From Kenora to Nipigon Ontario
Nov 21 - Zen learns about Trapping
Trapper Floyd Triskle and his grandson Bobby unload the ATVs on the
trap line
territory, 3 hrs north of Kenora Ontario
We prepared the vehicles the night before, and left the houe at six
am. We arrived at nine am, and it was cold with six inches of fresh
snow on the ground. Wolf tracks were everywhere.
First stop, nine am; Floyd's main trapping cabin. He has five of them.
They are all strategically placed about ten kilometers apart, in order
to offer emergency shelter to the lone trapper, in case he gets hurt
or into some other trouble. "When you're on the trap line, you
are on your own. You have to deal with whatever comes your way. You
could be soaked from falling through the ice, or bitten by an otter
- anything can happen and you have to rely on yourself. There is no
help for you up there.
Click here
for unloading video clip.
Thirty five years ago, Floyd built this log cabin by himself, out
of raw logs. You can see the smoke from the wood stove, curl into
the cold air.
Inside, he prepared some spicy wieners for us with hot tea.
"Up here, a man is on his own and has to rely on his self."
This is Floyd's Philosophy, clearly posted in the cabin.
After we got the cabin warm, we loaded up the rifles and the axe,
and got back on the bikes. We left Rocky inside. Bobby doubled with
Floyd on the newer 450 Polaris shaft drive, and I took the older Polaris
chain drive ATV (350?).
Our first obstacle was deep mud just beneath the snow.
Floyd hit the throttle hard and broke trail in five inches of powder.
Floyd's bike is not running well. We are several miles out. We thought
it must be the clutch. Floyd headed back to the cabin, Bobby and I
continue on the old bike.
Click here
for Floyd's break down.
Bobby and I check all the traps along a ten kilometer stretch of clearcut.
Here, he resets two wolf snares. The 'trail' is littered with
stumps, rocks, and logs to get over. I can't get over the performance
of my bike and the comfort considering the terrain.
Click here
to see animal in trap.
Click here
to see Bobby in a short video clip!
Click here
to see bad trail.
Bobby walks out with Zen after ATV breakdown.
Click here
to see Zen walking.
We finally got back to the main trapper's cabin, tired but not cold.
My "SnoSuit" from Chris at SnoSuit.com kept me comfortable
all day; the venting helped out a lot, especially when walking for
a few hours. The seven layers of breathable fabric kept me dry inside.
The sun was setting. We had more hot tea, then rode the quads back
out to the truck on the main road, and loaded up. Then we drove the
3 hrs home. In all, we only got to check less than half the traps.You
could say that we got skunked, probably due to the big snow storm
the previous day. At least we got back in one piece despite two breakdowns.
Up here in the bush, getting home safe is the main goal.
A big thanks goes out to both Floyd and Paulie Triskle of
Kenora Ontario for their amazing hospitality, and to their grandson
Bobby for this experience. I hope to see you people again - perhaps
in March when I head back from Quebec.
zw
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