Boges and I just finished the windiest trip I can remember. Clear from the onset my recent injuries would affect the trip. While I was early enough to beat the crowds to my destination lake, I was spent after crossing the first lake. A prime campsite on a jetty was being vacated, so I decided to stop and make the first 106 rod portage in the morning. It was not to be. Wind bound for 3 days, crowds of pilgrims started showing up, so I decided to base camp there for the duration. Then the wind and strong thunderstorms showed up and made it difficult to fish or go anywhere. On Saturday morning when the wind subsided, we went fishing around the bay and some islands. By 11 am, the wind returned and we only barely made it back to camp before all heck broke loose again.
Mostly northerns and a couple smallies were caught, including one big fella who swallowed the lure and was promptly invited to dinner. A lot of food for one old dude and a dog. Bogan ate more than me.
Then lake was lousy with bald eagles. I counted three pairs and some immature fellas learning to fish. Mom and dad were always nearby. One fella watching me fish all afternoon from camp, or maybe he was sizing up my dog for dinner.
Loons are about my favorite water bird and there were many. They sang me asleep each evening. My old tent still holds back the weather and I’m busy lubing the zippers and cleaning the footprint so it goes as many seasons as I do.
We left yesterday morning, surfing across the big part of the lake and creeping along the leeward side of long islands for the remaining 5 miles. My broken wing held up to stout paddling but is very sore, as is my back to a lesser degree, thanks to the Backsaver I recently purchased. Don’t think I’d have made it without that piece of equipment.
Never again will I attempt to beat a holiday crowd. I did take some enjoyment watching the onslaught from my comfortable camp. Some families with small children had me worried as they headed for the white capping expanse of the big water. Smart ones sought a campsite, including a couple with small children who nearly drowned out the loons from the next camp on the bay until dark, playing joyfully. It was heartwarming to hear them enjoying the experience.
I may do this old man’s base camp, no portage trip again someday, choosing a campsite a little farther south away from the portage traffic, but my hope is to strengthen and heal so I can go like a kid again next year.
Mostly northerns and a couple smallies were caught, including one big fella who swallowed the lure and was promptly invited to dinner. A lot of food for one old dude and a dog. Bogan ate more than me.
Then lake was lousy with bald eagles. I counted three pairs and some immature fellas learning to fish. Mom and dad were always nearby. One fella watching me fish all afternoon from camp, or maybe he was sizing up my dog for dinner.
Loons are about my favorite water bird and there were many. They sang me asleep each evening. My old tent still holds back the weather and I’m busy lubing the zippers and cleaning the footprint so it goes as many seasons as I do.
We left yesterday morning, surfing across the big part of the lake and creeping along the leeward side of long islands for the remaining 5 miles. My broken wing held up to stout paddling but is very sore, as is my back to a lesser degree, thanks to the Backsaver I recently purchased. Don’t think I’d have made it without that piece of equipment.
Never again will I attempt to beat a holiday crowd. I did take some enjoyment watching the onslaught from my comfortable camp. Some families with small children had me worried as they headed for the white capping expanse of the big water. Smart ones sought a campsite, including a couple with small children who nearly drowned out the loons from the next camp on the bay until dark, playing joyfully. It was heartwarming to hear them enjoying the experience.
I may do this old man’s base camp, no portage trip again someday, choosing a campsite a little farther south away from the portage traffic, but my hope is to strengthen and heal so I can go like a kid again next year.
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