The BIG FISH, plus Sister time

Rusty's BIG FISH

This fish was the star of the show on our most recent BWCAW trip.  It's a Northern Pike (with a small bass in its mouth).  It's 38 1/2 inches long, over 15 pounds, probably 30-plus years old, and delicious!

Our trip was two 7-hour days of portaging and paddling, followed by a day of rest on Friday Bay, and then two more 7-hour days of work to return to civilization.

At the end of the second long day we set up camp, gathered firewood, and fished a little.  We were hungry and it looked like there would be no fish that evening.  Just as the fire was rocking and the water was boiling, Rusty hauled in a very nice bass.

It was sweet tasting and lovely to have after such a long, hard day.

It was on the morning of our rest day when Rusty and I paddled out in the canoe with the intention of catching fish for dinner.  We had only paddled for a short time when Rusty's homemade lure got "snagged" on the bottom--or so he thought.  Rusty set his rod down on the bottom of the canoe and we paddled backwards to try and release the snag.  It was after Rusty picked up the rod again and tightened the line that he felt a wiggle.  Game on!  That fish pulled our canoe sideways across the bay.  Rusty played that fish for what seemed like forever.  When the fish finally gave up and came to the side of the canoe, Rusty made several attempts at netting the large fish in an average-sized net. Finally, he reached down and grabbed it with his hands.

WOW! Especially nice to have caught this on his homemade lure.

 We had fish steaks for lunch, fish chowder for supper, and Steve ate fish tacos for the next two days.

These are the back meat that made excellent chowder.

We paddled to Canada and Rusty kept fishing.  For the remainder of the day he seemed to catch another fish every few minutes.  (He released them, as we needed no more.)

Like many campsites, this one had plenty of rocks.

...and several chipmunks that were anxious to eat anything we left unattended.

...and a pretty view

Steve knew where there were  wild cranberry beds.

These were yummy to eat fresh, but especially good in morning oatmeal.

Steve also knows way more about mushrooms than I do.  On our many portages I stayed close to him and picked only the ones he deemed safe.

We had two meals of fried mushrooms!

Moose Camp River

In the fall the rivers have lots of vegetation.  It turns paddling into poling.

Late afternoon of our fourth day we had just completed a one-mile portage and arrived at  Moose Camp Lake, only to find that all of the campsites were occupied.  Our options were to backtrack the one-mile portage (two hours), or go forward on the river (also two hours).  Neither option assured us that there would be an open campsite and we were tired.  We decided to bushwhack (camp illegally).

This spot looked like it might have possibilities, so we landed.

We positioned the canoes to block the wind so that we could light our small stove and cook dinner.

As you can see, the forest does not provide much of a spot for a tent.  There is not a "facility" and no fire grate.  There is, however the potential for a $185 fine.

Digging in the packs for food.

The last day we lunched on Fourtown Lake.

Shortly after returning from our trip, we were blessed to have Dar and Tom spend a few days with us. We really enjoyed their company!  We spent time catching up on family news, reminiscing, watching the debate, etc.

I guess I can no longer blame only the younger generation for being attached to their phones.

Tom cooked a wonderful dinner of NE stakes and baked potatoes.

Dar and I had great sister time at the capitol...

at the stadium...

and on campus.

Dar was unaware of the tradition of freshmen being kissed at the columns.  Maybe our college experience was a little different?

Dar and I spent another sunny afternoon together on our bikes. We rode the Salt Creek trail to the Haymarket, stopped at The Mill,  and then to Licorice International.  We checked out The Railyard and then picked up the N Street protected trail.  We rode it all the way through town and then turned onto the Antelope Valley Trail.  Our last stop before riding home was the Innovation Campus.
I am so grateful for my sister!  What a true friend she is to me!  One thing she teaches me is how to slow down and enjoy the moment.

Thanks, Dar.  I love you!