Chapleau River:
Whitewater and Walleye

June 21-27, 2009

Wild and untamed, the Chapleau is a true wilderness river. Inaccessible except by canoe, the Chapleau River is a nature lover's paradise. For its 65 mile length, this small stream runs through the Chapleau Crown Game Preserve, and forms the Chapleau-Nemegosenda Waterway Park.
This trip is designed for less experienced paddler, with whitewater instruction and practice planned as an important aspect of the trip. For the angler, the Walleye fishing is unmatched. In fact, we go so far as plan for a meal of fresh fillets! And of course, our famous meals are part of the package. Our final night is spent in comfort as guests of the "mayor" of the ghost town of Elsas, where showers and a bed cure any reluctance to return to civilization. In the morning, we flag down the Trans-Canada train to make our way home. All you need to bring is your clothes, personal items, sleeping bag and an anticipation for adventure-we'll supply the rest for this great introduction to wilderness river canoeing.

Trip Itinerary

DAY 1 & 2: RACINE LAKE
On the Saturday evening, we will meet at our campground on Racine Lake, meet the group, go over the maps and take care of last minute preparations. In the morning, we hit the water for a brief "paddling school", then board the van for the short shuttle to the river. Our first camp is made nearby on a quiet stretch of the Chapleau River. In the morning we encounter our first rapids, which are used for teaching and practising whitewater manoeuvres.

DAY 3 & 4: CHAPLEAU RIVER TO SCHEWABIK LAKE
Now in the Chapleau-Nemogosenda Provincial Waterway Park, we slowly work our way downstream on this quiet river. After portaging wild rapids and falls, we swim on a sand beach on Schewabik Lake, where time can be spent trying your luck for the lake's Walleye or Northern Pike. The Chapleau narrows again, as it tumbles through rocky gorges. We study ancient native pictographs on the rocks, and try a few casts for our supper.

DAY 5, 6 & 7: SCHEWABIK LAKE TO ELSAS
Most of the 12 rapids along this section of the river can be run, and all too soon we arrive at Kapuskasing Lake. Our final night is spent in the village of Elsas (population: 2), as guests of the town's "mayor". The much appreciated luxury of cold beverages and a soft bed cures any reluctance to return to civilization. In the morning, we are served a delicious breakfast of fresh fruit, bacon and eggs , then await the train which returns us to Foleyet. We arrive back before noon.

KAPUSKASING RIVER CONTINUATION: Available upon request.

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