Friday, August 24, 2012. Friday was the day to start the trek back towards our EP, and we paddled across a completely calm Iron Lake in the wee hours of the morning. The wind picked up for Lac LaCroix, Boulder River, and Agnes (of course!), but by then I was used to it and made the trip without many issues. We took a site near the south end of Agnes, and napped through the hottest hours of the day. Somehow during this time the chipmunks decided to check us out as we napped on the sloping rocks in the shade. One decided to sit on my chest while I slept; much to Pete's amusement; and when I woke up it ran down my legs and into the brush. Why do all these animals keep running on me? We did some shoreline fishing and caught a few smallmouths, but it was when I decided to start paddle trolling the open water areas of Agnes that the fun started. I caught 10 fish in less than 2 hours, including pike of 27 and 29 inches, a 13" crappie, and a 15" walleye. It was the last fish though that I have been waiting my entire life for. I hooked into a what turned out to be a 40.5" pike. I was of course alone, but managed to get it to the side of the boat after it ran out line multiple times to get away from me. There was no way this fish was going to fit in my net. I was able to paddle to shore with one arm while the other held the rod, stopping to real the beast back in twice after it again made runs away from the boat. I then quickly measured, photographed, and released the fish, sitting with it in the water for nearly 5 minutes while it regained its strength, after which it swam away quickly to the deeper, cooler water where it had come from. I was literally shaking with adrenaline during the entire process, and the natural high lasted for quite some time after. I think people could see my smile from across the lake! I know I could have held that fish on a stringer until my friends returned and taken a real trophy picture with it in my hands, but it was way more important to me to get it released healthy back to the lake, and I won't 2nd guess that decision ever. It was a great way to cap an unbelievable week, and something I will have to talk about for the rest of my life.