Mark Rubino has added a trip-log to his website, of last spring's 8-day trip on the White Partridge Express, which included a side-trip to North Branch Lake .. Trip-log #78 -White Partridge Express - May 7 - 14, 2010 .

"Scott was the king that evening. Catching 4 specks in just forty minutes, all real beauties, all were returned. We crossed paths with David who also had some luck, catching one near us as we passed him by. North Branch Lake was very good to us. The campsite we stayed on was the best on one the lake, as the other three were terrible. The campfire talk, the stars, the loons calling in the night, it was all amazing; The shape of the lake making the loon calls sound like train whistles in the distance as they echoed around the lake. It was nights like these that you wish just never ended and I still remember it well. "

Judging of the latest cohosted Algonquin Outfitters / Algonquin Adventures photo contest is complete!

The Spring 2011 photo contest was themed "Algonquin's Wildlife".

You can check out all the entries at ... https://picasaweb.google.com.

Or, you can view them on the AO Blog at http://ao-sales.blogspot.com/2011.

Mark Rubino and friend Joan headed out from the Cedar Lake access point to remote Gouinlock Lake for their mid-May first Algonquin Park getaway of 2011 .. Paddling up Cedar Lake and Beyond

"The fish on the end of the line began to take my line out, then diving straight down, trying to go under the canoe. I fought for perhaps ten minutes to bring the fish to the surface, the fish was really putting up a good fight, at times the canoe pitched dangerously to one side with Joan at the same time turning around to assist with the net. Finally, after seeming like hours, the fish broke the surface. It was huge! This by far had been the largest trout I had ever caught."

On May 28th, Tess, Norm and Enid headed out for a ten day trip .. out of Opeongo, through Prioux, Big Crow, Lavieille, Dickson, Animoosh, McKaskill and Shirley Lakes .. Opeongo Lk. to Lavieille Lk. to Shall Lk. - 2011 .

"After we made camp I had a quick swim and then suddenly the wind died, the humidity soared and standing still caused the sweat to drip from our bodies. Swarms upon swarms of bugs emerged. We opened up as much of the tent as possible for ventilation and we all went to bed around 8:30. A little while later there was the worst lightning and thunderstorm I have ever experienced in a tent. It was frightening, raging all night long. Night was day, trees howled, waves battered the shore, and I knew there was nothing I could do except pray the trees above did not get struck by lightning or fall on us. "

Last year, Mark Rubino took a spontaneous mid-June 3-day weekend trip via the Tim River, to Rosebary Lake .. Trip-log #79 - Access #2 - June 18-20, 2010 .

"I approached to perhaps somewhere between 15-20 meters. A healthy distance but still able to acquire some good close-ups with my zoom lens. I stopped photographing and paused for a few minutes to enjoy observing the moose feeding. It's real funny how moose seem to never stop eating. I've watched moose for years and it seems to me that most times, moose spend a minimum two to three hours at a time feeding in the shallows of some lake or creek, then move off to the forest, possibly sleeping or resting for a few hours then coming out to repeat the process all over again."

Stephen Molson has submitted a 'photo-trip-log' of a two-week trip he took back in 2009, with his pal Mark. They went via Opeongo Lake, north through Happy Isle, Merchant, Big Trout and Longer Lakes to Burntroot Lake .. and then back. The trip-log has 45 photos .. with plenty of fish and cooking .. Fifteen Days To Burntroot and Back - Summer 2009

"The next morning, Mark woke up fairly early to catch first light and do some fishing. His happy shouts woke me from my foggy state, he had hooked is first-ever brook trout. He wanted to keep it for a meal, so it was quickly dispatched and cleaned. Afterwards we went about preparing our morning coffee and breakfeast (which included brookie sushi) while getting our first good look at the lake. Merchant, like Happy Isle had beautiful clear waters and a number of sandy-beach areas along her north shore."

The Friends of Algonquin Park have produced a very entertaining and educational nine and a half minute video on the natural Brook Trout of Algonquin Park, and have made it available to the public on YouTube.

"Algonquin Provincial Park is home to one of the world's highest concentrations of natural Brook Trout lakes. Despite being a 7,630 square kilometre (2,946 square mile) protected area in Ontario, Canada, Algonquin's native fisheries are under threat. Learn what research has taught us about this special fishery and the simple things you can do to protect it for future generations."

Many thanks to Ontario, Ontario Parks and The Friends of Algonquin Park for producing and presenting this very impressive video.

Algonquin Outfitters has started their Spring Photo Contest "Algonquin's Wildlife". Grand prize is an Ultimate Algonquin Park Canoe Trip 3 day, 2 person, Ultimate Canoe Trip Package – $603.28 . 2nd prize is a four day ultra light canoe rental from the Oxtongue Lake, Huntsville, or Lake Opeongo locations. 3rd prize is a four day kayak rental from the Oxtongue Lake, Huntsville, Lake Opeongo locations .. touring, recreational, or even whitewater kayak. 4th prize is special Badgers best prize, consisting of a Badger Souvenir Paddle and necklace.

Contest is for photos of wildlife that can be found in Algonquin Park, Moose, Deer, Beavers, Otters, Wolves, Bears, Foxes, birds and insects. For full details, contest instructions and rules .. please visit the Algonquin Outfitters website .. www.algonquinoutfitters.com