JOURNEY #7 - June 28, 2002

Tay River (Basin To The Locks): "Marvelous Marsh"

PICTURES

Julie With Heron
Keenan With Heron

TRIP REPORT

The day got off to a slow start due to the need to drive to Frontenac Outfitters to pick up Keenan's brand new Seaward Navigator kayak. It's a real beauty, and customized for Keenan's long legs. It's also a "high volume" version which allows for extra stowage as well as more knee and thigh room.

We decided to try an afternoon on the Tay River, since the departure point was Perth on the way back to Ottawa. Not only was it convenient, but the outing was glorious. The weather and surroundings were about as good as it gets. Perth is the head of navigation of the Tay River and the western end of the Tay Canal.

Although we had been led to believe by unnamed sources that the basin in Perth was a great launch site, it was not a good spot for kayakers at all. There is nothing but high docks all the way around. We ended up walking our yaks down a path until we found an area that was muddy rather than rocky, and although it was necessary to get a little messy on the way in, we were on our way by about 3:30. This was a bit of the problem because that same unnamed source told us that it would be a six hour trip if we went from the basin to the lock station. We decided to watch the clock closely and make a decision to turn around if necessary.

The Tay flows southeast from the basin, so we had an easy paddle on our way towards the Tay Marsh, the major feature of this particular route. Things started off great. We spotted a large watersnake, which although it turned out to be the only one we would see, was quite a fun way to get going. We passed three canoeists heading to the basin, which would turn out to be the only other paddlers we would see. We soon spotted a better launch site as well, from a public ramp at the end of what we recall as "Beckwith Street."

In the next little stretch there were some human beings, which is usually our least favourite animal to encounter, because wherever you find them you tend to find destruction of habitat. But there were only a few small trailer parks. We encountered our first motorboat about 45 minutes downstream. The river is shallow and the boating channel is narrow, which helps to encourage boaters to keep to the 10km maximum.

We were not sure just what the marsh would look like when we saw it, and there are numerous smaller but nevertheless impressive marshes along the way, so we were quite awestruck with the real thing. As you paddle through the narrow river, suddenly you find yourself in an ocean of bullrushes as far as the eye can see.

By this time we had already seen at least two skittish blue herons, and we saw at least four more of these intriguing creatures in our first few minutes in the marsh. We were amazed to see a red-winged blackbird mounting a prolonged attack on the rear end of a heron who apparently stumbled into a nesting area.

Right in the middle of the marsh we came across the first heron that did not fly away. We nicknamed him "Scruffy" as his feathers appeared a tad ruffled. We made a huge effort not to disturb him by drifting our way by. He kept a watchful eye, but seemed pretty cool with our presence. We even managed to try a couple of photographs.

As we poked slowly through the marsh, a dam comes into view, which means it is time to turn right and head to towards the lock station. Not to far before the turn, we encountered a large beaver. Also a strange beaver. He dove under well ahead of us, and emerged well in front of Julie and perpendicular to Keenan, who was drifting slowly watching him. For some strage reason, this fellow decided to swim right into the path of Keenan's kayak! We were both staring him right in the eye as he swam along the surface and ended up not two feet beyond the tip of the Navigator. As he passed by, he finally flapped his tail and dove. Needless to say, this encounter had us chatting for a while.

After the turn, although there is another marsh complete with observation tower (you can walk to the tower via a trail from the lock station) right at the start of this stretch, this is an artificial waterway. Not that it isn't pleasant to look at, with rocky shores, thick vegetation, and just as many birds (no herons spotted, however). Another couple of boats went by heading towards Perth at this point.

It wasn't long before we were at the lock station. There is a low-lying dock here, and you can get in and out of a kayak without too much trouble, which Keenan did. Nature called.

After a quick read of a somewhat uninspiring historic marker, we headed back. It was a little after 5:00 at this point and the rest of the trip would be upstream. The sun was getting lower and would be right in our faces for most of the remainder, which certainly added to our rising body temperatures.

We encountered another crazed beaver just as we were re-entering the marsh. This time (and mind you, this was definitely not the same beaver) he did not dive under until Julie was alongside and about 10 feet away. He emerged right next to the Solstice and was almost bopped on the head by the paddle of a surprised Julie! From there he presumable dove under the yak and swam into the reeds.

On the way back through the marsh we encountered the bluest blue heron we had ever seen. A couple more small motor boats came through the marsh at this point. When we got back into the narrow section of the river for the arduous upstream homestretch, we saw a huge osprey that we initally mistook for another heron as he flew.

We were both getting weary at this point. The current was not strong, but steady enough to provide that quicksand type of feeling when you are paddling hard but not sure you are getting anywhere. We ended up arriving at our original departure point just before 8:00. This is apparently a six hour paddle, so we managed it in little more than four hours, which was some consolation for our stiff bodies. Keenan practically had to roll out of his kayak and into the river to get out, because his legs were not really interested in supporting his weight.

Despite the heavy workout, this was an absolutely amazing spot for kayaking. It would be fun to go back to the marsh with a waterproof camera and binoculars. Next time we would not bother with the leg to the lock station, and spend more time in the marsh.

Keenan didn't get much of a chance to test his kayak in terms of secondary stability, save for a few small boat wakes, but he was very comfortable, which was one of the key factors behind the purchase.

TRIP UPDATE - AUGUST 2004
Submitted by Craig Cotter

The trip report by Keenan and Julie from 2002 is great and was the basis for my trip in mid-August 2004. I have a few observations here to give some precision to options for the put-in site as well as observations as to how I saw the trip. Perth is a pretty town, and I had a fine sunny day for my trip.

I agree that the Perth basin is a bit of a stretch for a launch, a bit too public and although there is now a lower dock installed from which a rental agency launches their canoes and kayaks, I felt a bit uneasy about leaving my kit between my car and the dock with so many people around (friendly folks notwithstanding). I have two alternate suggestions.

About 100 metres from the basin to the southeast is a metal-framed bridge on Beckwith Street. On the south bank there is a curling or skating club, which seems to be closed in the warmer months. Between it and the river about 20 feet along the bank is the remnants of an old dock that served me well as a launch site. The club has a large parking lot on the other side of the building.

From this location moving off downstream, the river takes a sweeping turn to the right, which takes you along to a bridge under Craig Street. Just beyond the bridge on the right is a series of docks and a park where the last duel in Canada took place. I even believe the park is named "Last Duel Park." The docks here are maintained by Parks Canada, which also runs the canal off the main Rideau System. The docks seemed a bit high, however there is a concrete boat ramp that may prove friendlier for launches.

The paddle along the canal from this point is as described with a tight channel 30 feet wide for the first few kilometres and widening thereafter as swamps/marshes appear to the right of the channel. Some are open to the channel, and islands that appear to have been made during the channel's construction a hundred years ago separate the others. I saw plenty of turtles sunning themselves on the rocks and logs that protrude from the swampy areas. These marshes that were covered with duckweed and water lillies were a bit hard to paddle through but passable nonetheless if you want to get a bit closer for pictures of the turtles. A pair of kingfishers escorted me down the canal and after a while I was concerned to keep track of my companions, looking around to ensure that I hadnšt lost them. No fear, it was their river after all.

One thing that amazed me was the existence of a path on the left bank as one travels downriver. It is well hidden, from a kayak level at any rate, and it was only when I came upon a couple sitting on a expedient bridge over a culvert running into the canal that I realized it was there. It seems to run from Perth right to the canalšs entry into the large Tay Marsh. [Note: the path is the Rideau Trail that runs from Kingston to Ottawa].

Near where the canal joins the Tay Marsh there is a beautiful stone heritage house. As you round a bend in the canal this very picturesque home beckons you and for a time you can imagine that it is early 1920s. After passing this site you have only a few 100 metres until you enter the marsh and change your mental outlook from a sleepy canal to the wonders of the marsh.

The Tay Marsh is everything that Keenan and Julie describe. The herons are there and in a tower built for hunters two Osprey have a large nest. The challenge of getting close enough for a picture and yet having them stay on the nest proved elusive for me. I recommend that you don't stay in the channel if you have the time to explore. Much of interest lies under the water and picking your way through the lillies and weeds is good "messing around in boats".

I paddled with a tail wind out-bound and returning into the wind was a struggle as the openness of the marsh lets the wind build up quite a force. Budget your energy, as it can be a considerable drain. The paddle through the marsh was good and about halfway through there is a landing (private property with a dock and picnic table) which is a good indication of your location.

I only went as far as the end of the marsh, the channel to the locks is evident and straight as a rail, but the winds forced a turn around to keep me on schedule. The paddle is great and worth a half-days effort. I launched at 13:30 and was out by 17:00.

I thank Keenan and Julie for their kindness in sharing their trips with us, there isn't enough of this and we all need to contribute to the body of knowledge.