After a somewhat restless night at the Sawbill campground I awoke at 5am. Had breakfast, packed up some gear, and made the drive to Ep37 Kawishiwi lake, a 40 minute drive. I was on the water making my way to Malberg at 640am.

As I paddled Kawishiwi lake I felt my pace slowed. I was struck with emotion, for a few days prior had put my remaining Border Collie, Sonny, to sleep. His loss has affected me greatly and will for quite some time. I will always remember his gentle heart and kind eyes.

I made it thru Kawishiwi, Square Kawaschong and the small streams connecting those lakes with no issues. The water levels were high and and the winds were light out of the southwest. I was able to float the two portages between Square and Kawaschong. The large beaver damn I was able to pull over. There was also a smaller beaver damn that was easily pulled over.

After Kawaschong came the first portage 189 rods into Townline then another short portage 95 rods into Polly.

I did have an interesting experience on the 189 rod portage. I had taken my canoe and a pack across and was walking back to get my other pack, when something bolted from the brush to my left. It did not go far and I could see something, grey and white fur. I froze, desperately trying to see what had made that noise. I was hoping to see more, but whatever it was, after about 20 seconds of us looking to see what each other was, it ran off. Wolf, lynx, it was not a rabbit or deer. Who knows.

Polly, what an amazing lake. I will have to come back to this lake and stay for a few days. As I made my way north I was struck by how beautiful this lake is with all the islands.

Between me and Koma were three portages. I was able to run the rapids around the first and most of the second portage. I did not attempt to float the third set of rapids.

As I continued north into Koma I was surprised at the lack of people. Kawishiwi lake was full, but Polly was open and was Koma. I crossed paths on the portages with three groups all heading heading south. One couple picked up my second load on the way back for their load. I thanked them and told them I would pass on the favor if given the opportunity.

After a uneventful paddle north on Koma, a short 24 rod portage had me into Malberg, my target lake. I had my sights on the western campsite just before the 62 rod portage. I made it there by 1200 only to find that it was occupied. I made a 180 and proceeded to the elevated campsite on the western narrows. It's an ok sight, unique. There was a very recent tree fall that has blocked the way to the thunderbox. I will report that to the USFS.

I set up camp had lunch, peanut butter and honey on tortillas and two Larabars and drank some water. By now it was hot. Thankfully a breeze had picked up and I was able to find some shade. I think I will just stay in camp the rest of the day and think about Sonny.

Dinner tonight will be a Good to Go meal. Chicken and white bean chili.

Welp. After dinner I noticed a much nicer site was open. So I decided to break camp and move. It's the site by the mouth of the Louse River. Could not believe it was open. Better tent pads better thunderbox, better kitchen area, better landing. Better everything. Tomorrow I fish.

~Kawishiwi Lake, Square Lake, Kawasachong Lake, Townline Lake, Polly Lake, Koma Lake, Malberg Lake

Woke up after a better night's sleep around 530am. Bugs are out in force. I resisted putting any bug spray on, but eventually relented. Fog has rolled in, can't see a thing. My plan is to eat breakfast and wait for the fog to start to lift. Part of me wants to just go on the water now, but I'll wait. I need to eat and have some coffee.

Smoke arrived this afternoon from the Canadian forest fires, just as forecast. It's fairly thick and you can smell it.

There has been some traffic on the lake today. 3 groups coming in and 6 groups headed south. I took a nice afternoon nap by the waters edge.

It was a relaxing rest of the day. Dinner was Wild Zora Savoy Chicken, which was excellent, and some chocolate covered cashews. I am so glad I moved campsites last night. No fishing tonight, just relaxing and waiting for the sunset.

I have my target area to fish tomorrow morning.

Slept fairly well last night, stupid Trumpeter Swans right off the campsite woke me up with their melodies.

Had some light rain as well.

Got out of the tent around 630am, a little late for me. Cooked breakfast of bacon and eggs with coffee.

Got the fishing gear ready and went fishing. Did some exploring and rounded up some beaver wood to process for a campfire.

It is windy today out of the NW with storms in the forecast for this afternoon.

After lunch I'll fish and explore the eastern narrows of Malberg.

Processed firewood. Not sure if I'll have a fire tonight or not. I usually leave a small amount of firewood and a fire starting kit for the next camper. It's always nice to come to a campsite and have a nights firewood already cut.

Did quite a bit of exploring this afternoon. Paddled the eastern narrows of Malberg, caught a few Pike. On the return I paddled a portion of the Louse River. I'll have to do the Louse River loop sometime.

Not another sole on the water today until 330pm, they took the elevated campsite on the narrows I first stayed at.

Dinner tonight was Good to Go Pasta Mariana with desert of peanut butter and honey on a tortilla. Thundershowers after dinner. Annoying.

Tomorrow I hope to get one of the sites on Square or Kawaschong lake. If they are full I'll continue on to Kawishiwi lake and hopefully get a site there.

In bed by 730pm.

Up at 530am. Slept well. Made breakfast.

Plan is to shoot for Kawaschong maybe Square. Either should make for an easy exit.

Unfortunately Kawaschong and Square were full. So I pressed on to Kawishiwi lake. After looking at a few open sites I took the "4" star site on the east side. I'd call it 2.5 star.

Took 5 hours and 5 minutes to get here. Departed my campsite on Malberg at 715am. 12.5 miles or so.

As far as I know I was the only one headed south. I had 4 groups headed north. Portages are still flooded, but water levels have come down some. The BIG beaver dam didn't have as much water spilling over its top. Still only 2 beaver damn pull overs. I do love paddling River systems like the Kawishiwi.

I guess the good thing about being on this lake, is it will only take me about 5 minutes to paddle to the exit. I wonder if I can order Uber eats.

Time to eat, rehydrate, and take a bath. Not necessarily in that order. I'll fish this evening after dinner.

Sitting at camp in my camp chair this afternoon and I had a rabbit walk right up to me and go under my chair. Obviously accustomed to humans invading its home. All I could think about was Monty Python and the search for the Holy Grail and the White Killer Rabbit, the Holy Handgrande of Antioch. "The count shall be no more than three". Classic!

Dinner tonight Wild Zora Mountain Beef Stew. And it's delicious and some chocolate covered cashews. It's 5pm, I'll wait a bit before heading out to fish.

Got skunked. Admittedly I didn't try very hard. I'm tired. Now it's time for a night cap before the mosquitoes come out in force.

It's going to feel weird exiting tomorrow without having to portage and the exit so close.

In bed by 830pm.

Got up at 630am. Not a lot of motivation to get going this morning. Always like this on exit day.

As I get older I have noticed my trips have changed. Especially when solo. When I was younger and came here with my original group we focused on fishing fishing fishing.

Now, while I still fish, my focus has changed more to exploring, observing, and writing about all that nature has to offer here in the Boundary Waters.

All packed up. Now for the short paddle to the exit and the long drive home.

I had a great trip!!!

Post script...

I stopped in the Tofte Ranger Station and spoke to Ranger Erik. I gave him some campsite reports and other info. I told him about my experience on the portage. He said most likely a Wolf. He said there have been a lot of reports of wolfs in that area. I thought to myself, maybe that was Sonny saying hello one last time.

We talked for about 30 minutes. He asked if I had any other trips planned for this year which I said yes in September. He gave me a card to keep testifying that I have already gone thru the rules and watched the videos, so I can just pick up my permit and be on my way on my next trip.