Ok, TomT's post finally inspired me to actually do a QJ search. 

Here's how I went about my research: Since the max results you can retrieve on a search is 35 posts and Copia-related posts must number several hundreds, I had to figure out a way to narrow down the field.  Figuring that QPassage was involved in the very earliest get-togethers, I researched HIS posts on the subject and found 28 of them, in total, dating back to 2003.  However, his first post actually referring to groups of posters getting together - in conjunction with the Copia event - is in 2004.  I suspect those initial meetings he refers to may have involved mostly members from the other canoeing websites.

My best guess is that it was in either 2005 or 2006 when a gathering that was uniquely "QJ" actually started to take shape.

Did I ever mention to anybody that my Master's Degree work was in Early American History?

Jimbo   8-)