Nathan Kestner posted on July 18, 2005 12:02 :: 6670 Views
Over one million acres in size, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area
Wilderness (BWCAW) contains hundreds of lakes and rivers, has 1200 miles of
canoe routes and is home to abundant plants and wildlife, including threatened
and endangered species. With over 200,000 people visiting per year, it is one of
the most heavily used wilderness areas in the country.
There is a delicate balance here. As you plan your trip to the BWCAW, remember
that the steps you take today to preserve this area will benefit not only you,
but also future generations. Please enjoy and take good care of this precious
resource.
This is a story of our adventure fishing trip in 2005. A story
about good times, awesome fishing, and family fellowship.
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With the campsite set-up in the rain we ate in shelter under the tarp. Although the dry firewood was in short supply, the moral was plentiful!
“The dishes are finally done!” Bart letting it loose in a rainy, happy camp.
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Momentarily the clouds parted and there was sun!
←Bart and Erik just doing their thing around camp in the Boundary Waters
←Reese and Katy hanging out by the shore. Cold, overcast and a foggy lens.
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After a few pictures, handshakes and pats on the back the fish goes back in the water to be caught another day. We end up keeping a few smaller pike for a fish fry that evening. Just enough light for these pictures. Someone looking out for us!
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We all discover that very large pike can be caught right out from our campsite! Bobber down & Reese lands a 39.5” lightning bolt.
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I take a moment to slip away and fish from a rocky vantage point where I can observe camp, my bobber and a small “snapshot” of God’s Country.
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| Erik enjoying some coolaid and a “hammer-handle” with big eyes. |
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Through out the first day we fished from and around the camp and found the pike to be in good supply. Size spanned both ends of the spectrum.
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Reese lands another toothy critter before days end. I believe this fish was 38.5”.
Through all the follies and foul weather, the Boundary Waters entertained happy campers on opening day.
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| The next day Erik and I paddled 5 miles across the lake to an area that looked to contain moving water on the map. We were right about the moving water and were rewarded with fast action walleyes in 15’ of water. The fish bit readily on any colored jig tipped with a rainbow and jigged vertically. The extra weight of the
Vexilar paid off and aided in the discover of several honey holes during the extended weekend adventure. |
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| With sore backs we decided a shore break was in order and hiked a ways up stream along a lightly traveled portage. This portage trail was shrouded in a moss covered canopy and bathed in rays of sunlight. This was truly a site to see.
A little further down the trail as we were just beginning to work up a thirst we happened upon an artesian spring flowing from the hillside along the trail.
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| After filling our bellies with ice-cold water we were back on the way to the canoe with quenched thirst and a hunger for more walleyes and bent rods. We ended up with a stringer of good eating sized walleyes that day. |
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| Once we were back at camp and had enjoyed a shore lunch, or rather supper it was time to throw out some pike lines. This time luck was with me and it was my turn to tango. I ended up with a 39” gator that was caught photographed and released. Doesn’t it feel great! |
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| Early the next morning I was up 3 hours before everyone else and enjoyed some relaxation, good fishing and great scenery. |
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This is a picture taken from camp while enjoying a cup of joe.
It was too long and the rest of the camp was up and at 'em.
Soon after breakfast we headed out on another adventure and soon found ourselves humping it into another lake. There was a small stream between two portages that words can’t describe.
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| Is this God’s Country or what? |
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| This day provided more great fishing, hard paddling and sore backs. Here is a photo of a moose rub that I came across while traveling down a portage. |
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| That evening it was to bed at dark for everyone. The fresh air and hard work makes a body wear down fast. The last day we just stuck around camp for a bit and told stories of the past two days’ adventures. |
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It had been three years since I had journeyed into the BWCA, but will make it a point to get up there more often. This was a trip of good times, awesome fishing,and family fellowship. The nights were cold but we were warm. The waves were rough, but we took them head-on! Memories were made on this fishing opener.
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By Nathan "HOGEYE" Kestner
JustNorth Outdoors Columnist
Article Source:
http://justnorth.com/Articles/tabid/105/articleType/AuthorView/authorID/17/HOGEYE.aspx