CANOEING ON THE TEMAGAMING. 



C. E. T. 



There are so many good canoe routes in 

 Eastern Canada that it is difficult to chose 

 between them. From Lake Temiskaming 

 charming trips may be made in all direc- 

 tions. Among them the Temagaming route 

 seems the choice of those most familiar 

 with the country. They who once camp on 

 it return year after year. 



The Temiskaming can be reached by a 

 branch line from Mattawa on the Canadian 

 Pacific. From the terminus the steamer 

 "Meteor" runs up the lake, lying over 

 night at the little village of Ville Marie, 

 and arriving at Haileyburg, 80 miles from 

 the foot of the lake, early next morning. 

 There provisions may be obtained at the 

 general store of Paul Cobbold. He will also 

 furnish guides, tents, canvases, blankets 

 and every requisite for a trip. 



The first portage, from Haileyburg to 

 Sharp lake, is 7 miles, and a wagon can be 

 hired to haul an outfit across it. The re- 

 maining portages average hardly half a 

 mile, and are easily made. 



At Sharp lake we had our first dinner 

 in the woods. The principal dishes were 

 fried bacon and baked potatoes, but never 

 was a meal eaten with greater relish. 



Dinner over, we arranged our baggage in 

 the canoes and started on our 2 weeks' 

 trip. It was but a short paddle through 

 Sharp lake. Then we portaged to Mud lake 

 and from there to the Montreal river, 

 where we camped for the night on a high 

 bluff with the river flowing swiftly and 

 silently below us. Early next morning we 

 started up river, and on being told there 

 were fine bass in the stream, we quickly 

 got out our rods. The bass, which weighed 

 2 to 3 pounds, were savage biters and we 

 secured enough for dinner in altogether too 

 short a time. After traveling 2 days up 

 the Montreal, in which time we passed 

 through Bay lake, where there is still 

 standing an abandoned Hudson Bay Co.'s 

 post, we reached Mattanapika falls. There 

 we left the river to continue our journey 

 to Lady Evelyn and Temagaming by way 

 of Mattawapika lake. 



The fishing continued good, and we saw 

 many ducks, but they were wild and would 

 go off at great speed as soon as we were 

 perceived. 



It was just before entering Lady Evelyn 

 lake that we saw the only moose of the 

 trip. We camped for the night at the 

 mouth of the Ka-Mistik-Muskega river. 

 About sunrise next morning we were 

 awakened by our guides who told us there 

 were 7 moose in the bay, a short distance 

 from camp. You can bet that tent didn't 

 hold us long. The moose had come out 

 to feed on the -tender lily pods in the 

 river, but they soon noticed our white tents 

 and took to the bush. 



That day we passed through Lady Evelyn, 

 a lake that must be seen to be appreciated. 

 We passed through Diamond lake and 

 over Sharp Rock portage into the king of 

 lakes, Temagaming, which is worth trav- 

 eling 1,000 miles to see. Words can not 

 do it justice. Having camped for the 

 night on Sharp Rock portage, the next day 

 we paddled slowly up Temagaming and 

 ate our dinner at the foot of Devil's mount- 

 ain. 



After visiting the several places of in- 

 terest around there, about which queer 

 Indian legends are told, we proceeded to 

 Bear island, where the Hudson Bay Co.'s 

 post is situated. There we camped 2 nights, 

 the days being spent in fishing. The water 

 of Temagaming is so clear that bass 

 can be seen 10 to 15 feet below the sur- 

 face. What is more, they can be caught, 

 and few weigh less than 4 pounds. 



As our time was fast drawing to a close, 

 we bought enough provisions at the post 

 to last until we should reach Temiskaming. 

 Our route back was by way of White Bear 

 lake, Rabbit lake and the Matabitchouan 

 river, which runs like a mill race, with a 

 few rapids to make it more interest- 

 ing. 



We found splendid camp sites and good 

 fishing all the way out, especially in the lit- 

 tle Bass lakes. Our last camp was pitched 

 on the shore of the lake, and early next 

 morning we boarded the steamer and were 

 carried back to civilization. 



Those who have the luck to go through 

 Temagaming during the open season should 

 not fail to take guns, for many grouse are 

 seen on the portages. At the little lakes 

 off the regular route, moose can be found 

 at any time. 



A woman on the death of her husband 

 telegraphed to a distant friend: 



"Dear Joseph is dead. Loss fully covered 

 by insurance." — Tit-Bits. 

 35o 



