Joel & Blake are up at first light and head out on the lake to try their luck. Aurora is still sleeping so I stay back and process some firewood and begin to get things arranged for breakfast when the fishermen return. I note that keeping the campfire going is almost a necessity, not so much for the heat or cooking but to simply smoke out the mosquitos!

Aurora getting up coincides with the return of the rest of the crew and we all sit down for some scrambled eggs & bagels. The fishing is slow but they do catch sight of a black bear on the opposite side of the lake. Unfortunately, it saunters off into the woods before they can get a picture. However, this is a timely reminder to be vigilant in keeping a clean, orderly camp.

After breakfast chores, we all head out to explore Malberg Lake. Blake soon picks up a small northern, but fishing remains very sporadic. Thankfully it’s another gorgeous day as we troll around the lake. Eventually, we retrace our path back towards Koma Lake. The fishing proves to be a bit better in this section of the lake, but the wind has picked up and is becoming bothersome. Aurora & I pull into campsite #1056 near the outlet of the Louse River to briefly duck out of the pushy waves.

There is a good shallow water landing and sufficient canoe storage area. The fire grate is situated near the lake in a wonderful grove of lush cedar trees however there was no log seating at all. It appears someone put in a tremendous amount of time assembling the boulders around camp creating a terraced effect. There are multiple flat tent pads, and you can explore the shoreline easily as well. We hear an unseen decent size animal scamper away as we wander about & happen upon a “gaggle” of yellow butterflies.

After resting up, we proceed south down the bay to the Koma portage where we join back up with Joel & Blake. Blake has finally found some walleyes but, yet again, catching them is an infrequent occurrence. As interest in fishing wanes, we all take time to explore the scenic rapids that parallel this portage. The monstrosity of a boulder that is positioned in the middle of the rapids is certainly one of the most famous/photographed in all the BWCA and we too partake in that seemingly obligatory time-honored tradition.

It is decided that today we will just hang out here on Malberg and recuperate from our travels of yesterday. Taking separate routes back to camp we explore the unique shorelines of Malberg as we lazily paddle back towards camp. Considering the ravenous nature of the mosquitos back in camp, I hasten to locate some additional firewood to, hopefully, keep them at bay with the smoke. Fortunately, there are chewed up beaver sticks of varying sizes washed up along much of the shorelines, so we load the Black Pearl up before fully committing to returning to camp.

While I process the firewood Aurora, still brimming with confidence from yesterday's solo, now escorts Blake out so he can fish. While they don’t have much luck fishing, I think they both are grateful for the opportunity to break free from parental tyranny and experience the unsupervised freedoms that the wilderness can provide.

Thankfully, the collection of firewood strategy pays off. As long as we stay close to the fire we are mostly left alone. However, once we enter the shaded areas, straight away, the mosquitos let us know they haven’t forgotten about us. Still, we can enjoy a quiet evening of quiet stargazing before prayers & eventually sauntering off to bed.