Sunday would be our exit day and Voyageur North was set to pick us up at 12:30 at the entry point. We broke camp, paddled across the lake, knocked out the 160 rod portage and decided to spend a couple hours fishing the deep and clear Sandpit Lake. I rigged up a tube jig for smallies and had one on almost immediately. A little 12” whipper snapper that caught the attention of a large pike. Next thing I know I am fighting two fish as the pike latched onto the smallie. Eventually I got the pike to let go and released to the smallie, likely to get lunched a short time later. A couple top water blowups but no hookups and our fishing for the trip was complete.

We packed up the rods, powered through the unpleasant 80 rod portage into Mudro and met the outfitter at the other end of the lake. Ice cold Hamm’s beer awaited us, delicious as always!

After getting cleaned up in Ely, we enjoyed a couple pitchers of beer and the Bucky burger at the Ely Steakhouse. The burger was outstanding! Although we had hoped to catch more fish, it was hard to argue the quality. I can’t wait to head back next year!