Boundary Waters, Trip Reports, BWCA, Stories

EP 62 and Johnson Falls
by BigTim

Trip Type: Paddling Canoe
Entry Date: 06/07/2016
Entry & Exit Point: Clearwater Lake (EP 62)
Number of Days: 4
Group Size: 2
Trip Introduction:
Johnson Falls
Day 1 of 4
Tuesday, June 07, 2016

Cold northern winds and intermittent sprinkles. My wife and I made the turn from Clearwater Lodge toward the portage to Caribou. We were greeted by mud - as the first 3rd of the 220 rod portage was underwater. Rather than try and negotiate the edges, we decided to walk our way through the middle. Only hit a couple of deeper muddy spots. My wife carried the lighter duluth pack (around 60 pounds) while I delivered the aluminum canoe to Caribrou. We doubled back to get the heavy duluth pack (almost 100 pounds), paddles, and fishing rods. Pretty chilly conditions helped keep the bugs away and reduced the need to hydrate. Took us around 3 hours to get to campsite #4 - the last one available on Caribou. Nice site - as it was wide open and allowed plenty of sun from the north shore - which also gave some protection from the chilly north winds. Set up camp and headed out to find those walleyes. The wind caused us to give up fishing after around an hour - and the cold front shut down the fish. We gathered wood and discussed our next fishing attempt for early evening. We grabbed two northerns - but Leslie thought they were too gross to eat. Tossed 'em back. No walleyes, but fun fishing. Prepared to hunker down for a cold night sleep as rain shortened our fire.