Tuesday, May 18, 2010 Today we are heading off to Gillis Lake. We broke camp early and were underway by 8:30 am. We paddled across Little Saganaga, and headed to the portage into Virgin Lake. It was strange as we paddled and portaged through the next series of lakes, now after the fire, open country and lots of ticks. Virgin was literally barren of trees, the portages were easy, and short. The longest being the portage from Little Sag to Virgin lake. These lakes must have been gorgeous before the fire, the water was deep and clear. There was a group behind us on Virgin, but they must have gone to Peter Lake, because we didn't see them after the Virgin portage. We would pass through Virgin, West Fern, Powell, French, and Fern lake today on our way to Gillis. We arrived on our Gillis lake campsite at 1:30 in the afternoon. It was quite warm and sunny today...not a fan of warm and sunny. My temperature comfort range is about 65 to 70 degrees, so 80 was pushing it. Our campsite on Gillis was probably the best one on the lake, and big open site, with a nice landing, and a great fire pit. It is well used, and there is little firewood around. It has a sweeping, beautiful view of the lake. After lunch, we of course head out fishing. Mr. Barley caught 5 lakers in short order, and I stayed off the board for awhile, but I eventually managed 4 lakers. The fish were all about the same size, about a pound and a half to 2 pounds. With the mayflies hatching, and the water still very cool, you can see the fish come to the surface and pick them off. Dinner was mac and cheese, and mashed potatoes, what a combination. After clean up we casted from shore till dark. I picked up one laker shore casting. It was a quiet night so we sat up by the fire, listened, and waited for the loons, and then it was off to bed.