We've (my wife and I and sometimes our kids have) paddled for 10+ years in Temagami and I wouldn't do much differently. The main thing is we don't leave any sign of our passing (at least, we try not to) so we wouldn't carve our names or initials. Other than that, well done. Oh, and since we're from the states, we haven't been back since summer of 2019. So thanks for the nostalgia!
Aw Peter, loved this trip, once again. The discussions you have with God's nature are touching indeed! With the wind, I was glad that you stayed extra time at your camping spot. Wanted to see you catch more lake trout. (Never caught one of those) Also like to see how you use your time when things don't go according to plan. But would like to know more about how these fish taste on your next trip. Know what you mean about mixed emotions when you finish. Had to think of Paul's double sidedness in 2 Corinthians 5 concerning his journey on earth. (Not quite parallel) Your solo trip was such a blessing to us. But... I hope I can see a successful one with your wife as I want to encourage my wife further who also yearns for a canoe trip. On my mountain bike trips she says, "You bike and I'll pray!" After I was rescued from the bush, she is actually praying more about me.
Thanks again for another wonderful comment John! I'm so happy that you've found these videos to be a blessing to you. I actually returned to this same campsite in the spring of 2021 and stayed for 7 days alone. The fishing was a bit better and I got more lake trout. My cousin Bill (who paddled with me in the French River film) and I paddled the Bark Lake route in July 2021 and we HAMMERED lake trout! That will be a future video (it will be a documentary on Archie Belaney aka Grey Owl). If you're looking for a trip with my wife, I have a video called "How to Canoe Trip with Your Wife" where my wife (Judy) and I trip on the French River. I love that you mention scripture in your comment, and I'll share my favourite passage of scripture with you, which is Isaiah 41:10 "Fear thou not, for I am with you. Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes I will help you, yes I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness". God bless you John!
I really admire you philosophy of acceptance and connecting with the wilderness. I often dream of a solo kayak trip where I live in Northern Ontario but my biggest hold back is spending time alone with me.
Thank you so much Carol! Solo tripping is a completely different mentality I find, but I absolutely love it. You might be surprised how much you enjoy it, I'd encourage you to try a solo trip, even for a just a couple of days to start. I find it really helps to develop confidence in myself and the solitude offers a wonderful opportunity to really soak in the beauty of nature. Thanks for the encouragement Carol, all the best to you!
Just watched the Temagami series and I must say what a great job for a novice! I'm not a canoeist myself so I can't provide any helpful hints but I must say I really enjoyed watching your journey! Keep them coming! Safe travels!!
Hey Ron thanks so much for the encouragement! I've taken on many more trips since this one and I love learning more and more each time. I'll never know it all but I'm happy to spend my life learning. All the best to you!
Great wrap up of this trip. Glad you made it to Donald. Like you I discovered Donald through Jon's videos and went there for the first time this past August. Really enjoyed your perspective and commentary throughout the journey.
Thanks so much Darren! It is such a beautiful lake and I only go to explore the very northern end. I will return one day for sure. I so appreciate you checking this series out and for commenting, glad we've connected. All the best!
I have watched a few of your trips now, in fact i watched a couple of them twice as I really enjoyed how you present them and have subscribed to ensure I can keep watching them. You have a put together something that makes you feel you are being taken along on the journey also and not just being presented with someting that you have done. A naturalness to it is probably the best way i can describe it. I have canoed and I have done a lot of travelling, but not combined the two, but its very easy to identify with your sentiments and sensations that you pick up in those moments of connection with your journey. A couple of times you have said things and i have gone, 'aha, yes, that is it, that is exactly how it felt when i was in a similar moment, despite being in a very differnt location'. Keep it up I feel I am learning a fair bit about myself too along the way.
Hello again, and thank you so much for another kind and encouraging comment! You have a gift in writing, and being able to express your thoughts, and I thank you so much for using that gift to write such an encouraging note to me. You used the words "sentiments and sensations", and that is exactly what I hope to express in all my film projects going forward. Thank you so much for subscribing! I will say that my goal is "quality over quantity", so I won't be regularly putting out content on any particular schedule. I want everything I put out in the future to be a beautiful story with some historical content and/or thought provoking messages. I am also looking into incorporating some of my own stories into films, speaking of past or current struggles and how immersion into nature has helped me deal with those things. Maybe those stories can help others dealing with similar things. Anyways thank you again so very much! I hope in the next couple of months to have a new film out👍
Thanks again Amy, that's so very encouraging to hear, very much appreciated! Yes we often need to refocus when things don't go our way, and we need to look at those times as opportunities to learn and grow, and to just simply enjoy being out there. All the best to you!
Great trip and video series, I thoroughly enjoyed it! Lost Lakes Jon has been a huge inspiration to myself as well. There such a cool community of Ontario canoe trippers on here. Jason Eke first got me interested in the idea of canoe tripping and wilderness camping when I came across his canoe documentary last summer, and Camper Christina provided me with much of my knowledge on the subject to be able to make the leap from car camping to wilderness camping last autumn, which was also my first solo camping experience as well, on Matagamasi Lake. It was nothing short of a religious experience, and I'm dying to try it again now! I'm still saving up for a canoe, but for now I'll just keep using my Canadian Tire kayak -- it's the S.S. Noob! lol Looking forward to more of your videos, and I'm quite sure you'll become as well known as the names I mentioned in no time at all!
Hi Richard! Thank you so much for the encouraging comment! I love hearing from people like you who are making the jump into backcountry adventures! I love the "S.S. Noob" lol...hey whatever gets you out there and enjoying the entire beautiful experience. Once you have your canoe you'll be able to explore the many routes in the Temagami area and beyond. Last year I ventured into Donald Lake from Kukagami Lake to the south for a 7 day solo trip. I would highly recommend you give that a try someday. The Pickerel River, the French River, and the Bark Lake loop are paddling destinations I'd highly recommend as well. Never hesitate to reach out if you have any questions, I'm always happy to help. Cheers!
Beautiful scenery. My only tip from someone who lives in northern Ontario, get an Original Bug Jacket and use Deet. No point in being a purist. Enjoyed the trip. Thank you.
Hi Elizabeth, thank you for the tip on the bug jacket. I've always been interested in trying one, just haven't pulled the trigger yet. I agree on not being a purist, I'll use any means I can to keep the bugs away and enjoy my time out there to the fullest. All the best to you!
Hey Cindy, thanks so much for the subscription, I really appreciate the support! I learned a ton on that trip including the value of a proper fitting and high quality PFD, which I purchased after this trip. The one I had was just so uncomfortable to paddle in, that I only wore it when I absolutely had to. I got the Salus Kayak Angler PFD and I couldn't be happier 👍
I really enjoyed this series. Thank you for taking the time to document your trip with such care and beauty. As someone who solos quite a bit, I know how much it takes to not only live the story but also to tell it. If you have not already purchased a Bug Shirt, I highly recommend it! I'm looking forward to your next adventure! Cheers
Hi there and thank you so much for your encouraging words! There is always a challenge to progressing forward in the journey while trying to film it intentionally. I'm happy this series resonated with you. I plan on getting a bug jacket👍Cheers! 🍻
Very well done! I absolutely agree about the need to change one's perspective. I struggle with this at times and watching your video was a great reminder. Bravo and keep up the great work.
Hi there and thank you so much! I'm really glad you enjoyed that perspective segment, that day turned out to be just what I needed. I enjoyed putting that together and I'm glad that it resonated with you. Cheers!
Hey Doug, thanks man! I can't wait to go back and be able to devote more time to fishing there. I know there are plenty of big ones lurking. I felt like a million bucks once I finally had that tailwind. Cheers friend!
I think you do a great job of filming and I really enjoy your narratives including the research you do before you journey (as you did on your French River voyage). You're inspiring me to head out into some areas I've never been before which is great given the COVIDity of our current way of living. Ontario has much to offer that I'd really ignored because I could and would go elsewhere. Thanks for introducing me to that S2S bug net in which you retreated to relax away from the bugs. I'm not sure if anyone else mentioned this but regarding the bug net you wore on your head and being bitten on the ears - if you wear your bug net over your hat rather than under it then the brim of the hat keeps the mesh of the bug net away from your head and face. At least that's how I do it. I did find a bug net at Canadian Tire that includes elastics that slip under the arms so the entire net is securely held in place. I look forward to watching more of your adventures and hope to follow in your tracks one day, kayak permitting.
Hi there Lisa, I'm so happy you enjoyed watching this, thanks so much for the encouraging words! A goal I've had while filming and editing is to inspire people to explore these areas, I'm so glad to hear that you are hoping to venture out to spots like this! Regarding my bug net, the elastic band on that one (a "Ben's" brand one I think) was very small and tight, it wouldn't fit over my wide brimmed hat. I think it would've worked over a ball cap. I'm in the market for a looser fitting one that will work, I'll check out that one at Canadian Tire you mentioned, thanks for that! A word on this route, it can get very very busy in the summertime, hence why I chose to go first week of June and to deal with the bugs. I saw nobody else so it was worth it to me. Can't recommend that S2S bug shelter enough, weighed nothing and was my saving grace. All the best to you!
Awesome Pete! As a novice and your first solo, you did great! My first solo many years ago was also a mis-adventure of sorts and also a great experience. Thanks for sharing and keep it up. There's a world to discover in a canoe.
That's encouraging to hear David, thank you so much! All that I think about since returning from that trip is my next adventure. That trip was such a fulfilling and wonderful experience and I can't wait to discover even more. Thanks for watching and commenting my friend!
Great trip vlog! I appreciate the thought and effort put into your filming, as well as the commentary. Like I once commented to Jon of BAO, your style is very authentic. You captured the trip from your own perspective, no false or fake enthusiasm. Keep up the good work! Ian
Wow Ian, thank you so very much! That really means a lot to me as it's very encouraging! I'm glad you appreciate how I tell the story, and that you took time out of your day to watch it, and to comment in such a kind way. Many thanks to you my friend!
Great maiden solo voyage despite the conditions! Reminds me of a trip with two of my sons a year and half ago into Nopiming Provincial Park in eastern Manitoba for a few days and we paddled in and literally got under the cover of our tarp with minutes to spare for a vicious thunder storm and hellacious winds . . . then two days of being wind bound like you were (for along long lol). We did just what you did, move our camp to the leeward side and were snug as bugs. Had to change our fishing plans but being August we found the motherlode of blueberries and a ridge where the woodland caribou over winter and stay out of reach of the timber wolves. Wouldn't change the circumstances for anything, always look for the opportunities afforded and be thankful in all things. Was travelling solo in my Swift Keewaydin 15 and was wishing for the Prospector like my sons were driving that windy trip but still managed to brave the wind and waves one morning and get to our fishing spot only to realize that it wasn't going to happen with those conditions. Great to see you're a fan of Jon of now Lost Lakes Backcountry Angling, been watching he and Erin for a couple of years and they are truly an inspiration, watch nearly every video together with Jim Baird of course! Keep 'em coming Pete!
Wow this sounds like a memorable trip for sure! And it sounds like I would love camping in Manitoba, hearing your story of finding where the caribou wintered to be safe from timber wolves, wow that draws me in...its amazing the lessons we learn when things don't go our way eh? Sometimes we end up making more memories than we thought. Yup Jon has been a huge influence and inspiration to me to get out there. He subscribed to my channel a couple months ago and I was on cloud nine haha! Many thanks for the support!
Hat first then bug jacket the hat helps keep the jacket off your body so the bugs can get their thingy through to you. Love and embrace the wind, bug free times. nice fish! I follow Backcountry fishing guy too and picked up a rod holder, they are a key piece of gear now.
No worries Andrew! Looking back, travelling during peak bug season is worth it because I didn't see another camper at all. The solitude is worth it in my opinion.
Donald’s been on my radar for a couple years thanks to Jon. Got the green light to escape next weekend for a few day and I’m thinking Donald is the place. I had my first extended solo trip last summer, also inspired by Jon and went through a lot of similar firsts as you mentioned. I went from Lac Aux Sables to Bark lake, certainly recommend that trip and I think you’d really enjoy it. Excellent bass fishing and caught plenty of Lakers. I guess I will have to go back and watch part 1 and 2 now. Thanks for sharing this trip.
Hi there, thanks so much for watching and commenting! You should definitely get into Donald Lake, even just the small northern section I camped on is so beautiful that I'd recommend you visit. Thanks for telling me about your experience on Lac au Sables/Bark Lake! Just like you, that trip is on my list because of Jon. I'm so glad you had a great experience there, I will hopefully get there next year. Let me know if you end up in Donald Lake, and I hope you catch some good ones! Cheers!
Ontario Fishing Quest I’m trying to figure out where the access point is on Matamagasi, I have a pretty good general idea but not 100%. Are you able to shed some light on this info?
No problem, it's on the very end of Matamagasi Lake Rd. Take Kukagami Rd north off of Hwy 17, turn left on Matamagasi Lake Rd and follow it until you see the launch.
Yes, very well done. I’m glad the wind finally cooperated with you. Temagami is very special for sure. By the way, Jon from Lost Lakes Backcountry Angling is very inspiring to myself as well 😊
Yah finally a tail wind!! Can't describe how happy that made me. Jon was the sole inspiration behind going on that trip. I wanted to see Donald Lake since he made some epic videos there, and then I built the route around that (which I've since learned is a popular route). Thanks for checking out the series Derek, and for the encouraging comments. Cheers!
Ah man, I didn't realize you were going to end up in Donald Lake and Matamagasi. I did that trip last Fall - so good! Also on the recommendation of Jon - and of course got pictures of his name on the rock! We even camped on that same site. We ended up climbing the cliffs just to the south of the site and if we held our phones up high were able to get signal, haha. Pretty amazing lake. We parked where you did, went north up Matamagasi, stayed on that site a few nights, then south from there into Kukagami and cut through Doon back into Matamagasi. Did you see the petroglyphs on the way?
Oh nice! Yah I absolutely love that lake but need to get back there in better conditions to explore it and fish it much harder. It's a beautiful campsite there for sure, I'd stay there again in a heartbeat. I looked for the petroglyphs on the way back but couldn't find them, did you see them?
Nice man. Temagami will bring you great beauty and an amazing experience but the price is high in how much of the forces of nature you end up dealing with. I'm going back to Temagami next week armed with a double blade paddle to tackle the wind on those big lakes.
Thanks so much for commenting friend! You are very right in your words about Temagami. It has such alluring beauty and amazing fishing, it's been calling me back ever since. I can't wait to explore the farther regions there, and get into travelling down the rivers. I'm jealous you get to go next week! Stay safe on your trip...I'm sure that double blade will come in pretty handy! Cheers!
Wow … epic is a good word. Congratulations and thanks for sharing the experience. It sparks memories of my own canoeing trips, which were small in comparison but memorable nonetheless. I’m curious why you didn’t keep one of the fish you caught on the 7th day?
Hi David! Thank you so very much for your kind and encouraging comment! I'm happy this sparked memories of some of your own trips. I chose not to keep the lakers on the last day just because of timing...too soon after breakfast and too far before supper and I didn't want to keep one on a stringer for the entire day. Since this trip I've been blessed to catch plenty more lakers and have enjoyed some amazing fish fries. Hopefully you can get out soon enough to make some more memories. Cheers!
Great trip Pete congratulations 🍺 I couldn’t help but grin seeing you getting into that water. Those who have never experienced northern lake trout lakes don’t grasp that you basically did the polar bear dip👍 as for the winds I think that’s where the kayakers shine. Great videography to, shooting in windy conditions is a tuff one! See ya on the next one🍻
Thanks so much Marc! Oh yeah that was indeed a polar bear dip that took my breath away, but man I felt so good after!! The water is so clear, clean, and beautiful up there. Thanks for the comment on the videography as well, means a lot brother! As much as I hated the winds and the bugs on that trip, as soon as I was in the truck driving home, I was craving to be back out there. Do you live near Temagami? I'd stop in and say hi next time I'm around. Cheers my friend!
Hi, great vid. I was on that Donald Lake site for a week in July 2019. I only got winded for 2 days and it calmed down the day before I left. Like you I got the idea of Donald Lake from Jon while watching in Saudi Arabia 🏕️
Hi Rodd, glad you enjoyed this! Getting winded here must be a common occurrence I guess! What a beautiful site though eh? I hope to visit again and explore the rest of the lake. All the best!
@@LatitudesWildernessFilms hi, I came in from Klondike Bay on the bottom of Kukagami Lake, so I paddled all that and the main body of Donald. It's a 1000m portage. I believe the bigger bass are at the bottom of Donald ,where there's some nice camp sites.
I suggest during windy times to plan time on smaller lakes. Especially during the shoulder season when the water temperatures are low. While fishing may be better on bigger and deeper lakes, if the water on the big lake is too choppy there will not be any chance to fish. So may as well chill out on a smaller lake or stream.
Hey Martin! Thanks for watching and for the suggestions! Yah I definitely want to try and plan future trips around those ideas, I totally agree with you on that. It's funny, I did bring a book with me on that trip but never even got into it, I just sat down and stared at the beauty of that lake and forgot all about the book haha! Cheers Martin, all the best!
WIND. The best way to storm proof your tent is to angle a tarp as a wind block (always go to ground on the windward side). If your tarp is large enough, you can even angle the tarp to over-hang your tent (a 12x16 is a pretty effective size). The tarp that I use - and the only one I would recommend - is a Cooke Custom Sewing Tundra Tarp. They are absolutely bomb-proof. To drive home the point, I would rather buy a CCS Tarp than be given - for free - the tarp that you are using. You can find relevant videos on RUclips from some notable content makers.
Cool stuff Dennis, thanks for the tips. I do love the lightweight and packability of my current tarp but like you say, it's far from bombproof. Is the CCS a cotton tarp that you waterproof on your own? More of a bushcraft/survival tarp? Sounds interesting. Cheers Dennis!
Quick question about the NovaCraft Prospector 15. Prefer it's versatility to run solo as well as tandem for trips with my 3 sons and a little concerned about fitting two 6'1 - 6'2" men (with ideal body mass) into a 15 footer with gear. Those legs! What are your thoughts about the fit? Was interesting to see Jim Baird's discovery that the Bob Special wouldn't well fit his mountain of a man Viking frame and therefor decided on the Prospector 15 primarily for solo.
I would say it's a toss up.. My cousin Bill and I are each 6 foot, and we've taken enough food and gear for a 10 day trip (including my camera gear). You wouldn't have much room to spare unless you were packing pretty light. My decision to get the 15' was because I felt I would be doing 60% solo trips, and 40% tandem trips. If it was gonna be 50/50, I probably would've went up to the 16'. I do love the 15' for solo, it's hard to beat. For tandem we pack two 115L eureka canoe bags, a 30L food barrel, a hard camera gear case, and a separate 40L dry bag for assorted stuff. The boat is full for sure, but never bothered us. It's not an easy decision, but let me know what you end up getting!
@@LatitudesWildernessFilms Looks like it'll be a 60/40 split for me too and well still have the old 16' so always a fall back situation. We're lucky to get 5-7 days in a row these days with tandem situation so very helpful feedback Pete. Thanks and will give you a shout when the decision is made!
I've never been too concerned about bears as I keep a clean site, keep my dishes washed and all my food sealed away. It's popular areas like Algonquin where bears have become conditioned to seeing campers that can become an issue. They know food and garbage is there, and they even recognize a blue barrel as a food source. In a more remote area bears have not been conditioned like that. As long as food is sealed away, dishes and the camp site are clean, bears are very likely not an issue. I've only seen a few in passing, never on my campsite thankfully!
I'm curious about the name carving onto things. I was taught not to do this specifically, and to leave everything as I found it, so no spray painting or carving into trees or rocks. I guess it's a different culture where you are. But it seems to me that if everyone does this everywhere it gets to be a bit of an eyesore, no?
I do agree with the mentality of totally leaving no trace, and I wouldn't be the first one to initiate carving a name into something. Once it becomes a tradition I don't have an issue partaking as long as it's not getting out of hand. The oldest name I found on that rock was from 1946, so someone back then got it started and everyone has taken off with it. It does seem to be a thing up here that I see, people's names carved into trees or rocks (quite often young folks I wonder). I don't think it's the mentality of a true and mature canoeist/camper though, as we wish to leave nature in the same condition we found it.
Great series...I don't understand why you don't have more viewers because you're great and love the narrative.
Hey Kathie, thank you so much for this encouragement, it certainly comes at a time when I need to hear it. Thank you!
We've (my wife and I and sometimes our kids have) paddled for 10+ years in Temagami and I wouldn't do much differently. The main thing is we don't leave any sign of our passing (at least, we try not to) so we wouldn't carve our names or initials. Other than that, well done. Oh, and since we're from the states, we haven't been back since summer of 2019. So thanks for the nostalgia!
Aw Peter, loved this trip, once again. The discussions you have with God's nature are touching indeed! With the wind, I was glad that you stayed extra time at your camping spot. Wanted to see you catch more lake trout. (Never caught one of those) Also like to see how you use your time when things don't go according to plan. But would like to know more about how these fish taste on your next trip. Know what you mean about mixed emotions when you finish. Had to think of Paul's double sidedness in 2 Corinthians 5 concerning his journey on earth. (Not quite parallel) Your solo trip was such a blessing to us. But... I hope I can see a successful one with your wife as I want to encourage my wife further who also yearns for a canoe trip. On my mountain bike trips she says, "You bike and I'll pray!" After I was rescued from the bush, she is actually praying more about me.
Thanks again for another wonderful comment John! I'm so happy that you've found these videos to be a blessing to you. I actually returned to this same campsite in the spring of 2021 and stayed for 7 days alone. The fishing was a bit better and I got more lake trout. My cousin Bill (who paddled with me in the French River film) and I paddled the Bark Lake route in July 2021 and we HAMMERED lake trout! That will be a future video (it will be a documentary on Archie Belaney aka Grey Owl). If you're looking for a trip with my wife, I have a video called "How to Canoe Trip with Your Wife" where my wife (Judy) and I trip on the French River. I love that you mention scripture in your comment, and I'll share my favourite passage of scripture with you, which is Isaiah 41:10 "Fear thou not, for I am with you. Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes I will help you, yes I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness".
God bless you John!
Just found your channel. Great style. If you keep making them, I'll keep watching
Hey Mark, thanks so much! You bet I'm gonna keep making these, things are just getting started for me. Thanks so much for the support!
I really admire you philosophy of acceptance and connecting with the wilderness. I often dream of a solo kayak trip where I live in Northern Ontario but my biggest hold back is spending time alone with me.
Thank you so much Carol! Solo tripping is a completely different mentality I find, but I absolutely love it. You might be surprised how much you enjoy it, I'd encourage you to try a solo trip, even for a just a couple of days to start. I find it really helps to develop confidence in myself and the solitude offers a wonderful opportunity to really soak in the beauty of nature. Thanks for the encouragement Carol, all the best to you!
Just discovered you. Yours are the best! Your presentation is heartwarming and photogenic excellence.
Those are very kind words, thank you very much!
Just watched the Temagami series and I must say what a great job for a novice! I'm not a canoeist myself so I can't provide any helpful hints but I must say I really enjoyed watching your journey! Keep them coming! Safe travels!!
Hey Ron thanks so much for the encouragement! I've taken on many more trips since this one and I love learning more and more each time. I'll never know it all but I'm happy to spend my life learning. All the best to you!
Loving this series. Really good work. Thank you
Thank you so much, so glad to hear that you enjoyed these👍👍
Great wrap up of this trip. Glad you made it to Donald. Like you I discovered Donald through Jon's videos and went there for the first time this past August. Really enjoyed your perspective and commentary throughout the journey.
Thanks so much Darren! It is such a beautiful lake and I only go to explore the very northern end. I will return one day for sure. I so appreciate you checking this series out and for commenting, glad we've connected. All the best!
I have watched a few of your trips now, in fact i watched a couple of them twice as I really enjoyed how you present them and have subscribed to ensure I can keep watching them. You have a put together something that makes you feel you are being taken along on the journey also and not just being presented with someting that you have done. A naturalness to it is probably the best way i can describe it. I have canoed and I have done a lot of travelling, but not combined the two, but its very easy to identify with your sentiments and sensations that you pick up in those moments of connection with your journey. A couple of times you have said things and i have gone, 'aha, yes, that is it, that is exactly how it felt when i was in a similar moment, despite being in a very differnt location'. Keep it up I feel I am learning a fair bit about myself too along the way.
Hello again, and thank you so much for another kind and encouraging comment! You have a gift in writing, and being able to express your thoughts, and I thank you so much for using that gift to write such an encouraging note to me. You used the words "sentiments and sensations", and that is exactly what I hope to express in all my film projects going forward. Thank you so much for subscribing! I will say that my goal is "quality over quantity", so I won't be regularly putting out content on any particular schedule. I want everything I put out in the future to be a beautiful story with some historical content and/or thought provoking messages. I am also looking into incorporating some of my own stories into films, speaking of past or current struggles and how immersion into nature has helped me deal with those things. Maybe those stories can help others dealing with similar things. Anyways thank you again so very much! I hope in the next couple of months to have a new film out👍
I love your change of perspective... we often have to remind ourselves to reframe our situation when we're out in nature. Well done. Brilliant series.
Thanks again Amy, that's so very encouraging to hear, very much appreciated! Yes we often need to refocus when things don't go our way, and we need to look at those times as opportunities to learn and grow, and to just simply enjoy being out there. All the best to you!
Great trip and video series, I thoroughly enjoyed it! Lost Lakes Jon has been a huge inspiration to myself as well. There such a cool community of Ontario canoe trippers on here. Jason Eke first got me interested in the idea of canoe tripping and wilderness camping when I came across his canoe documentary last summer, and Camper Christina provided me with much of my knowledge on the subject to be able to make the leap from car camping to wilderness camping last autumn, which was also my first solo camping experience as well, on Matagamasi Lake. It was nothing short of a religious experience, and I'm dying to try it again now! I'm still saving up for a canoe, but for now I'll just keep using my Canadian Tire kayak -- it's the S.S. Noob! lol Looking forward to more of your videos, and I'm quite sure you'll become as well known as the names I mentioned in no time at all!
Hi Richard! Thank you so much for the encouraging comment! I love hearing from people like you who are making the jump into backcountry adventures! I love the "S.S. Noob" lol...hey whatever gets you out there and enjoying the entire beautiful experience. Once you have your canoe you'll be able to explore the many routes in the Temagami area and beyond. Last year I ventured into Donald Lake from Kukagami Lake to the south for a 7 day solo trip. I would highly recommend you give that a try someday. The Pickerel River, the French River, and the Bark Lake loop are paddling destinations I'd highly recommend as well. Never hesitate to reach out if you have any questions, I'm always happy to help.
Cheers!
Beautiful scenery. My only tip from someone who lives in northern Ontario, get an Original Bug Jacket and use Deet. No point in being a purist. Enjoyed the trip. Thank you.
Hi Elizabeth, thank you for the tip on the bug jacket. I've always been interested in trying one, just haven't pulled the trigger yet. I agree on not being a purist, I'll use any means I can to keep the bugs away and enjoy my time out there to the fullest. All the best to you!
New sub, great series!! I I’ll admit, I was nervous for you, paddling in the winds without wearing your life jacket
Hey Cindy, thanks so much for the subscription, I really appreciate the support! I learned a ton on that trip including the value of a proper fitting and high quality PFD, which I purchased after this trip. The one I had was just so uncomfortable to paddle in, that I only wore it when I absolutely had to. I got the Salus Kayak Angler PFD and I couldn't be happier 👍
I really enjoyed this series. Thank you for taking the time to document your trip with such care and beauty. As someone who solos quite a bit, I know how much it takes to not only live the story but also to tell it. If you have not already purchased a Bug Shirt, I highly recommend it! I'm looking forward to your next adventure! Cheers
Hi there and thank you so much for your encouraging words! There is always a challenge to progressing forward in the journey while trying to film it intentionally. I'm happy this series resonated with you. I plan on getting a bug jacket👍Cheers! 🍻
Very well done! I absolutely agree about the need to change one's perspective. I struggle with this at times and watching your video was a great reminder. Bravo and keep up the great work.
Hi there and thank you so much! I'm really glad you enjoyed that perspective segment, that day turned out to be just what I needed. I enjoyed putting that together and I'm glad that it resonated with you. Cheers!
Awesome trip Pete and a fitting ending to your trip with all the wind. Some awesome catches! Thanks for taking us along! Doug
Hey Doug, thanks man! I can't wait to go back and be able to devote more time to fishing there. I know there are plenty of big ones lurking. I felt like a million bucks once I finally had that tailwind. Cheers friend!
I think you do a great job of filming and I really enjoy your narratives including the research you do before you journey (as you did on your French River voyage). You're inspiring me to head out into some areas I've never been before which is great given the COVIDity of our current way of living. Ontario has much to offer that I'd really ignored because I could and would go elsewhere. Thanks for introducing me to that S2S bug net in which you retreated to relax away from the bugs. I'm not sure if anyone else mentioned this but regarding the bug net you wore on your head and being bitten on the ears - if you wear your bug net over your hat rather than under it then the brim of the hat keeps the mesh of the bug net away from your head and face. At least that's how I do it. I did find a bug net at Canadian Tire that includes elastics that slip under the arms so the entire net is securely held in place. I look forward to watching more of your adventures and hope to follow in your tracks one day, kayak permitting.
Hi there Lisa, I'm so happy you enjoyed watching this, thanks so much for the encouraging words! A goal I've had while filming and editing is to inspire people to explore these areas, I'm so glad to hear that you are hoping to venture out to spots like this! Regarding my bug net, the elastic band on that one (a "Ben's" brand one I think) was very small and tight, it wouldn't fit over my wide brimmed hat. I think it would've worked over a ball cap. I'm in the market for a looser fitting one that will work, I'll check out that one at Canadian Tire you mentioned, thanks for that! A word on this route, it can get very very busy in the summertime, hence why I chose to go first week of June and to deal with the bugs. I saw nobody else so it was worth it to me. Can't recommend that S2S bug shelter enough, weighed nothing and was my saving grace. All the best to you!
Awesome Pete! As a novice and your first solo, you did great! My first solo many years ago was also a mis-adventure of sorts and also a great experience. Thanks for sharing and keep it up. There's a world to discover in a canoe.
That's encouraging to hear David, thank you so much! All that I think about since returning from that trip is my next adventure. That trip was such a fulfilling and wonderful experience and I can't wait to discover even more. Thanks for watching and commenting my friend!
Great trip vlog! I appreciate the thought and effort put into your filming, as well as the commentary. Like I once commented to Jon of BAO, your style is very authentic. You captured the trip from your own perspective, no false or fake enthusiasm. Keep up the good work!
Ian
Wow Ian, thank you so very much! That really means a lot to me as it's very encouraging! I'm glad you appreciate how I tell the story, and that you took time out of your day to watch it, and to comment in such a kind way. Many thanks to you my friend!
Great maiden solo voyage despite the conditions! Reminds me of a trip with two of my sons a year and half ago into Nopiming Provincial Park in eastern Manitoba for a few days and we paddled in and literally got under the cover of our tarp with minutes to spare for a vicious thunder storm and hellacious winds . . . then two days of being wind bound like you were (for along long lol). We did just what you did, move our camp to the leeward side and were snug as bugs. Had to change our fishing plans but being August we found the motherlode of blueberries and a ridge where the woodland caribou over winter and stay out of reach of the timber wolves. Wouldn't change the circumstances for anything, always look for the opportunities afforded and be thankful in all things. Was travelling solo in my Swift Keewaydin 15 and was wishing for the Prospector like my sons were driving that windy trip but still managed to brave the wind and waves one morning and get to our fishing spot only to realize that it wasn't going to happen with those conditions. Great to see you're a fan of Jon of now Lost Lakes Backcountry Angling, been watching he and Erin for a couple of years and they are truly an inspiration, watch nearly every video together with Jim Baird of course! Keep 'em coming Pete!
Wow this sounds like a memorable trip for sure! And it sounds like I would love camping in Manitoba, hearing your story of finding where the caribou wintered to be safe from timber wolves, wow that draws me in...its amazing the lessons we learn when things don't go our way eh? Sometimes we end up making more memories than we thought. Yup Jon has been a huge influence and inspiration to me to get out there. He subscribed to my channel a couple months ago and I was on cloud nine haha! Many thanks for the support!
Great work Pete!! So looking forward to your next one. So, very peaceful and the solitude is amazing!!
Thanks so much! The next one will be of my last adventure with Bill, it'll be a dandy!
@@LatitudesWildernessFilms look forward to that one!!!
very informative thank you
You're welcome, glad you enjoyed it!
Amazing adventure , even the wind.... Truly enjoyed you and your thoughts.. Cheers
Thanks again Jim! I learned a lot on this adventure through the various trials. Many more adventures to come!
Hat first then bug jacket the hat helps keep the jacket off your body so the bugs can get their thingy through to you. Love and embrace the wind, bug free times. nice fish! I follow Backcountry fishing guy too and picked up a rod holder, they are a key piece of gear now.
Good tips on the bug jacket! Yup that rod holder is a key piece of gear, it sure makes life easier. Thanks for stopping by!
Nice one Pete... thanks for the bug tips!
No worries Andrew! Looking back, travelling during peak bug season is worth it because I didn't see another camper at all. The solitude is worth it in my opinion.
@@LatitudesWildernessFilms Agreed.
Donald’s been on my radar for a couple years thanks to Jon. Got the green light to escape next weekend for a few day and I’m thinking Donald is the place. I had my first extended solo trip last summer, also inspired by Jon and went through a lot of similar firsts as you mentioned. I went from Lac Aux Sables to Bark lake, certainly recommend that trip and I think you’d really enjoy it. Excellent bass fishing and caught plenty of Lakers. I guess I will have to go back and watch part 1 and 2 now. Thanks for sharing this trip.
Hi there, thanks so much for watching and commenting! You should definitely get into Donald Lake, even just the small northern section I camped on is so beautiful that I'd recommend you visit. Thanks for telling me about your experience on Lac au Sables/Bark Lake! Just like you, that trip is on my list because of Jon. I'm so glad you had a great experience there, I will hopefully get there next year. Let me know if you end up in Donald Lake, and I hope you catch some good ones! Cheers!
Ontario Fishing Quest I’m trying to figure out where the access point is on Matamagasi, I have a pretty good general idea but not 100%. Are you able to shed some light on this info?
No problem, it's on the very end of Matamagasi Lake Rd. Take Kukagami Rd north off of Hwy 17, turn left on Matamagasi Lake Rd and follow it until you see the launch.
Yes, very well done. I’m glad the wind finally cooperated with you. Temagami is very special for sure. By the way, Jon from Lost Lakes Backcountry Angling is very inspiring to myself as well 😊
Yah finally a tail wind!! Can't describe how happy that made me. Jon was the sole inspiration behind going on that trip. I wanted to see Donald Lake since he made some epic videos there, and then I built the route around that (which I've since learned is a popular route). Thanks for checking out the series Derek, and for the encouraging comments. Cheers!
So beautiful up there. Loved it.
Agreed, it's heaven to me. Thanks for stopping by!
Ah man, I didn't realize you were going to end up in Donald Lake and Matamagasi. I did that trip last Fall - so good! Also on the recommendation of Jon - and of course got pictures of his name on the rock! We even camped on that same site. We ended up climbing the cliffs just to the south of the site and if we held our phones up high were able to get signal, haha. Pretty amazing lake. We parked where you did, went north up Matamagasi, stayed on that site a few nights, then south from there into Kukagami and cut through Doon back into Matamagasi. Did you see the petroglyphs on the way?
Oh nice! Yah I absolutely love that lake but need to get back there in better conditions to explore it and fish it much harder. It's a beautiful campsite there for sure, I'd stay there again in a heartbeat. I looked for the petroglyphs on the way back but couldn't find them, did you see them?
Nice man. Temagami will bring you great beauty and an amazing experience but the price is high in how much of the forces of nature you end up dealing with. I'm going back to Temagami next week armed with a double blade paddle to tackle the wind on those big lakes.
Thanks so much for commenting friend! You are very right in your words about Temagami. It has such alluring beauty and amazing fishing, it's been calling me back ever since. I can't wait to explore the farther regions there, and get into travelling down the rivers. I'm jealous you get to go next week! Stay safe on your trip...I'm sure that double blade will come in pretty handy! Cheers!
Wow … epic is a good word. Congratulations and thanks for sharing the experience. It sparks memories of my own canoeing trips, which were small in comparison but memorable nonetheless. I’m curious why you didn’t keep one of the fish you caught on the 7th day?
Hi David! Thank you so very much for your kind and encouraging comment! I'm happy this sparked memories of some of your own trips. I chose not to keep the lakers on the last day just because of timing...too soon after breakfast and too far before supper and I didn't want to keep one on a stringer for the entire day. Since this trip I've been blessed to catch plenty more lakers and have enjoyed some amazing fish fries. Hopefully you can get out soon enough to make some more memories. Cheers!
Great trip Pete congratulations 🍺 I couldn’t help but grin seeing you getting into that water. Those who have never experienced northern lake trout lakes don’t grasp that you basically did the polar bear dip👍 as for the winds I think that’s where the kayakers shine. Great videography to, shooting in windy conditions is a tuff one!
See ya on the next one🍻
Thanks so much Marc! Oh yeah that was indeed a polar bear dip that took my breath away, but man I felt so good after!! The water is so clear, clean, and beautiful up there. Thanks for the comment on the videography as well, means a lot brother! As much as I hated the winds and the bugs on that trip, as soon as I was in the truck driving home, I was craving to be back out there. Do you live near Temagami? I'd stop in and say hi next time I'm around. Cheers my friend!
Ontario Fishing Quest I’m in Sudbury so definitely if your up this way give me a shout!
@@OpenAirOutdoors Absolutely will!
Hi, great vid. I was on that Donald Lake site for a week in July 2019. I only got winded for 2 days and it calmed down the day before I left. Like you I got the idea of Donald Lake from Jon while watching in Saudi Arabia 🏕️
Hi Rodd, glad you enjoyed this! Getting winded here must be a common occurrence I guess! What a beautiful site though eh? I hope to visit again and explore the rest of the lake. All the best!
@@LatitudesWildernessFilms hi, I came in from Klondike Bay on the bottom of Kukagami Lake, so I paddled all that and the main body of Donald. It's a 1000m portage. I believe the bigger bass are at the bottom of Donald ,where there's some nice camp sites.
@@GraylingOutdoors cool, great intel, thanks Rodd!
i use Bug watch, and i say they work..still they fly around but they not bite..they fly look like they calmed down..
You need to do this trip again
I've done parts of this route several times since then, I love it more each time!
I suggest during windy times to plan time on smaller lakes. Especially during the shoulder season when the water temperatures are low. While fishing may be better on bigger and deeper lakes, if the water on the big lake is too choppy there will not be any chance to fish. So may as well chill out on a smaller lake or stream.
Also get a nice fire in a sheltered area going and boil up some tea or coffee. Relax in a chair or hammock with a good book. Hammocks are great
Hey Martin! Thanks for watching and for the suggestions! Yah I definitely want to try and plan future trips around those ideas, I totally agree with you on that. It's funny, I did bring a book with me on that trip but never even got into it, I just sat down and stared at the beauty of that lake and forgot all about the book haha! Cheers Martin, all the best!
WIND. The best way to storm proof your tent is to angle a tarp as a wind block (always go to ground on the windward side). If your tarp is large enough, you can even angle the tarp to over-hang your tent (a 12x16 is a pretty effective size). The tarp that I use - and the only one I would recommend - is a Cooke Custom Sewing Tundra Tarp. They are absolutely bomb-proof. To drive home the point, I would rather buy a CCS Tarp than be given - for free - the tarp that you are using. You can find relevant videos on RUclips from some notable content makers.
Cool stuff Dennis, thanks for the tips. I do love the lightweight and packability of my current tarp but like you say, it's far from bombproof. Is the CCS a cotton tarp that you waterproof on your own? More of a bushcraft/survival tarp? Sounds interesting. Cheers Dennis!
Quick question about the NovaCraft Prospector 15. Prefer it's versatility to run solo as well as tandem for trips with my 3 sons and a little concerned about fitting two 6'1 - 6'2" men (with ideal body mass) into a 15 footer with gear. Those legs! What are your thoughts about the fit? Was interesting to see Jim Baird's discovery that the Bob Special wouldn't well fit his mountain of a man Viking frame and therefor decided on the Prospector 15 primarily for solo.
I would say it's a toss up.. My cousin Bill and I are each 6 foot, and we've taken enough food and gear for a 10 day trip (including my camera gear). You wouldn't have much room to spare unless you were packing pretty light. My decision to get the 15' was because I felt I would be doing 60% solo trips, and 40% tandem trips. If it was gonna be 50/50, I probably would've went up to the 16'. I do love the 15' for solo, it's hard to beat. For tandem we pack two 115L eureka canoe bags, a 30L food barrel, a hard camera gear case, and a separate 40L dry bag for assorted stuff. The boat is full for sure, but never bothered us. It's not an easy decision, but let me know what you end up getting!
@@LatitudesWildernessFilms Looks like it'll be a 60/40 split for me too and well still have the old 16' so always a fall back situation. We're lucky to get 5-7 days in a row these days with tandem situation so very helpful feedback Pete. Thanks and will give you a shout when the decision is made!
And one more question... no worry about bears getting into your food or coming into camp?
I've never been too concerned about bears as I keep a clean site, keep my dishes washed and all my food sealed away. It's popular areas like Algonquin where bears have become conditioned to seeing campers that can become an issue. They know food and garbage is there, and they even recognize a blue barrel as a food source. In a more remote area bears have not been conditioned like that. As long as food is sealed away, dishes and the camp site are clean, bears are very likely not an issue. I've only seen a few in passing, never on my campsite thankfully!
I'm curious about the name carving onto things. I was taught not to do this specifically, and to leave everything as I found it, so no spray painting or carving into trees or rocks. I guess it's a different culture where you are. But it seems to me that if everyone does this everywhere it gets to be a bit of an eyesore, no?
I do agree with the mentality of totally leaving no trace, and I wouldn't be the first one to initiate carving a name into something. Once it becomes a tradition I don't have an issue partaking as long as it's not getting out of hand. The oldest name I found on that rock was from 1946, so someone back then got it started and everyone has taken off with it. It does seem to be a thing up here that I see, people's names carved into trees or rocks (quite often young folks I wonder). I don't think it's the mentality of a true and mature canoeist/camper though, as we wish to leave nature in the same condition we found it.
Do you use bug spray? If not , why? Just curious. Personally, I don't like to use it but sometimes its necessary!
Hey Lynn, yup I use bug spray in addition to trying to fully cover my skin. I need that original bug shirt!
Jon changed name " Lost Lake"
Hey there, yes after i made this video last summer Jon did change his channel name. It was still BAO when this video was made. His videos are awesome!
Your bugnet you could also wear it over your hat and you won't get bit that is basically how they were designed to be used anyway