Paddling NB

Description

It was a hot day. Almost too hot to be out in an open marsh. I made my way out to the channel and instead of turning right to head up river, I continued straight and made my way into the grassy marsh. I wanted to see what plants and animals I could find in this expansive marsh. The little channels through the deep marsh grass was a bit of a maze. I wasn't sure how far I would get. After a few wrong turns and backtracking I eventually paddled out into an open marsh full of white lilies. Their long stringy roots faded into the deep waters. I I tried to get pictures of ducks but they quickly faded into the tall grass. I gave up on the ducks and made my way towards what looked like a way back out to the channel.

When I got back out to the channel I turned left. After a large bend in the river, the channel split. Both channels looped around and came back together. These are old river channels that don't get much flow so there was no noticeable current. I took the long way around to the left and explored another small marsh. When I got back out to where the channels came back together I passed a small motor. It was a father and son who were looking for a good place to go fishing.

A short distance after the channels came back together they split once again. I stayed right this time and made my way towards a dam. There were some rocky outcrops along the shore and a swing for swinging into the water. When I checked Google Maps I saw that I was at the edge of a farm. I had plans to portage over the dam and explore the marsh on the upper side. When I got close there were a couple of people fishing. I didn't want to disturb them so I turned back.

I made my way back to the channel and turned right. I wasn't far from the main river now. I stayed close to shore to get shade from the hardwoods. I looked up at one point and saw a large bald eagle looking at me from a dead tree. He didn't seem to be bothered by me. Maybe he was just enjoying the cool shade like I was.

I was following a Kingfisher with my camera when I noticed movement on the shore. A doe deer was making her way along the shore and being very selective on the plants she ate. She eventually got bored with me and headed back into the hardwoods. She quickly disappeared from sight.

I finally made it out the main channel but wasn't ready to head back. I turned right and headed up river. I wanted to see if there was another way to access the marsh above the dam. Around the first turn I found a couple of beavers in a cove. It didn't look like there was any other access to the marsh so I parked the boat near the cove and watched the beavers. I took lots of video of them interacting in the cove. They are interesting to watch.

After leaving the beavers I saw another bald eagle and some large beaver huts along the shore. I tried a small channel that I thought might take me back into the main marsh. It had a strong current and kept getting narrower and narrower in the long grass. I ended up wedged in the channel and had to push my way out backwards. The next channel was a bit bigger and looked more promising. After a few twists and turns I was back out into the main marsh. This side of the marsh was full of Yellow Pond Lilies.

I made my way back towards Nerepis Bridge through the maze of thick grass. I saw a few more ducks and watched the Grand Bay ferry go back and forth beyond the bridge. I got back to the boat launch at the same time as a couple that were fishing from a Stand Up Paddleboard. I was envious of how quickly they deflated it and packed it in their jeep. Maybe I need to get myself one for my next visit.

Directions

From Route 7, take exit 80 and turn towards Grand Bay-Westfield. Drive for 1.2 kilometres and you will come to a stop sign. Continue straight past the stop sign and drive across Nerepis Bridge. From the bridge you will see Nerepis Marsh on the left. Continue past the bridge for another 450 metres and turn left into the first paved driveway. Keep left and go down the road back towards the marsh. The boat launch is at the bottom of a small hill.

Other Routes nearby

• Colwell Wharf to Foshay Lake
• Fulton Island
• Gagetown Island
• Sunpoke Lake and Creek

Trail Last Hiked: July 9, 2023.

Page Last Updated: November 19, 2023.