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Paddling the Grand River from Paris to Branford
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Whether canoeing, kayaking or rafting, you can access the Grand on the downstream side of Penman's Dam on the East side of
the river. You can park in the lot at the corner of Willow and Elm Streets in Paris. As your journey begins you will
travel through downtown Paris. The Nith River enters the Grand at this point. As you travel under the high level bridge
be sure to avoid the right side of the river and concrete support posts, paddle under the centre of the bridge. This area
can be shallow in a dry summer.
A few minutes downstream of the bridge you will pass by Bean Park on the right bank. Bean Park is also an excellent access
point for the Paris to Brantford stretch of river as you will not have to portage your boat over the dike (as you have to
up-stream at Penman's Dam). Bean Park is located at the corner of Spencer and Race Streets in Paris. When parking at Bean
Park make sure to park in the parking lot at the road and not in the loading area at the river. Bald Eagles are known to
frequent the area around Bean Park.
A half hour or so paddle down stream of Bean Park you will notice some large boulders on the right and hear some rushing water.
This is a rapid called "The Big Bloop". Under normal flows it is rated class one rapid, being easy to navigate. Bloop is on
river right & extends about halfway across the river. In high flows or if you wish to avoid it stay to the left. Bloop is a
favourite of many area kayaks and many like to take their canoe/kayak back up-stream to shoot it again. Beware the rock in the
centre and the submerged rock just down stream.
As you round the bend after Bloop you will see some large boulders on the left bank as you pass by them keep your eyes on the
bank and you will see one of the old gypsum mine shafts that can be found in the hill behind. The town of Paris gets its name
from these area mines that used the gypsum for "Plaster of Paris"
As you pass under the 403 bridge be sure to give yourself lots of room when paddling by the concrete support posts. Just down
stream of the bridge and about a half km in on river right is a Great Blue Heron rookery. There are a number of nests that can
be seen from the river when there are no leaves on the trees.
Whiteman's Creek enters the Grand on river right. Whiteman's is now one of the 10 best Rainbow Trout fisheries in Ontario.
There are still remnants of a Corduroy Road that was used to transport the gypsum to Lake Erie.
Just down stream of Whiteman's Creek the river splits around Sarah's Island. This is a popular spot to stop and picnic or
relax and enjoy the day. On the down stream end of the island there is a clearing and a plaque about Sarah who vacationed
on the island.
Brant Conservation Area is on river right just downstream of the pedestrian bridge. The large building on the left bank is
the Brantford Golf & Country club house. The river takes a bend to the right in the conservation area. At this point it is
wise to head over to the right bank as you are now approaching the Wilkes Dam portage. There are two signs on river right
marking the portage one at 500 meters upstream and one at the portage. Do not pass the warning boys. Follow the portage
trail around the dam. As you finish the portage you will have the dam to your left and you will be facing an island. Make
sure not to take the channel on the right as it becomes a shallow rock garden in lower flows. Put back in and head toward
the dam and around the island into the main channel of the river.
The fishing below the dam is excellent for Walleye and Bass. Make sure not to get too close to the boil of the dam.
About a half km downstream of the dam is the new canoe launch on river right. The launch can be accessed off Jennings Rd in Brantford.
The D'Aubigny Creek River access can be found on river right. This access is off Ballantyne Drive in Brantford. Look for
the Heritage River Canoe & Kayak Company sign just before the entrance to D'Aubigny Creek.
Just past D'Aubigny Creek you will see the first of 4 bridges in downtown Brantford. There is quick water under theses
bridges and it is quite rocky in normal flows. There is another access point on river right at the 4th bridge. This area
is known as Gilkison Flats. From the road it can be accessed off Gilkison St in Brantford. Look for the Heritage River
Canoe & Kayak Company sign. If you wish you can contact them for instructions or if you need any questions answered. They
also rent canoes, kayaks and rafts. Their website is www.heritageriver.com or call 1.866.GO CANOE
About an hour paddle downstream from Gilkison Flats is the Cockshutt Bridge access area. Points of interest as you paddle
past the flats is the dike system on river left and the floodplain on river right. If you look at the trees as you pass by
you will notice that the bark has been knocked off some of them; this is from the ice pack as ice jams are quite frequent just
down river on the Oxbow. Another point of interest is the steep bluffs on river right. This is where the Bell Homestead is
located, the home of Alexander Graham Bell the inventor of the telephone.
As you pass through the Carolinian Forest watch for a variety of tress, including, Sycamore, Cottonwood, Eastern Hemlock, as
well as several species of oak, maple and pine.
Wildflowers are common. Trillium, Trout Lily, May Apple and Marsh Marigold are easily visible, as well as the harder to find
Jack in the Pulpit and Yellow Lady Slipper.
Wildlife includes deer, raccoons, fox, beaver, muskrat and mink. Common birds are Blue Herons, Kingfishers, Osprey, Turkey
Vultures, Red Tail Hawks and Bald Eagles
Game fish include: Rainbow Trout/Steelhead, Brown Trout, Large and Small Mouth Bass, Walleye and Coho Salmon.
There are a number of canoe, kayak and rafting outfitters on the Grand River who offer guided and self-guided canoe, kayak,
raft and mountain bike trips and rentals, Heritage River Canoe & Kayak Company being one of them. If you
do not need to rent a canoe, kayak or raft you can have Heritage River or one of the other outfitters shuttle your own boat.
They will pick you up at the finish point of the trip and shuttle your party along with your canoe or kayak up river and you just
paddle back to your vehicle. With the fantastic fishing on this stretch of the Grand you can also rent fishing kayaks from
Heritage River which have rod holders etc. There are special fishing regulations in place for the stretch of the Grand River
from Bean Park in Paris to just above Brant Conservation Area. A number of outfitters including Heritage River have rafts which
can be decked out with platforms which are perfect for spin casting and fly fishing.
Another wonderful thing about the Grand River is that the average depth is about 3' in normal flows, so it is a great learning
river and is safe for family trips and is enjoyable for persons of any paddling skill level. Of course safety is always number
one so always wear your PFD (life jacket) when on the river and save the cold ones for at home or back at your campsite. Before
your trip, check the local weather and river flow conditions and let someone who is not paddling with you know the stretch of
river you are paddling and when you are going to return. Real-time river flows and water temperature can be found on the GRCA
or Grand River Conservation Authority website. The weather on the Grand River can be quite different than the weather where you
may live so rather than canceling your trip if you think the weather is bad give one of the local outfitters a call and ask them
what the weather is actually like on the river. Even if you are not renting a canoe, kayak or raft from them they will still be
more than happy to answer any of your questions about the weather etc.
Canoe, kayak and raft rentals are available from a number of outfitters, tackle shops and outdoor stores along the watershed.
Some of the Grand River canoe companies have shuttle for private canoes and most outfitters offer shuttle service with the canoe,
kayak or raft rental. Shuttle service is great as you park at the finish point of your trip. The outfitter shuttles you up river
and you paddle back to where your vehicle is parked.
There are many grand experiences and adventures to be had on this scenic and historic river in the heart land of southern Ontario.
Canoeing the Grand makes you think you are far away in the wilderness of Kilarney or Algonquin Provincial Park yet you are just one
hour west of Toronto. So if you are looking for grand experiences with a Grand River canoe company or maybe a Grand River rafting
company for that perfect float trip, let the outfitters at Heritage River Canoe & Kayak Company
be your guide to take you on adventures on the Grand River.
So if you are looking for fun things to do this summer, come and enjoy the great outdoors by
canoeing, kayaking, rafting, mountain biking and hiking the beautiful and historic Grand River watershed, truly one of Canada's wonderlands.
About the Author
Since 1999, Adam Fernley and his family have owned and operated the Heritage River Canoe &
Kayak Company on the beautiful and historic Grand River in Southern Ontario, just one hour west of Toronto. Since opening,
Heritage River has been able to provide thousands of people with safe, fun and educational canoe, kayak and raft trips on the
near wilderness of the Grand River Watershed. They have always provided their customers with the best outdoor experiences
possible. Heritage River Canoe & Kayak Company offers a full outfitting and shuttle service.
We're not the largest outfitter on the Grand... Just the best!
www.heritageriver.com
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