Make a Wish List, Then Pair it Down

Lists; most men don’t like them, me included, but it’s a must for a wilderness canoe trip.

A list can make packing and gear selection easier.

I’ve spent over 250 days in Quetico and the Bdub. And in my younger days I didn’t have any list that wasn’t in my head. But as I grew older making a list became as neccessary as an extra pair of Smart Wool socks. What a list will do for you besides reminding you what to pack it will give you a shopping list and a wish list that you will use to make your trip to the Canadian Shield in a canoe more pleasurable.

My list is at the bottom of this page. But don’t stop there, make your own based on what you think you may need. Write it all down, write it crudely with no regard for spelling or format if you need, but write it down. Trust me this will help you ID not only what you absolutely need but other luxury or safety items that will be serious consideration for your personal What to Bring list.

Start with what you know you need, a canoe, paddles, PFD’s, fishing license, park passes, maps, fishing rods, tent and general food items like instant foods and snacks, Knorr pastas, Velveeta Mac n Cheese, instant mashed potatoes and a variety of spice packs. We’ve even made bisquits and gravy. Then think it through even more. What else can you bring to make your trip better that won’t drag you down with too much additional weight. Start this list well in advance of your trip. Get others on the trip involved in making the list. Keep it open on your device so you can add to it on a whim. If you’re anything like me you take mind vacations during the day to ponder what you’ll need and encounter on a canoe trip and having that list handy allows you to add stuff as you think of it.

What you will absolutely need is one thing and what I refer to as luxury items are another. Luxury items might include steak, butter, Koolaid with suga r, Canes Chicken Tenders, a Garmin In Reach, a cutting board, a cooler or even a chair. You can decide to obtain and bring these things or discard them during your final preparation. I have found myself bringing steaks (frozen) and eggs on most trips and they will last when packed correctly. So will cheese and butter, for at least a few days, I’d say 5. Our cooler pack also includes a frozen block of beef and barley soup in a reusable tub wrapped in a plastic bag. This is our ice and placed in just an ordinary soft sided cooler will last 5 days when placed on the bottom of the canoe and in the shade. Even in 80 degree temps. One thing I did learn on a 14 day trip is don’t get half butter half oil butter substance in a tub. Our tub of half butter failed, everywhere inside the bag the tub was packed in was a mess. In terms of butter, which we love, just by a pound or maybe two, wrap it in a zip freezer bag and use it over 4-7 days depending on the season. Butter to me is an absolute must have but you can choose to use buttery Crisco or what ever suits your fancy. One other must have luxury item we bring is sourdough bread. This stuff fried in butter as an appetizer as I’ve been told by many is incredible to have after a long day of paddling and I agree. Make it while the fish are being cleaned!

So continuing on about what to bring you’ll need handy snacks like beef jerky, beef sticks and trail mix. I recommend bringing one extra day of trail mix per person just in case you’re held over for a day by weather. And bring one more day worth of instant pasta meals. Trust me.

On a recent trip my canoe partner Jay had tick proof pants. On the Cuddy Creek portages I had 33 ticks on me, Jay had 1.

If you are into fishing bring more jigs (10 per day if you fish a lot) than you think you need and at least one extra bag of your favorite plastic worms. I prefer Culprits but bring what you like. I don’t use treble hooks on these trips much. Maybe for lake trout  but even lakers will eat a white tube on a jig. If you are a troller then I understand that crankbaits will be in your arsenal. Pinch the barbs. In Quetico you must pinch barbs on all hooks. It’s good for you and the fish. I’ve impaled myself and it’s not an issue when the barb is pinched.

Just a few more things then you can go about making your list. Bring an extra pair of lightweight tennis shoes. Bring two fillet knives and for some trips a pair of gloves just might be handy. I’m hoping you get the gist of this and you certainly will get more of an idea when you look at the list below. Write it all down. Some gear may not go on the trip but you’ll be happy you had a list to go by.

Feel free to contact me about your canoe trip.

This stuff will improve your trip.

Speaking of a cutting board and Gorilla Tape. If you forget to make sure your wicker seats are sound for the trip. make a new seat with the cutting board and tape.

Wilderness Canoe Trip List

1. Tent
2. Backpacks- 2 or 3?
3. Food- Steaks, butter, cereal Great Grains, nuts, sourdough, instant meals, pasta, rice, pop tarts, jerky, summer sausage, fish breading, coffee
4. Tarps(2)
5. Tennis shoes/Sandals/Hiking boots (one pair)
6. Boots/portage rain boots(Muck boots or equivalent)
7. Clothing- 2 of each? 1 hat No blue jeans. Lightweight base layer just in case.8. Hats- Ball cap and cold weather hat.
9. Flashlight or other light sources. (one headlamp) batteries/(one flashlight)
10. Lighters/Other firestarter
11. Camp stove and fuel
12. Pot and pan
13. Coffee pot
14. Utensils- Dish towel / paper towels or napkins, dish soap (camp suds), plates, (gal. plastic bags) etc etc
15. Filet knives (2)
16. Ropes/Cords
17. Gorilla tape
18. TP
19. Pocket knife
20. Garbage bags
21. Nalgenes- 2(3)
22. Shampoo(camp suds)
23. Towels – 2 small ones
24. GoPro and extra batteries and chips.
25. Phones for photos/video
26. Back up phone power and charging cords
27. Texting/weather deal (looks like Garmin Inreach)
28. Foam wrap for canoe gunnel
29. Rods 2 each plus I have a 3 piece for extra back up, back up doesn’t have to be three piece
30. Extra reel
31. Extra line
32. Foldable net – don’t have to bring one up to you and room
33. Gloves
34. Reasonable amount of tackle. Lots of jigs and plastics. Needle nose pliers(2)
35. First aid kit
36. Paddles and an extra that attaches to the canoe
37. suntan lotion, (not just 100 year old spf 4 lol)
38. Passport
39. Wallet
40. Rain gear
41. canoe sponges
42. Fire starters
43. Head nets (2) – I have them
44. Stick of deet, permethrin, avon skin so soft for Black flies
45. Camp chairs? Cots? Probably out due to room but nice to have.
46. Throw PFD
47. PFD’s
48. Water Filter
49. Maps
50. Canoe coating
51. Tick proof pants
52. Canoe seats

Download the PDf of this list.

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