C-Dory Meet Up in Midwest

colbysmith · Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2025 11:58 pm Post subject:

Last time I was in the Apostles, I believe last year, I caught my limit of Lake Trout. And I'm not much of a fisherman, so that should tell you something about fishing in the Apostle Islands. Of course you have to be in the right place, but the information I read about where to fish was pretty much spot on. Smile

But, I still prefer cruising to fishing, and visiting the light houses, and getting to kayak into the sea caves at Devil's Island is definitely a highlight! And Bayfield has a lot of interesting shops and good restaurants. Many of the islands offer excellent hiking opportunities, and there are some great anchorages as well. But again, it is Lake Superior and you have to watch the weather! Colby

multimediasmith · Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2025 9:15 pm Post subject:

Let me start with respect for the Big lakes born from my total void of experience in those waters… not that it has dampened my curiosity or fascination.
In reviewing the areas, there doesn’t seem to be a lot of places to shelter on Superior. The Portage Canal by Haughton/Hancock on the Keweenaw Peninsula looks good for day trips and the North Channel west of Killarney offer a multitude of coves and islands in the somewhat protection ov Manitoulin Island. The area has short runs between fuel and provisions.
I know Colby has had some hairy experiences between there and the incompletely charted Georgian Bay (all of which have an unforgiving rocky bottom). But it remains on looper’s favorites list and becons with coolness in summers hence my attraction.
I was able to get out with a local fisherman from Gore Bay. He was fascinated with my Navionics views of the bottom topography and said he had not previously been able to explore areas we wen to.
Am I being too audacious or would anyone be interested in exploring in August?

ssobol · Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2025 9:01 am Post subject:

BigSwede · Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2025 12:28 pm Post subject:

colbysmith · Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2025 7:15 pm Post subject:

I agree with Big Swede, the Apostle Islands do offer some shelter. Isle Royal has quite a few inlets and places you can find shelter as well. Both of these areas are in Lake Superior. But there are stretches of water that you have to be weatherwise before heading out. The North Channel also has some areas you can find shelter, but there is also open water. I was between one beautiful cove and Little Current, when the winds picked up and I found myself in 6 to 7 foot seas. (Short spaced of course...) Not a fun time, but the 22 stayed afloat. Anywhere on the Great Lakes can present a challenge if you are outside of a protected bay and stormy weather hits. But there is a lot of very nice cruising available with fresh water, if the weather is good and you go out. Colby

multimediasmith · Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2025 2:19 am Post subject:

Yes Colby, I remember your recounting the experience after leaving Baie Fine… harrowing.

I’m still leaning towards the eastern half of the North Channel. The islands are so close to each other as are the port towns, marinas, restaurants and grocery stores roughly 10 to 20 miles apart.

Just for fun, I pulled up the Active Captain maps of the area with the plentiful community sonar track overlays and it seems less intimidating with less open water runs between shelter spots. I do realize it’s potential for whipping up trouble though.

Isle Royal remains on the bucket list. Tom and Joyce are regulars there with C-Otter. They are an inspiration… but according to them, one has to be prepared for long stretches self contained with provisions once you’ve made the considerable passage. The new boat is not yet ready for such extended remote cruising.

I’d be happy with any break from this summer swelter. Then there’s the annual storm threat here on the Gulf Coast feeling like a pin in God’s bowling alley…
Hope to see y’all sometime… Can’t wait for fall… maybe we can try the Tennessee without hurricane debris.

Best
Dale

Avidmagnum12 · Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2025 2:00 pm Post subject:

Just a few thoughts about C-Brat gatherings.
The biggest problem is finding a marina that can accommodate all the attendees. We’ve been challenged even at Hontoon Island because of hurricane damage but we’ve been able to make it work so far.

We did have a C-Brat gathering at Isle Royal some years back. The docks can not hold many boats making it difficult for a group. If one trailers to Grand Portage it’s only about 25 miles to Windigo on the west side of Isle Royal. I only had the C-Otter about 3 weeks before my first trip to the island. My advantage was the my buddy boat was crewed by boaters that had local knowledge. Hank and Pat Clow had traveled there many times.

We will be traveling on the Trent Severn and the Rideau Canal in a couple weeks so no isle Royal trip this year. Plan is to boat Isle Royal extensively next year again. I’m always glad to have a boat or two join us in our exploration and pass on what we have learned.

Isle Royal is not a difficult trip for an experienced boater as long as you prepare carefully. Be warned however…. It can become an addiction!

Back to gatherings… the ones that Ken and Tex held at Alton Illinois were the best. The marina loved having us, they had lots of slips and lots to do in the area..

All for now Tom