We started early on the 18th. With Jake meeting me at my house. After tying down the canoe and packing some travel items we were on our way. We said a quick prayer and then I asked if Jake remembered to bring all his paperwork. I ran down the list and when I got to passport it was "what I need a passport." For some reason Jake keeps his passport at work so after our 45 minute delay we were on our way.

By 9:30 we pulled up to The Norske Nook in Osseo, Wis. for breakfast. This place rocks and we would hit it again on the drive home.

After breakfast we stopped once for gas and drinks and made it to Ely by about 4 p.m. Stopped at Zups for some groceries,a drug store for some allergy meds. Then the Ely steakhouse for dinner. After our trip it would be back to the steakhouse for my annual beer.

We drove to LaTourells and checked in to the newly remodeled bunkhouse. That was a nice surprise to find new beds,air conditioning and a fridge.

At 6:30 the next morning we were in the towboat headed to Prarie Portage with Missy or is it Mindy (they're twins) as our driver. We got to the ranger station before it opened and my man Jason actually opened early and had us on our way by 8:15 .

The paddle to North Bay was uneventful. I know some don't consider it " remote" but it suits me just fine and the fishing can be absolutely out of this world.

By 1 o'clock we pulled up to our campsite behind Neil Island. We proceeded to set up camp and not ten minutes after all our chores were done it started to rain. Did I say rain I meant monsoon. We had to build a new fire ring under our tarp where we cooked our steaks.

After dinner it continued to rain so we decided to take naps. We went to our tents and both of us slept uninterrupted till morning.

We woke to rain,it never stopped from the day before. We fished sporadically throughout the day and managed to catch walleye and bass for dinner. That evening the rain continued so again it was an early bedtime.

The next day was more of the same. Rain,fish,back to camp, fish rain,etc. Walleye and bass for dinner two days in a row so that was good.

Finally on day 4 the weather cooperated and after breakfast we fished till about 1. This was the fishing I had expected. I myself caught 40 to 50 bass and several walleye with Jake doing the same. I don't have to tell you what we ate for dinner. The evening bite was just as good and we stayed out till almost 10. We weren't tired probably because we had slept so much already.

Day 5 was just like day 4 with a bonus laker. Thank you Lord. Through out the trip numerous northern were also caught with the largest being just shy of 36 inches.

On day six we ate breakfast and were on the water by 8:30 for our paddle home. We had the wind at our backs most of the way. We fished several areas on our return and caught fish everywhere we tried. To bad we were headed out.

We made it for our 3 o'clock pick-up with minutes to spare. In spite of the rain the trip was great. We stayed safe,our tents stayed dry and we were somewhat dry. I look forward lord willing to the same trip next year with my son. ~JOE~