| There is much evidence to show that people have | | | | experience the natural flora of the region, like wild |
| always paddled the Churchill River. By the very nature | | | | blueberries or raspberries. Of course, you have to take |
| of the environment, hunting, fishing and trapping were | | | | into account the weight of your canoe which you will |
| the tools of survival, and canoes were a means of | | | | have to carry on your shoulders. Today, tourism in the |
| ensuring it. | | | | area offers the chance for experienced guides to |
| When the settlers came, so did the fur trade. Trapping | | | | assist you. |
| became a lucrative business. The best time to trap an | | | | You may even get the opportunity to see woodland |
| animal is the beginning of winter when its fur is at its | | | | caribou, bald eagles, bear, moose, wolf and other wild |
| glossiest, so trappers canoed up-river to lay out their | | | | animals. Stretches along its course are some of the |
| trap lines, and that's where they stayed until spring. | | | | few places where predators and prey operate as |
| Canoes loaded with pelts, they would return home, | | | | they have for ages past - without any interference |
| down rivers swollen with the spring thaw, a hazardous | | | | from man. These places can safely claim to be among |
| journey, negotiating any problem in the way. It had to | | | | some of the last wild areas of the world. |
| be done, it was not an option, and it wasn't done for | | | | For the truly skilled canoeist, class 4 rapids exist |
| sport. It was the means by which they sold their pelts | | | | around Nistowiak Lake and below Potter Rapids. (A |
| at the markets situated along the river's lower reaches. | | | | class 4 rapid is defined as having "high, powerful |
| Licensed fur traders were called 'voyageurs'. | | | | irregular waves, exposed rocks, strong eddies usually |
| Eventually the canoe gave way to the larger York | | | | navigable by intermediate to expert paddlers"). There |
| boat which could carry more pelts on any one journey. | | | | are 20 sets of rapids along the entire length of its |
| The Churchill River remains a great place to canoe. | | | | course, and some of its tributaries have class 6 rapids, |
| The river water flows so clean you can drink it. During | | | | e.g. Paull River. |
| summer, the water temperature is warm enough to | | | | Remember though that the weather can quickly |
| swim or bathe in comfortably. (One doesn't like the | | | | change a smooth idyllic ride into a choppy, |
| idea of drinking the water too soon after this though, | | | | wave-bedecked ride. For those who want adventure |
| but perhaps that is being over sensitive, as wild animals | | | | but who are not old hands at paddling, its always best |
| are not particular about where they relieve themselves | | | | to wait until the wind has died down before attempting |
| or drop their dung!) | | | | to shoot the rapid. |
| Both beginner and seasoned paddlers are catered for | | | | One more thing, if you camp along the trail, you will |
| because portages exist to walk your way around the | | | | inevitably encounter mosquitoes. So don't forget either |
| difficult rapids. These portages offer a chance to | | | | nets or repellent - or both. |