Woke up at 5 AM in the backseat of my truck in the Walmart parking lot in Cloquet. Still have 2 more hours to Packsack Outfitters in Ely/Winton. When I arrived Nick and Danielle had my canoe ready to go and after a few minutes we were on our way to the Mudro Entry Point. There had been a lot of rain in the previous week and the stream that runs into Mudro was flowing well. My dog Lou, a Shetland sheepdog came along to keep me company, not sure if that disqualifies the trip as a true solo but I will say that she didn't paddle or carry anything. She was a little hesitant about the canoe but we worked through it. Then again I have never paddled a solo canoe either so it was new for both of us. I should mention I had a kayak paddle and a back up traditional paddle. I used the kayak paddle 99% of the time. I know everyone has there preference but I can say that the kayak paddle was key for me as a solo paddler. The 3 portages in succession from Mudro to Fourtown were a little rocky but really not bad at all. Even the 104 rod portage seemed to go quick. Beautiful portages! Had a nice paddle through Fourtown, ran into a group exiting at Mudro, sounds like they had some rough weather the previous week. The 48 rod portage to Boot was a breeze and the stream and large boulders were very nice. Once I got to the Boot side of the portage Lou (my dog) decided she didn't want to get back in the canoe... I picked her up and put her in and she jumped right out. This is going to be a long week I thought to myself. A few stern words and a beef jerky treat sorted out the matter. She jumped right in on command the rest of the trip. Boot is a pretty lake with some nice rock outcroppings. I trolled a shad rap the whole way with no success. 21 rod Portage to Fairy. 42 rod portage to Gun. I was real interested in site 1889 on Gull Lake. Has a great flat rock peninsula and I heard the fishing is pretty good as well. I parked the canoe and walked over to Gull. I could see the site from the Portage and it was taken. No real time lost, my original plan was to stay on Gun anyway and start the next morning on the 327 rod portage to Wagosh. I ended up staying on the trigger site 1083 on Gun. Site is marked as 4 stars, it was alright but I kind of got spoiled this trip with great campsites! Ate dehydrated chicken and rice. Fished some top water in the "barrel" of the lake and caught some small bass and a nice pike. Trolled some for walleye but still no luck. Enjoyed a flamingo sunset. Asleep by 9.

8.5 miles traveled, 297 rods * 3.

~Mudro Lake, Fourtown Lake, Fairy Lake, Boot Lake, Gun Lake