We paddled away from the portage to Moose River at 12 noon. My crew was 2 father/sons, Tony/Jake and Mike/Nick, and a third boy named Brian. We were packed and outfiited by Border Lakes Outfitting, my employer. We paddled efficiently crossing 2 short portages and finally into Nina Moose Lake. At the North end we took a short break on a sand beach before entering the river again. At the next two portages we had to wait for a slow moving larger group. Once on Lake Agnes we paddled farther North to a bay on the Eastern shore where we found my favorite campsite empty. Supper was Brats, potatoes, and sweet corn. Shortly after hanging the bear bags the branches broke and it fell scrambling our fresh eggs and leaking the mess all over the bottom of the pack. Thus we had bacon and bagels for breakfast the next morning. We were on the water at 9:30am and continued North crossing 24 and 65 rod portages that lead us into Lac La Croix. We wanted an excellent campsite across from Warrior Hill but it was taken. We continued onward and discovered that choice number two was also taken. In another 20 minutes we arrived at choice number three, which was empty, much to my joy. We immediately attacked the lunch pack. Next we put up the tarp and pitched the tents. It was in the 80's so a swim totally refreshed us. We assembled our fishing gear and headed for Fish Stake narrows and soon met Jason and his group paddleing by. We talked for a couple minutes and his group was on their way into the narrows. Once back to fishing I caught a good Smallie and got him in the boat. However, he wiggled out of my hand and back into the lake before I got him on a stringer. We worked the same area several times and found no more luck. Tony's boat was doing real well close to shore and we knew we would have fish for supper. Nick, Brian and I headed back to camp in our 19 foot Wenona Seneca. I took a coffee break and started the rice for supper. Tony found a huge supple of firewood. Mike cleaned the fish. Fish and rice is a fine supper. Mike and Tony helped with the dishes. Mike, Nick and Brian went fishing and Tony, Jake and I visited during the wonderfully cool and beautiful evening we were experiencing on this 5 star campsite in the middle of Lac La Croix. After dark we ate S'mores as the full moon rose over the pictograph's cliff and ruled the night. Everyone sat on the rock watching the lake and moon till mid-night. Oh what a day! We had pancakes for breakfast and then fished from 10 to 1:30. We went back to camp and had lunch and reveled in the fact that we had another fish supper coming our way. I caught 1, Tony caught 3, and Jake caught 2. We took our fishing poles and paddled over to the Pictographs. They were beautiful symbols of a lifestyle that we were only getting a taste. On the way back we fished around islands and bays looking for more Smallies. No luck for my boat but Mikes boat landed several and Brian caught a Northern. Back in camp I started the Chili soup and green beans. Now it had started to rain so I put the griddle on the grate and got the fire going underneath it. The tinder and wood that Tony gathered took off like a house fire. About 1/2 way through frying the fish it quit raining much to our releif. It took 3 griddle fulls to fry all the fish and everyone got lots to eat. After evening chores were done I took a swim and put on clean clothes, it was wonderfull. The boys made s'mores and laughed and talked quietly out of respect for the peace and beauty this gorgeous evening. We felt like we were alone in paradise. The sky was clearing and the setting sun set fire on the clouds to the south and north. In the morning we had bacon and oatmeal for breakfast and were on the water by 9am. We paddled the first 3 1/2 miles in 50 minutes, these guys could move a canoe. There had been a quartering wind from behind which required me to use 1/2 my strokes to keep the boat on track. We took a long lunch on Lake Agnes and then headed upstream on the Moose River again. A week in the woods had everyone working smooth and efficiently as we quickly crossed the two portages on our way to Nina Moose Lake. The northwest wind pushed and twisted us all the way to the middle of Nina Moose where we found a great campsite. We had snacks and then the guys went fishing. I had a cup of coffee and went through the food packs sorting out stuff and setting out supper fixings. The guys returned and I start supper with Italian bread sticks. Next we made pizza with pitas and tortillas. The pizzas were made with mozarilla cheese, pepperoni, garlic, pizza sauce, olives, and onion. It was a great final supper. The evening chores were done and we spent the rest of our time watching the sunset and then the moon rise. It was glorious, except for the hordes of mosquitoes hatched by yesterday's rain and today's heat. Mike, Nick and Brian went fishing again because Nick hadn't landed a fish yet. Nick was successful in getting a 36 inch Northern in the boat. He was very happy. For breakfast on our last morning we had bacon, sweet quesidillas and hot cereal. Nick, Mike and I went fishing for a couple hours and Mike caught a smaller northern. After lunch we packed up and headed South to the Moose River. We paddled a mile up river and stopped at a magnificient rock overlooking the swamp, river and lake in the distance. The view was inspiring and everyone took photo's. We could see another group coming so we scrambled down and paddled away. We crossed the remaining 3 portages like seasoned veterans. We felt a little sad to leave but were looking forward to the creature comforts of civilization. The group was strong and enthusiastic and I hope to travel the wilderness with them again. Jake wrote the following in my journal: Watching the moon rise was almost like the world stopped in time and there was no worries. Everything was completely calm and serene and blew all my previous expectations away. Although the mosquitoes seem like they never go away, fishing in the lake, looking at the Indian pictographs and watching Eagles fly above in the sky makes up for it all. Canoeing in the Boundary Waters is truly an amazing experience and I am extremely grateful to have been a part of it. Hopefully before the end of the trip I'll see a moose or a bear and hopefully from a distance. I think I will definitely return to the Boundary Waters in the future. Nick wrote the following: I've had a lot of fun so far on my trip. My favorite part so far was watching the Eagles eat fish. I haven't been so lucky fishing. I haven't caught one yet, but I've had plenty of bites. Seeing the pictographs was really cool, I love all that kind of stuff, it's really cool. I've never been to a place that has so much wildlife. Being out here on the lake with no sign of human life is pretty cool. The canoeing is a lot of work, but it's fun and it's worth the hard work to see such a beautiful place. I had plenty to eat. The food is really good, especially the fish. The only down part is the mosquitoes and the portages. I have to carry a lot of gear, which hurts my back a lot and my feet have blisters that are cut open and hurt when I walk. I would love to live on the lake anyway. It's an incredible place. I will definitely come back so that I can catch some fish. Brian wrote in my journal: Hmmm..... Well so far our expedition has turned out better than I thought it would, but the mosquitoes are annoying. I would like to see a moose, at a safe distance. The only thing I'm looking forward to is the veiw, the fresh air and the fishing. I'm pretty sure the only reason my dad wanted me to come here is to catch some Northern Pike. I successfully caught two and made Nick mad. He said he would fish for me if I caught anymore. The forecast has fortunately been accurate so far and it said there shouldn't be anymore rain this week. Well, I hope all goes as planned and we have a good week. Tony wrote the following in the journal: I've never seen anything like this place in my life. Coming to Boundary Waters with my son and friends was something I was looking forward to for months. I sought information from people who have been here before and what I had read about, but if I could have talked to Bill prior to coming I would of only needed 1/2 of what I brought. Once we were on the water I was amazed at the beauty of this place. We passed a dozen or so canoes on our way to camp the first day, and Bill told us don't worry we will soon be alone and he was right. Each day was better,the campsites, the food, the fishing and lets not forget the stories and memories. I hope to return one day to do this again, so I can relax like the way I did this time. And Bill, if you are still guiding I would enjoy your company again. Mike wrote the following: Had a great trip, glad we had you as a guide. Cooking was great especially the fish. Fishing was great, that was the biggest smallies I ever caught. Glad Nick finnally caught a fish(36" Northern), that was cool. He was getting a little frustrated. Lac La Croix was the best, that campsite was perfect. Need to remember that one. Hopefully I can come back next year and bring the whole family, Sherry, Nick, Joe, and Sam. Sam loves to fish, he would love it. Thanks for a great trip.
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