May 22, 2008 Day 7 – We broke down our gypsy camp including the fire ring and left the site completely undisturbed. One long portage and we were on the legendary Darky Lake. As we paddled to the campsites indicated at the north end we saw canoes and campers everywhere. The western shore offered a secluded site overlooking the lake from a high bluff. Camp was set with Mark’s hammock high on the bluff and Bryan's right on the water. The poles and canoes were rigged and they were back on the water. Constantly on the lookout for streams feeding the lake they started working Darky River on the East.

Pete started pulling in some hefty smallmouth. “Throw them back”, says Mark, “we want to fry up some walleye.” Frustrated, Pete let them go, thinking how spoiled these Minnesota natives were. Some of those would’ve been mounted on a wall back in Kansas.... the lucky angler who caught one of these monsters in Arkansas would have had a street named after him!

The day ended with assorted fish fillets and Bryan’s famous hearty tortellini chowder, a secret recipe concocted with Bear Creek Potato Soup. Looking across the lake to the distant camp fires, Dave said, “See Pete, that’s why we need to head north.” Prior to this trip, Dave hadn’t seen a canoe in the last 250 miles of paddling. – 6 miles, 1 portage (126)