It was an early June morning as we set out from the Shebeshekong Lake public boat launch. The hot, muggy conditions catered to the hordes of hungry mosquitoes and blackflies who descended upon our group in a relentless pursuit of fresh blood. Swatting at the clouds, we passed under a low bridge and quickly entered a vast wetland. As we canoed past a shoreline of lush grasses and shrubs, we encountered a handful of beaver dams, including one under a low bridge which required careful footing to ensure we didn't take a muddy bath! After an hour of paddling we had reached scenic Mazur Lake. A gentle breeze drifted across the small lake and granted us a brief period of relief from the bloodthirsty insects. The far western shores of Mazur Lake are flanked by crown land and would make a perfect stopover for an early break or for those who don't wish to continue downriver.