Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Quetico Forum :: Bittersweet...Dad's Last Trip
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walllee |
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OldGreyGoose |
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Bogwalker |
It probably is worth a check in with him each evening to see how he is doing and adjust the trip and route accordingly. You want this trip to be one he will always remember for the shear joy of the journey. For him it won't be about the places he will see, the miles you put in of even the fish you will catch....but it will be for the time you spent together with him, the new memories it will generate for him and the old memories it will bring back for him from past trips. Make it be as memorable as he wants it to be and one he can enjoy for the rest of his days. |
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thinblueline |
So the scramble was on. He had to pay $60 to get a new birth certificate sent to him Asap, then he paid to have it overnighted, along with another $60 to now pay for expedited passcard service. Yep, this was getting out of hand. Then finally someone calls a couple more weeks later and tells him his new birth certificate is no good because it wasn't issued within a certain amount of time of his birth. So now I have to run over there to his house at night to scan and email them pictures of his drivers license, military Id card, military discharge papers, a freaking yearbook picture (with a picture of the yearbook cover), and a picture of his fishing license. Did all that, and silence. Can't get anybody to answer calls or call us back. We are leaving Wednesday morning, and he hasn't received a thing. If we don't get it Tuesday, this trip will turn into my first solo. I'm pissed. |
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thinblueline |
Our route will start at the Nym Lake access and we plan to spend our first night on Jesse Lake. Our second night may very well be into Draper, which I'm a little worried about because after portaging in there, then paddling across the lake, if we find the only campsite occupied, we have to go right back out. Our third and fourth nights will probably be on Fred Lake. Our fifth and sixth nights will be on Camel Lake. We will cut through Cub Lake and spend our seventh night on Baird Lake. After Baird we will spend night eight on Russell Lake. From Russell we will shoot all the way up to the Pickerel Narrows for our last night, and then exit back out through Nym again. Of course I will give him the lightest pack and have him single portage while I take two trips with the food pack and the canoe. My question for you fine folks is I'm wondering if any of you would be willing to provide some fishing intelligence on these lakes we plan on spending the night(s) on, such as areas to concentrate our efforts for walleyes in particular. Also, I'm curious if there are any good specific campsites we should shoot for. Thank you all in advance for helping to make this last trip one to remember! |
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PineKnot |
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old_salt |
Lonely is a waldo factory. Camp on site just before turn to Sturgeon. Fish south/east shores and big midlake reef. |
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1964James |
quote Bogwalker: "My only question is-Seeing this might be your Dad's last trip make sure this is the trip he wants to do. You have a pretty aggressive route planned even for people half his age. If he is game for the trip then go for it, but if he feels it might be too much for him respect his wishes and scale it back. Agree. Sounds like a lot of portaging for someone on their 2nd set of artificial knees. My last trip with my Dad and with my father in law(2 separate trips) was to Jean and back via Beaverhouse. Lots of route options without much portaging. Jean is a great fishery and is in my opinion the best SMB lake in Quetico. |
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GraniteCliffs |
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Hoaf |
If you're still looking for information, I can probably help although you've certainly heard from some of the most knowledgeable folks already. The route that includes Pickerel, (I personally like entering at Stanton Bay) through Pine Portage, Dore, Twin, Sturgeon, and then working outward from there mid-trip (Russell, Heron, Fred, Camel, Cutty Creek, etc. while returning through Lonely, Walter, Jesse, Maria , Batch and Nym has become a favorite. I love the area and have had special times and memories throughout, including my first experience with ice pellets, accumulating snow, and temperatures in the mid-20's this last trip. You will have good memories, too. Portages for being as early in the season as I went were in good shape, no serious issues at all, and no problem with low water levels although I noticed they were lower than when I traveled the same period last year. At some point, I will do a trip report - I have never done one and have several that I should write, but for some reason it's just hard to bring myself to do it as every trip has a spiritual element for me and that's really hard to convey. Plus I'm just not the greatest with photography - I really need to get a good camera before the next trip, and I will. Anyway, best wishes, I know what it's like to have that last trip with Dad - cherish every moment. |
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thinblueline |
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