 As the lumber industry cast its eye further afield, Sage purchased timber berths in Oakley Township Muskoka, in October 1866.Sage's plan was to float the timber down the Black River from Oakley, not realizing the Black River does connect with Lake Couchiching, but flows to the Green River, about a mile below the outlet of Lake Couchiching, at Washago.Shipping via the Black River would involve taking the logs back uphill.