NAW Posted June 17, 2015 Report Share Posted June 17, 2015 (edited) My and my girlfriend have been planning a 4 day canoe trip for a while how. And after some long talks last night, we decided to switch our destination to the Moon River. She really wanted her first canoe camping trip to be an adventure for both of us, and to go somewhere that I have never been before. I've always wanted to do a few days on the Moon. My plan is to go park at one of the Marina's in the moon river basin / Wood Bay / Arnold Bay rd area. Then head out for some R&R up the river. I have all the normal questions.... 1. Does anyone know a good safe marina in the area I can park at? (or if you know a free spot PM ME PLEASE!!!) 2. Has anyone paddled the river before heading up stream? How are the portage routes? There looks like lot of rapids 3. Targeting pike and pickerel.. Hows the fishing up there? Should I get my hopes up? 4. Any special recommendations for things to check out in the area? Trails, Scenery, look out points, etc... 5. Has anyone over heard of "Mooning on the Moon"?? The Toronto Nudist Club event each year.. Is this true?? I think we will set up camp central somewhere, then do little day paddle trips. Out in to the bay one day.. Up to the 400 the next.. That sort of thing. We are really looking forward to kicking off the camping season with an amazing trip. So if you know the area, and have any advice, it would be greatly appreciated! Thanks! Edited June 24, 2015 by N.A.W Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ratherboutdoors Posted June 17, 2015 Report Share Posted June 17, 2015 If your going into the woods bay area, there are a million islands that all look the same, bring a gps or map to help you get back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NAW Posted June 17, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2015 (edited) Thanks! I will print a map zoomed in on that area. And for sure i'll bring my compis. Edited June 17, 2015 by N.A.W Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave524 Posted June 17, 2015 Report Share Posted June 17, 2015 Good luck, that was the place for big Walleye 40 or so years ago. Dominated the ten of the Molson's Big Fish Contest back then, fellow I worked with , topped the Walleye division with a fish of 17 plus in the mid 70's. Some big musky came from there as well, thinking O'Brien caught his 55 there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NAW Posted June 17, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2015 If I get a big ski on...I'll just cut my line. I don't have the gear to handle that, specially in a canoe, with a rookie girlfriend angler. That could end my camping weekend if things went wrong! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gnote Posted June 17, 2015 Report Share Posted June 17, 2015 Yep, obriens muskie was caught in blackstone harbour off the moon. Ive been there a couple times for skis but no luck, i stayed at a place west of the 400 that sits in a bay of the moon right below the falls. If you fish that bay and under the falls you might be able to pick up some wallys or smallmouth. I believe its the first unpassable barrier if you were to come in the moon from georgian bay. Best of luck to you on your trip, be careful in the woods bay area its a decent sized stretch of water with some bigger boats around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NAW Posted June 17, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2015 Thanks Gallie! We are planning on doing the 450 meter portage over that first set of falls (moon river falls), and heading up river for the most part. We will only do 1 day trip down to Woods bay, if we're not to hung over!! I didn't realize big boats could make it in there. Thanks for the heads up! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davew3 Posted June 17, 2015 Report Share Posted June 17, 2015 Please remember, you are camping in bear territory. Island or not. My buddy had one swim out and destroy his camp there while he was out fishing. Take all due precautions. Regards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NAW Posted June 17, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2015 (edited) Thanks Dave! I will be hanging my food in dry bags. I'm used to camping with 10 to 15 loud noisy guys who stay up all night drinking and partying. SO bears are never an issue. This trip will be a little different. And to be honest, it slipped my mind! So thanks. Edited June 17, 2015 by N.A.W Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fish_fishburn Posted June 17, 2015 Report Share Posted June 17, 2015 wouldn't it be more enjoyable to paddle down stream instead Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cast-Away Posted June 17, 2015 Report Share Posted June 17, 2015 I canoed down it one year from the highway and out into the bay and back up 12 Mile Bay. My buddies and I did the first leg to the Moon Falls in about half a day. We decided to go to the Twin Rapids because it was only one portage instead of two going the northerly route. The portage was brutal up and over a very steep rock cut. We should have shot the rapids instead but were in a borrowed fiberglass canoe and did not want to chance it. There are quite a few Massasauga Rattlers around Moon Falls so be careful if you camp there. We did not fish anywhere along the way, however I do fish the Basin on a regular basis and recommend camping out in Iron City Bay. There are plenty of Islands to explore and it is well protected from GBay. The bass fishing is quite decent there. You can stay on one site and do lots of exploring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LostAnotherOne Posted June 18, 2015 Report Share Posted June 18, 2015 Just a map if you want. Was planning on going there one day so I did a little research a while ago. Ken O'Briens beast was caught in Blackstone Harbour. Oh by the way don't cut your line if you have a big one on haha. You just might get her in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtracc Posted June 18, 2015 Report Share Posted June 18, 2015 I grew up fishing and camping on the moon river in bala. I would suggest starting your trip in bala at the falls and end it at the mouth. As you paddle down the lake south on gaunt bay there are several canoe routs you can stop, camp for the night or just stop for a rest and a bite to eat. It will prob take you guys a few hours to get to the narrow part of the river that is dammed. I think this rout is the nicest, most scenic and most private. You really feel like you are in the wilderness. Now there is more portaging as the river drops as you get to the mouth. The fishing is excellent, there will be tons small mouth with pike and walleye as you get closer to the mouth. There is even a few LM holes! Have a look on google maps I think it's a nicer trip. Good luck and have fun Joe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NAW Posted June 18, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 18, 2015 wouldn't it be more enjoyable to paddle down stream instead Haha. Ya, but the 4 day hang over paddle home is much easier downstream! I canoed down it one year from the highway and out into the bay and back up 12 Mile Bay. My buddies and I did the first leg to the Moon Falls in about half a day. We decided to go to the Twin Rapids because it was only one portage instead of two going the northerly route. The portage was brutal up and over a very steep rock cut. We should have shot the rapids instead but were in a borrowed fiberglass canoe and did not want to chance it. There are quite a few Massasauga Rattlers around Moon Falls so be careful if you camp there. I am a little worried about the portage. It's going to be lots of fun! And thanks for the heads up on the snakes! Just a map if you want. Was planning on going there one day so I did a little research a while ago. Ken O'Briens beast was caught in Blackstone Harbour. Oh by the way don't cut your line if you have a big one on haha. You just might get her in. Thanks for the map! I really want to do a day trip out that way. But it all depends on how much fun we have up top! I grew up fishing and camping on the moon river in bala. I would suggest starting your trip in bala at the falls and end it at the mouth. As you paddle down the lake south on gaunt bay there are several canoe routs you can stop, camp for the night or just stop for a rest and a bite to eat. It will prob take you guys a few hours to get to the narrow part of the river that is dammed. I think this rout is the nicest, most scenic and most private. You really feel like you are in the wilderness. Now there is more portaging as the river drops as you get to the mouth. The fishing is excellent, there will be tons small mouth with pike and walleye as you get closer to the mouth. There is even a few LM holes! Have a look on google maps I think it's a nicer trip. Good luck and have fun Joe Thanks for the reply! I'm thinking this will be a place I go to several times again in my lifetime! It looks like a beautiful river! Do you think it's worth brining my depth finder to mount on the canoe? Or is the river shallow for the most part?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NAW Posted June 23, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 23, 2015 (edited) I just wanted to give a quick update and say thanks again to everyone who offered advice in this thread. The camping trip went off with out a hitch! Amazing weather, no bears, no rattle snakes, lots of fish, and lots of relaxing in the sun! So thanks again! I'll definitely be going back to the Moon River! It's a great place! Way to many nooks and crannies to explore in only 4 days. Edited June 23, 2015 by N.A.W Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ratherboutdoors Posted June 23, 2015 Report Share Posted June 23, 2015 Good to hear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davew3 Posted June 23, 2015 Report Share Posted June 23, 2015 Right on. Glad you had a good trip. Regards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cast-Away Posted June 23, 2015 Report Share Posted June 23, 2015 Excellent bud! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
misfish Posted June 23, 2015 Report Share Posted June 23, 2015 Nice to hear you had a great trip Nick. She must be a trooper, as you are one hard core fella. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NAW Posted June 24, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 24, 2015 I'll do up a proper report one of the days.. It Was her first time for many many things this trip, and she nailed it it She's a brute for sure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ratherboutdoors Posted June 24, 2015 Report Share Posted June 24, 2015 Word to the wise, you may not want to call her a Brute. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NAW Posted June 24, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 24, 2015 (edited) Hahahaha! I was waiting for someone to chime in on that! She know's what I'm talking about! As you can see from the pics below, she really enjoyed the trip!! Here's a few pics from the trip. Edited June 24, 2015 by N.A.W Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manitoubass2 Posted June 24, 2015 Report Share Posted June 24, 2015 Stunning shots! Looks like a great trip for sure! Did you catch your walters off shore? That rainbow pic, beautiful? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NAW Posted June 24, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 24, 2015 We caught a total of 4 wallies in 4 days. All small ones. And all where cause casting rapalas through the current at the bottom of rapids/falls. And all the pics where taken from my Sony Xperia phone. The things takes amazing photos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manitoubass2 Posted June 24, 2015 Report Share Posted June 24, 2015 Cool! Chillin in the rapids is a wicked photo too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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