UPPER WABIGOON ENGLISH RIVER TO paTxs CANOE ROUTE. ONE WEJ. t. UflBR WABIGOON AND GUSE BXV CANOE ROUtE. Clay Lake to Bar Pans via Oak Ink.. One week. l pmtases.

ABSTRACT. The route is interesting both fret a historical viewpoint and for reasons of its seenery White fltet SM goad fishing. the Wabtgcon and English Slyer was first used by the Preach explore Pierre Gaultier, Star d. La Venndrye in 1731 when he was looking for an alternative route to reseb the west fron Rainy River. Shortly thereafter the English River gained wide use by thi gudson’s Bay Coapany. With the main supply post at Grassy Narrows. the Hudson’s Bay Co*pany possessed winter outposts along the* &R &ñç, English River at such places as4Oak lake, Wilcox Lake and Gold Pines then called tine Ridge. Unlike the Grassy Narrows post. the othen posts were operated by single trappers sd# during the winter tenths offered auth staples as rifles * tea * tobacco. lard * ‘pork and working olothes * Xe vieS b]e retains of these posts can be fennd today. Duling the euaer sontha the Ccnpany brought in supplies and took out the winter’s furs by topic boats; long and heavy wooden boats capable of carrying up to eight ton. Len tug as soon as the toe left the lakes * these boats coasneed their J ourtsy to Norway Rouse on Hudson Bay. To accatodate then boats * portages were cut over ton feet wide iqtth the fallen trees being stripped of their bark and 1*24 on the ground as °e roflers over ubtob the crews could drag the boats by neana of long ropes. Ror this reason the English River portages are to this day unusually wide as ezesplified by the long portage passing the KantCots Pails on the North side of 2. Oak Lake. The English River system again received heavy use with the discovery of gold in Red Lake 1* 1926. Although heavy freight travelled up Lao Soul in barges capable of holding 15 tons, many miners chose the ZIIglSBII River in order to avoid the rougher waters of the Large Lake. Freight and miners were to meet at the northern end of the English River St its Junction with the Chukuni River. The English River was to rein one of the ways Of access to fled Lake by canoe until the construction of the first road in the late lflO’s. Vo* the canoeist the Wabigoon aM tgflch River systeas presents a wits. relatively tosqutto free route which althoush muddy the Wabigoon had been atfeoted b7 the Dryden Paper Xlii and possesses an unusual amount of S algae has scenic falls, fast running rapids, and good fishing as instanced by the fifty pound fluffieSt caught in Wegg lake. This is exhibited at the Ear tails nuseum.

The portages are Zn and short * in good condition and are widely spaced. mar. are three tourist camps. North Star Camp on Clay Lake. Barney Len’s Ball Lake Lodge, and the Xanitou Camp located next to the Pisaitcu power dam. Campsites are scarce but there are several excellent sites along the route. Although bh%s canoe raute was tra’velled from Clay Lake to it is easier to cove the route in reverse because of the strong w southwestward current of the English River.

The canoeist will, however * then have to travel up the Wabtgoozt * yet its current is weaker than the &zgltsh River. 3.

Route of the English River Syster. The English River initially flows out of Lao Soul. Near its Junetton with Lao Saul there is the settlement of Gold Pines, one of the real pioneers of the northland * known for a long time to hunters, trappers * fishones, explorers and prospectors * 4 short distance up the English River from Gold Pines is Ear FallS and the remains of a marine railway over which were once hauled the big boats and great stows serving the Las Seul waterway and Red Lake. Because of this rai],nt connections were once made between the mining centre of lied Lake ant the nhiwey connections at EU4SOU and Sioux Lockout. From Ear Falls the English River flows west to 1oifl with the Chutuni River. It then follows its channel towards such well- known flaking attn as Camping Lake* Oak Lake* Maynard Lake and so on. They will be Joined by the waters of the &ik__&a1_r.fl__t_s ._f Sturgeon River, flowing out of Sydney and Long Legged Lakes aM all together they win join those of the Winnipeg nyc system and flow on through a great chain of taterways to tnau5into the into.

ROUTE DCHXPTIOL

The st location to begin or end this route is at the North Star Cp Road Highway # 609 running from Quibell to the south shore of Clay Lake. Although it is possible to canoe from Clay Lake to either Vermilion Bay or Dryden, it is not enjoyable as the Wabi goon River hat been so adversely affected by the Dryden Paper Mill that the trip would be unpleasant. 4.

Although Clay Lake was described by early survey parties as "nothing but brifle country it every .8irection. There are vast quanties of blueberries," this is no longer true. As early as 1770 Hudson Bay Company explorers had described the area as "fire probably because or country" nflflrty a large number of light$ng strikes. In the burned over areas blueberries thrived. However today with th! increased efficiency of the lands and Forests tire detection tecbntuee, the forests have stopped burning and b3ne berries no longer grow in snth great quantities. Ret. Report of the Suns’

and 3xplóntton oF Northern * toronto 190$. Prom the North Star Camp head north north east for three quarters of a mite to pass around a large island directly oft shore fl-mn the tourist camp. Then travel in a westward direction around the oeeasioml island for sir miles to reach the . The mouth of the Wabigoon here is identified by its narrowness with a sbaflort beach on the south side and steep hills on the petinsula on the north ale.. Tb. beach on the south side sense as a gooa oerpsite. Zn tiMing the river take care to have avotted the bay leading southwest about one mile from the tar western etI of the lake, and the narrows leading northwest on the north side of the lake -also at Ste west end. Once through the narrows and in the Wabigoon River, a large bay is apparent containing one large island and several smaller ones. Pass around the large island either on its ortb or side r and continue nothwest town the river tot three mites * At this point the north east shore juts into the river angling the river northward for one mile. This rook projection is idenfl$jed by a 5. snail treeless rock island oft its tip and tq Buerged rocks close to the surteoe betwsn this island and the shore.

After following the river northward for a mile * it again angles in * northwestnrd &arecticn Two mija p the flyer, the river appears to divide with one route headbig north west aM the other heading directlj north. This is Segiss Lake and the tend at the

JunotJon is actually a large island * Sithe the northern or northwest route sa7 be taken although the north west rout is easier to navigate and is deribed bee. 6ontinae north west for a mile and the rite agat heads north. oflow this river north taking care not to onte as of the swan inlets and ys. tint lead fun the five in en stern and. westeni. dlrction. After continuing north for a ails and one half th. river narrows to about twenty feet. Here there is quite a stroag ou*rent and dangerous suerged rocks. Hcknr the *rrows can be navigated without danger to the canoe. The river then widens Into a large lake. Heed north across the lake and folløw the northern shore uStil the Wabigoon Rite heading west is reached. As the river is feflowet it narrows ant a saafl rapid i.e a.oounteresj. This rapi& does not need to be portaged bitt tare suet be taken to avoid the rooks which are within a foot of the surface. The safest passage is on the north side of the IslaM as close as possible to it. southern tip. flere the water is ashy deep. A few hundred yards pest this rapid * the river turns north and a brides and waterfalls is reached * The landing is on the steep gravel of the read bank at the sid or the waterfall. Well north ate the bridge SM along the road for one hundred test. It is 6 o

then possible to descend the sloping site to some large rocks from which it is possibte to lEunch the canoe. Continue north down the river. A quarter mile north fast water with suerged rocks is reached but does not present to much of a threat. A second set of rapids is a few hundred yards ahead of this S*i?t water. The portage is on the west site, south of a. large rock which gently inclines into the water. Then is a good campsite at the landing. The portage is short, about eight hundred feet and is nfl cut and dry. The launching is in a small rocky bay on the lower side of the rapids. Then is a second good campsite on the south side of the small lake a few hntdred yards west of the launoMug point. Continue west across this small lake and then turn north with the river. A quarter mile north, the river divides around a large island, with one route continuing north and the other heading west and then north. Both streams meet in about two miles in a large

ba with a bush covered island. Continue west for & half mile and a very large bay with a large island is reached. From this island the river continues west for three miles and then heads roughly In a northwestward direction for four miles and empties into a lake nameless with a large iSland and several smaller ones. The river here turns and runs in a north northeast dix’iotion through several small lakes. These lakes make it necessary to keep to the fl west shore, to head direct]j east to round a small peninsula then to head west

., along the peninaula’s other side. A large clearing and a small trapper’s cabin indicates that by continuing west for one half mile. S portage around rapids will be reached. The portage is on the north side at the river and the entrances aye marked by yeflow tlourescent plates nailed to trees. The Landing is sandy aM a safe distance from the rapids but a steep dirt bill has to be climbed. The launching is indicateS by a Large inelinging rock ending in gravel and sand at the waters edge, Length of the portage is five hundred feet. A few hundred yards trot the fjret rapids is a second set by a bridge * These can be run safely A half mile from these rapids is a third set which oat be portaged most easily on the south aide. The landing is in a small paM at the head of the rapids * The launching is rock with large boulders * The portage is sir hundred feet in length, rims up a steep htfl and then gradually declines. Note... on the north side of the rapids is a number of good landing spots with small traisis. These trails are not portagec and have not been out open.* Continue west along the river. The Wabigoon widens into a lake then narrows only t. widen again and divas * take the liestard river which leads around a large island into Ban Lake. It desired Indian paintings can be seen by hnting west across Ball Lake to the narrows leading into Indian Lake. The paintings are on a rock cUff on the east side of the narrows. Other Indian paintings in the area north of Dryden are located on the large island in Sflber Lake and on the Pavel-Ball Lake canoe route above. GraSsy Narrows Lake. On a island roughly in the centre at’ Ball Lake is Barney’s Ball Lake Lodge. The camp possesses radio end public telephone as well as a z flflns service for its ustomers. Frog the camp head north north west actoas the lake, to the 8.

1Th. of the English River leading to Tide Lake, a distance of thee miles. Then travel northeast across flde Lake for a distance of two miles to the narrows of the English River leading into Maynard Lake. The portage is on the south side of the river

one hundred yards frog the falls. The landing is bad Since . large rocks extent out into the water for ten feet. There is an excellent campsite at the slanting and also at the launching. The portage Is well cut, .18 1.100 feet in length, has been cleared so that the falls are visible and possess a sandy beach at the launching. Once over the portage cross Maynard Lake ta Sn a northeast

tirsotion between * number of large islands. There are cabins on the tip of a large peninsula which juts into the centre of the 7Th lake on the south side. At the north east end of the lake there Is two narrows, the wider one heading east to a bay of Maynard Lake. Take the English River narrows north of the Na3nard Lake Narrows. The river is identified by its stronggnurrent. Once in this river,. there. is no difficulty in reaching Oak

Lake about six miles north. . Good camping is possible on one of the islaMs in the first large bay which is reached after leaving the lake. There La a strong current on the river especially at the turn. where the river changes its northeast direction to a northwest one. An the river opensE up into Oak Lake head north east across

the lake towards the white foam of the Upper Oak Falls * The portage here is on the west mainland at a small sand beach next 7-, to the falls * The launching is at the west side above the falls on a. large inclining rock. There is a good pstte one hundred and

fifty yards west of the landing. 9.

A half mile above the fafla is a second falls with the portage again being on the west side. Tho lathing is a rock ledge by a small stream with the launching being an inclining rock. A third portage is above the ascot aM is on the west side. The landing is a rock ledge. Follow the portage inland until it intersects with the prisary portage which portages an three sets of fails * Follow this portage north * There is a fleep slippery bill with the launching being qu its steep and nfl above the falls. On continuing up the English River a fourth Bet of rapids is eanountered. These can be treked on the east side with little difficulty. The English River, after making a sharp turn eastwar4 etpties into Wilcox Lake * Travel northeast through Wilcox Lake. A side trip cogt be made up Long tagged River which is said to be very scenic. Zt does have a large number of partages however., The Rudsm*’s Bay cttpost was once toasted at the month of this River on the east side. No reasins can now be seen. On crossing Wilcox Lake to not head east along the lake

Sr its el_f but rather follow the northern bank into the English River. Once in the Rter a strong current is present. The riber heads. in a northeast direction for a half mile, then for a mile, then t.. east for three miles $tere it eapties into Goose Lake. By continuing to follow the north shore of the River. the canoeist passes through the west end of Goose Lake and again enters the English River which heads north from Goose Lake for a quarter of a mile. The river thS angles in a roughly eastward direction and flows far two and one half flUes to Wegg Lake. 10.

Travel east up Wegg Lake tar two and one half miles. The talc.

then angles south for S mile SM continues on an eastwsfl course

for two more miles * Here there is a large Bay- with the river

flowing northeast f ron the east end * This is Barnston rapids. These rapids are treacherous in that their s&t’ety depends upon the water level controlledy by Manitou Dam. The porlage is on the north aide of the bay and contains Sn outstanding campsite with a long sandy beach * The portage is about one thousand test in length and the launching is again a sand beach about one hundred yards south of a cottage. Once an Barnaton Lake continue east towards the flanitou Darn which La clearly visible * A snot campsite may be found on the peninsula at the math of the English river as it empties into barnston Lake. Besides the darn are the ye*tlow cottages of the Manttou lodge. The portage around the darn is difficult. On the north side at the site of the Hydro Transmission Tower. it is possible to beach a canoe and portage up to the highway. There is thea a. steep climb over gravel to the top of the darn where the canoe can be launched with little difficulty, p%bove the dan it is necessary to r navigate through a tog boom which can be done wtthott portaging on the neth site of the river. Continue east along the river for three miles. there is a small rapid which can be paddled. The River ar1ee north and empties into a small bay where it joins with the Cedar River.

There is a house on the north side beside $ steel bridge over a rapid. The landing is not at the house but is east of the house in a nafl bay. Th, landing itself is a very steep mud slope. ft.

Follow the driveway to the road and the road to the bridge. It Is possible to launch the canoe down the bank next to the bridge without crossing it. However there is a siX toot drop to

the water. a Continue north up the English River to thetk islands which marks Camping Lake. On these islands there are a ntuther of abandoned cabins. Cross the lake heading northwest to reach the English River. The river nnz north for two miles from Camping lake ant then meets with the Chukuni River which flows to Pakwash Lake. Turn east and àontinue along the English River all the way to Ear palm, a distance of twelve miles. By keeping to the North side of the River there is little chance of becoming lost. The approac$ to Ear Falls is market by an oil tranamiflion tower which had once crossed the tiver. At GDS timb an old floating bridge had crossed the river at this point * Modern transmission lines Dunning tram the Nanitou Dam to the itydro substation is next seen. The river then turns sharply north and Hwy 105 bridge and power dam is apparent. There is a good campsthg site in a small bay at the foot of the aflxb dam at the sand beach of the gold swimming holes the auth side. Opposite this campsite is the log portage which was originally bunt in 1928. This portage used until recently extended into the water and possessed steel rails. Barges coning from Lao Seul, were simply pulled around the rapids at the mite of the dam by a small steam engine. Once around the rapids they could continue up the English River to the gold mines of Red Lake. 12.

On the highway close to the swimming hole La the Ear Falls museum under the supervision of Charles Bannatyne. a white man raised by Indian parents, who possesses considerable knowledge of the local history of the Ear Falls region. At the museum are shards of potte indicating that the Ear Pelts sad Lao Seu& region was once, before the coining at the copper kettles of the white Thai,, the meeting rounds for Indian trading in pottery. With the English River draining west, Cedar River south, Lac Saul sotath east and, the Chukuni River north, E9r Falls and Gold Pines forms the geographical hub of the region. Thus the canoeist, having riached Enr PaUs has a wide choice of trails lying before him. an. nncsr or Zn A. Xsflno BaUs. S. £‘otn Zot. as nttci. in an early issue Ottsfln stSda this dasjr*pt%oa of whet the Cssnjst tt at Pails. the SM Lake el4 n.h beat in earnest in 1924, floss and fldsm we. the sin $p4 oft c.lats. This of sr tneqa up tsmt.portatlus .b1s, tM ant of tI*s ee1 tt*ktfl use 4n on to *r with dog tes during the State. As soon a the tr up tenafly in $. the &ua flyer m* .eS.nssg lakes wee tbo ooln artery at tr*rtl*. *snve. then was $ bed abetnetiofl just below ft Scan &a. tie a lap ot elaot trot t 20110*5 Pans sds neflsaticn sats. this led to the cosWntton of * nflno ntlnp. sWat a q*srter of * an, in lssflh. ublob oinaavatad the felts at the pSae. at both aGs of this nflssy. a tee largUs et nfl flfl OtOT4O4 4% the S t aDs equl ppM wtb on *sfl to be pisood uMe the teats ani a bnres In the river. thus these toads no l.t by pm.n’ slash across the rattwq pert*4 and pleat in the ate at the oflos&ts side. wbns the j.nnsy sesid in be o*ne&. this rslb S used tn nay yens, but a late *onet owlts to the nStnaisn of the hpts.te.Sric power dan at tar tails. at the cutl.t at Lao Sat. This ntasd the nte to the 1 tin test ecateur aM flooded at tells P*13s tM allowing rite af no to poop there in safety. It is tr this iflrsflntfl, plant at Sr Pails that fan Xac&at audson obtained their electric pose lighting. The c*zmt is cornet over a polo line about 8$ olin dist trot Sioux Zoetost. ... Dryden sin obtains pet 0? theIr santno pn reqdrsnts twa this nuns. Ortaria014.L-e. S%nnS*pt. 1$8 deStflbes the opaninj at the be Pans Due. 0* JUly 27 of this yen th. tonal openSa* aeresay was staged at the teeth usit at Ear Pails. en the Xnsliah flyer flea it n.s.a by the new Sea Zak. hiflay, this tags the total capacity at this p3mM t. 25,000 h.p. ... kMS the tint pen ... S delivered in 1930 tot 5.000 h.p. wee -. preed to serve the Easy Mae aM the ether epettso artist let L*.. fl14ing at theta at **r Pails raised the sate level a Las sat with S result that 3ns. wets at shereline *lotg it of ooetlag waterways we. flaMed mM the tisber tar flits a distance IslaM a ktlied. tPPEiDIX HISTORY OF THE WAEI000N SOLp3TofE coaaa LTDO From D5pt0 of Nines Annual Report 1941, p. 53, Claim H, U0 1 of Uab1:oon Soatston2 Corm9ny,. Linitcd Is situated about i, niloa lKst of Wahigoon statIon Sn Zøaicnd tcim3hIp,. cnd tho soapsto.e dopjits are on a rocky bill In the onthsflia ti.r.t fcrns thu cst hmIry of iii B*aa’ritt bay on Wabigoca 1VdC6 The rocky hIll0 for21y c1re:d is in part covorcd by small second grø;th p’piars, This oc2rCt1co ¶?2as broaht by }L G Pidcon in 1921 Elnd that he a corwiderable flrount of stripping dn@ to detnftthe the area of the deposit and qLarrieci several cubic tøcit for test pirpose Th 1922 E. G. Pidgcon cold a half Interest to H. H, Suther1cud. of Toronto, end the Uahlgoc’n Soaptor, Ccrnpany Liritea vas organ1zed This coi;cny Id some dcvoiop:ct iork in 1926 aid 1927, .. The test pIts and trenuhcs on the depDsitttcr partly groun over, and it Is understood that no devolonaent t;orit hncl been dois.,0 -