Big Hook Wilderness Camps  (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links) has sent me the following details for using their services to paddle in Opasquia Provincial Park. The round trip flights will have a final costs of about $550 plus taxes and parking. Last year each of us had total flight costs of $620 with all taxes and charges. This actual price will not be known until spring of the year. The Airline is Wasaya Airways, it is misspelled in some of my information.



The canoe rental package will be $55 per day. This price includes a gallon of white gas or one propane bottle per week. Also included is a tent, life jackets and paddles. Since you are renting accommodations (the tent) from the outfitter you are exempt from needing a Crown Land Camping Permit which would normally be required in this non-operating Ontario Provincial Park. There are restrictions on taking fuel on airplanes so you will pick up your fuel at their Central Lake Outpost where the canoes are kept.

There are three canoes at the Central Lake Outpost. Two Nova Craft 17 Prospectors in Royalex and a Dagger Legend 15 in Royalex. The Legend is set up with 3 seats but I test paddled it and plan to use it solo next year. The provided paddles are simple plastic bladed paddles but we took our own personal paddles. I do not know what the tents are yet.

Here (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)
you will find all the info from our trip in 2013. There are links for a G4 map, you tube video and trip journal.

DentonDoc wrote on Oct 12^th, 2013 at 1:56am:

The price is $55 per day for the canoe. Tandem you split the cost, solo you pay it all. Farmer and I split the rental cost on the tandem last year. There will be HST tax added to this but that may also get some relief because of the "accommodation" language in their tax laws.

When you do the math on this trip you will see that has a very reasonable cost. All trips are Saturday to Saturday so canoes are $385 US a week. Each individuals cost for a tandem trip is going to be less than a $1000 for a week long trip. That includes all the flights and fees. Each additional week only adds about $220 to each persons costs excluding the food that you supply.

I have the Legend 15 reserved for July 19 to Aug. 9 and Mike K. has it for at least 3 weeks after that. If you are interested in 2014 you may want to call Steve at Big Hook. 920-893-3525 He will have you send a $275 deposit to a Milwaukee, Wi. address for each paddler.

Just got an e-mail response to a series of questions I previously sent to BHWC.  Here are Q's and A's.

Question 1:  What kind of tents do you have available?  We plan on buying 2 new tents for the 2014 season. We have been in the flyin outpost business for 30 years, but never really pursued the canoe biz until talking to Martin. We have 1 good tent up there now, but don't know the make. One thing to remember is, there is the 100 pound weight restriction.

Question 2:  A number of our group are reasonably committed hammock campers.  Is it acceptable to leave the rented tent(s) behind and actually use other forms of "sleeping accommodation?"  It is understood that we'd need to find appropriate trees (and all use tree straps rather than ropes to minimize impact on the trees) or "ground" the hammock (which is another option). If you want to use hammocks that is your option.

Question 3:  While I suspect we'll be using white gas stoves, one of our party might consider taking a JetBoil-type stove.  The canisters for this stove use a different thread arrangement than the "Coleman" style.  What kind of "bottle" did you plan on stocking? Standard off the shelf Coleman bottles from Walmart.

Question 4:  Does the gallon of white gas come in its own (metal) can or should we plan to bring sufficient fuel bottles to transfer that volume to? Metal cans

Question 5:  Other than issues that might arise with air transport, any issues with us supplying our own PFD's and paddles?  One of our number is a newbie and will likely need what you supply.  The balance of our crew are old hands (literally) and have selected paddling gear for personal comfort and fit.  I'm sure we'd take one of your paddles per canoe as backup. No problem. Watch the weight.

Question 6:  Martin mentioned in his write up of his trip that you put him up for the last night of his trip.  I'm assuming this arrangement was made to facilitate early morning departure and is done on a space available basis? Be back at Central on Friday night. We start fly at daybreak. If the small cabin is available you may use it. We have a shower and a sauna, and you are welcome to use them.

Question 7:  Can we individually pre-pay for our trip?   Yes. Lots of groups pre pay.

dd