Spread Eagle, Trinity Bay

Yesterday evening, myself and Trent Hardy paddled from Spread Eagle, Trinity Bay (near South Dildo). The wind was SW 15-20 knots, so we were well sheltered for the most part, hugging the shoreline and heading towards Chapel Arm. Altogether we paddled approx. 10-11km, and it took us about 2 hrs, including some rolling/rescue practice on the beach at the end of our paddle. This coastline is amazing, and its only 10 minutes from where I live. There are some neat little coves to go into and a few beachs along the way for a lunch break. Lots of boats were out enjoying the food fishery, and this is a popular place to try for a few fish.


A little different this time, Trent took most of the pictures with his camera, as most of mine didn't turn out due to a dirty lens. Gotta remember to wipe it more often!


Rock over London, Rock on Chicago.

Brian

Me pointing the way

Dildo Island off in the distance

Below is Wigwam Rock

Interesting Rock :-)

Intricate Harbour, New World Island

After spending the night at Dildo Run Provincal Park, me and Ang got to take in a quick afternoon paddle at Intricate Harbour, near Cottlesville. It was blowing really hard outside the harbour, so we decided to spend a couple of hours exploring the islands and coves within Intricate Harbour. Lindy Rideout of Seaknife kayaks was gracious enough to have an excellent BBQ ready for us when we got back. What a way to end a paddle, a couple cold beer, BBQ pork chops and sausage. MMMMM.

Anyway, here are some pics of our short jaunt. Great to get on the water again.

Rock over London Rock on Chicago
Brian

Gander River Canoe Trip

This past weekend I was invited on a 4 day, approx. 50km canoe trip on the Gander River, from Glenwood to Gander Bay, to do some salmon fishing (and a little drinking, 85 dozen beer over 4 days). This was the 8th annual trip and it was a blast. There were 7 canoes (14 guys). The group consisted of me, Shawn Reid, Colin Power, Steve Taylor, Mark Gillingham, Wallace Edwards, Patrick Byrne, Leon MacIsaac, Jason Strickland, Derek Dunne, Donovan Simms, Claude Aucoin, Tim Galarneau, and Dion (sorry, I don't remember his last name). The trip is put together by Mark Gillingham of Rodger's Cove, and I must say, he does a heck of a job of organizing all this. The river was higher and colder than it has been in years, however a lot of salmon were running. The weather was awful, we didn't see the sunshine the entire time, but we didn't let that bother us too much. The river opens up into several ponds along the way that you can just cruise your way down, but there were some tricky rapids we had to run, one in particular is called "Big Chute" and it was pretty intimidating. 5canoes ran it, 2 capsized after taking on too much water. I was lucky enough to be in one of the canoes that made it through. the 2 other canoes did different routes to get past the rapid. The water was COLD, around 5-6 degrees and the boys were lucky they got out of the water fast. A passerby in a riverboat was nice enough to help us retrieve the gear that had floated away on us. 2 nights we camped near cabins, as it provided us with as nice beach, fire pit and places to pitch our tents, and most importantly outhouses. We had some great sing alongs around the fire, and excellent food. It was the first time i've ever seen lasagne cooked on a camp fire, and it was damn good. 5 salmon were caught in total* . 3 by Mark, 1 by Colin, and 1 by Claude, good job boys.

*EDIT I forgot all about 1 salmon, the extra one Mark caught the next day. Thanks to Colin for reminding me of this. Guess I was already drunk when Mark got back with it:)

Thanks Boys for inviting me along, hopefully I can do it again sometime.

Anyways, I'll end of with a few pictures of the trip.

Some times I wish I was Tiger Woods, Tiger Woods!
Brian

Starting in Glenwood, under the bridge

All hands getting geared up

Jason and Donovan

Tim and Derek

Getting ready for Little Chute

A rest stop to size up if we will go over Big Chute

Top of Big Chute. An intimadating site to a river canoeing greenhorn like myself.

The bottom of Big Chute

Trying to get everything dry after going into the drink

After the capsizes on the Big Chute this guy in a riverboat helped us retrieve our gear

Colin and Jason

Leon and Patrick in "The Green Monster" what a superstructure she had!

Stopping on the river to chat with Bill. What a spot this guy had, with his fireplace and cots. We had a beer and warmed up while listening to him tell stories. We asked how long he was going to be on the river and his reply was "Until October"

Perfect beach and firepit for a campsite

Our campsite on the first night. What a spot, and what a time we had, except for that damned rain!

Leon and Dion wishing this salmon was theirs

Shawn cooking breakfast....bacon and eggs.......mmmmmmmmm

Mark using the wonders of depth perception to make his salmon look bigger than Colins.

Mark got the last laugh when he came back with his second salmon of the morning

3 1/2 star toilet facilities

One of the many outfitters we passed along the river

FISH ON!! As we were passing by, a lady hooked and landed a salmon.

Rounding the bend

Colin and Steve, and Dion and Claude making good time.

A calm day. Notice my beer holder made from a gatorade bottle and some duct tape

Rafted up on one of the ponds. Drinking beer, taken naps, and having a lunch.

Kevin and Roseanne's Cabin, were we camped the last night. Roseanne was born in Burnt Islands, my home town. Never know who you'll meet on the river!

Leaving the camp on the last day. Toutons for breakfast was awesome

Heading into another rapid, me and Shawn got hung up on a rock, that was the closest we came to capsizing, and was not fun. Hats off to the skipper for getting us off that one


Gearing up for the rock throwing contest. Most Skips: Shawn, Longest Throw: Dion, hitting the target: Wallace, longest underwater skip: Colin

Paddling out of the Gander River onto Gander Bay, wind at our backs

Ending the trip in Gander Bay

Rock Over London, Rock on Chicago