Woke up around 5 a.m. feeling great. Had eggs and coffee and broke camp by 7 a.m. I enjoyed the paddle/portages from Hatchet to Thomas. Most were really short but the whole area was cool looking. Found a cool little log bridge and grabbed a picture somewhere in there. Thomas was the first real paddle of the day and after about 35 minutes I arrived at the 240 rod portage into Cacabic. The portage was long but well maintained and not overly difficult. I finished with plenty of energy to spare. My body was finally becoming used to the demands of the BWCA.

Had one more small portage into Alice and then it was time to start looking for a site. I had my eye on site #1167 but as it came into view I saw a few canoes there. I was a little disappointed but went to check out #1168 or #1166. As I turned my canoe I noticed movement at site #1167, the canoes were leaving. Perfect timing! Headed to the site and had camp made by 1 p.m.

The site is even better than any pictures could show. Plenty of places for hammocks, tents, tarps, maybe even some sand volleyball. The fire grate area was one of the nicest I've seen, complete with a back rest on one side and a nice big flat rock to use as a table. Did a bit of reading on the beach and then headed South to do some fishing around 3 p.m.

I went to the spot where the Kawishiwi flows into Alice assuming I'd find some smallmouth there. Alice did not disappoint. Dropped the first one down and had a 2 lb. smallmouth in 30 seconds. As soon as I could throw another worm on my hook I had another one. This one ran about 10 yards away from the boat and then made a 180 degree turn and came right back at me. As I was reeling in as fast I could, trying to keep tension on the line, the fish goes under the boat and then somehow jumps in behind me! Scared the hell out of me and it was the first time in 5 days I wish I had someone with me. Stories like that are pretty unbelievable without a witness.

2 casts, 2 fish, and it was about 3:45 at this point. I decided to head back to camp to get started filleting them and cooking dinner. Had some mac & cheese to go with them, nice big meal after the long portage I had that day. 2 fish was definitely too much food for me, and I decided I'd only be keeping one in the future.

By the time I did dishes and hung my pack again, it was almost 8 p.m. Watched the sun go down and then climbed in the hammock for the night. Somewhere in there I decided I was doing a layover at that site. The fishing was great and the site was unbeatable, I think I would have regretted not spending 2 nights there.

Route for day 5.

240 rods going from Thomas to Cacabic.

Alice Site.