Day 3 - Saturday, February 12

We woke to beautiful clear skies. The first order of business was to get fishing lines into the water. While the first tip-ups were being put in place, Brian got a hit on one of them. He worked the huge trout to the hole, but it was barely hooked and got off the line just as he was bringing it out. In an act of pure fisherman instinct, Brian stuffed his whole arm into the icy water hole, but still the fish got away - this time.

In the afternoon we decided to ski over to West Pike Lake and have a look around. On the way, Dave and Brian stopped around a point to set up fishing lines in a new spot. Dan and I continued on to the portage to West Pike, and Brian caught up with us there. The lengthy portage required a little extra work to break trail, but it was well worth the effort to experience this untouched winter wilderness. After soaking up the view of West Pike Lake and refueling with Karen Cooke's homemade "flaps" (delicious oatmeal bars), it was time to go back and check on Dave and the fishing lines.

While Brian watched over the more remote fishing lines, the rest of us kept an eye on the ones closer to camp as we took care of a few chores. Late in the afternoon a flag popped up, and Dan brought up a beautiful trout. At least the shutout was now over.

Supper tonight was Dave's homemade elk and beef chili (the decision was made to pack out the trout). The trout would have been great, but to pass up Dave's chili would have been a real crime.

Temperatures were steadily rising, and we expected a comfortable overnight. In fact, it was warmer than quite a few fall trip nights I could remember. At one point late in the night a lone wolf howled for quite a while off to the north.

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Camp at east end of Clearwater Lake.

Dan and Brian set up some tip-ups.

Dan works the auger.

Brian checks the lake depth. It's already 50 feet deep here, not far from shore.

Brian drops in a line.

Tip-up ready for action.

Brian has a bite. Dan straightens the line.

Brian maneuvers a trout to the hole.

The one that got away.

Dan heads off Clearwater Lake onto the portage leading to West Pike Lake.

Dan looks east down West Pike Lake from the portage landing in from Clearwater Lake.

The view east down West Pike Lake from the portage landing in from Clearwater Lake.

The portage between West Pike and Clearwater Lakes.

Dan skis back toward camp on Clearwater Lake.

Dave with the first lake trout.

The first lake trout.

Dave and Dan reload the tip-up.