Day 12
Well,
the prepack helped. Got a good early start, and so did the wind. Abandoned
the trolling shortly after starting, and tried to ease my way over to the
opening between Rose and Kasie islands. Reached that a little before 7 am,
and was glad to be there before the rollers got any higher. Did some trolling
in that area and had good success. Spent additional time looking for campsites
as well as potential sites for building. I'm surprised I have not seen more
sites in the northern section of the lake. Hard to believe it could ever be
crowded in this area with so few sites. In the middle of that adventure I
caught a bear swimming across one of the narrows. I knew they were swimmers,
but didn't realize they could join the sprint team. I had to smoke stroke
to get in camera range before he made the shore. He didn't even take time
for a shake when he got there... just plowed straight off into the brush.
The clouds are starting to get together again, and I haven't found any nice
spots to plant, so I cruise toward the north bay. Along the way I managed
to really get on the bad side of a group of nest-guarding gulls. I tied into
a nice fish, and as the battle raged, I was drifting toward their front yard.
The sky looked like O'hare as they lined up for Kamikazee runs. The fish and
I were both released unharmed, though a little shaken and hopefully that much
the wiser for the experience.
I didn't find any sites working up the east shore of the bay, and decided
to head on into Montgomery. A family of geese were out for a day trip along
the shoreline of one of the islands as I headed toward the portage. It was
hot and brewing a storm. Pushed hard over the portage after packing up, and
got in about 6:30. 
What a beautiful lake. I started looking for sites first by heading west toward
the next portage, thinking that would be the most likely area to search. Couldn't
find anything.... Finally found a small spot that would hold the tent, but
no suitable trees for the food pack. Hmmmm. I thought there must be a better
sight in the other section of the lake, so decided to keep looking. Traveled
east down the north shoreline. Found one site on an island, but didn't think
it was a safe haven, especially with nasty looking weather heading this way..
too many wind-downed trees, and not much protection left for the rest. Kept
going. Nothing else. I know I didn't paddle that many "route" miles
during this day, but I left camp at 6 am, and not much of the day was spent
ashore. Finished the day with a 2 mile run down the lake in 20 minutes with
the wind in my face. Whoa baby. Tired. Storm close now. I reached the small
site and am unloading the canoe. Turn around to grab the other pack and the
canoe is not where I left it. Had to go in past the knees to get it. Oops.
Anyway, got the tent up and had to take a chance on the food pack. I was at
least able to get it up over my head in a small tree. I booby trapped underneath
and hoped for the best. Grabbed some cold food and dived into the tent as
the rain started. Boy, I was beat. Off and on rain through the night, but
nothing severe.
