"The Gateway to the French River Delta"
To our valued customers,
The Palmers' at Hartley Bay Marina would like to welcome you for yet another beautiful summer season here on
the French. We would like to use this opportunity and this web page to update everyone on the comings and goings
and to call attention to any changes made on the River and here at the Marina.
This will be my last entry for the Summer of 2007 as today is November 4 and we will be closing the office for the
winter. And what a great one it was!!! We would like to thank everyone that came through the Marina this summer and
we're looking forward
to seeing everyone again in May. Enjoy the winter!!!
The cool nights have produced beautiful, sunny days in September on the French. The water is still extremely low
but the fishing is still going strong. There have been some big fish caught this month so pack on a couple pounds of
extra test to ensure that big one doesn't get away. Hartley Bay road is in great shape. After that rough couple of weeks
this summer, the Municipality have been very diligent in keeping it smooth and virtually washboard free. I have added
some new photos onto the Photo Gallery page, compliments of Diane Desrochers. I am always looking for French River
pics, so if anyone would like to become an instant star please forward me your best ones. Have a good Thanksgiving
everyone!!
The Palmers' would like to thank everyone for all their sympathies on Bill's passing. He truly was a pillar of our
community here in the French River Delta and will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.
It's nearing the end of August and the Labor Day weekend is in our sights. The water level is still a little low.
Pickerel fishing may be on the slow side but the Small mouth Bass are being caught in tremendous numbers and sizes.
For those that have had the unpleasant experience of driving down Hartley Bay road when it has not been grated for a
while, this next section is for you. Along with the seasonal bug, water levels, and fishing reports you can now check this
page for updates on our Road report. I have to thank all of you that braved the washboard to come see us, and you'll
be happy to know that there are two, yes two, graters on the Road today to hopefully smooth out some of the rough
patches and to make the trip into Hartley Bay a little more enjoyable. With only about a month and a bit left of warm
weather we hope to see everyone up enjoying it in the next couple of weeks.
We're now passed the Civic Holiday in August and there's still a whole month of summer on the French left. It
has been typical August weather; hot during the day and cool in the evenings and at night, which makes for great
sleeping. The mosquitoes are still a little pesty in the evenings but they are dwindling. The water levels are dropping!
The rapids down to the Georgian Bay are still maneuverable, but if the water drops much more ( which it will), those
that are traveling that way will have to walk the rapids. Unfortunately the great weather and the warm water
temperatures have been taking a toll on the fishing. Pickerel has been a little slow but they have been catching a few
bass and pike. There has been no reports of any Bear problems on the River and there is still no fire ban in the area.
That may change in the near future as they have implemented one in all of the areas surrounding us. Keep checking
this webpage and I will update everyone once a fire ban has been put into place. It was decided at the French River
Delta Association Meeting this year that there will be an annual River clean up next year ( I had stated before that it
would be every two years). It will coincide with the Killarney clean up so that we can get rid of even more trash from
our river system. The dates for that will be posted next year once I have the exact dates. Well I hope everyone will is
enjoying the wonderful summer that we've been having and make sure to stay cool by taking a refreshing dip in the
French River Delta.
It is coming up on the end of July and these last couple weeks have finally felt like summer. It's been hot so the
pickerel fishing has slowed down a bit but the muskie fishing has been better than ever! The water is extremely high
for this time of year so watch out for those hidden rocks and beware of the Jamieson Rapids, they are particularly
dangerous when the water is this high. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who participated in the
Bi - Annual River Clean Up. It was a success in getting a lot of the trash off of our tranquil river. Special thanks to
Gaylene, Doreas and Lorna from the Gilbert camp, Jim Rook, Ruth Ann from Look out Point, Judy Pragnell and Erie
Woltz, Jay and Maryanne Smith, James for driving the barge and myself, Margaret. We hope to see everyone out in 2009
for the next river clean up. I would also like to remind everyone that the annual meeting and social will be next Wed.
Aug.1 at Bear's Den Lodge. Looking forward to seeing everyone there!
Here are the dates for the Annual River clean up and the French River Delta Association Meeting and Social. The
U Protect river clean up will be on Wed. July the 25th from 10:00am until 3:00pm with a picnic lunch at Noon at the same
beach in Ox Bay as it was in the years before. If you are unsure where that is, just look for our big, red barge. There
will be a second pickup spot at the Stark's beach at 3:30pm. Prizes will be awarded for the most & unusual garbage
found so start searching the shorelines and around your cottages for unwanted trash. There will be a $45.00 charge for
all fridges. The meeting and social will be the week after at Bear's Den Lodge on Wed. August 1st with
the meeting from 2:00 pm until 4:00pm and the social starting there after. Don't forget to bring items and your check
book for the silent auction. Hope to see everyone out for these two annual events!!
We are well into July and the weather hasn't quite lived up to the hot, dry summer we were promised. I'm sure it's
on it's way but for now that means that there is still no fire ban on the River (but that doesn't mean that you can be
reckless with your fires!). The fishing, however, has been fantastic (according to the ones who know where to fish).
We've had some reports of large sized Drum fish being caught in the River and also numerous renditions of the
giant Sturgeon that broke the line but surfaced long enough to give them a glimpse of the monstrous fish that got
away. So if Sturgeon's your game, come prepared! The water level is about average for this time of year and the
mosquitoes are about as hungry as they are for this time of year. Thankfully there have been no reports of West Nile in
the area this summer but you still might want to protect yourself from the sting. For those who have yet to visit the
French River Heritage Center, you should check it out. It is a wonderful tribute to the French River area and it's history.
The Annual French River Delta Association Meeting and Social will be held at Bear's Den Lodge this year in early
August. I'm not too sure on the dates yet but if you are a cottage owner and would like to attend this can give you a
little bit of a time frame to plan your vacation time. Hope to see everyone there!!
Unfortunately as of June 28, the live entertainment at Atwood's on June 30 is cancelled. There will still be a dinner
but one of the Band's member fell ill (That's too bad!!) But that doesn't have to put a damper on our Canada Day spirit!!
The weather looks like it's going to be wonderful and the fishing has been great. Keep your eyes open for the fireworks
and enjoy the weekend everyone.
Surprisingly the River is coming up ... way up!!! It's June 23 and the water level is up a couple of more feet than
what was previously reported. You know what that means ... hidden rocks and dangerous rapids. So, be careful!!!
Plans are in the works for the annual river clean up so get your unwanted items ready and start scouring the shores for
litter. Details will be posted when we get the dates. The July long weekend is creeping up on us, so for our seasonal
customers, if you're planning on coming up that weekend please let us know in advance so that we can have your boats
ready. On June 30, Atwood Island Lodge is having a evening of dinner and live entertainment. Music is by Puente Del
Diablo and the festivities start at 6:30. The cost is $35.00 and you must reserve your spot ahead of time. You can contact
them by phone at (705)383 2894. It's sure to be a great evening on the French so come and check it out.
Hello again everyone who is eagerly awaiting updates, its June and it's HOT!!! The water is finally coming up. In
about the last week it has come up about 2 feet. It's the Pollen season so get your allergy meds ready if you're planning
a trip up here in the near future. The black flies are finally gone but they have been replaced with the deer flies and
horse flies; oh and don't forget about the mosquitoes at night. The fishing as always is excellent, the catching however
may be a little slow at times. We haven't heard that bear's have been much of a problem to any of the campers yet this
year, but if you want to see one there has been a few at the Dump. There has been a few rattlesnakes around
though, so watch where you step.
For all of our American clientele, as of May 24, we are excepting American currency at Par. So, keep this in mind
when you're paying for fishing licenses and boating tests as we do not take credit cards for these.
As of May 24, the Black flies are almost gone ... yeah!! But the mosquitoes are out for blood ... literally. Water
levels are still the same ... low, but the fishing is still excellent over this past long weekend. They are catching alot of
little pickerel, pike, a muskie and the excitement of the weekend, 10 year old Jesse at Look out Point hooked himself
into a six foot Sturgeon which he fought for about a hour, it surfaced a couple times but then shook itself loose of the
tiny hook it had in its tail. What a fish story, good job Jesse!
As of May, we are open for business and for those who need their boats out of storage, we would like to ask that
you give us two weeks notice so that we are able to fulfill everyone's requests. Seasonal, parking and cottage rates are
the same as last year but there is an increase to the camping fee of $7.50/person/night to $8.50/person/night.
The water level in the River is low, about June levels, but the rapids down to the Georgian Bay are still do able for
those that have the experience. The black flies are feisty and there are no signs of mosquitoes ..... yet.
Just a reminder, that by 2009 every resident and non resident of Canada must be in possession of a Pleasure Craft
Operators Card if you operate a boat that is registered or licensed in Canada, this includes our American clients. Also, if
your boat is not registered in Canada but you are operating it for more than 45 consecutive days, you must have a valid
Operators Card or equivalent from your state. The tests can be done here at the Marina at a fee of $50.00. That fee also
includes a book to study from.
Well, that about sums it up for now. Keep checking as we will be updating this page as the summer goes on. We
look forward to seeing everyone soon.
Sincerely,
The Palmers'
HARTLEY BAY MARINA
RR#2 ALBAN, ONTARIO, CANADA P0M1A0 PHONE (705) 857 2038 FAX (705) 857 2292
EMAIL: hartleybay@xplornet.com
