Dawn patrol run to several protected bays for a blue ribbon morning of largemouth, smallmouth and walleye fishing. Hazy sunshine, 70's. Quite a few double hookups between our two canoes, non-stop action for about an hour until the sun hit the water, the biggest walleye around 24”. Caught and released all but six walleyes and one gill-hooked bass for a meal. We paddled three stringers of fish over to a rock point on the mainland to clean them and avoid attracting gulls, otters, turtles and flies to camp, then sank the guts in deep water. During the filet operation one of the stringers of walleyes managed to get loose and swim away. We could see them in about ten feet of water about 15 feet from shore, but had no fishing rods with us so JW stripped and swam for them. The water wasn't freezing but that probably wouldn't have stopped him. Several years ago he dove for a favorite lure on Ted Lake and the water was much colder. SB spent his summers growing up in northern Minnesota fishing for walleyes with his father and so we let him show off his fileting and frying skills, which are impressive. Cache Lake dill bread went beautifully with the fried fish.

After our fabulous meal we spent some time relaxing and reliving the highlights of the last few days, especially the great fishing which we have missed the last two or three years due to cold water and difficult weather, then a sudden gale-force wind ripped through camp, upsetting the party. We wrestled the rainfly down before it was destroyed, bundled up and tied down everything in sight and dove in our tents for a nap.

Out around 6 PM, the sky overcast, the wind calm and a light sprinkle—perfect for fishing. Highlights of this cruise included a 28” walleye and a 19” largemouth (caught on a Storm fat-style floater/diver), both released. Late dinner of Natural High Caribbean Black Beans & Rice and a quick campfire and stargazing before bed.