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Post by nativebrookie on Apr 19, 2009 9:57:37 GMT -5
Hi folks:
I'm trying to plan a mid-summer trip on the Nepisiguit. Spent a couple of days paddling the lakes on my way to the Gaspe several years ago, and I'd love to start on the lakes and run down the river.
A couple of questions:
(1) Will the water be high enough in mid-summer (mid July, probably) to run from the lakes down to the dam at Nepisiguit Falls? I can't move the trip earlier, as I've just had ankle surgery and am on crutches into early June, and figure I'll need some time to get back in walking shape after that.
(2) I have trouble being in a canoe without fishing. I understand that there are sections of the Nepisiguit that are "Crown Reserve" water, and can only be fished by NB residents through a special permit. Where is this section? I don't want to be pinched for illegal fishing.
(3) Any other hints on the trip? What should I expect for whitewater above the dam? From the maps and various trip reports, it looks like most of the difficult stuff is downstream of the dam?
Thanks for any help.
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Post by nativebrookie on Apr 19, 2009 11:07:32 GMT -5
Sorry, one other question--
Any ideas for who might provide a shuttle? I see from trip reports that this may be an issue without a local connection.
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Post by Ken Corbett on Apr 19, 2009 12:44:19 GMT -5
(1) Will the water be high enough in mid-summer (mid July, probably) to run from the lakes down to the dam at Nepisiguit Falls? Crack in my crystal ball..... I expect it'll be runnable if there's any decent rain this spring. There is no reliable gauge on this river that I'm aware of. "Crown Reserve" water The province must have this info somewhere on the gnb.ca website. What should I expect for whitewater above the dam? Several stretches leading up to and including Indian Falls, and the Narrows gorge, are the chief stretches of whitewater above the dam. You should also look out for strainers in the upper stretches, several years back two paddlers were swept under a tree and drowned. Yeah, the stretch below the dam will require several carries and some shore-line dragging. Watch out for Pabineau Falls especially. Check the Bathurst area outfitters for a shuttle. It's different every year. Or maybe some other user of this board can help you out, who knows? Good luck!
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Post by nativebrookie on Apr 19, 2009 15:04:23 GMT -5
Thanks, Ken, and thanks for your trip report which got me started in this direction. I was thinking of the Little Tobique until I saw it.
I've looked hard at the online fishing regulations, and they are very clear that there is a Crown Reserve area on the river; that only NB residents can fish it; that getting a fishing permit requires putting in to a lottery; etc. I can even find the catch statistics for the last 5 years--and it looks like it fishes very well!
What I can't find is a map or description of where on the river it is.
I did find a website for a lodge on the upper part of the river--Governor's Wilderness Lodge at Popple Depot. (By the way, anybody ever stayed there? Nice website--I wonder if they'd do a shuttle.) That suggests the Crown Reserve is downstream of Popple Depot, but not by much.
Perhaps a call to the Provincial authorities is in order.
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Post by loves2canoe on Apr 23, 2009 18:20:09 GMT -5
Hey Nativebrookie
Myself and three of my buddies paddled the Nepisguit from roughly the rangers station (up river) to the Dam the weekend of June 21,22,23 last year. The water was plenty high (no dragging or low waters that we came across) but like it was already mentioned, it depends on the year and the rain fall amount to be certain.
As for the Crown reserve land and fishing rights, if memory serves me correctly there is designated areas marked on river (trees with signs showing a crown) every so many kilometres. It shows you one that says start of crown land, then a few kilometres down river it shows you another crown sign that say area ends. If you are on a stretch of river where their are no signs posted it would be ok to fish in that area. 2 of my friends cast off many times over the course of the weekend in the allowable areas. (Didnt catch much).
In terms of the shuttles available, really not sure there as we had local contacts who picked us up at our take out point and drove us to the put in the night before.
It is a great river to run though (mainly because of its isolation), fast moving and enjoyable, hope you get to run it
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Post by tickles on May 3, 2009 11:54:42 GMT -5
Try phoning the rangers up there they might know. St-Quentin Rangers' Office is 506 235-6040. Also a email address for you mt.Carleton@gnb.ca Joel
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Post by nativebrookie on May 8, 2009 15:33:33 GMT -5
Many thanks for the info!
I got the Provincial canoe route map, which is very helpful. Still looking for the location of the Crown Reserve water, but I think it's below Popple Depot.
A couple of new questions: (1) The provincial canoe route map doesn't show any campsites until Popple Depot, but the trip reports seem to indicate there are campsites somewhere between the outlet of Nepisguit Deadwater and the Little South Branch? Any recent info?
(2) Is it possible to camp anywhere on Bathurst or Teneriffe Lakes? I think I remember from my last visit to Mt. Carleton that there used to be remote campsites, but they were closed for budget reasons 4 or 5 years ago.
Thanks again.
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Post by Ken Corbett on May 8, 2009 21:39:50 GMT -5
There is a campsite above the decrepit bridge where the Little South Branch joins the main river. Take out on the left bank by the bridge, and walk up a trail to a site. Don't stagger around in the dark up there though, it falls down a hundred feet or more to the river.
There is another campsite a bit farther down, on the left just past an island. You will see a rocky gravelly bank river left, take out right away there. I didn't see any others until Popple.
There is a shelter at the outlet of the last lake, river right. There may be room for a tent.
Ken
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ldmrt
Voyageur
Posts: 124
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Post by ldmrt on May 16, 2009 20:43:10 GMT -5
Govenor's Lodge is supposed to be really nice. I know snowmobilers who stay and eat there in the wintertime and we recommend it to outsiders looking for a place when they stop into our clubhouse. Not sure if it is open in the summer though.
As for shuttles.... have you tried Arpin's Canoes in Kedgewick? I know they provide shuttles/canoe rentals on the Kedgewick, Upsalquitch and Restigouche rivers but might also do it for the upper Nepisiquit too.
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Post by nativebrookie on May 18, 2009 21:38:48 GMT -5
Governors is open in summer, but seems to be fully booked for late July. They didn't respond to my question asking if they could provide a canoe shuttle, so I'm guessing the answer is no, although I have not yet followed up with them.
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Post by nativebrookie on May 18, 2009 21:40:19 GMT -5
Sorry, forgot to say THANKS for suggesting Arpin's. I'll figure this out, if not this summer then next!
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