Day 1. 0430 came early but could hardly sleep anyways. I snuck out got the canoe loaded and float tested. Went back and got Reid up out of bed and we pushed off at 0600. Little bit of a headwind on the way in but nothing terrible.

My goal was to make it through the portages and anything after that was icing on the cake. We made quick work of the portages each doing a double trip and then one of us double checking we didn’t miss anything. We stopped between the portages to let him explore the rapids, I think he could have spent hours there. Shockingly enough never encountered anyone at the portages.

Found a campsite that was suitable for Reid and I with 3 trees perfect to put our hammocks in and be close to each other. Also had fresh moose tracks in it. Reid took a cat nap to test his hammock out. We got camp all set up. (I mean I did, he fished) I can still hear the whopper plopper plopping in my head right now. Maybe tomorrow I’ll teach him a walk the dog bait. I will say it’s crazy seeing smallies in 30 ft of water come screaming up to whack it. Safe to say he’s in love with topwater fishing

Later on before coming in for dinner we found a school of big bluegills out in the main basin. We did some swimming and floating then got a fire going and made the customary ribeyes on the first night. Took care of the dishes, did another swim, we got a great little beach on the campsight. Over by where our hammocks are situated on a rock face that drops into 20 ft of water. So I rigged a few lighted slip bobbers up and we sat on the rock and went through a couple dozen leeches in a few hours shockingly enough I got outfished by the boy so now I owe him a pocket knife. He also wants walleye for breakfast so we got a couple nice ones on a 25 ft rope sitting out in the deep water. I’m curious and will be shocked if a turtle doesn’t find them by morning. But I can also say I’ve never had a stringer tied to a hammock before i can feel them still pulling on it haha.

Was a little nervous about him sleeping in a hammock alone, but he’s sawing logs pretty good over there. I’m excited to see how well we sleep and feel tomorrow but so far these things are way better than a tent.

The one on one time and the heart to heart conversations have been worth it alone.