Day 6 We rose early, had quick breakfast and were back on the water heading for Argo Lake, It was a long run, but our paddling muscles were soon warm. Two quick portages and we were back on Brent, when from the East appeared a solo canoeist - the first person they'd seen for days. Pete steered in to interrogate the lone paddler. It was Denton Doc, a moderator from the Quiet Journey forum and he said he was point man for a party of four, miles behind. He was casually trolling the bays of Brent Lake with the about same limited success we'd had. After a few pleasantries we left him and headed west for the long run to Argo Lake. Only a mile or two West we passed a party of at least four that appeared to be just cooking breakfast at their camp along the North shore. A wave and a quick “How do you do” and we kept paddling. Strong winds were on again, off again so particular attention was paid as to how to traverse the larger bays and expanses without getting into another Craig Lake style predicament.

Getting to Argo went quickly, but astonishingly it seemed many campsites were occupied. We paddled for miles… seemingly with the wind always against us. The paddling muscles were running out of gas. We paddled into the teeth of the wind to the Darky Lake portage and finally there was a large sunny elevated campsite on a small bluff facing west. It looked great from the water, but on closer inspection it was found to have small streams of spring water or bog run off all across it. If it rained it would have turned to an elevated mud hole. Bryan followed a hunch and began to explore the white pine forest to the north. Walking thru it he began to see a perfect gypsy campsite emerge. He sat down and pointed out the potential tent pads, well placed trees for hammocks, and most importantly a sheltered fire area backed by well placed boulders.

This natural formation of rocks provided the perfect windbreak for the fire and there was indeed room to set up the tent and hang the hammocks. With setting camp completed, it was time to fish. As we trolled the north shore the tactic was to bump the rock bottom with deep diving minnows, shadraps and hammered spoons. Finally decent fishing flourished.

The Lakers were up in as shallow as ten feet of water, nearly surfacing at times. Back at camp that night Dave prepared Lakers fillets grilled over an open fire, unscaled skin side to the fire with his secret marinade on top. The feast lasted well past 11 PM and not a bite was wasted.
Today’s damage tallied at 17 miles and 5 portages (25, 20, 90, 180, 42).