Wilderness Canoeing in Canada

Canoe Point - Dubawnt River Above Uksuriajuaq Rapids

Distance 33 km [832 km]
Portage 0 [16]
Very Fast Water 3 [33]
Rapids 3 [31]

We woke to a cold but still very ‘buggy’ morning with a moderate headwind.

It was so good to be back on the river making distance with the assistance of the swift and strong current. We ran three rapids in fairly quick succession this morning. The first was a straight forward RR run, big and fast but no holes or boulders. The second was over two kilometres with turns to the right and then the left. The waves were not high but there were a couple of small ledges and towards the bottom the rapid became shallow and seemed to go on forever, though we were through in about ten minutes. It needed lots of manoeuvring to avoid rocks and find the deepest water. In crazy rapids like this I was again impressed by John’s ability to read the river on the fly and manoeuvre around boulders and holes finding the main current and the deepest lines. This rapid was followed by two straight forward rapids in two small lakes, stretches of fast flowing water, some with big waves, and all before lunch.

We decided this morning that we would camp before the last rapid into Wharton Lake [Uksuriajuaq Rapids] as it is reputed to be difficult with a number of ledges opening into an extensive boulder garden, also it is long and will possibly require a number of scouting stops. We are now camped on a nice beach several kilometres above the start of the rapid. We arrived by 1.30 much sooner than we expected but it gives us a chance to catch up on a number of maintenance jobs. John decided to catch our tea and soon landed a small pan sized lake trout but wanting to get another he spent several hours up to his thighs in cold water casting. Eventually he landed a HUGE, possibly 15 kg trout. It was far too big for our needs but it had exhausted itself in the battle to land it so he could not release it. We spent an age filleting the beast and we had enough delicious fish for an enormous meal plus sufficient for breakfast and dinner tomorrow. I guess this means John has now caught what would be considered a trophy fish.