Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1913-01-23
"UP THE OPEONGO."
A Fascinating Story of nm outing by
weII-known vermont Sportsman.

Illustrations by the author:
We padded into McDougall lake, Don
and |, having left Scott and Constock
our companions, at the cutie. where a
stretch uf rapids so strongly suggested
brook trout that they could not break
nwaA from the charm Of rushing waters
/ without casting a line among the bould-
crs. While waiting for them, we dropped
out the deep trolling spoon and lcisurely
'irclcd the lower bay, and when our com
panionS overlook us, three fine salmon
,ruUt were ready as a surprise for our
ilshlcss friends
McDougal Is a remarkably attractive
little lake about four miles long and
mile wide. II has several deep bays, and
the picturesque shores are bold, rising
to high elevations in many places and all
well wooded to the waters edge. Skirt
ing the right shore to about midway of
the lake we found fine shelter hut dag
unally opposite the mouth Of the Opcongo
river. II was well mp from the shore,
with primitive brcakwatcr in front,
"hich the government rangers had made
by Telling big pine tree ut the waters
edge. This enormous pine, extending well
out upon the lake, its butt resting secure
l. on the bank. and It's top branches
gripping the bottom like stays, will serve
TOR many years breaking the wave. kick
~ m by a northwest wind, and for maxi
.ug . snug harbor and safe landing for
c1noes
The cabin, clean, bright and inviting
with spacious hunks, cushioned with bal
sam houghs, had an atmosphere of quiet
welcome, and We gladly accepted the hos
itality. Nearby. under the shadow Of
ono rocks. was a splendid spring Of cold
WAGER from which a little stream babbled
mcrrily to the lake. During our many
outings in Algonquin park. this McDou-
sall spring the clearest, coolest and
hest Of any found
1t was hungry crowd tina. gathered
around the pine table that evening, and
made away with two fryng-pans Of sal
nlon-trout. we'll drowned with corn meal
lot of hot biscuit and som" fra grant
black tea.
We passed few delightful days at this
place. catching s;tlmon-trout aplenty, en-
ioying the comfortable quarters, the rest
fui scclusion OF the wilderness, and the
picturesque scenery. y flock "f Cana
dian jays, or moose birds, noiseiessy nut
tered into our front yard one morning.
with the rising sun, i'm surprisingly
b fearless and friendly manner. to gather
up food scraps These hardy birds are
/ quite common IN that region Fire ran
gers and guides speak Of the bird as
i "NNhlSkoy John" which is said TO be q
$ corruption Of tn" Indian name "Wis-ka-
p ton" It is a handsom" bird larger than
81 the robin. a silent graceful ilyor and TN"
. way they circlcd over our heads ana
1 rrcn glided to the ground for crumbs
r almost at our feet was pleasing reN'la-
tion to The upper parts of IN" blrd
: are gray, darkcs, ON the wings and tai.
. Back of the head and napc of tie neck
almost black; forehead. throat and neck
white with a few white tips on wings
= and tail; underneath lighter gray; tail
long and plumage fluffy.
n Just before shutdown Don and padded
= across the lake and into the west bay III
search OF the mouth 90 Opeongo river, In
= order that there might bc no delay III an
carly start next morning on our journey
lp the river to bigger waters. The lake
was like a mirror and flooded with a
II brilliant sunset that strcamed over the
II distant hilltops. When well In the bay
We saw big eight-pronged buck on a
= stretch of sand beach, the fringe of thick
- foliage in the background making rare
T. nicturc. "A striking reproduction of a
ii rriut had often admired Noiselessly.
" with never "A word We drove the canoe
straight for him, and he stood there, not
81 scontine ts head high in air, with curl
u nsltv manifest in poise and look. Quiet
II, We drew nearer and nearer, and when a
T. fcw rods away. the buck turned without
9 tho least show of fear and with the great
-, collaboration walked back into tn.
l. Serum brush. Then tn. canoe foatcd
o while We discussed the picture we had
g seen. and All about a dandy camera we
) had left I'm camp. soon We noticed a
e sll.rht agitnriou IF the foliage and tn,
Il ncared among th. leaves and W.. knew
u rnsaiis0od c,lriositv had drawn the own
~ hack Inath to break the charm oi
| c,nndrn,c ~. silently passed on hut Il.
lang as ~, roiild SOC the SPOT the ant.
ln,s ,.,,.arod fixed in th, foliage
At scvo, i'm rho molnin. uur canoe.
tho,dc, sharul, for Opoougo. orr outfit
attrr several seasons of rourhiur IT, ha,
,,,,rrnu.d down to lust three package:
!. fan. each canoe while travelling. with no
-, a singh. loose thing except tho paddles
In his way mortgages were made with n,
: ! los. ~ time and We never missed an ar
ticI. We have followed others. how
=. over. over trails hla2ed with carelcsSness
=, licking up fishing rods. an axe and al
=, sorts of useful ana necessary thmg..