Tuesday, June 12, 2007 A Slow Relaxing Day

I didn’t break camp until 10:00 AM, leaving a nice pile of firewood and a one-match start for the next campers. I did boil some water for some coffee to wash down the peanut butter tortilla and breakfast bars I had. I did not feel like being rushed. I decided to take the long way through Horseshoe Lake and see the sites. The portage into Jump Lake was a little tricky at the landing but it is nothing too tough. Jump Lake has a huge boulder sitting in the water like it dropped from the sky. The portage into Allen Lake was easy. I took a picture of the canoe at the landing of Allen.

It is a pretty area. The one campsite overlooking the lake is a nice spot and it is empty. The 50-rod portage into Horseshoe Lake was another walk in the park. Horseshoe is another pretty lake. A couple of campsites are being used on this lake. I managed to catch myself before I had paddled too far east and back to the Gaskin portage. I had paddled by the channel that takes me to Vista Lake. As I neared the landing to the 21r portage into Vista I could hear the rushing of water. I was a little surprised to see the cascade flowing out of Vista into Horseshoe. It is a beautiful spot and I bet a few fish could be taken from the hole at the base of the falls. After taking some pictures I went to Vista. This is another gem of a lake. I had heard there were nice size walleye in this lake. The wind is out of the south and I feel a hint of coolness, like it is off Lake Superior. As I paddled by the south campsite I was in awe by the whole lake. The campsite overlooks a rock cliff island. Something made me turn back and check out the vacant site. I sat in the shade on the rock slab that slopes off into the water. After about an hour I retrieved my GPS to see what time it was and took a look at my map to determine if I should continue on. My goal for the day was Little Trout Lake, but one of the toughest portages of the trip is getting into Little Trout. I decided to stay where I am. Why pass up on such a beautiful spot? Thoughts of the family have been going through my head all day. The way it looks I am about four miles from the truck with some tough portages ahead.

I cleaned up camp, cut wood, and readied a fire, set the tent up next to the fire in the shade. I have overdosed on UV rays. I have a slight headache and some burned knees. I had a little snack of salami, cheese, tortilla, and trail mix. Concrete malt from Culvers is what would really hit spot. That will have to wait until the ride home tomorrow. I hung the food and slipped the canoe in and fished a yellow hairy jig around Vista. After floating a large portion of the lake and not getting a bite I took Old Faithful and walked back to base of the falls at Horseshoe and made a few casts. The first cast caught a walleye. A few more casts caught a 5# Northern. They were both tossed back to excite the next angler. The bugs found me and were very annoying without any dope to persuade them differently. I paddled back to camp and stopped at a small rock hump sticking out of the water. After casting and jigging the area thoroughly without a hint of a fish I continued on. The rock cliff island was glowing red from the setting sun. I took some pictures then headed towards the end of the bay to scout out the portage into Misquah that will start my day tomorrow. A stream flows in from Misquah so maybe some hungry fish will be present. As I was casting and floating to the end of the bay I spotted something black moving on shore. A large Black Bear and I saw him before he saw me. I was floating quietly directly towards him. I was about 30 yards out and tried setting my fishing pole down and grab the camera. The fishing pole did not sit quietly and the bear looked up, saw me make a move for the camera and turned for Misquah Lake. He sounded like a bunch of junior high boys escaping up the hill along the stream. He was a big bear and I am glad he didn’t pose for a picture. By running off as fast as he did that means he probably didn’t like camp food. But since he is only a quarter mile from camp I better get back and check my food bag. I did not have a lot of faith in the tree I hung it in.

I pumped water while watching a colony of beavers swim around and slap their tales at me. The food bag was hanging safely where I left it and I decided I was not hungry enough to take it down. I had a small fire and went for a short swim to get the crust off. Sitting by the fire I was looking ahead to tomorrow. The map shows about 4 miles from the truck, 520r of portages and a 190r that has a reputation to go with it. I better get a good night sleep.