Watershed invaders

Here is a disturbing article from the http://thechronicleherald.ca

ext + - Watershed invaders  Fisheries officials have new powers to restrict introduction of invasive species, but experts say damage is already done By RICHARD WOODBURY Freelance writer Sun, Jan 30 - 4:54 AM Brook trout, Nova Scotia’s provincial fish, have a hard time competing with smallmouth bass. (RAYMOND PLOURDE) Smallmouth bass like this one, not native to Nova Scotia, have spread to almost 200 rivers and lakes in the province since they were introduced. (EDDIE HALFYARD ) FISH FACTSSome information on the biology and the spread of smallmouth bass in Nova Scotia: Length: Less than 50 cm; Canadian angling record is 61 cm. Weight: Usually less than 2 kg. Life cycle: Sexual maturity reached from 3-6 years. Maximum reported age in the Maritimes is 22 years. Females lay 5,000-14,000 eggs in nests built and guarded by males. History of spread in Nova Scotia: Before 1900, no smallmouth bass were recorded. By 1951, they were in 8 N.S. lakes and rivers. By 1980, they were in 52 additional locations. By 2008, they were present in a total of 188. IMAGINE BEING labelled "one of the world’s most disastrous invasive species." Well, that’s what one 2004 report called the smallmouth bass. Over the last 20 years, the number of Nova Scotia’s lakes and rivers where they appear has more than doubled. While bass are considered a sport fish, they are an invasive species whose growth comes at the expense of native species such as the brook trout, Nova Scotia’s provincial fish. "When smallmouth bass are introduced into a water body, they prey heavily on smaller fish, can out-compete other fish species, and can become a dominant component of the food web," says a 2009 Fisheries and Oceans Canada report. Unfortunately, legislation under the Federal Fisheries Act to prevent the spread of invasive fish species like smallmouth bass and chain pickerel has done little to help. "There has not been a charge under this act anywhere in Canada since 1984," writes Steven Stewart, a spokesman for the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, in an email. The biggest factor in the spread of smallmouth bass has been people introducing the fish into the province’s lakes and rivers. Under existing federal legislation, it is illegal to introduce fish into habitat without a licence. But new legislation is giving anglers who are worried about brook trout some hope. In November, the provincial government announced amendments to its Fisheries and Coastal Resources Act which would give officers greater authority to enforce the provincial act. "Officers would be able to fine people with live fish in their possession where previously an officer would have to witness an introduction before a charge could be laid," says Stewart. "That’s going to help protect our lakes and rivers." The regulations are expected to take effect in the spring. Lyle Goldberg, a past president of Trout Nova Scotia, is lukewarm in his support of the new regulations. "It should have been dealt with 20 years ago," he says. "That’s the sad reality." Goldberg says that catching people transporting fishing is going to be a challenge, "but it’s a step in the right direction." The first introduction of smallmouth bass in Nova Scotia happened at Bunkers Lake in Yarmouth County in 1942. "It was a sanctioned introduction by government to develop new recreational fisheries where traditional fisheries for speckled (brook) trout were diminished due to over harvesting, habitat alterations, poor land use practices, eutrophication and acidification," says a 2010 Fisheries and Oceans Canada report. Since that first introduction, the number of occurrences in Nova Scotia’s lakes and rivers has grown to 188, according to Fisheries and Oceans Canada numbers, although some people believe that number is much higher. While there have been a handful of sanctioned introductions, people have accelerated the spread by illegally transferring the fish from one body of water to another. The fish will then naturally disperse throughout a watershed, or all the lakes and rivers connected to the original body. Why do people illegally introduce smallmouth bass into the province’s watersheds? One reason is that some people mistakenly believe that trout may not be present in a lake because they are unable to catch them and will thus stock the lake with smallmouth bass. Gold-berg says because trout are a cold water species, they tend to go into deep water in the summer, making them hard to catch and leaving the impression they aren’t present. Anglers also enjoy the challenge of fishing for smallmouth bass. "From an angler’s perspective, they fight hard," says Eddie Halfyard, president of the Canadian Association of Smallmouth Anglers, a Nova Scotia-based organization which promotes fishing for smallmouth bass. The time of the season is another factor. "You can catch them for long extended periods of time, basically from April until nearly December, whereas things like brook trout and Atlantic salmon, they only have a select window of opportunity," says Halfyard. You might think the situation would produce lots of conflict between trout anglers and bass anglers, but that’s not the case. "I wear multiple hats on this," says Halfyard. As a biologist, he is as well versed on the topic as anybody. He authored a 2010 Fisheries and Oceans Canada report on the options for "the containment, control and eradication of illegally introduced smallmouth bass." Halfyard agrees that smallmouth bass are being painted as the bad guy. "But it’s not unjustified," he says. "They are a fish that are very, very efficient at taking over a watershed. "I appreciate and often side with the arguments that are put forward about the negative impacts of smallmouth bass and at the same time, it’s hard to deny the sporting qualities." To help restore the trout population, Trout Nova Scotia would like to see barriers erected and watersheds reclaimed. The latter would be done by electro-seining, a process that Goldberg describes as using an electric wand to stun invasive fish species, which would then be removed from the waters. There is no guarantee this process would work. "You can do some reclamation if you do it within the first year or two probably (of an introduction), but if it’s beyond that, it’s a real challenge," says Goldberg. Halfyard feels the emphasis should be on preventing the problem from getting any worse. "The reality is there’s not a lot that can be done," he says. "Once they’re here, they’re generally here to stay." If invasive fish species continue to spread, it would be a loss on many grounds for trout. "Trout represent the canary in the coal mine for healthy watersheds," says Goldberg. "If you have healthy wild trout populations, you have cool oxy-genated water with a healthy pH." It would also be a cultural blow. "We don’t want to see trout go the way of the salmon and the cod," says Goldberg. "It’s an historical and cultural fish. It’s our official fish and we want to see it protected because if we lost it, it would be a huge loss to the province." Richard Woodbury is a writer and editor from Halifax.

New Deep in Backing STEP BT STEP FLY TUTORIAL Cascade Shrimp Double

Deep In Backing Flies

Deep in Backing Fly Section Index click here

Cascade Shrimp Double Hook by Dai Jones

TIED BY Dai Jones

Here is a step by step of the cascade, a great pattern and fish catcher.Material

 Hook - DOUBLE FLY HOOK

But- Oval silver tinsel
Thread - White and hot orange thread for the head
Tail - Orange bucktail, yellow bucktail & orange crystal flash
Body -Holographic tinsel silver
Wing- Black bear & pearl angel hair
Collar- Yellow hackle & orange hackle
Eye- Dyed jungle cock optional

Jocelin et Julien

New Deep in Backing ProStaff Fly Tier Dai Jones

http://www.deepinbacking.com/deep_in_backing_staff_fly_tyer.htmew Deep iBacking ProStaff Fly Tier Dai Jones

Dai Jones

d.jones793@ntlword.com

Dai is a well known figure in Europeam Fly fishing communities.

 Started fishing at the age of six, on the Afon Twrch. When I was a bit older my Dad started taking me sea fishing off the Mumbles pier.

At the age of 9, i started fly tying and fishing for sewin on the River Tawe. in those days the river was just full of fish sewin huge runs it was an awesome river and you never though about catching 30/ 40 sewin in the day spinning and fly fishing, you would also catch salmon / bass and twait shad by the bin full, how the days have changed.

I love the sewin and bass fishing, those were the two fish I loved to fish for. 41 years ago I started fly fishing for bass off the Gower. I have also fished many places around the world, catching blue fin tuna 625lb, shark 450lb, sailfish 124lb, my PB fish on a fly tarpon about 60lb

Personal best salmon on a fly 22lb 08oz, Sewin 10lb 12oz, rainbow 15lb 12oz, Brown 10lb 04oz, bass 11lb 06oz, tarpon 60lb, lemon shark 85lb, I also like my carp fishing PB on a fly 36lb 12oz, on bait 51lb UK PB, French PB is 57lb 12oz. 

 

Jocelin & Sonie

How to Tie the Davy Knot by Zach Mathews

How to Tie the Davy Knot by Zach Mathews

http://www.itinerantangler.com/podcasts/

Here is a simple knot for everyone to practice just in cas you didn't know this one

Thanks Zach

The Davy Knot, invented by Davy Wotton, is a type of figure 8 knot that is perfect for extremely small flies. The tiny size of this knot makes it perfect on bright days, in still water, or whenever trout are being extremely selective. Because the Davy Knot is so fast to tie, it is extremely popular with tournament anglers fishing under a time limit.



Jocelin & Sonie

New Deep In Backing Fly Tying Video White Madorabou Assassin Streamer for Trout

Deep In Backing Free Fly Tying Video Tutorials

January 24 2011 New Free Fly Tying Video

White Madorabou Assassin Streamer tied by Marc Madore

Jocelin & Sonie

Les Bandes Annonces du Film Chercher Le Courant

Voici les Bandes Annonces et clip du film documentaire CHERCHER LE COURANT

Jocelin et Sonie

New Deep In Backing Fly Tying Video Olive Madorabou Assassin

Deep In Backing Free Fly Tying Video Tutorials

January 18 2011 New Free Fly Tying Video

Olive Madorabou Assassin Streamer tied by Marc Madore

We also have 2 previous fly tying video's available so in case you missed them here they are

Sparkle Whore Streamer

LA RIVIERE VERTE

Jocelin & Sonie

Chercher Le Courant

Voici un film documentaire que toutes payeur de compte d'électricité dois voir


Chercher Le Courant


http://www.chercherlecourant.com/

Chercher le courant prendra l’affiche dans 14 salles au Québec à partir de janvier 2011

Fort du Prix du public offert par Canal D et de sa mention spéciale par le jury du prix ÉcoCaméra aux RIDM 2010, Chercher le courant prendra l’affiche dans 14 salles dans les villes et régions du Québec à compter de la mi-janvier 2011.

Sélectionné par le comité de programmation de la 21e édition du Festival du Film de Sept-Îles, Chercher le courant y sera présenté en grandes pompes à titre de film d’ouverture le jeudi 13 janvier prochain, en présence des réalisateurs Nicolas Boisclair et Alexis de Gheldere et du comédien Roy Dupuis, protagoniste du film et producteur associé. Le film est aussi le seul long métrage documentaire retenu par les programmateurs du festival voisin de Baie-Comeau, qui se déroule au même moment et où il sera projeté à trois occasions.

L’équipe du film se livrera à son retour de la Côte-Nord à une vaste campagne médiatique avant la sortie simultanée du film à la Cinérobothèque de l’ONF à Montréal et au Cinéma Cartier à Québec, le vendredi 28 janvier, avant de reprendre la route pour accompagner plusieurs projections en région.  Au plaisir de vous y rencontrer ! Tous les détails ici.

Jocelin et Sonie

ASF Urges Changes to Prevent Farmed Fish Escapes

News

More ASF NEWS http://www.asf.ca/news.php?id=635&type=news ASF Urges Changes to Prevent Farmed Fish Escapes January 11th, 2011 FIS Atlantic Salmon Federation urges changes to prevent farmed fish from escaping  CANADA Monday, January 10, 2011, 23:20 (GMT + 9) The Atlantic Salmon Federation (ASF) is pushing for changes to fish farms in the New Brunswick (NB) region to keep salmon from escaping into the wild after 138,000 farmed juvenile Atlantic salmon broke out from an aquaculture operation in the Bay of Fundy. Escaped farmed salmon can survive in the ocean along with wild stocks, meaning that the two could possibly spawn together and weaken wild salmon populations, said ASF officials. "Recapture efforts must be implemented to reduce the impacts of escaped farm salmon on populations of wild Atlantic salmon which are at critically low levels throughout the Bay of Fundy and nearby Gulf of Maine," said ASF President Bill Taylor, MPBN reports. "The best solution to the problem of escapes, however, would be to locate salmon farms on land. It would also eliminate the spread of sea lice and disease to wild salmon," he added. According to the federation, the fish probably escaped late last month as a result of strong winds and ocean swells that tore open net cages that had just been installed. It appears that some 38,000 of the salmon originated from a hatchery in the upper Saint John River in NB and the remainder came from a hatchery on Grand Manan Island. Glen Brown, president of Admiral Fish Farms Ltd in NB, said his company first noticed the breakout on 26 December, although high winds did not let them confirm the escape until 30 December, The Canadian Press reports. "Fish containment is a top priority with our company and we take any breaches very seriously," Brown stated. He vowed that his company would cease to use the same type of cage until the design issues that led to the breach have been fixed. But Taylor believes that is not enough. “Another escape of farmed Atlantic salmon near Grand Manan Island illustrates that, even with the best of intentions and modern equipment, breaches in containment at fish farms still occur," he affirmed, reports NewsBlaze. Gisele Regimbal, a spokesperson for the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture in New Brunswick, noted that even though few farmed fish escapes take place, three have occurred in the last three months. In the most recent case, the aquaculture firm abided by the provincial regulations by reporting the breach as well as its plans to prevent a recurrence, she said. The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) recently advised designating all wild salmon stocks in the Bay of Fundy and southern coast of Nova Scotia endangered under the Federal Species at Risk Act. "Aquaculture was identified by COSEWIC as posing a threat to wild Atlantic salmon stocks," Taylor said. "The Atlantic Salmon Federation is urging the federal government to use the precautionary approach and not approve any new cage site operations in the Bay of Fundy or Southern Nova Scotia until wild stocks of Atlantic salmon have been restored." Related article: - Aquaculture farm threatens wild salmon: Atlantic Salmon Federation  By Natalia Real editorial@fis.com www.fis.com

More Farmed Salmon Escape near Grand Manan Island

News from the ASF


More Farmed Salmon Escape near Grand Manan Island

January 7th, 2011

More Farmed Salmon Escape near Grand Manan Island

For immediate release                            
January 7, 2011    

St. Andrews, NB …”Another escape of farmed Atlantic salmon near Grand Manan Island illustrates that, even with the best of intentions and modern equipment, breaches in containment at fish farms still occur,” states Bill Taylor, President of the Atlantic Salmon Federation (ASF).  

The 138,000 juvenile farmed Atlantic salmon, estimated to be about 25 cm in length, escaped from an aquaculture pen operation near White Head Island, located east of Grand Manan Island at the mouth of the Bay of Fundy.  Although they are small, these juvenile salmon, are capable of surviving in the ocean.  It is believed that the high winds and ocean swells between December 20 and 26 ripped open the newly installed net cages. 

“Storm events can cause problems with any coastal infrastructure and damage to salmon sea cages is no surprise,” says Mr. Taylor. “Anyone who works in ocean conditions understands that there are weather related hazards.”

“Recapture efforts must be implemented to reduce the impacts of escaped farm salmon on populations of wild Atlantic salmon which are at critically low levels throughout the Bay of Fundy and nearby Gulf of Maine,” adds Mr. Taylor.  “The best solution to the problem of escapes, however, would be to locate salmon farms on land.  It would also eliminate the spread of sea lice and disease to wild salmon.”

Approximately 38,000 of the escaped fish were from a hatchery in the upper Saint John River, while 100,000 were from a hatchery on Grand Manan Island. Although the fish are small now, ASF and other conservation organizations are concerned that over the next two years some of them could survive to maturity and enter rivers on both the Nova Scotia and New Brunswick sides of the Bay of Fundy.  A major threat is that farmed fish will interbreed with wild salmon, producing weaker genetic strains of fish that are less likely to survive in the natural environment.

Other recent escapes of farmed salmon in the area included 33,000 from an operation near Castalia, Grand Manan at the end of November 2010, and 13,000 from a farm in Western Passage off Deer Island in October. 

The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) recently recommended that the entire Bay of Fundy and southern coast of Nova Scotia’s wild salmon stocks be designated endangered under the Federal Species at Risk Act.  “Aquaculture was identified by COSEWIC as posing a threat to wild Atlantic salmon stocks,” says Mr. Taylor.  “The Atlantic Salmon Federation is urging the federal government to use the precautionary approach and not approve any new cage site operations in the Bay of Fundy or Southern Nova Scotia until wild stocks of Atlantic salmon have been restored.”

ASF is pleased that the industry is demonstrating more transparency by reporting these most recent escapes.  Knowing when, where, and how many fish escape helps fisheries managers address this serious problem.

The Atlantic Salmon Federation is dedicated to the conservation, protection and restoration of wild Atlantic salmon and the ecosystems on which their well being and survival depend.

ASF has a network of seven regional councils (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Maine and Western New England).  The regional councils cover the freshwater range of the Atlantic salmon in Canada and the United States.

-30-

For  further information, please contact:
Muriel Ferguson, Communications
506 529-1033 or 506 529-4581

Interesting find on the remote Petit-Mécatina river lower North Shore Québec

Here is an iteresting article I found on the Petit-Mécatina River Québec North Shore a gem in peril

From

Rivière du Petit-Mécatina

Rivière du Petit Mécatina

Special Note- This story appeared in Canoe and Kayak Whitewater 2008 pages 40-43 Below is the original unedited version (somewhat different than in the magazine). I feel it is necessary to get this information out there and that is why it is reprinted here. Sorry if I inconvenience anyone, but this is an important issue. Anyone interested in paddling the Mecatina should and take lots of photos and video. It too may not be around for much longer. Thanks to Pat Camblin for allowing me to use some of his awesome photographs.

..........................the infamous ferry move
-photo courtesy Pat Camblin

Last September (2007) a group of us kayakers went to explore an unrun canyon and rapids of the Petit Mecatina River. It was an epic trip as we found ourselves amidst a true whitewater classic. Long days, remote river, difficult whitewater, creative routefinding, and spectacular scenery. Here is the story and photos of that trip. The Mecatina is also under study for a 1500 MW hydro project that would consist of three dams. We saw first hand the surveying that had already been done along the river. It would be a true shame to lose such an incredible free-flowing river.

Riviere Du Petit Mecatina
By Fred Coriell

The Beaver’s engine rattled and sputtered as Leonard DuReps did his preflight warm-up lap around the lake. It was nearly noon and six hours past our anticipated departure time. I could see Willy Kern nodding off in the co-pilot seat and Eric Boomer had his face firmly pressed against the kayaks inside the plane.

-photo courtesy Pat Camblin

The long drive out the mighty Saint Lawrence River to the eastern endpoint of highway 138 in the town of Natashquan, Québec was beautiful, but frenzied. Several minor detours including screeching the car to a halt at every river crossing and an empty gas tank around midnight had slowed us down enough to realize the window of time was rapidly closing.
Originally we intended to fly into the Petit Mecatina River on Sunday giving us six and a half days to paddle 120 miles and negotiate a canyon that had spawned several near legendary stories of portaging. The crux of the plan, besides the canyon, was catching a weekly ferry out of Harrington Harbour, a small fishing village near the mouth of the river, at 7pm the following Saturday. There are no roads in this part of Québec. The 12 hour ferry ride is the only public transportation linking Harrington Harbor and highway 138 in Natashquan. Miss the ferry and we have to wait another week.
Now it was Monday and only time for one plane load before dark. It would be almost noon on Tuesday before the other two plane flights arrived and we could begin the paddle. The only good news, it seemed, was that Leonard thought he could land directly above the gorge we intended to paddle. Thus, shortening the trip 30 miles and gaining back one of the days we had already lost.

-photo courtesy Pat Camblin

With half closed eyes I watched the taiga, its huge forests of black spruce and balsam fir and the endless lakes and rivers connecting them. In all, the three of us on the first flight had it good. We could get some much needed rest and contemplate a river that was currently flowing within our reach.
The Petit Mecatina is the longest river in Québec’s North Coast region. Its headwaters overflow with lakes draining across the Canadian Shield and off the Lower North Shore Plateau. Broad river valleys flanked by smooth granite bubbles shaped by endless glaciations and the slow steady progress of the giant river system are remnants of the archaic mountain ranges that once stood proud. Since 1977 there have been a handful of descents down the river. A 1985 Canoe Magazine article describes a trip that year by Sergey Theoret who also ran the river first in 1977. He returned with tales of an impassable canyon, but described a portage route on the western side of the river. In 1986 Eric Lindbergh led a trip with three kayaks. They began at Lac Breton, our original planned starting point, paddled into the canyon and portaged for a day and a half on the eastern side of the river around the rapids that make up the heart of the gorge. Most recently in 2003 a group of canoes paddled from the Mecatina’s headwaters 500 km to the ocean. The “trip from hell” as described by their report lasted over three weeks with the canyon portage taking six days.
It is hard to grasp the scale of the Mecatina. The river is so big it looks still and the horizon lines seem to appear suddenly, only the sullen roar hinting at what lies ahead. Standing on billion year old bedrock Willy, Boomer, and I scouted the first set of rapids. We debated the river’s volume. Maybe 4,000cfs or 12,000cfs, it was difficult to decipher.Swimming pool sized potholes that disappeared into the abyss dotted the river bank. Large natural forces had been at work here for a long time. The place felt ancient.
On the right side of the river were several orange painted markers cloaked with sticks covered in orange flagging; a sight that would become all too familiar downstream. The Mecatina’s attributes, as well other large rivers on the North Coast, have attracted the will of modern civilization’s ever-increasing demand for energy. In the Hydro Québec Production Strategic Plan 2004-2008 it states “The Romaine development could be followed by a second major 1500-MW project on the Petit Mecatina River in the same region.” If approved the Romaine project could begin construction in 2009. The Mecatina may not be far behind. Attaining back to camp my thoughts immersed in a debate between a need for renewable energy sources and what the true costs are of those technologies. I concluded, at least for now, that we were fortunate, perhaps selfishly so, about to experience a journey through a still untouched and wild landscape.
The drone of the plane’s engine broke the morning silence as it crested the ridge. John Grace, Pat Camblin, and Anthony Yap arrived in the first load. Three hours later Tommy Hilleke, Billy Murphy, and Joe Barkley unloaded the last of the gear and in true bush pilot form Leonard departed ducking his right wing just over our heads. Nine of us headed downstream curious to feel the push of the river beneath our kayaks hopeful of negotiating the gorge by nightfall.
A smooth thick tongue of tannin colored water dropped 4 meters threading two large holes. The river abruptly changed from calm to frantic.

-photo courtesy Pat Camblin

A variety of underwater, over the water, and backender moves ensued. Then straight into another river wide feature. Instantly, the Mecatina was alive.Over the next couple hours we settled into a steady pace of leap frog scouting and follow the leader, running several big wave trains and a few standout rapids.

-photo courtesy Pat Camblin

One in particular, just above a place called Granite Island Rapid, Boomer ran out in the main flow executing a timely subsurface paddle at the bottom of a watery ramp. It was exciting big water paddling.-photo courtesy Pat Camblin

The surrounding shore lines began to tighten their grip on the river’s course. In the distance cliffs sprang out of the valley floor stacking in bands of rock and boreal vegetation. Two grey domes topped with a rich hue of moss and black spruce rose taller than the rest. The river was deeply entrenched between them.It was nearly three o’clock and we were about to commit ourselves into the canyon. A couple of pushy lead-in rapids and we were out of our boats looking at one of two named rapids on the map, La Grande Truite (The Big Trout).

-photo courtesy Pat Camblin

A smooth steeply sloping granite slab formed the left side of the river. It rose several hundred feet up, too exposed to traverse. The right side was more of the same. We could portage the top of the rapid, but were committed to a ferry move above a ledge that mischievously hid itself from clear view. Willy and Tommy went long and scouted from high up the left side wall. If we could make the ferry across the river it looked possible to keep moving at river level and avoid a grim portage. It was a big “if”. The river was pushing hard. We powwowed trying to decipher aerial photographs and the left side scout. Willy thought if someone blew the ferry there was a thin line in the center of the river that would work if you paddled hard.
Of the first three to go only Boomer made the ferry. The rest of us watched in amazement as Pat, taking a heroic surf, held on long enough to be spit out downstream. Anthony, seeing the situation in front of him, turned his boat downstream towards Pat and paddled straight at the hole. He emerged in the outflow and upright. Convinced of a line we slid into our kayaks focused on making the move. Only four of nine made the ferry, but most importantly no more hole riding.
Around the next corner was a steep rapid with plenty of room to portage over house sized rocks on the right. People had been here before. Orange markers were spaced every hundred yards or so down both river banks. We scouted further to see what was making the tremendous rumbling that echoed loudly off the canyon walls.

The Mecatina dropped over a 10 meter falls, squeezed between solid bedrock flanks, creating a frothy white storm that boiled wildly into chaos. There was a steep rocky ramp leading to a cave below the falls and an obvious way downstream.

-photo courtesy Pat Camblin

-photo courtesy Pat Camblin

The other option was a ferry above the falls and a portage down rock slabs back to the river. Daylight was fading. John led a crew that opted for the ferry and everyone else portaged entirely on the right.

-photo courtesy Pat Camblin

Looking back upstream at the watery chaos the scale of the Mecatina showed itself again. The raucous boil at the base of the falls surged with such fury it blocked the lower half of the drop from view. We floated around another corner and the canyon walls receded.

-photo courtesy Pat Camblin

The first stars flickered to light as we settled into camp.
The next day was a mix of rapids and long stretches of moving current. With the broadening river valley we delighted in a display of northern boreal waterfowl. Mergansers, bitterns, and watchful osprey crisscrossed the sky.

-photo courtesy Pat Camblin

Even a lone wolf eyed us wearily from the river bank. We had traveled only 10 miles yesterday. Four days and 80 miles remained between us and the ferry. It seemed reasonable we would make it, but in short river kayaks the vast calm sections of the Mecatina became arduous work. Sometimes we would paddle in a line, drafting wakes and keeping a steady cadence of forward strokes.For breaks we rafted the boats together floating lazily in the current sharing snacks and checking our progress on the maps.
Late in the afternoon the Mecatina flowed into a smaller less imposing canyon with long wave trains and a few big holes. Mostly we enjoyed trying to surf our gear laden kayaks. Joe took a ride while unsuccessfully trying to thread a couple of large crashers.

-photo courtesy Pat Camblin

After several rounds in the hole he managed to jump his heavy kayak completely out of the water before continuing downstream.At the end of the canyon was an impressive rapid. Standing at the top the whitewater continued as far as we could see. More orange markers lined the river bank perhaps explaining why the map had exact elevations for the top and bottom of the rapid. We stayed close to the right shore, not tempting the middle of the river.-photo courtesy Pat Camblin
On the third morning we awoke with a strengthening southerly breeze. Unwelcome weather with more than 30 miles of flat water ahead. The windy conditions deteriorated throughout the day. Where there was current the wind pushed so hard it created standing waves. Again we formed a drafting line, heads down against the constant spray whipping our faces.An incredible set of glassy waves called Rapid de Pahtapistnakan came somewhere in the middle of the day. Everyone scrambled to put their spray skirts on in time for a surf. Had there been more time we would have stayed here for the night.
As the day wound down we passed a group of moose hunters from Tete-a-la-Beleine, a coastal village east of the Mecatina. They shared a few precious beers and informed us that we were close to the day’s goal.

-photo courtesy Pat Camblin

Thanking them for the libations and a tour of their cabin we paddled the last few miles spending a windy night just above the place where the Mecatina divides into two channels.
Locals call it “The Split.” The western channel takes the name Netagamiou while the eastern keeps the name Petit Mecatina.

-photo courtesy Pat Camblin

They flow about 10 miles apart, two very distinct rivers now. I could only venture a guess that over time nature’s forces had eroded the falls above the split far enough upstream that the river began pouring into another depression in the landscape eventually finding its way to the ocean.It also presented a decision that was answered the previous day by a satellite phone call to Larry Ransom. The Harrington Harbor wharf manager had secured us a boat ride from the bottom of the Mecatina at 6:30 the next morning. He explained we needed to be punctual since high tide was at 7am, or we would be on our own.The route was set which, to our surprise, held some of the best whitewater of the trip.
Below the split, with half the flow, the river crashed through a short bedrock gorge.

-photo courtesy Pat Camblin

Then several long pools and rapids that split around islands making different channels of whitewater.

-photo courtesy Anthony Yap

We explored each one thoroughly paddling the channels that looked most inviting.

-photos courtesy Pat Camblin

One last island, splitting a vertical waterfall and a sloping rapid into an abrupt slide, evoked lines of varying success. Tired, but thrilled about the last day’s whitewater, we slept at the base of the falls; its steady roar a last breath of a mighty river subsiding into the ocean.

-photos courtesy Pat Camblin

The sun was just rising from the ocean as we floated out the mouth of the river. It turned the sky a brilliant orange that reflected brightly on the calm water.

-photo courtesy Pat Camblin

In the distance the sound of a motor was gaining volume. Before long we could make out a zodiac raft heading towards us. It was Larry and Paul Rowsell the mayor of Harrington Harbor. They towed us back to Paul’s fishing boat and we loaded everything on board.

-photo courtesy Pat Camblin

We were grateful for the ride. It saved us several hours of paddling and probably a few more of getting lost trying to navigate through the coastal topography. We docked in Harrington Harbor around eight in the morning.Word traveled fast in the small town ever since the call to Larry on Thursday. People were curious to hear about the trip through the canyon. Some of them said they had flown over it before and others were interested to know if we had seen any moose along the way. We spent the day wandering the island and talking to the locals.

-photo courtesy Pat Camblin

I inquired to Paul about the surveying we had seen along the river. He said that Hydro Québec was interested in the Mecatina for multiple generating stations and thought the project would be a good thing for the local economy. As isolated as Harrington Harbor is I could understand how a large scale construction project would improve access to the largely untouched mainland and create opportunities besides the commercial fishing industry that the town was built around.
The ferry left Harrington Harbor at eight the next morning. A fast moving, but strong storm had delayed its departure.Finally, after a long seasick ride through 4 meter seas we were back on solid ground in Natashquan. It was 11pm on Sunday night, exactly five and a half days since we began paddling down the Mecatina. The river had surprised everyone with its incredible and abundant whitewater and spectacular scenery. We would all return if the opportunity arose again and perhaps entice other groups to explore the river. I hope that opportunity will be soon. The increasing pressure to expand the generating capacity of the North Coast’s immense water resources is evident with several ongoing refurbishing projects of older dams and the study of new large scale projects including the Mecatina. Awareness of the largely untapped whitewater resources could potentially factor into future decisions concerning hydro development in the region. . The river has the potential to be regarded as one of the classic expeditionary whitewater trips. And it is still a pristine landscape that sees little human impact. The future of the Petit Mecatina is still uncertain. It would be a real tragedy to lose it forever.