Thursday, June 25, 2009********** -I’m awake @ about dawn, but lay in tent for long time, looking out at lake; I just like the calm… & the birds. -Out of tent; calm morning… already sorta warm… & bugs are already out. -“Smashed Potatoes” (bacon bits in mashed potatoes), bagels, oatmeal for breakfast. Isaiah makes fun of my “Smashed Potatoes” moniker. Whatever. :) -Day trips aren’t far from camp today; we just explore nearby shorelines; a lot of paddling and fishing time today. -Forest Service dudes paddle up, ask for permit… then quiz us; nice enough fellas; they put in at Hog Creek yesterday.

-Am in the canoe with the 2 boys (Isaiah and Skip); catch a (northern) pike… start to remove hook… pike shakes and drives xtra treble hook thru my thumb. -Ummm… OK. I can’t get it out. -Calmly paddle back to camp; boys are awful quiet. -Sit on log with Leatherman; can’t get it out myself; now what? -I’ve been OK up ‘til now, but now feel like passing out; lay on hammock. -Scott manages to file off the barb, then pull hook backwards thru thumb. -Becky bandages it; all better; time for a nap.

-Awaken from nap… and remove remaining front treble hooks from favorite 2-hook lures :) . -Scott catches eater walleye. -I catch 2 eater pike and 1 eater walleye… all while trolling shorelines; bobber w/ baits ain’t workin’. Small floating diver plugs (Shad Rap or Berkley Frenzy Shad) are workin'. Scott caught his walleye trolling a spoon. -Gonna walk on small island, but Isaiah notices a loon on her nest (good eyes, boy); we observe from afar & don’t walk on island). -Isaiah notices Seagull sitting on nest on different shore. -Supper is pasta, bread dipped in spiced olive oil.

-Scott filets the fish; (he says) to “keep him from getting voted off the island.” :) -After dinner snack is fried fish! -All 5 work as team to quickly wash dishes back in the woods; skeeters are harsh back there; hurry. -Short campfire… and g’nite. -Isaiah gets his backrub, but falls asleep very quickly tonight.