I got out on the Sturgeon on April 4. Not quite the earliest paddle ever, but close. I put in at the Riel launch. It was muddy and quite slippery (and I almost dumped!) but was otherwise fine.
There was lots of water this year (unlike last year) and the sun came out intermittently.
The river was open up to Big lake (which still had ice) but I went downstream.
Lots of early birds but no muskrats yet. No one else on the river at lunch time.
The shore was pretty drab but will brighten up in the next couple of weeks. The beaver dam that blocked the river at the children's bridge last summer was underwater, with only one stick poking up above the water.
The Mission launch was also good to go.
There were a couple of places where there was still an ice pack (e.g., the south channel by the beaver lodge) but it was easy to avoid.
Overall, great to back on the water. The launches on the North Saskatchewan are opening up and Laurier was clear on Thursday. If the weather cooperates, I will hit that before the run off starts.
