Monday, June 13, 2011 We’re up fairly early and while water is boiling for coffee, I catch a nice smallmouth from shore, probably in the 2.5 lb. range. We cook bacon & eggs for breakfast and are cleaned up before 9AM. Our intent is to make a day trip to Curtain Falls, because the forecast was calling for storms from Tuesday to Friday. It’s pretty windy in Boulder Bay and I’m concerned about crossing the main portion of Lac La Croix, where the wind is sure to be worse. We decide to fish the Boulder River instead. Caleb wants to paddle solo, so Jamie and I paddle together. After we reach the Boulder River, Caleb is feeling comfortable paddling alone and wants to head to Curtain Falls. Somewhat reluctantly, I agree. It is almost noon when we head out. We take the 75 rod portage to the ranger cabin and then head toward Bottle portage. Caleb wants to take the 65 rod and 240 rod portage into Iron Lake, but we had been warned against that during our last trip to this area and I am unwilling to go that route. We paddle towards Bottle portage, but the wind is blowing west and although Caleb is making progress, he is at least 200 yards west when we near the portage. We wait for at least 20 minutes for him to head back east and reach the portage. We make it across the portage, but I need to stop and catch my breath after the first uphill portion. At the end of the portage, we re-assess. It’s 3PM and, based on the time it took us to get this far, we may not reach the falls for another 2 hours. Caleb lobbies to head back to camp, Jamie is tired but doesn’t want to give up after traveling this far. I point out that the further we travel, the longer the trip back will be. We decide to ditch the falls idea and head back to camp. As we enter the main body of LLC, Caleb cannot even get his canoe turned. The wind from the east is so strong he can’t get the front of the canoe pointed south. After 3 or 4 attempts we head back to help. We tie both canoes together and paddle back toward the ranger station with our tails tucked between our legs. We’re all pretty whipped when we get back to camp. We cook dinner and break out the box of red wine, which tastes amazingly good. Almost no fishing was done this day, which is probably my primary reason for taking these trips. Tomorrow is another day. Highlights: Breakfast, “Box O Wine” Lowlights: Missing Curtain Falls