Tales of an American going to Kipawa in 2021

[Lizard King]

Hope this helps answer a few questions of the process and give you some intel.  Will type up trip report to Kipawa Lodge in coming days.

-My son and I got our Covid test on Wed. the 11th.
-Started his ArriveCAN app that night.  Have your passport and vaccine card ready in decent lighting without glares.
-Answered a few questions after setting up ID and password.
-Then a step where you hold cell phone horizontal over passport and app itself will take a photo.  Next comes a screen with info from passport in typed out form.
-When comes to vaccine card step, you have to press button yourself (while in app) to take the photo.  Then choose whether to submit or take another photo to use.
-At some point of this process we came across an “Add a traveler” button.  We clicked on it and added my passport and vax card instead of doing a separate ArriveCan ID for me.
-Got to question worded like “have you received a negative test result” for both of us.
-Saved and stopped here.

Next AM we both received negative test results.  A text came from the lab with a link.  Went to link and sent results to our emails.  Printed off 2 copies of each of our results. (2nd copy “just in case)
That night we went back to ArriveCAN app.
-answered Yes to question concerning negative tests and continued on.
-for quarantine location….Barb gave me the Lodge’s actual physical address.  Each of your lodges “probably” has one.  Even if it just sits on an oversized island.
-near the end was a question or two like “have you or other traveler(s) had any symptoms.
Once done with app we brought up the online version of ArriveCan and he logged in with same ID as the app.  Printed off 2 copies of ArriveCAN results as well.

Not hard at all.  I’m being pretty descriptive above and still missed a few easy steps I’m sure.

On to Canada….
We took everything.  Passports, actual vax cards, printed copies of negative results and printed ArriveCAN results.
I usually aim for midnight to cross at Peace Bridge.  Left way early, just in case.
Pulled up to border at 9:31 PM last Friday.
2 lanes open.  One had 3 cars, other had 2….I made the 3rd car.
By 9:35 PM I was told….have a nice trip.  Yes, that quick.
Agent took both passports, asked where we were going.  Took our negative test results copies.  Asked about alcohol, tobacco, and firearms.
That was it.  Maybe when he typed in info from passport, and all our ArriveCAN info popped up.  I don’t know.  Easiest crossing ever.
But be prepared.  We may have just been lucky.

Our return today.
Pulled up in line at border around 2:40 PM.
Again 2 lanes open.  Was probably 15th car, took 40 minutes to get thru.
Just the standard questions asked.
Nothing mentioned Covid related at all besides there’s a sign on bridge stating you need to wear a mask when pulled up to the booth.

Gonna stop this novel and finish unloading car.
Will post other relevant intel in comments later tonight.

[T-Bone]

Great intel Thx.

[Hodgey1]

Much appreciated intel! With our trip just a couple week away, we are becoming more uncertain of the uncertainty’s daily. Your very concise post goes a long way to helping.

My fingers are wore out from being crossed for nearly two years now.

[Morrow21]

Thanks for the report. Been wondering what it is like. Should be crossing in a few weeks as long as they keep it open.🤞

[Ira]

Like Hodgy said - thanks for the info. We're making our trip North in 3 weeks and are kind of apprehensive about the broader crossing. This was helpful.
I was kinda worried about turnaround time on test results - wondered if it was 72 hours from the test or from the time results were received. Got an email from a friend who just went to Montreal and he got his test on a Sunday morning and had his results by that evening, so that solves that problem.

Thanks to all that have made the trip for answering some of our questions.

[Lizard King]

Part 2: American Cards and Currency - Not all were ready for us.

-Note 1.  I haven’t taken Canadian bills in what seems a couple decades, just $1-$2 coins from previous trips.  Always use my card for a better bank rate or American cash and still get some sort of exchange rate.
-Note 2.  Remember, the area we go to hasn’t seen the influx of American fishermen since what, roughly September of 2019?  Or our money.

We hit North Bay at 2:20 AM early on the 14th.  Made stop to use restroom and buy chocolate bar as a courtesy purchase..
The guy at counter gave a bewildered look when I brought out my American $20.
He ended up with an American $10.  Me, more junk food than I expected and no change.

Hit Stop 102 at 6:40.  Grabbed a 12 of Bleue to top off the beer I’d brought and headed to counter to get our licenses.  Young lady and man behind the counter.
A guy (American) walks in door and expresses dismay about his cards and cash not being able to be used.  I instantly get lump in my throat.
I discuss with the employees to no avail.  We have Visa and MasterCard.  We can run as debit or credit.  We have American cash.  Nothing was accepted.  Asked about the bank in Temiscaming.  It opened at 10:00….that wasn’t going to work.

Called Wayne while we parked at Zec building off the Maniwaki (no one was there), he would bring Canadian currency with him when picked us up for us to use for licenses.  I’m feeling a lot better now.

A local stopped at the Zec, we chatted.  He called the Pro Nature store next to Stop 102.
They’ll take American money.  Yes!!!!
We run back to Temiscaming.
After purchasing licenses at Pro Nature (I used cash and got their exchange rate), I take a step towards the door.  Turned and asked the lady….I’m in a hurry, if I give you an American $20, will you give me a Canadian $20?  I want some Bleue from next door.  She laughed and said yes.

So I’m back at counter at Stop 102 with some Bleue, my Canadian $20, and some coins in hand.
While I was gone they’d called their owner/boss.  They will take American money now.  Sweet!  Give her $40 American and get some Canadian currency.

When paid my bill at end of week, also got some Canadian $$ back for gas/food on way home.

Was back at Stop 102 yesterday AM to use restroom.  Went to make my courtesy purchase and a different young girl from last Saturday behind counter.  Same bewildered look when I plopped out my American cash.
After she asked another employee, they took my money but at a dollar for dollar exchange rate. 

I highly advise thinking of any purchases you may make in Canada outside of your outfitter.
Gas for traveling, licenses, Bleue, Timmy’s….and take Canadian currency for them + some extra.

By the time you make your trip, the info I just shared will be old intel.  Things could change for better or worse with how any store handles American money.

[Lizard King]

No problem guys.  Knew I’d be one of the guinea pigs for a test run of border opening.
I never had a passport till they became required for this trip.  This process was pretty much just another extra step, but not overly difficult.

[Oarin]

Wow, LK, that's great info. Thank you so much. This time next week I hope Jon and I are getting ready to leave TBL Outpost Cabin for our first time fishing Kipawa in more than 2years! Good luck to everyone else heading North. Stay safe!

[T-Bone]

Something is wrong there. Cards are universal…no reason not to accept them unless their network was down. Accepting US cash is discretionary. I always convert 90% of my cash going in…just makes it easier.

[fishtildark]

Lizard King, thanks for the information . I hope we all have as smooth a crossing as you.. What covid test did you get and where ,to get the results that quickly? Thanks.
FTD

[Ozzy30]

Todd I know when I go to the U.S my bank card never works, I've called the bank before and after and during trips and they say shouldn't be issue but it is.  I use my C.C or cash now

[Lizard King]

Something is wrong there. Cards are universal…no reason not to accept them unless their network was down. Accepting US cash is discretionary. I always convert 90% of my cash going in…just makes it easier.

I’ve thought same thing w/cards, but they just wouldn’t accept any of our cards.  I “assume” things will improve at most places going forward.  Just hasn’t been much American plastic or paper that far north in last 2 years. Both Pro Nature and Stop 102 should be good for licenses now.  But some of the run of the mill gas stations along the way may be a little dicey.

[Lizard King]

Lizard King, thanks for the information . I hope we all have as smooth a crossing as you.. What covid test did you get and where ,to get the results that quickly? Thanks.
FTD

You’re welcome. 
At the top of my results sheet it states “Molecular PCR Summary Lab Report”.
Down below under Test Performed is says “SARS-COV-2 PCR Nucleic ACID”.
It was a nasal swab.

I live outside Zanesville, OH (little under hr east of Columbus).  Place I went was WellNow Urgent Care.
Believe I just googled “urgent care Zanesville” and clicked on site or two till I found this one that said results in 24 hrs.  I called and confirmed that as well as letting them know I needed for travel.
The ArriveCAN site has a list of tests that are acceptable.  Rapid tests are not as of couple weeks ago.

[fishtildark]

thanks for the follow up. I live close enough to the Pa/Ohio line that there are a couple that are drivable options. Appears that you cant schedule sooner than same day. FTD

[knuckles]

Wee bit of a change of topic but it was a pleasure meeting you at the dock in town.  We met a few folks from the US last week. Many camp owners were quite nervous going to their places for the first time in 2 seasons. Yet i didn't hear of anyone having any major issues with their property. Hopefully the currency issues are resolved soon. Its nice to have you all back...

Cheers stu