kim Gass at the lake in the park in Plaster Rock. Charlene used an elegant white fiberglass Cumberland canoe (or perhaps it was just that Nova Scotian style that made it appear elegant), and Nancy and Evan used the Encore and the Prospecteur respectively. Word to the wise: Evidently the canoe to use in canoe dance is the “Pal’ hull, designed by Chestnut, in ay modern material. The myth is, Bill Mason used a Prospector in his canoe dance film. Not so. Watch for a Pal.
And these were the people;
- Club members: Maurice Pigeon, B Laura Mazerolle, Norm and Laurie Pigeon, Nancy Clifford, Debra Brando, Mary Ann Holland and daughter, Dino Kubik, Evan Young, and possibly Bertha Shepherd ( rumor had it that she was seen along the Tobique.)
- Club Guests: Ann Harvey (from Fredericton), Charlene Oprey (from Nova Scotia) ; Ms Holland, and friend.
Pictures:
- www.fundypaddlersclubinc.com
- Facebook ( Evan Young, and other members)
- www.gibsoncreek,ca
*******************************************************************************************************************
Date: June 24 2010
Place: Saint John River (Caton's Island)
People: 6
Canoes: 2
Kayaks: 0
Organizing club: Fundy Paddlers
We met at William's Wharf on the St. John River at 6pm. Very overcast, a stiff breeze (SW) blowing upriver resulting in a rolling surface. Laura and Maurice brought the club's Miramichi, with Kay and Bertha joining them over to Catons Island. One other canoe on the trip. Landed on the upriver cove beyond the southern point of the island. Had a nice walk over to the 1611-1911 monument commemorating the first European settlement in New Brunswck. Thanks again to the Wesleyan group for their permission to visit.
Just admiring the beautiful view of Rocky Island and Isle of Pine as we launched our canoes when the rain began. It poured all the way back to Williams Wharf and we were pretty sure it was wetter above the canoes than below them. The big canoe group sang "Allouette" on the return voyage in honour of DeMonts and Champlain naming of the river on June 24,1604. Unfortunately it sounded more like "All wet" by the time the song was over.
On the shore by about 8:10pm. Although wet it was a nice run and a good steady paddle.
*******************************************************************************************************************
Date: June 19 2010
Place: Belisle Creek
People: 6
Canoes: 1
Kayaks: 4
Organizing club: Fundy Paddlers
We met at the Hampton Lighthouse Center at 9am. Traveled on Rte 121 and Guthrie road to Springfield. Turned left at Springfield down Rte124 to Hatfield Point. We parked on the wharf and put the canoes in on the downriver side of the wharf. On the water at 9:50am. Wind coming from the southwest. Had to skirt the grassy islands at the entrance to Belleisle Creek to find the channel. Once in the creek the wind was pretty well blocked. Very little current in the creek. Lots of birds including eagles, ducks and young ones, red winged blackbirds and smaller varieties. Yellow water lilies were out and there were interesting underwater seaweed colonies. A beaver slapped his tail at us . Easy paddle upstream for an hour and a
half until we met a deadfall completely blocking the stream. Stopped and had our lunch. Decided not to portage around deadfall and returned to Belleisle Bay. Paddled down bay for 15 minutes against strong headwind, turned and blew back to the wharf. Off the water at 1:20pm.
Belleisle Creek is a lovely paddle with very little obvious development along the shores. A great outing with two new club members Karen and Roy. Treated ourselves to an ice-cream cone at Bates Landing.
*******************************************************************************************************************
Date: June 12 2010
Place: Kennebecasis River (Norton - Hampton)
People: 7
Canoes: 3
Kayaks: 2
Organizing club: Fundy Paddlers
We met at Hampton Lighthouse Center at 9:30am. Left one car there and drove to Norton on Rte 121. Unloaded above Norton bridge on north bank of river. Good parking area. On the water at 10:15am. Two canoes, two kayaks and one beagle. Lots of water, good current and if anything a tailwind. Sun shone for much of the early part of day and clouded over later. Stopped for a snack at 11:15am and didn't realize we were around the bend from the Bloomfield bridge. Covered 10km (6 miles) in just over one hour.
Jean,Neil and Henry (beagle) had left a car at Bloomfield and left the excursion there.
Evan joined the group there in his Bluewater canoe complete with poles. We tried to go
up the backwater to reach the covered bridge at Bloomfield but the channel ended. Paddled down to sandy beach near Evelyn's Bed and Breakfast for lunch. Evan got everyone out trying to pole his canoe. All managed to cross the river into deep water and back using various pole kayak strokes and pole pushes while remaining dry. Further down river the tidal area stopped any current advantage and perhaps was working against us. Several big birds spotted (osprey, bald eagle) and ducks with young ones. Lots of fish jumping. Pulled out at the Hampton Lighthouse Center at 2:45pm.
Total distance of trip was 20km (12miles) in 4.5 hours. About 3 hours paddle downriver.
Not much human activity on or near the water, a great paddle overall.
Pictures to follow
*******************************************************************************************************************
May 30 Fundy Paddling Club Trip on the Rusagonis
Date: May 30 2010
Place: lower Rusagonis River
People: 14
Canoes: 5
Kayaks: 5
Organizing club: Fundy Paddlers
Participation
Five canoes (two paddled solo) and five kayaks -- with thirteen paddlers and one 18 month old passenger (who did just fine) – did the 4.5 hour trip. Mike Grant and friends from the Tumblehome club in Fredericton joined paddlers from FPC in Saint John. Evidently Tumblehome starts their paddlers early, and, as can be seen in Picture #1, quite effectively!
Maps and other pictures follow in Table 1; More pictures from Mike, Laura and Nancy are found on the FPC web page. Add to them!
Paddlers took turns in the solo canoes on this well-protected river: Nancy’s red Encore, Wanda’s white Encore, Laura’s emerald Mattawa, and Evan’s Freedom Tripper work well solo or tandem, having “ kneeling thwarts” just aft of centre for solo paddlers, and water jugs for trim in the wind. (We encountered wind after we entered the broad Oromocto near the end of the trip. ) The Rusagonis is an ideal river for experimenting with paddling style and gear.
Location and Route
- Section 1: From the bridge over the Rusagonis located on the Rusagonis Road -- head downstream to the confluence with the Oromocto ( 3 hours),
- Section 2: Turn right up the Oromocto river to French Lake Creek and into French lake, to the take out at the Sunbury-Oromocto camp ground (0.5 to 1 hour –vulnerable to wind).
Map: See Picture 2. Contact number: the campground -- 357 3708. A shuttle was needed. It adds about 45 minutes at each end.
(Webmaster note: Full report with photos Here)
Trip cautions and concerns |
|
Trip strengths and highlights |
|
*******************************************************************************************************************
Date: May 15 2010
Place: Digdeguash River
People: 6
Canoes: 3
Kayaks: 1
The May 15 paddle on Lake Digdequash turned into a paddle up the Digdequash River,
Stillwater from the Bailey Bridge above the tidal falls for 6.5km and back.
Our little company was made up of Eric and Kim McCumber in a Nova Craft Prospector,
Maurice Pigeon and Laura (Happy Birthday) Mazerolle in a 16' Swift Mattawa, Carolyn Moore
in a 12' OT Kayak and Peter Foss in an OT 16' Penobscot.
We departed the Fairville Blvd. Irving at 07:55 and went to Tim's for coffee (no decaf at Irving).
The drive from Saint John to the put in took just under an hour most of which found us driving in
very heavy rain and wondering what we were doing or about to do.
By the time we reached the Digdequash the rain had abated. Some dawned their rain gear and off
we went. After an hour or so of pleasant paddling the rain returned sufficiently for all to dress
in rain gear but the paddling was still nice with the rain adding another facet to the trip.
After a brief lunch we headed back. The return trip was accompanied by a nice brisk tail wind
which shortened our return trip by about 30 min. Total trip about 4 hr with 1/2hr lunch.
After all was loaded and such we checked out a put in spot at the bridge in St.Patrick/Elmsville.
This would be a great spot to start a down river run, but a shuttle would be required. We also
looked, unsuccessfully for a public access area to Lake Digdequash. This is a great stretch of
river for virtually any skill level and boat and can easily be done
without a shuttle.
A good trip was had by all.
Peter Foss
Trip Coordinator.
*******************************************************************************************************************
Date: May 8
Place: Kennebecasis River (Hampton-Perry Point)
People: 4
Canoes: 1
Kayaks: 2
Put in a Jone's Memorial Park at 10:10am. Nice park to put in and plenty of parking at the Apohaqui recreational center. Park is at junction of Millstream river and the Kennebecasis. The name Apohaqui is Maliseet for "junction of two rivers" and was a location of a significant Maliseet village. Good current and mostly plenty of water. Had to watch for rocks.
The area around the power lines at Riverbank was shallow and we were warned to stay to the left by a fisherman. Weather threatened rain but held off nicely with very little wind coming from the southeast. Several ducks and smaller birds. Saw two water mammals. One ran along the bank and stopped for a good look. Definitely a mink, brown in color and the size of a cat.
Lots of eaten clam shells along the bank in several spots. Took out at Norton above bridge on right hand side at 12:10pm. Hadn't bothered to stop for lunch due to short run and impending rain. Covered 6 miles in 2 hours - current good.
*******************************************************************************************************************
Date: May 1
Place: Kennebecasis River (Hampton-Perry Point)
People: 7
Canoes: 3
Kayaks: 1
Met at the Lighthouse Park in Hampton at 9am. On the water at 9:10. Evan and Nancy in Evan's 20 foot canoe. One in a kayak. Lots of water but had to hold our breath getting over some areas when we got near the Lower Norton Shore road at the start of the trip just after the oxbow in the main channel. We tried to hug the pennisula side as there was a strong north-west wind. Paddling was hard against it coming back to it in the oxbow. After that wind
baffled some and then was at our backs. Ate lunch at on beach three-quarters along. Made it to Perry Point by 1:15pm. About 3.5hrs of paddling for 13km (8miles).
Saw Osprey in nest with young ones. Saw a great blue heron catch a fish. Some flocks of ducks on Hammond River entrance (ie hundreds).
Other than a little wind it was a great paddle with temperature in high teens and sunny.
Date: Apri1 24
Place: Hammond River
People: 5
Canoes: 4
Kayaks: 0
Hammond River from Smithtown/Damascus Bridge to Hammond River at the Route 100 bridge approx 16 km. Route 100 bridge approx 16km. Assembly at 09:00. On the water by 10:15. Arrived takeout around 14:30. About 30 min for lunch.
FPC members Eric in his old but durable “Blue Glass”, Jonathan in an OT Penobscot 17 and Peter in an OT Penobscot 16 soloed. Guests Dwight & Angele were tandem in an OT Appalachian 17. The water level was a bit low but good navigation and a little push here and there got us nicely through. It was a good trip for poling but poling was not required.
The morning began a bit chilly but warmed up as the day progressed. It was sunny with cloudy periods with very light wind until after lunch when the sunny periods went away. We encountered a bit of head wind and some light showers in the last hour or so but the weather was lovely again at the takeout.
A very pleasant outing with great folk.
Peter Foss
Trip Coordinator.
******************************************************************************************************************
Date: Apri1 17
Place: Nerepis River
People: 5
Canoes: 4
Kayaks: 0
Met at Welsford Irving and put in down river at Bailey bridge. Water was a little low
and rocks had to be avoided but overall a great run. Evan got everyone practicing
eddy outs and in as well as forward and backward ferrying. Lots of fun and all got
better with the practice. It was a cool morning and some feet were cold. Mostly a small tail wind during the trip. Put in at 10am and stopped for a couple of breaks. Take out at the Breton Road bridge at 2:45pm. Most wore wet suits. A few ducks, two geese and a hawk and lots of beaver sign on trees. Train went by and honked horn after lunch.
******************************************************************************************************************
Date: Apri1 12
Place: Pollett River
People: 10
Canoes: 8
Kayaks: 0
Joint trip with 4 members from River Runners out of Moncton.
Trip had been postponed from April10 due to winds. Put in just below Elgin
at Mapleton Road off route 980. We took exit at Peticodiac and passed take out point
on way at Sanatorium road. Total trip was 14km and took about 3 hours with only a 2
hours paddling. Water was at 5th painted mark at Sanatorium bridge and Moncton
club members said it would be good canoe paddling. Lots of water today.
There was a gusty tail wind but overall a great run with lots of rips and
standing waves. Some hazards on corners of rock faces and sweepers. Had our
lunch at halfway point on left bank at rock face corner. Great day.
******************************************************************************************************************
Date: April 3rd
Place: Hammond River
People: 20
Canoes: 10
Kayaks: 1
Slight mixup with put in directions. Three put in at bridge by old Baptist
Church at Hillsdale on Route 111. Took out at bridge below Upham on
Route 820. ( Just below Donnelly Brook ). Rest of crew put in lower
down river at Upperton bridge and took out at Smithtown bridge.
Good amount of water and flow. Narrower at start but no problem
to get through. A couple of sweepers had to be avoided and one corner
had a pretty good wall to avoid. A couple of ledges. Lower portion
was more shallow with greater potential to hit rocks. Great weather
with temperature above 10C. Head wind came up in lower run and made
it tougher to paddle. Large eagle's nest and later a large eagle. Maybe
six ducks. A few beautiful rock faces. Overall excellent run.
18-20km length - in at 10:30am out at 2pm - 1/2 hour lunch