Lower Pauness Lake Oct. 08

We had a great campsite in the middle of Lower Pauness Lake. Our veiw of the lake from the rock over looking the water makes this a million dollar peice of realestate. At 8:30 BB started a fire that was still going good at 10:45. He started the fire with one match and wet wood. We had a shower during supper. We cooked and ate under the tarp as we usually do when it rains. We discussed the finer points of grandfatherhood. Bill is a great grandfather. Our trip down the Little Souix Indian River this afternoon was beautiful. Many trees still had their color and the pines provided good contrast with their rich greens. We paddled 6 miles and did 3 portages, a 40 rodder to start out and then a 60 and finally a short 8 rod portage. On the second portage we saw a beautiful waterfall and cascade. Wildlife veiwed was a beaver, deer, grouse and many ducks.

After fishing we found a grouse wandering around camp. Truly a wild place and evidence of how the wildlife reclaim their territory in the 8 months of the off season. Later that evening we howled for wolves but got no answer. However, we did hear a rabbit give its death scream followed by a Barred Owl hooting in victory. A beaver swam past camp and slapped his tail in disgust because we invaded his wilderness privacy. As a full moon rose through the trees we talked about how it had been a perfect day. BB was glad to be back in the woods and I was glad for his friendship. The warm campfire, the bright night sky, and the satisfaction of earning another wonderfull day in the woods made it difficult to sign off.

It was 45 degrees in the morning while enjoying bagels and coffee. BB and I watched fish swirling the water out in front of camp. BB started fishing from shore and on the third cast caught a 6 pound Northern. He caught it on a very small red and white spoon. It was too big for my net so I had to gill hook it by hand. We soon had 1/2 of it frying in a pan and made cornbread to go with it. It was super. 4 canoists paddled by on a day trip, and we saw them again later while exploring Devil's Cascade. Devil's Cascade is a beautiful canyon that the water from Lower Pauness flows through to get to Loon Lake on the Canadian border. We also fished while paddling around and had no luck. While I napped, BB fished and caught 2 more small throw back Northerns. After 2 days of gray overcast the sky cleared and the sun gave us a glorious show of color and light. There was an immature Bald Eagle showing interest in the reamins of the Northern. I tried to get a picture of him but the bird was fast and I was slow. Supper was the rest of the Northern and mashed potatoes. Dessert was Trail cookies and decaf tea. Wildlife let us know of their presence during the course of the evening. Owls were hooting and Beavers swam by slapping their tails occasionally. The full moon was rising through the trees and we could hear the distant waterfall. The fire felt especially warm because frost was forming on all our tents and gear.

I slept till 8am having gotten 10 hours of wonderfull woodland rest. We lingered over breakfast and were on the water at 10 am. A strong breeze was blowing out of the southwest, but because of the protection of the shore and river we didn't have to fight waves, however the wind required us to paddle hard. Even though we were paddling against the wind and current of the river we paddled out in the same amount of time it took us to paddle in. It was a good wilderness workout. We met a couple who were headed in to see Devil's Cascade. They were very glad to be in the BWCA on such a glorious day. On the last portage to the trailhead I had stopped to rest and a moose hunter stopped to talk to me. He had hunted all week with no luck, and was hoping for a chance on the last day or two to bag a moose. In conclusion we enjoyed a great campsite and appreciated the near total isolation. BB's Northern was the highlight of the weekend's food. The deep quiet of the woods was welcome relief from the constant noise of civilization.