6-18-2015, Ralph and I to Insula lake.

We paddled steadily to site three on Lake Three.  There we took a break, drinking water and eating snacks.  In a little over an hour we reached campsite choice number one.  We were very fortunate to find this one open after paddling by so many sites already taken.   Camp chores, relaxing and a coffee break followed our arrival.  Ralph made a fire and grilled the steaks while I made a salad and mashed potatoes.  It was a great first evening on Lake Four as we made our way to Insula.   As Ralph fished we watched a great clear sky sunset while looking across the lake.   In the morning I cooked scrambled eggs, spam and bagels for breakfast.  It was a necessary meal considering the hard day we had ahead of us.  The first portage was no problem,  However, the second one was muddy with many obstacles and extremely rough landings.  The third one was only ten rods but had equally rough landings.   We took a break afterwards and prepared for the long paddle across Hudson Lake.  While resting we noticed that the Jack Pines were two feet tall. A nice recovery after the fire four years ago. The landings are real nice sand beaches on the 105 rod portage to Insula Lake.  We took our time and rested after every crossing of the portage.  We were triple portaging. After 1 1/2 hours of hard work we continued across Insula lake for another 2 1/4 hours and arrived at Williamson Island overjoyed to see that it was available.  It was threatening rain so I put up the tarp and tent immediately.  Within 10 minutes it was raining.   It also was blowing and I rigged the tarp as a wind block too. Ralph cooked a nice supper and we talked for a while and went to our tents at 8:30.   We had pancakes (Sturdiwheats) and bacon with lots of strong coffee for breakfast.  That morning, between rain showers, Ralph fished and I journaled.   The wind died down and the tarp was readjusted to allow a view of the lake.   While fishing that evening I got a nice Walleye on the line.  But, because my drag was set too tight it broke off as it got close to shore.  We fished till 11:15 and had one more unsuccessful bite.   In the morning I got up early and started to fish.  Ralph prepared biscuits and gravy for breakfast.  Took a nap in my chair during the late morning.  We fished from the canoe for a couple hours that afternoon with no luck.  Back in camp I took a swim and made coffee.   The warm drink and fresh clothes felt wonderful.  It's such a luxury to be so comfortable in the wilderness.  That night I had another big walleye break my line.  Decided to call it quits and put everything away and went to bed early because tomorrow was going to be another big day.   It took three hours to paddle and portage out of Insula Lake.  Once on Hudson we decide to turn north into a narrow bay that led to Fire Lake.   The narrows was a beautiful canyon with fabulous rocks and trees. It was out of the burn.   It was a short portage into Fire but once again with rough landings.  Showers threatened and we pitched the tarp immediately.  That afternoon Ralph caught a big bass.  It was delicious with rice and onions.   Our last day started out beautiful but after lunch we paddled into a25 mph head wind for 4 hours. We simply put our heads down a just ground away.  When we got to the Lake One portages the wind calmed and we were able to cruise the last 4 miles to the landing.  

June 4th, 2015, Bill, Ruth and Rich to Lake Four.

We were on the waters of Lake One at 8:30 am.  Rich steered from the stern and I was in the bow.  Ruth paddled from the middle.  We took a lunch break on Lake Two and then continued on through Lake Three and Four.  We took one of my favorite sites at the north end of Lake Four.  After camp was made we went to the rapids to fish. I was in the middle and it was uncomfortable to paddle from there. Exhausting even.  Ruth caught a big Bass that we cooked for supper.  It was fabulous.  That evening we went out again.  We all had a little luck and each caught one small throw back walleye.  We stayed in camp  fishing from shore for most of the next day.  Ruth continued to catch lots of bass.   I caught 2 and Rich caught none.  It was cool, overcast and breezy. The leeches worked real good.   We spent another day fishing from shore and Ruth was the most successful.  She caught 12 fish over the course of the weekend.  During dusk that evening we were looking across the lake and saw a moose walking in the water.  It made it's way up onto the shore and walked parallel to shore for a while before turning and disappearing into the dense forest.  It was a grand sight.  The second moose I've seen this spring.  The last day was a relaxing and beautiful paddle back to civilization.