Here's the update to our web site that I promised last year.We've just returned from two weeks in one of our favourite canoeing spots ... and an area where we've been trying to re-establish some of the old portages.
As you may remember, we spent 2008 and 2009 reopening the portages from the Opeepeesway River to Rush Lake and from Rush Lake to Rice Lake.
This year we opened the old portage from Opeepeesway Lake to Rae Lake.... about 900 meters.
This portage has not been in use for at least 20 years so we spent a whole day just locating and marking the trail ... and then another three days to get it open.
Seeing that the roads beyond the bridge over the Opeepeesway River are only passable by ATV it is now possible to put in at the bridge and travel the traditional route from the north end of Opeepeesway Lake to Rae Lake and then up through Mallard and Marion Lakes to Rush Lake.
From Rush Lake it's about a six hour paddle and portage to Rice Lake.
For those of you who are avid fishermen (or women) the walleye fishing in Rice Lake is probably the best in the area.
We can also tell you that we've never seen another canoe party on any of the lakes in the area ... only fly-in guys that wonder how we got there ... until we get out the map and show them.
Every time we're in the area there are always fishermen approaching us in their motorboats asking us how to get to Rice Lake.
You see, the only road that passes near Rice Lake is posted with a sign advising that the road may not be used by motorized vehicle to access Rice Lake ... this is to protect the interests of the firm that owns the fly-in camps on Rice Lake ... so the only legitimate way in is by canoe.
Here's our web page describing our project to restore the portages ... maps included.
http://www.canoecouple.com/Adventures/Sakatawi/Project/Project.htmlJust go down the page to get access to the maps.
Scott