Sunday, August 2nd, 2009 After eating a quick breakfast of bagels with PB & J with coffee and juice, the outfitter suggested we take a day trip close by on the Vermillion River just downstream from the falls and the chute portage. What a bonus. It gave everyone a chance to knock the rust off of their paddling and portage skills as well as catch some (10) nice smallmouth bass. During the process we paddled about two miles down and two miles back. We were able to hook up the canoe trailer to Ed’s truck which made this really nice. Way to go Ed! Later, we met with the outfitter again and he gave us our sleeping bags and packs so we could get them loaded up before heading out in the morning. He showed us how to use the bear ropes and pulley system. He gave us tips on the gear and so forth. He showed us on the maps, where the better campsites were, and the better fishing spots along the lakes that we would be going through. This all proved to be excellent information.