It's exit day! Well, tomorrow was supposed to be exit day, but since you've followed this trip report this far, you know we're headed out a day early. We decided to take the Meeds to Poplar portage and I'm glad we did. I like a challenge, and this portage certainly gave us one. It's long and has quite the changes in elevation along its length. But we again saw lots of moose sign, got to cut through a regrowing blowdown/fire area and see the very edge of where the fire had touched Poplar Lake. We all agreed that the people in the cabins on that lake had to have been worried when that fire made it over to Poplar. After a quick celebratory dip in Poplar Lake to cool off, were were again on our way. We saw a few otters swimming playfully along one edge of the lake, and were surprised by an older couple taking their morning swim well away from their dock and along a good stretch of the lake. We passed a couple groups on the main body of the lake, and ran into 2 other large groups at the boat landing. After wishing them well (and better luck than we had), we walked to the truck, got everything loaded up, and started the 8 hour process towards home.

While this trip didn't exactly go as planned, it was still very enjoyable. There are lessons to be learned on every trip, and I was proud of our perseverance through a tough week. A couple meal planning adjustments are on the way for our 2019 trip for sure! Despite our lack of fishing success on every day but one, I would definitely recommend this area if you haven't been through the lakes around the Poplar EP. We know the fish will be there when we decide to come back!