I’m up a little earlier than the others this day so I get an extra cup of coffee and some alone time. I’m starting to think about a solo trip.

Breakfast is dispatched and we head for Alworth. The portage in is basically a lift over since we only have fishing gear along. There is a nice looking campsite right next to the portage. There are several spots to pitch tents on a nice carpet of pine needles. What I took to be the latrine trail looks like it might require some technical climbing skills though. It headed west and dropped off into a ravine.

We fish Alworth all morning and then paddle laps while trying to get together for lunch. Just so you know, there are no fish in Alworth.

The afternoon is spent in the southwest bays of Ima. I get a couple 20” northerns on a Wal-Mart special spoon. That spoon had been pretty successful for me in the past. Alas, I lose it to a snagged lily pad later that day. J hooks a big northern (40” ?) in the channel between the islands on the west side. L tries to get it into the net but it is too big. As he is trying the fish throws the hook and is gone. While that is going on C has landed a similar one in the bay across from the Jordan-Ima portage. That one is released. A smaller one is kept for supper.

On the way back to camp the rain clouds have moved in. I pause in my paddling when I hear a hissing sound behind me. Looking back I see rain making its way across the lake behind us. It tapers off as it gets closer and is pretty much blown out when it catches us just as we are landing the canoe. We get scattered showers and some thunder and lightning while getting supper ready. Pike, taters and Oreos are eaten under the tarp.

During the rains it finally happens. The turtles charge the camp! Well, in turtle fashion I guess it could be called a charge. At least five turtles come up and lay their eggs in various spots around camp. We are glad we finally saw what they were up to. It was getting kind of creepy. Think; Frogs. Think; Them. Think; Night of the Lepus.

After supper is cleaned up I was hoping for a quick clean up swim. However, the wind had blown a lot of pollen in to the shore so the swim will have to wait.

The setting sun and the remaining clouds provide some interesting lighting.