Before leaving, I made sure to set the blue barrel out on our deck so fellow BWCA.com'er "paddlefamily" could pick it up on her way through Clearwater this weekend. As we likely wouldn't be back until late Sunday evening.[paragraph break]

My brother Joel made it to Clearwater around 8:30ish. After a little small talk and transferring his gear to our van we were on the road. I told Vickie I would follow her up to Tofte. Thus ensuring that I would be immediately aware when she needed to pull off and attend to Aurora. Beat having to maintain a constant vigil on the rear view mirror the whole way up.[paragraph break]

We decided to drive right through Duluth and the road construction. As Vickie wasn't 100% sure on the precise back road route. And, more importantly, there would be more opportunities to pull off if needed going through Duluth using the main highways. And we actually made it to Thompson's Hill rest area in Duluth before Aurora deemed a break necessary.[paragraph break]

Traffic wasn't bad at all. Soon enough we were at the Tofte ranger station watching the video and picking up our permit. The ranger informed us that there were no burning restrictions currently in effect. But, to be extra cautious as there had been a handful of small fires recently. All caused by careless campers. Including one in Brule bay, our hopeful destination.[paragraph break]

We stopped at the Holiday station to fuel up and grab some last second supplies. Aluminum foil being tantamount among these. Aurora had been very well disposed for most of the trip so far. Since Vickie wasn't familiar with the Sawbill Trail.... I decided to lead the way up to our overnight home, Crescent lake campground.[paragraph break]

As one would expect? Once clearing the blacktop the road morphs into a veritable washboard. This actually didn't seem to bother Aurora at first. But, Vickie wound up pulling over on the road to Toohey lake for a short while. Eventually we made it to our destination just ahead of the impending rain clouds on the horizon. [paragraph break]

In short order we had our tents up and pertinent gear safe inside. With this task accomplished Joel & I set out for Sawbill Outfitters to rent a canoe. Vickie and the kids stayed behind and put the finishing touches on setting up camp. Since there was only 6 of us? We had briefly contemplated just using the 2 canoes we brought. But, since we planned on bringing the kitchen sink, we felt it was prudent to have another canoe along principally for obvious storage & comfort it would provide on the paddle out. [paragraph break]

After some deliberation with Cindy, Joel decided on a Wenonah Prism. A solo canoe. He had never paddled a solo before so there was a certain degree of trepidation on his part. Ultimately the extra $6/day for a larger canoe was the deciding factor. Had LT. Dan & his kids come up Joel would be splitting the cost of renting a tandem with one of them. Now he was paying for the whole smear on top of going solo. [paragraph break]

Despite sporadic outbursts of light rain we hastily endeavored to cook up the hamburgers we had along for tonights meal. A faux pas of leaving the spatula buried in the barrel (and not wanting to dig it out) was remedied by using the cardboard from the box the hamburgers came in as that implement. They achieved the desired result by quieting the rumbling in our bellies.[paragraph break]

After supper the rain relented and the sky began to open up. Some minimal exploration of the nearby lakeshore was in order for the newest crew member of the Black Pearl. This would be her first foray at camping in the out of doors and, needless to say, there was a measure of anxiety on our part as to how she would respond. [paragraph break]

In another move prompted by LT. Dan backing out Vickie & I opted to spend this night in Joels' 4 man tent. Saving us from having to setup another tent. (At least for tonight.) It was a bit cramped, but we made it work. Stars were visible as we retired for the evening. Giving us encouragement that tomorrow will indeed be a picture perfect day. This is one forecast we sure hope is right on.[paragraph break] Crescent Lake

Day one began at midnight as the crew from Rochester, MN picked me up in Cottage Grove and then we hit the road for Ely. We arrived in Ely at 4:30am, stopped at the gas station for a couple of breakfast items, and then walked into Voyageur North Outfitters as they opened the doors at 5:00am. After securing canoes, life jackets, paddles, and bait, we loaded our gear in the Voyageur North van and headed for entry point 23. The sun was shining bright and temperatures were comfortable on the drive out. A few mosquitoes greeted us at our entry point, but they were to be expected. We were paddling across Mudro Lake at 6:30am with a campsite between Wednesday and Thursday Bay on Crooked Lake as our afternoon goal.

Our goal for the trip was to single portage as often as possible to maximize our fishing time; the first 80 rod portage from Mudro to Sandpit Lake tested our mettle. Our trip rookie was unsure what he had got himself into and was questioning how much he was going to enjoy the trip after the physically demanding first portage. We assured him that would be the most difficult portage of the trip.

After buzzing across the glasslike Sandpit Lake with bright sun and blue skies we were on to the longer, but much less strenuous 160 rod portage into Tin Can Mike. Paddling with the rookie in my canoe, we decided to take turns double portaging, so we weren’t exhausted before noon.

We cruised across Tin Can Mike, very happy with the pace we were moving, and excited about the prospect of huge smallies waiting for us on Crooked Lake. A quick 80 rod portage into Horse Lake and we were relieved to be dealing with a crosswind, rather than a headwind on our way to the Horse River.

We managed to hit what seemed like every rock in the river, but eventually the rookie started identifying the boulders before we felt them. The rapids were a fun little challenge and the portages of 58 rods, 48 rods, and 73 rods were knocked out quickly. A short sandwich break on the last portage to refuel and we were paddling again toward Lower Basswood Falls.

The breeze was now starting to kick up and some clouds were blowing in, but nothing too ominous. After taking a quick peek at the falls, we were paddling toward our destination. We reached Table Rock at noon, and were greeted by rain and rough water. The wind was really getting to Nick and he wanted to set up camp for the day. We decided to stick with our original goal and made it to campsite 1856 by 2:30pm. We were done traveling for the day!

Thankfully, the rain was done for the day (and our trip) and we were able to set up a dry camp. We decided to have an early dinner of brats and Mac n cheese after setting up camp, so he could get out on the water and enjoy the fishing. The fishing was not as hot and heavy as in years past as we were unable to locate numbers of fish, although we did find some quality. This would end up being the theme for the trip. Nick and I were pretty tired from the day, so were returned to camp before dark and decided to call it a night at 9:00pm. Tyler and Andy remained out for the evening bite and were rewarded with a few fish. [paragraph break]

The first night was chilly and I was happy to have packed a stocking hat last minute. After a full night’s sleep, I left the tent at 5:30am and was fishing from camp by 5:40am. No bites for two hours from camp wasn’t the start I had hoped for, so I started to get breakfast ready. Nick and I enjoyed a great breakfast of pancakes with blueberry infused Craisins and then hit the water around 8:00am. Tyler and Andy decided to sleep in and missed out on a feast. Our favorite way to fish is with top water Skitter pops so we began the morning tossing at boulders on shore. With nothing really going for the first hour, I decided to go subsurface with a shallow running crank and was quickly rewarded with an 18” smallmouth bass. I decided to try slip bobbering a leech on the first break line and quickly landed smallies of 18, 19 and 20 inches. Things were looking up!

We spent the afternoon exploring near Thursday bay and caught more smallies and a handful of pike. Nick caught a nice five pound pike that we put on the stringer for dinner. It was delicious and was the perfect amount of food for us. Tyler and Andy came back for the evening empty handed, so they headed out with leeches to try and catch a couple walleyes before dark. They did just that and cooked dinner with their headlamps.

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Awoke to another beautiful misty morning. We also found that we had a bear in camp. But going against conventional wisdom; Vickie decided to feed this one saying, it keeps "growling" if I don't feed it. We thought it was so cute we brought her home with us. :) Accompanying our little bear throughout our stay was a pretty little butterfly who fluttered about the site on a regular basis. [paragraph break]

Hannah & Colton kept themselves entertained after breakfast by catching a few crayfish and having races with them. Meanwhile Joel & I head for Vernon lake with the Black Pearl to try some fishing and do some sight seeing. [paragraph break]

We passed by the burnt campsite the the ranger at the Tofte station had mentioned. It appears it started right in camp and spread out for a few hundred feet leaving behind orange pine needles and charred black tree trunks. All the underbrush is what must have fueled the fire? An unfortunate set of circumstances to be sure. We paddled on to the portage to Vernon lake. [paragraph break]

This portage is only listed as 55 rods on my Voyageur map. But, I'd say it's something of a maneater. Especially if you're coming from the Vernon lake side. There is a very steep hill with a minimum of quality footholds. I was glad this was just a daytrip. [paragraph break]

There is an impressive stand of large white pines on the peninsula directly south of the portage landing. There were also a few other nice trees peppered around the lakeshore as we paddled around. We left the leeches behing so we just trolled various rapalas and spoons. I hooked into an incredibly small bass just out from the landing. Joel later caught one as well, but overall fishing was quite slow. We stopped at the 5 star site yet again to get out and relax before tackling the portage back into Brule bay. [paragraph break]

We had heard various loon calls during our stay. But, to this point none of us had seen one or any waterfowl for that matter. Once back on Brule bay there was a lone loon that was repeatedly flipping over and putting it'sfeet in the air. While it didn't disappear when we paddled over it abruptly quit it's silly shananigans. Still we were able to observe it from a close vantage point, which is always cool beans. [paragraph break]

It was chicken fajitas for lunch. Afterwards we ALL canoed over to the Vernon lake portage yet again. Aurora was at her first portage trail! To be sure, a seminal moment. Or so I hoped? It was determined that I would stay back with Aurora at the landing. That way Vickie could go and actually see the waterfall for her ownself too. I was amazed, throughout, how the bugs & flies really seemed to leave Aurora alone; even while the rest of us were getting the occasional bite. It must've been providence?[paragraph break]

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After supper; once again we were treated to a brilliant star filled evening. While we did persist about the fire a bit later than usual. I'm sorry to report that Auroras' namesake never did reveal itself to any of us. Maybe next time??? [paragraph break] Brule Lake, Vernon Lake

After a fairly lackluster Thursday, we decided to fish our way back toward the falls and see if we could find some more active fish. Andy landed 18 pound pike top water which was his personal best, so the travel was worth it. We aimed for campsite 1865, but it was taken so we paddled on to the next available which was 1550. After eating a late lunch/early dinner we hit the water to do some more fishing.

The water was perfectly calm and begging to be pelted with top water lures. We arrived to our first bay and had a huge blowup immediately. Fish on! A little while later a 21” smallie would make it into our canoe. My new personal best! A couple high fives and some photos and she gave us a nice splash on the release. The evening produced a couple more bass and some small pike.