Tuesday, June 15, 2021 We got up the next morning and Pete told me about the walleyes he caught and how he figured out what they were biting on, during the mayfly hatch. I am impressed with his knowledge and tenacity when it comes to fishing. As we were getting ready for breakfast, a rabbit (I assume Peter Cottontail?) hopped right up to Pete and after they exchanged greetings, he hopped off through camp.
We had pancakes and eggs, broke camp and were on the water by 8am – short paddle to the portage to Knife. Wish the portage had been as easy as the paddle, long up and down – rocky section in the middle – and then down to Knife. It was exerting, but well used, easy to follow, and the rocky section just required care, easy to slip. Once we got on the water – off to Isle of Pines. I think I have read every book about Dorothy, and just fascinated by someone that could live this far off the grid. She definitely had a tough spirit, but a kind heart, making many friends and caring for many injured people as a nurse. The coolest moment of the trip was coming around the corner and seeing “ribbon rock”.
We got to Isle of Pines about 1pm and were heading east by 2:30 – I definitely need to get back here someday, and maybe over to Ottertrack to check out Bennies Place as well. Enjoyed my time on the island. We walked around the smaller one and across the shallow water where her bridge used to be located but couldn’t really find much on the larger island.
After our short tour, we went back to the rock and had a quick snack bar, then headed out. When we got around the western tip of the island, I noticed an open meadow and went ashore. It appeared some clearing had been done and I figured this was where Dorothy’s flower garden was located as well as the “point” or “western cabin.”
But our next destination was Thunder Point. On the way, I saw something I will never do (stand up canoeing).
We did stop and check out a small campsite but decided to keep going. I have seen so many pictures from Thunder Point, that it was really neat to actually get to the two islands west of there that are always pictured looking that way from the top. I decided to get the picture with those two islands and Thunder Point in the background.
Fortunately, there was a group in Lime Green shirts at the top when I took my pics, so it is easy to see where the trail leads too. I was hoping to climb the trail, but the big group was still at the point, and we needed a campsite, so I followed Pete along the North side of Knife and we stopped at campsite #1448. It turned out to be a very nice site with a deep drop off to one side that I caught a nice northern off. We had cornbread and eggs for dinner and after settling in, we went out for an evening of fishing. I caught a nice bass on a whopper plopper, as recommended by Stu, a good 18”, and a few more before turning back. Unfortunately, I went right by the campsite in the dark and ended up with an extra 20 minutes of paddling after figuring out my error. Overall, a good day with more to come.