The Last Sister | Dumoine River
Growing up as an aspiring adventurer, paddling the Three Sisters rivers was definitely a bucket list item for me. The Noire, Coulonge, and Dumoine rivers are paradise for river trippers. All three are significant tributaries of the Ottawa River and hold deep historical significance for the Indigenous communities who lived off the land for thousands of years before the colonial period.
My very first wilderness canoe trip was back in August 2001, and we paddled the Noire River. That trip was a turning point for my love of the outdoors. It opened up a part of life I didn’t even know existed. I had never felt so peaceful before. My mind wasn’t racing—it felt like I could finally focus. The daily routine of canoe tripping just felt so natural and easy for me to follow, unlike a school routine, for example. I was just 12 years old when I got into river tripping, and little did I know at the time that it would shape so much of who I am today.
I found out about the other two Sisters rivers during the shuttle drive up the Noire River with the outfitter. They mentioned that the Dumoine River was always considered the harder one to navigate because of its rapids classification.
At the end of my trip on the Noire River, I remember looking back at the water just before climbing into the car to head home. I knew right then and there that I would one day paddle all Three Sisters.
Noire River - August 2001 ✅
Coulonge River - June 2022 ✅
And finally...
Dumoine River - August 2024 ✅
I hope you enjoy the video!
✌️
Marty Morissette