Sunday June 29
After a breakfast at Chef Darrel's I arrived at the Lila parking area at 11:20. Dan was already here, the only other car in the lot. I had noted on the drive in the road was in a slightly better condition this year; though still bumpy at some spots. Dan carried some of my load so I only needed to make a single trip to the launch. And we were off...
As the only other canoes here, our choice site #20 awaited. Some wind and waves, but not as strong as last year. The site seemed farther away than I remembered, must have been due to the wind slowing us down ever so slightly. We unloaded the canoes at the beach, had a camp soda (step 2), then set up the rest of camp. A brief exploration of the area for some firewood then relax at camp for a bit. While sitting in camp a small flock of cedar waxwings were in a nearby bush feeding on some red berries. When they left we checked it out. possibly rose-hips? Later in the day we saw and heard a pileated woodpecker high in the tree above us. A short while later we would head out to do some fishing. A tandem canoe paddled by asking if it was us at #20. They camped at one of the other nearby beach sites. Caught a few small bass on a mepps#2. Dan was at camp when I returned. Cooked up some bratwurst for a late dinner. In the hammock soon after sunset.
Monday June 30th
Slept great, awake around 5am. Tried to stay horizontal for a short while longer, Started a warming fire, not that we really needed it as it was not that cold. Made coffee, eggs, bacon, and hash browns with cheese. Am liking cooking in the steel skillet. Today is supposed to be the hot day. Our plan is to fish the deep spots on the way to the island campsite to check it out. Then to the lean-to site and follow the shore fishing the drop-off as we make our way to the outlet. Paddle downstream of the Beaver River for a bit, then back out and fisnih the loop to camp.
No hits trolling the deep areas. A tent was setup on the beach of the island, so we did not get close. I wondered if the guide had set up the tent to claim the spot for his next group. :( I missed the lean-to site as I was trolling the drop-off. Finally a hit on the lure, or perhaps the bottom. I relled in the line and had a tiny rock bass. Stopped for a leg stretch at the beach. Map from the 1950s showed a boat launch nearby connecting to the road. It was a little overgrown, but still very obvious. The road was only about 15 yards up the old bushy driveway. I walked a short ways down the road. It seemed to be in even better condition here. We scouted the beach for animal tracks. Heard a truck coming down the road and then realized it was train . It appeared to stop at the old station.
We fished on towards the outlet and mosquito island. Had some action with smallies and rock bass. Nothing big. Lake was really shallow near the island. We stopped at sites #8 & #9 which were bushy and buggy. #10 was on the grassy ledge where the 1950s map showed a structure. As we headed down Beaver River, it opened up wide with a deep channel right down the middle. Very pretty. We would fish the pools and rocks as we headed down the winding stream. Site #12, river left, did not look inviting. We did find some nice fishing holes. Very aggressive bass, not big. One swallowed the lure. Took a minute to get it out with the forceps. Next cast, another aggressive hit. He threw the hook so I thought. When I reeled in the whole lure was gone. I must have unclasped the swivel trying to get the hook out of the last one. Dan also landed one which had swallowed the hook. This was a decent sized fish. Made a bloody mess getting that hook out. After a few more twists and turns I spotted a perch in the water. Then another, and another. Did not catch any of them. Further ahead there were some logs in the water right where the riffles started. We chose to turn around here.
It was fast heading back upstream as we did not fish as much. As we approached the lake, a couple of deer were at the river head. Cruised back to camp for lunch. I nodded off in my chair. The nap was quite enjoyable. I wanted to sleep some more, but instead brough my chair to the beach. Waded into the lake a bit and set the chair down in the water. Tried my best to keep my thighs underwater to avoid a sunburn. When my beer was gone, I headed back to camp and put on dry clothes. Was a nice afternoon sitting in the lake with some camp sodas. It was getting close to dinner time, but I was not feeling very hungry. Made dinner anyways and ate it all.
No sunset to speak of, so straight to bed. Just before midnight I could hear a storm off in the distance. Soon it was upon us. Fierce winds, torrents of rain, lightning flashes and thundering booms. Noted s amll leak in the tarp. This happened before with a super strong rain. I suppose I will have to retire the tarp. My body heat will dry out the small amount of wet on my hammock and quilt from the drips. After the storm show, I fell back asleep. Awoke a couple more times to either small rains or just trees dripping.
Tuesday July 1st.
Slept in to 7am. I took the opportunity while it was not raining to swap out my tarp. Glad I brought the other one. As I switched it out I remembered the last time I had the same issue. It was about 7 years ago on the NPT with Andy at Spruce Lake. Dan was up and about while I was was switching the tarps. With the new tarp deployed, the rain started up again. Not as fierce as the storm, but a steady rain drumming on the taut nylon. At some point I will want some coffee. Glad I do not need to put on wet clothes and start hiking to make miles. We will have one more night at this site and then will need to move camp for night 4. Possibly the lean-to since I have yet to spend the night in it.
[no more entry for the day]
Wednesday July 2nd
Up early and packed ready for the move. Enjoyed the views from camp until Dan awoke. Since I was already packed, I departed a little before him. I trolled as I paddled towards the island (site #6). As I approached the tent from the other day was gone and it appeared unoccupied. By this time Dan had caught up to me. We figured we would check out the site since it was so popular. The beach and rocks were quite nice. Definitely good for lake viewing and swimming. The site itself was more inland, very large. It would be buggy, but the beach would supply a respite. We chose to stay here. Made a smudge fire as we set up camp. Then some coffee and granola. With the rains from yesterday the area was damp. Smudge kept the bugs at bay for the most part. Without it, the area would have been unbearable. Gathered some wood then relaxed by the smoky fire. Later on the sky cleared and the lake became glass so we paddled out to do some fishing and exploring. I fished around the island while Dan headed towards the beach site he named "Cancun". I landed a very pretty pumpkinseed sunfish. Love the colors. Met Dan over near the mouth of Harrington Brook.
I fished around the other side of the island landed quite a few small bass. Along the rocky ledge on the far side, I caught a few larger ones. I returned to camp for lunch. Dan was taking a swim. I landed the boat, changed and also went for a swim. Then had a later lunch which would end up also being dinner. After a nap and some campfire comraderie, the end of my beer supply was realized. Dan had two remaing plus his scotch, so he offered me one of the cans. By now the site had dried out considerably, but the bugs were relentless. Had to sit or stand right in the smoke column to avoid them. By 7:30, I had had enough and escaped to the security of the bugnet on my hammock. I think Dan did as well.
Thurs July 3rd
Awake before sunrise. My view from the hammock faced east so I could the sky beginning to dawn. Some pink above the trees on the other side of the lake. Fell back asleep until after sunrise. Heard a rumble of thunder off in the distance. As the morning grew so did the pitter patter of rain. A small shower ensued followed by lightening and rolling thunder. After it passed, I was preparing to head over to the firepit to put on some water for coffee. I put on my raingear expecting my chair to be wet. Then a small shower arrived with some wind. I paused and sat down in my hammock. Rumbles of the train now instead of thunder to accompany the rain. Hopefully this will pass soon.
[End of Entry]
