Strangers in Paradise Part Deux
by tg
I was a good 15 minutes late picking up Shady this morning. Rather than heading straight for the Sawbill Trail we had a planned stop in Ely to pick up my paddles (accidentally left behind on my earlier June trip-but a convenient excuse for another trip!). I am ever thankful for the short drive from the TC. I wouldn’t hesitate to take a 2-3 day trip if that’s all time allowed. Voyageur North Outfitters provided the paddles, a permit and a pound of leeches. After winding down Highway 1 and a few forest roads we were at our entry point 37, Kawishiwi Lake and it still wasn’t much after noon.
Shady was familiar with the area we were paddling and we were aiming for a campsite on Lake Polly Wednesday night. Dodging storms we made our way across Kawishiwi Lake and my trusty ultra light 17’ Alumacraft made quick work of the beaver dams between Kawishiwi and Square lakes. Low water extended the first of two portages between Square and Kawasachong, but still they were short, easy, dry trails. We made it across Kawasachong just as the thunder started. Although we got wet the portages to and from Townline were uneventful. We arrived on Polly late afternoon 4-5ish and although our first choice campsite was taken we found shelter on a small site on the large north facing eastern peninsula (third campsite on the right as you head north). While small the campsite did have a couple nice tent pads and a decent tree to hang the food pack. I picked up a small waldo and smallie in a half-hearted fishing attempt from shore. We dried out and had a dinner of Kielbasa, beans and rice, before crashing early.