Killarney
Killarney is a great stopover. Be sure to pick up some fish at Herbert’s – we order, have lunch on board and then freeze some for a meal up the channel and on the hook. Later,we always treat ourselves to a dinner out at Sportsman or Killarney Mountain Lodge in advance of three or four nights at anchor.
Ted East has news about what is going on, while Mayor Laurier Lowe is the keeper of much of Killarney’s history. If you run into the latter, talk him into telling you about the fishing business his family was involved in or the anchorages only he knows how to get into.
If Killarney is too busy to get a slip or you just want to get straight to anchor, head on through to the west end and on to Covered Portage, which is about 20 minutes away.
Covered Portage
As you proceed into the bay, leave the spit of land plenty of room and prepare for one of the prettiest anchorages in the North Channel. Immediately to starboard is a small open cove that is perfect for up to four boats rafted and tied to shore.
Boaters will often tie to shore on the north side of the bay.You can go up to within a couple of hundred feet of the end of the bay in about four feet of water. There are no rocks and it’s a mud bottom with excellent holding.At the end of the bay is sand shore leading to a portage that takes you to Frazier Bay.
While at anchor, many people climb to the top of the beautiful quartz and limestone rocks, which offers a breathtaking view and a chance to get a shot of your boat suitable for framing. It is a perspective difficult to find anywhere.
Extremely well-protected due to the high elevation on all sides,Covered Portage is an excellent bay. It is also convenient as it allows you the opportunity to dinghy back to Killarney for a newspaper, supplies or some more of Herbert’s fish. However, be warned that Covered Portage get very busy in the prime cruising period from July 1 to August 15.
Baie Fine
After transiting down the Lansdown Channel you will turn north to McGregor Point. Follow the shore, leaving it to port until you find EH2 and nick into the cut by Frazier Point. On your starboard you will see the old Okeechobee Lodge, which was a major destination for a decade. It is now privately owned and no docking is allowed. Follow the markers, staying to the south side of the channel, and enter the wonderland of Baie Fine.
This is the only place outside Scandinavia where you can find this type of fjord.The quartz cliffs rising from the water are truly stunning. There are a number of anchorages on the run east, of which our favourite is Marianne Cove on the south side. Enter due south, leaving the ledges to starboard.This bay is protected from all winds and many boaters tie to shore on the south. However, finding dog walking areas is challenging, as we have found out. The island to the north east is private. Just to the east is a hiking path up Frazier Bay Hill.
If you continue east up the bay you will find other gunk holes to anchor. Head up the Baie into the entrance to The Pool and continue up the centre of the channel. In low water years,we have opted to anchor in shallow bays on the starboard side of the channel in order to avoid the weeds in The Pool. In high water years, keep going up to The Pool. Just before reaching the end, going east, you will see the Evinrude Cottage, which is owned by the founder of Evinrude motors and was frequented by their Burger Yacht every summer. Turn to starboard and either set a hook or tie side to shore. Don’t miss the trip from the east end of the pool. It is a portage to Topaz Lake, where you will see waterfalls during high rain periods. Be sure to swim in the lake for an unforgettable experience.