Hey all! I've been a lurker for quite a while and given that I've benefited from some of the route information and trip reports on this awesome site, I figured I should start contributing back.

Last month I did a 9 day solo trip from Ranger Lake, which I managed to time just before the bugs arrived and during a period with a total of only about 4 hours of rain over the 9 days! I didn't do the full loop (I stuck to the West Aubinadong side) and I intended to make it a bit further than I did, but had a slight setback that made me stop a bit short.

Nevertheless it was an awesome and challenging trip. I have a lengthy trip report with lots of pictures up below if you're interested:

https://www.ontarioflyfisher.com/backco ... eadwaters/

Cheers,
Steve

That's a great trip report Steve, thanks for taking the time to write it up.

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Have canoe, will travel.

Thanks Petit.Conan.

I forgot to also thank Jon Kelly for making his map available, which was a great help. Also Brad Thomas for his detailed route info, especially the GPS coordinates of some of the portages.

Thanks for posting a great trip report. It almost makes me want to go back! I was caught on Saymo the first year I went, in high winds, for more than two days at a campsite, IIRC. And both my paddles back across Ranger Lake weren't pleasant either. Thanks again!

Great Trip report...this one's been on my bucket list since watching Jon Kelly's video many moons ago. Now, I really want to go.

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“A day without canoeing probably wouldn’t kill me, but why risk it?”

Lol the token "drive to Gong" attempt...you gotta at least try right? Even with washouts, it's possible a car might get close enough to the top end of Saymo that they could start portaging there and it might still be an advantage vs. starting from Ranger. I want to paddle this route again someday and explore the lakes at the northern end but only if I can drive to Gong...would have to be later in the season I guess. Some have gotten cars in there.

Glad to hear of the map getting used

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@Lost Lakes

Ha, true that Jon. At least having tried once, it's more obvious what to be prepared for next time.

I think the road actually looked more intimidating than it really was, even in the (this) spring - at least with 4WD and a bit of ground clearance. Or, a smaller vehicle later season like you mention should be ok for much of it. As I mentioned in my report, I did see at least two trucks up as far as the top of Saymo - which would leave you with just the last leg of the Saymo -> Island Lake portage (the "road paddle" section), then Island and Mystery Lakes, which aren't bad. The road past Saymo looked like it got a lot rougher and a lot more narrow, but I guess you don't know until you try.

Totally agree, having to paddle and portage Ranger and Saymo again is a big put-off. Would definitely be cool to spend some time exploring north of Megisan.

Fantastic trip report Steve

Looks like an awesome trip with beautiful Trout! I have had this trip on my radar for many years now as well after seeing Jon's vid years ago, I have big 4x4 so the road issue wont bother me at all, I have all my trips planned this year, but who knows maybe a can squeeze in a week and get in there in the fall.
Question; how bony are the river sections? I have an ultralight Carbon/Innegra H20 and it wont take bouncing off rocks in shallow rivers very well. Do I need to pick up a Nova craft or Esquif tough stuff for this run?

Thanks!
Andrew

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https://www.instagram.com/outbound2explore/

Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit. ~ Edward Abbey

Thanks Andrew.

The West Aubinadong isn't bony at all. However, there's a good number of lift overs and a few tricky takeouts where you might do a little bumping and dragging.

I didn't travel the Nushatogaini, so if you want to do the loop, I'm not qualified to answer that, other than my research saying you will definitely be bumping and grinding along a lot on that river - or likely wading much of it.

Word of warning for the West Aub as well though - it really does feel like as much (or more) portaging than paddling, at least on the river sections of it. Still a nice river, with some good pools and nice lakes on either side, but don't go in expecting a lot of nice river paddling