Schedules determined that the annual Camp Sh*tstorm Canoe Trip would be a couple less nights this year. Therefore, we decided to take a shorter, easier route in order to maximize our time to fish.
Day 1: We took off from Duluth headed north on Saturday morning (June 20, 2015). We had an extra vehicle in our party so that a couple friends could complete a cross-Quetico trip from the end of the Gunflint Trail. We were delayed at the border due to a high volume of vehicles crossing into Canada, but we made it to the Ranger Station in time to get our permit. We loaded up the canoes late in the afternoon. On the trip were: Myself (Private Phillips & Group Leader); Tick Check (Assistant to the Group Leader); Fran Tarkington Fan; The Colonel; Wear-Some-Shorts; The Bull; The Freshman; and Corporal Cuervo. The Corporal was new to Camp Sh*tstorm, but familiar to some of us from other trips and we knew he would fit in.
We paddled across the first lake to the first portage, a carry of moderate length, but well maintained. Tick Check enjoyed carrying his brand new Northwind kevlar and carbon canoe. It was light and fast. We loaded up the canoes again on the other side of the portage and broke out our trolling rods. The Corporal and I caught only a walleye and a few bass on the way to the first campsite, but the others caught several lake trout coming across. Once into the targeted bay, we found our friends Lieutenant Dan and Farmer Troy with their camp set up. It was good thing we arrived when we did, as they had just finished their supply of bourbon. We resupplied them and they joined us in our camp as we set up the tents and kitchen. They joined us for supper, Northern Waters Smokehaus real German bratwurst. Very, very good with sauerkraut and mustard. Around the camp fire we heard about the other fellows' big trip crossing the Quetico. They reported that walleye fishing was very good early in the trip and lake trout were cooperative at the end, a good sign for us.
Day 2: We woke up to a sunny, nice day on Day 2. Lt. Dan and the Farmer headed out of the park to the vehicle we had brought up for them. They will have to return the favor one day. It was a partly cloudy, breezy day that seemed to be under constant threat of rain, but it never did. It took a while for the Corporal and I to get warmed up, but we finally found a few nice lake trout over a deep basin. We also caught a few random walleyes. Returning to camp, we learned that others had did fairly well for walleyes and bass, but the trout were tight lipped. The big story, however, was Fran Fan's big pike, his Personal Best northern, which was was over 40" in length, a real bruiser. He returned it to the lake to grow even bigger. Tick Check led the supper preparations with "freestyle" lake trout, steaks, asparagus, and red wine. Perfect.
Fran Fan's Monster Pike
Day 4: It was sunny and pleasant the next morning. As we enjoyed breakfast we were visited by a couple of Ontario rangers, a first for us in the Quetico. This was even more notable because I actually knew one of the rangers through my work. I introduced him and his young female assistant to the fellas and we had a few laughs with coffee. They went on their way shortly and we got ready to fish. I was paired up with the Bull. We caught a couple nice trout right away, but then the bite eluded us. We even checked out the pool below a major rapids and there were no fish home. Just after lunch, a fairly big storm moved in with heavy wind, rain, and lightning. It didn't last long though, so our wait on shore was short. We only saw a few pellets, but others in our group fishing further north had been hailed on pretty heavily. We fished out way back towards camp with no bites. I wasn't real surprised, storms seem to discourage fish from eating. Near camp, we were again hit by a thunderstorm. This one had more rain, but less wind and no hail. We again waited it out. Afterwards, the Bull caught another trout and this time, it went on the stringer. We headed back to camp and rehung the tarps - the wind from the first storm knocked them all down. Everyone arrived back to camp just as another thunderstorm hit, but it again wasn't real strong. It was Thai coconut curry rice with trout that night - I think that is my favorite meal of the trip.
Stormy Day
Day 5: It was sprinkling as we packed up and headed out onto the lake on a travel day. I was back with the Corporal and we caught a couple lakers before going through a long, narrow, and very shallow, narrows into a deep, but stained lake. We scouted campsites and one of them was occupied, the first people we had seen in a long time. We settled on a very nice site near an incoming rapids. After setting up camp, including a screen house to ward off bugs, we took advantage of the warm temps to jump in the lake and wash up. Refreshed, we cleaned some bass and walleyes for fried fish with macaroni and cheese. The mac and cheese was stellar with a slightly different blend of cheeses this year. It was a quiet night.
Day 6: None of us had ever been to this lake, so we set up to fish and explore the next morning. Seeing its stained water, we surmised it would be a good walleye lake, and it didn't disappoint. We caught a bunch of the golden fish by jigging on points and sunken islands. I fished with Wear-Some-Shorts and we were able to get caught up on each other's lives. It threatened to storm again a couple different times during the day, but the rain seemed to just miss us each time. We got the fish cleaned and had fried fish with mashed potatoes. Very good again.
Day 7: It didn't have any portages, but Day 7 was a long paddle to the next campsite. Everyone fished as they went and a decent number of lake trout were caught. I piloted Tick Check's nice new canoe and I must say I really liked it. Lots of space, but still pretty fast. We were glad for the relatively calm winds as we had to cross several big basins of open water. We secured a sand beach campsite under tall pines. Everyone was able to scrub off the day's grime again and some even snuck in naps. It was the traditional last night meal of pesto pasta that night. Delicious. The Colonel really does a great job of cooking.
Sand Beach Sunset
Day 8: We got up early on the last day, packed up, and headed for the landing. The landing was not the one we used on the way in, but the Lt. and Farmer had agreed to drop off one of our vehicles at the parking lot. We just didn't know where the parking lot was. After getting some help from a friendly ranger, we did find my truck, and after running to get the other car and getting everything packed, we hit the road to home. After a lunch stop, we arrived in Duluth late in the afternoon. We all said our goodbyes and I held the annual leftover food auction. We did pretty well this year and didn't have too many items that needed a good home. It was another great trip with good friends and a lot of laughs. I am grateful I am a part of such a good group and have the means to go on such adventures. One more highlight: When I got home I discovered that My Wonderful Bride had painted the entire exterior of the house. Wow! What a week!
Nature Moment: As hinted at, as we were walking to our beds at the end of Day 3, the clouds suddenly parted and we were treated to an amazing display of northern lights. The aurora spread shimmering across the entire sky, dancing and shooting all directions as far as the eye could see. We all stayed up an extra hour taking in the show.
Hubs Flub: On rainy Day 3, I was using a borrowed sponge to soak up rainwater and get it out of the canoe. I was in the process of using the sponge when I had a jolting strike on my trolled lure. I set the hook and fought the fish, disappointed to see another small northern pike on my line. I got it unhooked and released, then reset my line and began trolling again. After a bit, I went to sponge out some more rainwater, but couldn't find the sponge. Looked all around...where the heck (cursing isn't allowed on this trip) did it go? Nowhere to be found. Replayed the events in my mind and realized I must have dropped it in the lake when I set the hook on the pike. Now I owe someone a sponge.
Quote of the Trip: There were multiple candidates for this, including "I love sleeping" (Me, stating what the others had already determined), but the winner came from the Colonel: "Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" That is what he screamed when he was rinsing fish fillets in the lake from a shoreline rock and a massive snapping turtle suddenly appeared inches from his hand, making a play for the fish. A bit unnerving, apparently.
What Broke: My wife always asks, whenever I come home from a trip, "What broke this time?" Not a real vote of confidence, but it is probably warranted. This trip, most everything came back unscathed. My old bent shaft paddle that is used as spare finally gave up the ghost and its slats started to detach from each other. 17 years of use probably is a good run for it, as it was my primary paddle for 15 of those years and I used to paddle about every other weekend. Tick Check's new propane stove started leaking at the fuel feed, but that is easily replaced. I do need to start thinking about a new solo tent, as it is also 17 years old and UV rays are starting to take their toll.
L to R: Wear-Some-Shorts, Private Phillips, Tick Check, The Colonel, Corporal Cuervo, The Freshman, and The Bull, photo by Fran Fan
