So I did a spur-of-the-moment solo trip to the Q, entering Nym last Wednesday with faithful companion Cerberus.

Fishing was great, caught my biggest walleye ever by a wide margin.

Sun and heat were merciless for my tender constitution.

Bumped into interesting people several times.

In the Pickerel Narrows, chatted with an awesome couple on a 12-day trip who are from Camden, Maine. Funny thing, I live in MN but am going to Camden Maine this week. So that was fun. They also showed me how to troll deep for Lakers by first showing me the gear, then dropping the lead-core line, then reeling in a Laker. Good for them!

Had a soloist pass me at the outflow of Batch, later bumped into him on Maria and chatted there…our own Tumblehome from this board! Had a very enjoyable conversation. Hope the rest of your trip was enjoyable and free from intrusions from additional annoying types (like me).

And perhaps most impressively, at the Nym EP when I was exiting, spoke with and even played photographer for a group of six. Not sure I have this exactly right…but some (four?) of them had already been in for three weeks. One of those was exiting, possibly being replaced by another. One was a friend acting as shuttle driver, who brought in their Resupply. Four then were padding in for an additional three weeks - and were going to finish in the US at one of their cabins on Fall Lake! Wow - serious adventure. I was and am jealous; I was and am impressed. I don’t know if any of them lurk on these forums, but regardless, I wish them well!

Had a great time as always. Am more aware now of how much the heat takes out of me. In 80-85 degree F temps with the only clouds being in my mind...I was whipped at 50-60% of the distance I might normally do on a cool day.

Back next month with some kids, if all goes to plan.

Indeed it is a small world in that big wilderness.

I was on a solo trip to the Q and I’m on my favorite campsite on a very pretty lake. I’m just sitting in my chair sipping a Jameson when a solo canoe with a dog as a passenger paddles up near my camp.

Normally I would not converse in an situation like this but this man was in a Savage River canoe so I know he is serious about his paddling, and second, he is solo so we are two peas in a pod.

We talk about Quetico, fishing and the heat. I was comfortable on the shore, in the shade, nearly naked, (still had the shorts on) and had a beverage, so like I said, I was comfortable. Anyway, we chat a little and then we part ways. My parting words to him were “Are you on the forums?” “Yes” he replied and when I asked his user name he told me it was SNS. I am now a bit excited since I know him by this site and we had talked online last month about water levels around Russell. It was a nice talk and it was nice to meet you SNS.

Small world in a big wilderness.

Tom

My son talked to a solo on the Pickerel to Dore portage. They were both going back for double portages and my son was jogging and caught up to him. They had a pretty cool conversation once they both realized they were real trippers. My son told him he was on day 13 out of 14. He told him he was on day 23 of a solo. That took some of the studly feeling off my son. He was 66 and had been tripping Quetico for years up till Covid and a neck surgery. He showed my son where he’d notched or marked his paddle for his biggest walleye which was 32 inches. They chatted a bit and my son told me he wants to still be canoe tripping when he is 66 and going on long trips.

I also ran into another member on a portage and chatted. We didn’t realize till I got back he posts on this board as well.

Ryan

Glad you had a great trip, Steve. Cool that you ran into Tumblehome, too!