Friday, August 29, 2008 We planned on heading back and staying on Hatchet Lake for two nights and fishing and then going to Disappointment Lake for a night and then leaving. The paddle to Hatchet would not take long so we took time to make fry bread and pulled out jerky/cheese for the day. Taking our time we packed the gear and started a leisurely day of paddling. Knowing all the portages were short we didn't worry about going back for small things so the rods/reels were velcroed together and we even took the jug of water that was filtered. Just before the portage to leave Thomas we saw the first group of people camped since arriving. There looked to be two canoes, they were out of the wind fishing. It was a sunny day with strong breeze but perfect for paddling. 

I am not sure if it was the water we were drinking or real, but I believe we meet a canoe with my ex-wife Gail and her husband coming into Thomas. I didn't realize it could be her until we had paddled past. We haven't seen each other in 10 years and both have gained some weight and I sure didn't expect to see her, so it didn't really click in my memory until a little later. Either way I hoped they had a good trip. Gail and I went on her first trip both in solo's in 1991.

We finished the short day paddle arriving at Hatchet Lake. The first site was open and had a good view of the west and breeze to keep the skeeters away. We set up camp, bear bag first, tarp and then the tent. I don't remember what was for supper could of been cheese/crackers/jerky. We had spent most of the afternoon fishing and just investigating the lake. Hatchet was similiar to Ima with the north shore line being hit hard by the 1999 blowdown and the south still having large pines standing. The second campsite was hit hard by the blowdown and has little to offer for shelter or cover. The south end of the lake is very shallow but the northwest corne was water over 40' deep. CG caught a nice northern but it was bigger than two people could eat so back to the lake. We decided the next day would be a fishing day and we could check out several of the areas that looked promising. We made a big pot of popcorn with butter and sat talking about the trip and how our friendship has grown in the last 6 years.