So much for the Madawaska yesterday

Post by **pmasson** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 8:07 am

Well I went to the Madawaska hoping to catch some eye's, but I couldn't even launch my boat the ramp is so bad. I don't know if any of you have used it this year, but there is a drop of about 8 - 10 inches from where someone tried to put asphalt down. I got the trailer down, but if I had tried to put the rear of the truck down, I'm sure I would have bottomed out. If any of you are planning on going, be careful... unless you have a smaller boat you can carry and put in the water. Next time I go I will be bringing my aluminum boat.

Anyway we ended up going to the ottawa river launch in Arnprior which was another surprise... It is privately owned this year, so if you go make sure you have $5 with you to launch your boat, I know it's not much but when you don't bring money becuase you don't expect to pay anything its embarrassing. Luckily my buddy had some cash and paid. There is a kid that works there and he gives you a hand with launching and loading your boat, so it's not all that bad. So we didn't have too much luck, I caught a small rock bass and 2 descent catfish which I hate with a passion.

I haven't caught any eyes' in about 6 years now, of course I only got my boats about 2 years ago, before that I was mooching rides off the in-law.

That's it for now, maybe next time I'll have some pics to post .

Post by **Wallyboss** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 8:55 am

What boat launch was that, the one on the west side of the headPond???that you couldn't get in

Post by **GetTheNet!!!** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 9:01 am

That's too bad, I've been meaning to get down there sometime. I'm glad you got some fishing in though. It's always good to have an alternate.

Post by **pmasson** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 9:05 am

Yeah sorry, the boat launch is the one just up from the damn as you head into arnprior. When you pass the damn off hwy17 on your left, take a left the next set of lights and go down that road, it's a dead end, and there is a very rough launch, it could use a good truck load of gravel to fix it up... it's great for smaller boats like I said my alluminum boat we can lift off the trailer and carry it in, which is what I will do next time.

Live and learn right

Post by **creeky** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 9:31 am

I know the ramp yer talkin' aboot. It's not bad if you can get in without dropping your rear wheels over the pavement. There's a better one though further into the Mad. Not sure how to get there though (been once and it was with another fella drivin'). Somebody got directions?

Post by **pmasson** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 9:53 am

yeah, I guess the water was pretty low, I went back to the edge with my rear wheels, but the boat wasn't even in the water...

If someone knows how to get to another launch for the madawaska, I'm sure we would all appreciate it.

Thanks

Post by **Wallyboss** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 2:11 pm

I think it's the road to White Lake that is on the East side of the Headpond. I am sure that the actual location is in our Boat launch listing.

Here is the listing of it But still can't figure it out
From Ottawa take Hwy 17 west turn left at the next set of lights past the lake and turn south towards White Lake. Just after you past the large "S" in the road you should see the sign to the "Clay Bank Park"
boat launch on your right

Clay Bank Park/Boat Launch Off White Lake Road off Hwy 17

Post by **pmasson** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 2:14 pm

that's awesome... thanks

do you know if there is a charge to launch? and where that will bring you out as far as on the map goes.

Post by **Wallyboss** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 2:23 pm

Not sure where on the map???? but according to the link no charge

http://www.geocities.com/ottawaboatramps/

Post by **Peekay** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 2:51 pm

No, there is no charge....I was there for the first time 2 weeks ago...I believe its towards the south west portion of the map...mapquest the white lake road in arnprior then follow that road as you take the bridge over the Madawaska...I believe the launch is past Young Road and is near or right at Reed Road, with road signs telling you where to turn.

It is a good gravel launch...no dock...not too quick a drop off...fair amount of parking available...it handled my 16 ft fish n ski no problem.

PK

Post by **LASZLO** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 11:05 pm

Was there last week. Took us 1/2 hour to get our boat out on the bad ramp
Will go back to other ramp next week
Did not get much action. The fish were at 20 ft but we could not get down to them with light gear. Next time we take our downriggers.
Laszlo

Post by **almontefisher** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 7:05 am

The launch at the Clay banks Park is a good one for sure...no charge and plenty of parking like was said...I have launched pontoon boats from there and many other types with no problem...There are some shallow points and dead heads around there so be careful...As for the Arnprior launch we noticed the kid helping and the charge but we drove away after putting the boat on the tailer and no one asked us for money...I hope the bill is not in the mail

Post by **MuskieStalker1** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 7:47 am

I HAVE BEEN TOLD IF YOU DONT PAY , THE NEXT TIME THEY WILL HAVE YOU TOWED!

BETTER CHECK NEXT TIME
KERT

Post by **YakAttack** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 12:16 pm

Yes, it's White Lake road (go south off of 417) ...the large "S" in the road is a bit misleading...after you cross the bridge that spans the Mad, keep going a few more Km's and look for the sign on yer right. And remember, no diving allowed off that bridge

Wallyboss wrote:I think it's the road to White Lake that is on the East side of the Headpond. I am sure that the actual location is in our Boat launch listing.

Here is the listing of it But still can't figure it out
From Ottawa take Hwy 17 west turn left at the next set of lights past the lake and turn south towards White Lake. Just after you past the large "S" in the road you should see the sign to the "Clay Bank Park"
boat launch on your right

Clay Bank Park/Boat Launch Off White Lake Road off Hwy 17

Post by **pmasson** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 2:45 pm

I'm gonna try this again on wednesday... took the day off so I'm gonna bring my son out with me and hopefully we can try the mad and catch some eye's for a change.

I think my wife is getting a little suspicious when I go fishing because I haven't had much luck the last couple of years. HOpefully that will change.

Thanks