Scotch & Solitude: Solo Canoe Camping and Fishing in Silence 

Thanks so much Reed, an excellent question. Some say this kind of behaviour is escapism and that we're just running away from our problems and seeking temporary relief. But I disagree. We're forming a critical life-long relationship with nature (which our society sorely lacks), and getting the spiritual fulfillment similar to the type that one might get from a church or meditation.

You are quite right !

Had to look up "bread and circuses"...awesome analogy. Thank you such much Gene. Truly appreciated.

I come back to this video sometimes because it’s good for soul 👍

Thank you my dear friend ♥

Thanks Amori! Lots of winter fun to come until next paddling season :)

Thanks FACER :) Caught me by surprise when I reviewed the footage back home. Hopefully I can find it again next year to document it better.

You got it man. It's a gateway to your inner self

Thanks a lot Canoeman :) Nice to not have to worry about narrating too. Will likely do this now and then.

100%. I always enjoyed being a soloist but now I know what I'm missing. That's awesome...definitely how I feel about Erin :)

🙂🙏

Thanks Craig :)

Thank you JD! Lots of winter fun to come to fill the gap :)

@@LostLakes Haha awesome!! I got into open water fishing pretty seriously this year and now I'm diving into ice fishing to keep myself busy. Are we going to see any hardwater videos from you? :)

@@TechnicallyRugged just finished editing the first one last night hahah 😜

@@LostLakes Yessssss!! Looking forward to it, and more. Thanks for all the work you put into filming.

@@TechnicallyRugged my pleasure man, thanks for joining!

They're so beautiful...jewels from the Superior treasure chest.

That's what I like to hear :) Thanks Ron!

Hahaha thanks a lot Roger!

Thanks Rawly :)

Fantastic Kevin, I love to hear that. Thank you man.

Thanks MCJ! The canoe goes away but still lots of fun to be had this winter :)

Awesome! But, if we don’t see you soon, I wish you a merry Christmas from Penetanguishene 🎄

And that was on a day with moderate winds! I'm going to try to capture a really rough day sometime this winter before it freezes. Impossible (or at least dangerous) to do a canoe trip on those days so I've never been able to make a video of it...hopefully soon :)

Hahah we'll see...I'm doubtful but who knows :) Thanks my friend.

Thanks a lot Joe. I agree, most videos need a story and reflection. Just a little experiment and a break from narrating for me. I enjoy making the videos but worrying about telling the story does take away from being in the moment a bit. Hahah I'm a huge fan of theirs...maybe you haven't caught the right videos yet. They did an insane month-long trip through Labrador this summer which I think will be published later this winter. If nothing else, watch that when it's up!

🤯 Beauty Hayden, well done.

But the citation is great! Suits me well!

Backcountry Angling Ontario The classic, Desert Solitaire (Edward Abbey), is worth the read if you haven’t already. Thank you for the great season in the backcountry angling. Cheers Jon and fulfilling Holidays to you from Colorado. J

@@JohnShepherdMusic I'm glad to see people are still reading in 2019 👍 Sylvain

Keep up the great work and keep investing in your channel. You got something special man.

Agreed Sylvain, just needed to steal the quote 😝

Mine too Barb. My favourite lake. Thank you!

Thanks a lot Craig :)

Thanks so much Eva :) Wilderness and solitude are so great for recharging. Especially for those with hectic lives. Purest form of therapy I know.

Good heads up. Thank you for spreading this little-known knowledge. Education and information is the first step!

Thanks Scot, definitely good food for thought. However I wonder if that would only apply to huge fish like salmon. Their own weight would cause such a force to be exerted which I don't believe would be the case for a smaller fish (let's say 5lbs and under), especially if you immediately get your hand under the belly once it's lifted out of the water. I still think it's a safer alternative than a gill hold unless there's a nice big gill plate to grab on to.

Yes, I'm not positive on that, but I think there are extra forces applied when the fish struggles in this event.

Which God?

I agree. Thor did a good job.

My apologies I got caught up in the emotions of the beauty

Hahah oh boy... Thanks a lot Henry. I'm not a religious person but I have loved ones who are very religious and I can appreciate the lens through which you're viewing this. Cheers man

@@henrymostert2125 -why apologize for what you believe in? You were basically just attacked by 'haters' of faith.

Didn't know that Robin. My Opa (and therefore I) might not be alive today if it wasn't for those who fought for freedom. Thank you for your service. And thank you for joining me.

Thank you Bringer of Cable! 🙏

100% agree. There is no therapy like it for some of us. Funny to think that some people straight up dislike the outdoors. Thank you my friend :)

Thanks so much Steve :)

Hahaha that was a first for me. Thanks a bunch Sylvain!

SHHH! 😜 Lol thanks Tim!

Thanks a lot Careena!

Thank you guys! :)

Very well said RG! Thank you so much :)

Hahah thanks Val!

Love it, thanks Average Angler! :)

Love to hear that it provides some peace :) Thanks so much Tracy!

So true. Especially on the really windy days. It's incredible.

Love to hear that. Thanks FWW :)

Damn Jeff, beautiful words. Thank you so much man.

Exactly. We got a blast of winter earlier in the month and then it fizzled which was disappointing. But it's coming back and we're stoked for it!

Thanks so much Mark :) My Opa grew up in Holland during WWII and was liberated by the Canadians. It's a privilege to wear the poppy. What is it about the aluminum pot? Do you think it leeches into the food? I believe I read that acidic foods may do that, but otherwise it shouldn't be a big issue. Welcome your thoughts though.

Much appreciated Jeremy! Two months solo is another level. I find at the 10-day mark it begins to wear on me.

Yes, two months alone in the wilderness is rather uncommon but it can afford some telling insights - if it doesn't break you in the wrong way. But break you it will, it seems, and if in the right direction, then no matter the weather, the discomfort, or misfortune, you somehow awaken an unperturbed serenity. It took me more than five weeks to come to that but what an extraordinary revelation then to abandon the festering, enculturated, need to blame. Freed from THAT, how could the fishing or anything else ever be less than perfect ...?

Truly nothing like it! Thanks brother

It's the best a hack like me can do hahah. Thanks very much my friend!

Thanks Ma :)

🙂🙂🙂

Thank you again my friend, much appreciated! :)

Superior is a true jewel. Thank you KW!

Jim, it's been a pleasure to have you join. What you said is really touching and very noteworthy. Solitude could be used as a synonym for loneliness but they are so different, aren't they? Solitude is rejuvenating but loneliness is deeply painful. There can be a fine line between the two but once that line is crossed, they become completely different. For those of us who can enjoy solo tripping, it's the profound sense of belonging we find in wilderness that can fend off the feeling of loneliness. Hope you can always find solace there brother.

Backcountry Angling Ontario Yes, of course! I've done many shorter trips alone, and a few week long ones. Being alone, on purpose, in the wild can be a wonderful experience......plus you don't have to put up with any morons, who feel the need to skip rocks during a beautiful sunset. No names....(Rob Butters!). I like to be alone quite often, more so when I had my dog. I've done lots of sports like cycling, running, weights, xcountry ski, backpacking, and almost always alone. Get to keep my own pace, stop when I want, and so on. Only backcountry fly fishing with my dad, when he was alive, was a team sport. But to me, right now, after what I went through the last year and a half, solitude is a luxury for people with full lives. Anyway dude, that's my life right now. It'll get better or it'll end soon, but yours and a few other's videos (sorry, I cheat on you with other youtubers🙂) have helped me immensely, and just wanted you to know there are people out here that appreciate your stuff, probably more than you know. And thanks for responding when I write. You're a patient fellow to listen to me 🙂

Backcountry Angling Ontario. Hey, did you get a chance to watch those videos?

That brings me joy man, thank you. Like I say, it's a pleasure to discuss these things with you. Even if you're a two-timing backstabber, watching other RU-vidrs behind my back 😂 Keep your chin up as best you can my friend. Haven't watched them yet because they're both pretty long but they're saved to my watch list for a rainy day :)

Thank you my friend :)

Thanks HW! Likely a coaster but there's a chance it's a splake...tail wasn't very square.

@@LostLakes Let's call it a coaster! Splake are not nearly as fun. I really like the northern Superior coast, I am on the southern coast of Superior myself. Beautiful lake.

💚💚

Wasn't familiar with him but, based on a quick search, that sounds like a very generous analogy. Thanks so much!

Thanks a lot B&C! Slow and steady, but a little faster lately :)

Thank you SBG! I'm a hack if there ever was one, but I appreciate the encouragement!

Hahah thanks buddy. Was nice to not have to worry about "telling the story" too. Probably something I'll do once a year or so

he made that area been closer to him :)

@@gener6538 Guess if it were cloder to southern ont . the meat fishermen would ruin it like they have so many places. Heck used to get lakers like that regular in Algonquin , now we have to settle with 1.5 lbers if we're lucky.

Hahah I give all credit to Superior. It's the best trout fishery I know.

😂😂🤐🙏🙏

Thanks a lot Bob!

Really appreciate that Shawn!

Aw shucks, thank you brother. Learning lots about doing this each year which is fun. Still so far to go. Thanks again Mark, really appreciate that.

Thank you Martin! Just hacking my way through the art of videography, but appreciate hearing that :)

Thank you so much Mike :) That's very funny that you mention that because another viewer very recently told me about it. Hadn't heard of it before. They believed that I fell into that category and after looking into it, I have to agree.

Thanks Tom! Hahah absence makes the heart grow fonder. It's healthy. I've probably never given bourbon a fair shake...I'll have to change that

Much appreciated Wildhood! 🙏