We're taking our first Q trip late summer/early fall. I've been reading reports and such on the B chain. My wife wants to target Sturgeon/Russell area. How's the fishing and any things to do or see while there? Campsites to note?

I know Chatterton Falls isn't far so we'd check that out I'm sure. Others? Daytrip options? Why is Scripture island named as such? I don't plan on going that far down Sturgeon unless there's a good reason. Antoine? Ram?

It looks like if water levels aren't low, the Dieux Rivieres route is the most direct. The Bchain would be if we want something different on the way in/out or water is low on the river.

Fishing or campsite info on Dore or Twin Lakes? Thanks!

I'll be through that area in June. Refresh the topic and I'll update. I haven't been through that area since the 80's.

AmarilloJim: "I'll be through that area in June. Refresh the topic and I'll update. I haven't been through that area since the 80's."

Sounds good! I've read about people having issues with the Narrows between Sturgeon and Russell I believe? Current area and going upstream can get sketchy. Stairway portage if you want to go around. Good luck and please do report back! I'll try and remember

Oh it's all a very pretty area, I know it well.

I'll make the assumption that you know you need to be either a Canadian or use Canadian services for Stanton Bay.

Pickerel, as well as many of the lakes you will be on are big and prone to swells and waves. Even a modest breeze on Pickerel can make for big waves. Have no fear, but just consider a a layover day in your trip if it happens.

Chatterton falls is very pretty with some large towering white pines and eagles in the branches looking for dinner. If you travel north from Russell into Sturgeon and go out via Bisk, Beg, Bud, you will encounter plenty of falls and rapids of equal beauty. All the campsites on the the east side of Russell are crap due to continued use over the years from Chatterton Falls visitors. I have not paddled the entire shoreline of Russell but I had a hard time finding anything that was 'nice'. I had come out of Olifaunt and zigzagged across the lake looking for a place. I didn't explore the north shores.

If the water is high, the currents from Russell to Sturgeon narrows are swift and dangerous. Also some of the waters in the narrows up to the B chain are tricky but only if the water is high. The volume of water traveling into Sturgeon is impressive. I nearly drowned there and don't feel like telling the story today. It is the only time in my 60+ trips I capsized. If you find my favorite LLbean shirt on the shoreline, let me know.
Bisk Beg Bud are all pretty especially the narrows and I saw lots of nice campsite as I paddled through last year.

Pickeral is an exceptionally beautiful lake but it is quite vast and therefore a canoe in its big waters require attention as I mentioned previously.

All of this area receives moderate use but since there is so much water, you will find solitude.
Tom

Thanks Tom, yes we plan on getting dropped off by whoever we rent canoes from for Stanton Bay.

Maybe we'll leave our truck at a different spot to take out or just setup a pickup time back at Stanton.

Hey Tumble, I believe it's more accurate to say Stanton Bay is permissible to vehicles with Canadian licence plates. So it's not restricted to Canadians. That's my understanding.

I like your suggestion of going through Olifaunt/Bisk/Begg. I did it back in 2001 and I'm heading there this summer on a route similar to Cyclone's. But I can't remember which way the water flows but I'm pretty certain Olifaunt is downstream from Pickerel. It may make the trip easier to "go with the flow". Carry portages could turn into a downstream paddle or lining the canoe in some cases.

Also, my recollection of the Sturgeon/Fred/McDougall/Chatterton/Olifaunt neighbourhood is that, even in late July, people were scarce - except on Chatterton which was full. Anecdotal observation. But it speaks to the "lived-in" sites on Chatterton. I don't mind a "lived-in" site as long as it wasn't recently inhabited by slobs. Even then it's not the site's fault.

I'll report back in August.

I do know from lots of research on the B-chain that it flows from Pickerel SW to Fern and beyond. (and there's still a dam at pickerel)

I think I'll likely enter through the Bs and exit out of Deux Rivieres/Dore.

Is or has Deux Rivieres ever been impassable because of low water?

AussieShep: "I think I'll likely enter through the Bs and exit out of Deux Rivieres/Dore.


Is or has Deux Rivieres ever been impassable because of low water?"

It can be a mud slog in low water. Passable....yes.....but with effort.

B chain is gorgeous. If you're thinking of including it in the trip, then I suggest going in via the B chain (downstream). The one portage along the Pickerel River is a doozy. You still have to get up the outflow from Russel (into Sturgeon). Went down it in June.....would not have liked to paddle up it. Nice campsite on Russel on the round island near the outflow. Actually, a couple on that island....nice one is on the SW corner. Healthy paddle to Chatterton Falls from there, but not bad. After Chatterton Falls, it doesn't take that long to go down and take the portage into Chatterton, paddle across it, and see Split Rock Falls. Pictures of the area in my journal from 2013.

Thanks, I was always leaning toward the B-chain route at least to go in or out.

Agree about the narrows between Sturgeon paddling to Russell can be tricky. Spotting a portage there also not the easiest.... The other guys in my group were in tandems and I was in a SR Tranquility solo - they paddled through, I had to land and carry stuff over as dumping seemed a real possibility. Opposite way wasn't too bad.
Liked our campsite on Russell, which had good walleye fishing all around it. It was a little island over on the west half of the lake. Landing was from the west/northwest side.

I paddled that area 3 years ago in mid June. I entered and exited from French Lake.
You might consider having the outfitter pick you up at French Lake to take you to Stanton, then exit to your car waiting at Dawson Trail Campground on French Lake.
They have nice shower facilities for after the trip. Water was still high that year, and I went down the Deux Rivieres, paddling over 3 flooded beaver dams. The outflow from Russel required two short portages due to the high water, but I did attempt both before being sent back downstream backwards, lol. I exited through the B-chain and back to my car at French. Great trip, good fishing, beautiful scenery, but I didn't have any days without seeing other trippers.

I like to go in at Stanton and out at Nym. Stanton is a direct route to Russell and a lot of people like to go to Russell and base camp so there are plenty of boats in that area. The trick is finding a good route across Pickeral. There are a lot of islands and if you follow them you can dodge the wind and not get too far from shore.

I go up the left side of the Russell narrows and don’t have a problem solo or tandem. There is an eddy along the bank you can stay in and then a small fast spot you can punch through.

If anyone has fishing tips or campsites, I'm all ears. (Email is good too)

Thanks for the Russell narrows ideas. How did the fire effect the area last year?

cyclones30: "If anyone has fishing tips or campsites, I'm all ears. (Email is good too)


Thanks for the Russell narrows ideas. How did the fire effect the area last year?"

If you're targeting walleye, lots of different patterns will work. Try trolling near the shoreline where there's always fish-loving structure. Troll a shallow-diving lure like an Original Floating Rapala. At canoe speed it will only dive a few feet thereby preventing snags which are a real nuisance in a canoe. You don't need to let out much line either - 15' tops - others may disagree. And if you pass over some very shallow structure, just ship your paddles. The reduced speed will surface your lure by the time it reaches it; hence, snag avoidance.