After a somewhat restless night at the Sawbill campground I awoke at 5am. Had breakfast, packed up some gear, and made the drive to Ep37 Kawishiwi lake, a 40 minute drive. I was on the water making my way to Malberg at 640am.

As I paddled Kawishiwi lake I felt my pace slowed. I was struck with emotion, for a few days prior had put my remaining Border Collie, Sonny, to sleep. His loss has affected me greatly and will for quite some time. I will always remember his gentle heart and kind eyes.

I made it thru Kawishiwi, Square Kawaschong and the small streams connecting those lakes with no issues. The water levels were high and and the winds were light out of the southwest. I was able to float the two portages between Square and Kawaschong. The large beaver damn I was able to pull over. There was also a smaller beaver damn that was easily pulled over.

After Kawaschong came the first portage 189 rods into Townline then another short portage 95 rods into Polly.

I did have an interesting experience on the 189 rod portage. I had taken my canoe and a pack across and was walking back to get my other pack, when something bolted from the brush to my left. It did not go far and I could see something, grey and white fur. I froze, desperately trying to see what had made that noise. I was hoping to see more, but whatever it was, after about 20 seconds of us looking to see what each other was, it ran off. Wolf, lynx, it was not a rabbit or deer. Who knows.

Polly, what an amazing lake. I will have to come back to this lake and stay for a few days. As I made my way north I was struck by how beautiful this lake is with all the islands.

Between me and Koma were three portages. I was able to run the rapids around the first and most of the second portage. I did not attempt to float the third set of rapids.

As I continued north into Koma I was surprised at the lack of people. Kawishiwi lake was full, but Polly was open and was Koma. I crossed paths on the portages with three groups all heading heading south. One couple picked up my second load on the way back for their load. I thanked them and told them I would pass on the favor if given the opportunity.

After a uneventful paddle north on Koma, a short 24 rod portage had me into Malberg, my target lake. I had my sights on the western campsite just before the 62 rod portage. I made it there by 1200 only to find that it was occupied. I made a 180 and proceeded to the elevated campsite on the western narrows. It's an ok sight, unique. There was a very recent tree fall that has blocked the way to the thunderbox. I will report that to the USFS.

I set up camp had lunch, peanut butter and honey on tortillas and two Larabars and drank some water. By now it was hot. Thankfully a breeze had picked up and I was able to find some shade. I think I will just stay in camp the rest of the day and think about Sonny.

Dinner tonight will be a Good to Go meal. Chicken and white bean chili.

Welp. After dinner I noticed a much nicer site was open. So I decided to break camp and move. It's the site by the mouth of the Louse River. Could not believe it was open. Better tent pads better thunderbox, better kitchen area, better landing. Better everything. Tomorrow I fish.

~Kawishiwi Lake, Square Lake, Kawasachong Lake, Townline Lake, Polly Lake, Koma Lake, Malberg Lake