Delay and De Gue Rivers

In July and August of 2016 we paddled the Delay, Du Gue, Larch and Koksoak rivers. We started by flying in from the trans-Taiga Road into Lac Bienville. After traversing Bienville, we went upstream until we got to the Delay River watershed.

We paddled down the Delay to the Du Gue, then into the Larch and Koksoak. We ended at Kuujjuaq, on the Koksoak river.

The whole trip felt very remote, with not many signs of other canoeists. Overall, the scenery and character of the river were disappointing with thick brush lining the banks and shallow, rocky rapids. Good campsites were hard to find without a lot of work.

The very top of the Delay, above Lac Mortier, was an unknown, with no information we could find about previous travel. The maps showed several sets of steep, narrow sections which looked unrunnable. The question was - could we line and wade or would we have to do a lot of portaging?

It proved to be easier than we thought. Mostly because of high water, we were able to wade and line most of it. Portaging would have been tough because of the broken terrain.

It was great being able to spend about five weeks traveling through the north country again.

All still photos by Dave Brown. Video by Al Stirt.