As usual in the fall, I keep looking for 15C+ days for some last season paddling. This year, the Tuesday (Oct 10) after Thanksgiving was looking pretty good (20C and sunny)! So I headed for the Ottawa River Provincial Park area above the whitewater river section (a few km below La Passe, ON). I had been in this area twice before – MYS15 (2010) and SP21 (2008).
This area of the river from La Passe to Sullivan Island is not great sailing (too narrow, shallow waters, islands/rocks, etc.) and is better to explore by kayak or canoe. A few islands (Big, Butternut, and Cedar) are part of the Ottawa River Provincial Park (un-managed). La Passe has a boat ramp, and I have used the ramp for the SP and MYS15. For canoe and kayak outings, I prefer to launch on the Ontario side across from Butternut Island at the end of Put-In Trail off Grants Settlement Road (45°45'20.81" N; 76°47'37.34" W).
For this trip, I was paddling my 14ft Widgeon kayak. After launching at Put in Trail, I headed upriver, hugging the Ontario shore. I squeezed past Butternut and Sawlog islands and paddled upriver beyond Big Island before crossing over to the Quebec side. After a bit of poking around, I found the bottom entrance to the big shallow bay on the Quebec side. I explored the bay for an hour or so and made a stop for a bio break and snack. The bay is pretty weedy and shallow – so nice shore landing spots are at a premium.
After snack, I headed back to the main river channel and made my way towards the control dam (Barrage du Rocher Fendu). I followed narrow channels along the Quebec side behind a group of small islands. Close to the control dam on a prominent rocky point, I went ashore for lunch and a break. After lunch, I made my way around the large Sullivan Island (private) and back to the Put-in Trail launch point.
I had my fishing rod and tried for bass throughout the trip but did not catch any fish and had very few nibbles. For today's nature sightings, I observed quite a few Canada Geese on the water and a small flock of noisy birds.
It's an excellent spot for a day paddle, but hopefully, the fishing would be better next time!
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