Clearwater to Fowl loop
by skywalker_128
Trip Type:
Paddling Canoe
Entry Date:
07/21/2005
Entry & Exit Point:
Clearwater Lake (EP 62)
Number of Days:
6
Group Size:
2
Day 5 of 6
Monday, July 25, 2005
We have our early start for the first time in the trip. Originally we were thinking we would travel in the mornings, but it just hadn’t happened until now. Everyday is a good day when you can wake up to greet it. I have a job back home at a horse farm. That means I’m up everyday by six, in the summertime. That isn’t natural. A high school senior that gets up at six every morning even on Sunday!! I’m used to it though, and was surprised we weren’t up until eight most days. The extra relaxation time was much valued though. I had no problem with sleeping in, except the harsh wind.
Alicia and I needed to work together to efficiently make up the miles we lost the day before due to the wind. We got going on E. Pike and saw many loons and gulls flying about. There were many campers still in bed as we paddled by on the perfect, glassy water. Going down the narrow channel at the end of E. Pike we saw many small mouth bass and trout. Sadly, we didn’t have time to fish… Alicia was worried the wind might pick up as the day rolled on, and we decided to press on. We met some 30 year-old guys from Ames, IA on the west end of the portage. They were the first people we’d talked to besides each other so far on the trip. They were exhausted, having taken the portage trail from Pine Lake (300 some rods). Ally and I enjoyed PB &J on a bagel with trail mix for brunch. The wind still hadn’t picked up (knock on wood). We watched the men disappear around the bend in the lake and then decided to hit it.
W. Pike Lake is very beautiful. There was a slight for moving across the water with us on a small breeze. About halfway down the lake Ally suggested I toss in a line. So I felt obligated to do so. As soon as the crankbait I was trolling has reached 30 ft of depth a Laker nailed it ripping line off the reel. A battle ensued, and after 3 min. we had a five-pound shore lunch in the boat. I caught smallie right after that, in the same spot off the west side of that Island in the middle of the lake with a campsite on it. The lake bottom really drops off sharply there, making it a particularly desirable fishing spot on a great lake for anglers.
We stopped and ate at the campsite right before the portage to Clearwater Lake to eat the two fish we’d just caught. There was already plenty of firewood, so we got one going and cooked both of the slabs of fresh meat. The lake trout was too large that it was hanging over the edges of the pan. It was the best fish I’ve ever eaten. The water is so clean and deep, and it truly affects the way fish tastes. Being hungry and worn out doesn’t detract from the flavor either. After eating lunch we made the portage to Clearwater Lake with full stomachs.
We paddled to a campsite we’d been to early in the trip. It was the nicest one Alicia and I had seen all week. There is a nice rock face on the east side of it that is great for watching the sun come up. I enjoy camping where there are large rocks (size of a refrigerator), because they offer great places to sit. They’re smooth and warm from the sun, which is more than I can say for most of the log benches. I’m not complaining, it’s great to have the benches. My thanks to the USFS, but I would prefer a large smooth rock any day.
It started to rain, so we cancelled our dinner plans and just got inside the tent. It was surprising how fast we both feel asleep. The sun wasn’t even down, and we were both out for the night.
We have our early start for the first time in the trip. Originally we were thinking we would travel in the mornings, but it just hadn’t happened until now. Everyday is a good day when you can wake up to greet it. I have a job back home at a horse farm. That means I’m up everyday by six, in the summertime. That isn’t natural. A high school senior that gets up at six every morning even on Sunday!! I’m used to it though, and was surprised we weren’t up until eight most days. The extra relaxation time was much valued though. I had no problem with sleeping in, except the harsh wind.
Alicia and I needed to work together to efficiently make up the miles we lost the day before due to the wind. We got going on E. Pike and saw many loons and gulls flying about. There were many campers still in bed as we paddled by on the perfect, glassy water. Going down the narrow channel at the end of E. Pike we saw many small mouth bass and trout. Sadly, we didn’t have time to fish… Alicia was worried the wind might pick up as the day rolled on, and we decided to press on. We met some 30 year-old guys from Ames, IA on the west end of the portage. They were the first people we’d talked to besides each other so far on the trip. They were exhausted, having taken the portage trail from Pine Lake (300 some rods). Ally and I enjoyed PB &J on a bagel with trail mix for brunch. The wind still hadn’t picked up (knock on wood). We watched the men disappear around the bend in the lake and then decided to hit it.
W. Pike Lake is very beautiful. There was a slight for moving across the water with us on a small breeze. About halfway down the lake Ally suggested I toss in a line. So I felt obligated to do so. As soon as the crankbait I was trolling has reached 30 ft of depth a Laker nailed it ripping line off the reel. A battle ensued, and after 3 min. we had a five-pound shore lunch in the boat. I caught smallie right after that, in the same spot off the west side of that Island in the middle of the lake with a campsite on it. The lake bottom really drops off sharply there, making it a particularly desirable fishing spot on a great lake for anglers.
We stopped and ate at the campsite right before the portage to Clearwater Lake to eat the two fish we’d just caught. There was already plenty of firewood, so we got one going and cooked both of the slabs of fresh meat. The lake trout was too large that it was hanging over the edges of the pan. It was the best fish I’ve ever eaten. The water is so clean and deep, and it truly affects the way fish tastes. Being hungry and worn out doesn’t detract from the flavor either. After eating lunch we made the portage to Clearwater Lake with full stomachs.
We paddled to a campsite we’d been to early in the trip. It was the nicest one Alicia and I had seen all week. There is a nice rock face on the east side of it that is great for watching the sun come up. I enjoy camping where there are large rocks (size of a refrigerator), because they offer great places to sit. They’re smooth and warm from the sun, which is more than I can say for most of the log benches. I’m not complaining, it’s great to have the benches. My thanks to the USFS, but I would prefer a large smooth rock any day.
It started to rain, so we cancelled our dinner plans and just got inside the tent. It was surprising how fast we both feel asleep. The sun wasn’t even down, and we were both out for the night.
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