Quetico 2005 Bushwhackers Jamboree
by hexnymph
Trip Type:
Paddling Canoe
Entry Date:
06/11/2005
Entry Point:
Quetico
Exit Point:
Quetico
Number of Days:
8
Group Size:
6
Day 2 of 8
Sunday, June 12, 2005
Arp Lake - Noname Lake - Star Lake - Fauquier Lake - Dumas Lake - Rod Lake - Fidge Lake - Noname Lake - Turu Lake - Glacier Lake - McEwen Lake
Day two started off quickly. We packed our gear and headed up the portage to Arp Lake. Just before reaching Arp Lake I saw a Pink Lady Slipper just off the trail so I put the canoe down, got the camera and went back for a picture. Little did I know that most of the forest we would tread through on the rest of the trip would be full of them. We hurried across Arp Lake and onto the portage, which led us to the unnamed lake to the northeast of Arp. This was a nice little treat because the portage led us into a floating bog. After a slight hesitation we quickly lost our fear of getting wet and made our way across it to the open water. After a little confusion as to why the lake didn’t look like it did on the map we easily found our way onto Star Lake. From Star we took the portage into Fauquier Lake and started to fish.
On Fauquier the fishing wasn’t hot but we did manage to hook a few bronzebacks. After the portage onto Dumas the fishing picked up and we hit the bronzebacks hard. We kept a few for lunch, which we ate on the island. Over the next couple lakes the fishing was on an off with a couple pike in the mix. Our luck really turned around when we hit Glacier Lake. McEwen Creek enters the lake right were the portage lands. This was a spawning ground and the smallmouth were averaging much larger than the fish we had been catching before. It seemed for a while that every cast would pick up a fish or at least get a hit.
After Glacier Lake we followed McEwen Creek, traveling as quietly as possible through the winding marsh. Our stealth paid off when we got to see a moose pretty close up. It didn’t take long for the cow to spook and she made her way into the thicker forest out of sight. It was also along this stretch we found a Mylar balloon hanging in a tree. “Happy Birthday Sport”.
As we paddled onto McEwen Lake, Greg did his research and suggested a 5star camp (Known in some circles as the Hilton) to stay at for the night. As we rounded the bend onto the main lake the camp was visible from a good distance with its open area and large stand of white pine. It was available! We then dropped our lines in the water and made a slow troll over to the campsite. This day just kept getting better… good fishing… moose sighting… almost glass calm waters. I managed to get a short strike about half way to the island but no fish to show for it. It wasn’t long till I heard the sound of a fish flopping around in a boat and I changed course to follow through where Chad and Mike picked up the first fish. As I paddled around they picked up another. Mike told me the course he was taking over the hole and a minute later I had a Laker in the boat. When we got to the camp site we found an immaculate layout with large “benches” around the fire ring, a well constructed fire ring for that matter, flat tent pads dug into the hillside, the large open stand of pines, and a moose skull to top it off.
After dinner, while some of the others were off doing dishes, I saw the tell tale hazy green curtain in the sky that indicated the northern lights were active. We all stood on the best vantage point we could find to watch a brief display of the curtain and a couple rays that stretched across the sky. It wasn’t long before the activity slowed and we returned to the fire ring. At about 11:30pm the moon finally set. Mike called our attention to the lights in the sky again. This time they seemed to be glowing white clouds that danced across the sky, faster than I’ve ever seen them move. I don’t know how long we stood there but it didn’t matter, we just waited till it was done, completely content in doing so. What a perfect end to a great day with no other people sighted.
Arp Lake - Noname Lake - Star Lake - Fauquier Lake - Dumas Lake - Rod Lake - Fidge Lake - Noname Lake - Turu Lake - Glacier Lake - McEwen Lake
Day two started off quickly. We packed our gear and headed up the portage to Arp Lake. Just before reaching Arp Lake I saw a Pink Lady Slipper just off the trail so I put the canoe down, got the camera and went back for a picture. Little did I know that most of the forest we would tread through on the rest of the trip would be full of them. We hurried across Arp Lake and onto the portage, which led us to the unnamed lake to the northeast of Arp. This was a nice little treat because the portage led us into a floating bog. After a slight hesitation we quickly lost our fear of getting wet and made our way across it to the open water. After a little confusion as to why the lake didn’t look like it did on the map we easily found our way onto Star Lake. From Star we took the portage into Fauquier Lake and started to fish.
On Fauquier the fishing wasn’t hot but we did manage to hook a few bronzebacks. After the portage onto Dumas the fishing picked up and we hit the bronzebacks hard. We kept a few for lunch, which we ate on the island. Over the next couple lakes the fishing was on an off with a couple pike in the mix. Our luck really turned around when we hit Glacier Lake. McEwen Creek enters the lake right were the portage lands. This was a spawning ground and the smallmouth were averaging much larger than the fish we had been catching before. It seemed for a while that every cast would pick up a fish or at least get a hit.
After Glacier Lake we followed McEwen Creek, traveling as quietly as possible through the winding marsh. Our stealth paid off when we got to see a moose pretty close up. It didn’t take long for the cow to spook and she made her way into the thicker forest out of sight. It was also along this stretch we found a Mylar balloon hanging in a tree. “Happy Birthday Sport”.
As we paddled onto McEwen Lake, Greg did his research and suggested a 5star camp (Known in some circles as the Hilton) to stay at for the night. As we rounded the bend onto the main lake the camp was visible from a good distance with its open area and large stand of white pine. It was available! We then dropped our lines in the water and made a slow troll over to the campsite. This day just kept getting better… good fishing… moose sighting… almost glass calm waters. I managed to get a short strike about half way to the island but no fish to show for it. It wasn’t long till I heard the sound of a fish flopping around in a boat and I changed course to follow through where Chad and Mike picked up the first fish. As I paddled around they picked up another. Mike told me the course he was taking over the hole and a minute later I had a Laker in the boat. When we got to the camp site we found an immaculate layout with large “benches” around the fire ring, a well constructed fire ring for that matter, flat tent pads dug into the hillside, the large open stand of pines, and a moose skull to top it off.
After dinner, while some of the others were off doing dishes, I saw the tell tale hazy green curtain in the sky that indicated the northern lights were active. We all stood on the best vantage point we could find to watch a brief display of the curtain and a couple rays that stretched across the sky. It wasn’t long before the activity slowed and we returned to the fire ring. At about 11:30pm the moon finally set. Mike called our attention to the lights in the sky again. This time they seemed to be glowing white clouds that danced across the sky, faster than I’ve ever seen them move. I don’t know how long we stood there but it didn’t matter, we just waited till it was done, completely content in doing so. What a perfect end to a great day with no other people sighted.
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