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Past POD threads:
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  (You need to Login or Register 10/14/09 - 2/9/10
  (You need to Login or Register 7/09/09 - 10/14/09
  (You need to Login or Register 6/19/09 - 7/8/09
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That's a puurdy one. Wish I was there. Well, not right now but...

That, what, isthmus thththth (?) -- never use to be there. It was always a 1/4 mile annoyance. Will we make it or do we portage or paddle around? Looks like a nice place now. There's an island not too far from there that used to be a sandbar. We were having breakfast at the gravel beach one morning and watched a tent blow into the lake. We thought it was a goner but they were able to retrieve it.

So where is the isthmus?  and what does looking back at 34G mean?

On another isthmus note; last year trip we got caught fighting wind and waves on Moose our last day coming back.  We decided to try portaging the isthmus just east of the center of Section 21 to seek shelter in the north bay and avoid heavy seas, wind and waves. We were greatly surprised to find out that there wasn't any portaging at all and we were able to canoe through. :)  Photo from protected bay doesn't show the true nature of the wind and waves. But to see how everyone is bundled up does show the nature of an October trip.

starwatcher

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34G is referencing Azalea's Quetico Campsite Database. If that topo was made today there wouldn't be two unconnected points between it and the twin islands to the north. At some point they raised and later, in the late 70's I think, lowered the lake level. The sand has been collecting there for 40+ years forming the new isthmus. The Alder thicket follows in a few years and holds it all in place. Kinda cool to see such a dramatic change in a few decades actually. My first trip out of French began paddling past mud banks and drowned, ready to fall trees. It looked creepy. Really creepy. In a word, ugly. These days there's new beauty around every corner - and there's a lot of corners in that short little stretch.

db wrote on Apr 11^th, 2010 at 6:29am:

34G is referencing Azalea's Quetico Campsite Database. If that topo was made today there wouldn't be two unconnected points between it and the twin islands to the north. At some point they raised and later, in the late 70's I think, lowered the lake level. The sand has been collecting there for 40+ years forming the new isthmus. The Alder thicket follows in a few years and holds it all in place. Kinda cool to see such a dramatic change in a few decades actually. My first trip out of French began paddling past mud banks and drowned, ready to fall trees. It looked creepy. Really creepy. In a word, ugly. These days there's new beauty around every corner - and there's a lot of corners in that short little stretch.

I guess I should say "PCD site 34G" or something like that for a clue.  If you click on each of these links, you can compare the topo and closer-to-reality aerial photo from 2002.  The time I paddled cleanly over the isthmus was in May of 1992, very high water.  We did only a slight bottom-drag in early July 2001.  The POD pic was early Aug 2008.

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The story I've heard is that Pickerel was ~4 feet higher when the topos were made.  It was dammed during the logging days.  The dam still exists, but was put down to original lake level in the 70s. That's why all the nice sand beaches on Pickerel, I've heard, eh?

-Tom

Thanks db and Tom for the information and link to the Azaleas QCDB.  I know I've seen it before but I searched QJ and couldn't find it.  Now I have it saved as a favorite. [smiley=thumbup.gif]

starwatcher

Enjoying the latest run of photos Tom.   [smiley=thumbup.gif]

Thanks - I'm glad they're being enjoyed!

One of those fishing spots you pointed out is off to the right, a few hundred meters to the south.  Got evening walleye there  :).  And it was just a beautiful, calm evening too!

-Tom

Now THATS a portage. I show these things to people at work and tell them how fun it is...they look at me while trying to remember the number to the nuthouse. ;D

Drewfus wrote on Apr 14^th, 2010 at 6:04am:

Now THATS a portage....

My thought exactly!  I admire your presence of mind to bother to take the shot in conditions like that.  Nice shot.
-Tom

Drewfus wrote on Apr 14^th, 2010 at 6:04am:

Now THATS a portage. I show these things to people at work and tell them how fun it is...they look at me while trying to remember the number to the nuthouse. ;D

You can give them my number :D

the guy on the left looks like he's freezing. lol

Naw, he ain't cold. The body language he exhibits shows clear psychological, and physiological shock and trauma at the appearance of the sun...

I have that very same canoe seat, same color, everything. I like that its a crazy creek designed to mount onto a canoe, multiple role equipment  [smiley=thumbup.gif]  WOW its early too (the posting time)

McAlpine Creek?

Pass the dynamite. ;D

wrote on Apr 16^th, 2010 at 12:37pm:

McAlpine Creek?

yup

great shot today.  I can almost imagine sitting next to that lake in the morning enjoying the quiet sunrise and the mist off the lake. My entry date can't get here fast enough.

I agree, so where is that location?

starwatcher

Campsite CR on Quetico Lake in the PCD.

I like the foggy floatilla today!  :) That morning cup would have been a good one [smiley=dankk2.gif]

 Surreal would describe todays POD 8-)
What a great shot,  perfect reflections/Loons seemingly floating on the mist, you couldn't plan a shot like that in a lifetime of trying!

Oh what big eyes U have you deep water Laker. :o

Nice fish! I only hope I can boat one that size this summer...

Yeah man, no instant, give me that real cowboy coffee! [smiley=thumbup.gif] :)

starwatcher

starwatcher wrote on Apr 29^th, 2010 at 12:47pm:

Yeah man, no instant, give me that real cowboy coffee! [smiley=thumbup.gif] :) starwatcher

Yeah, coffee is one thing I NEVER want to run out of in canoe country!

prouboy

That's how you make coffee.  Represent!   :)

This POD  must be at the start of the trip ;D no way would they be standing that close at the end of the trip ;) It has been a good series of POD's. [smiley=dankk2.gif]

satchmoa wrote on Apr 30^th, 2010 at 11:49am:

This POD  must be at the start of the trip ;D no way would they be standing that close at the end of the trip ;) It has been a good series of POD's. [smiley=dankk2.gif]

Certainly not with armpits aired!

Starwatcher quote "Yeah man, no instant, give me that real cowboy coffee!"


Nothing like True Grit in the mornin'.

marlin55388 wrote on May 1^st, 2010 at 12:11am:

Starwatcher quote "Yeah man, no instant, give me that real cowboy coffee!" Nothing like True Grit in the mornin'.

Typically, my canoe buddies pack one can of coffee in a huge tripple wrapped plastic bag for our eight day trip.  I'm waiting for some misfortune that someone spills the beans.  :'(  So far we've made it ever trip with coffee to spare.  Worst case is some drunken fool dumps the works and we are caffeine deprived for the remainder of the trip.  :(   Then I'll get out Sparky Stensaas guide to BWCA flora and scour the swamp looking for "Gaultheria hispidula" or more commonly know as  creeping snowberry; quote: "The youngest, freshest leaves make an excellent wintergreen-flavored tea, which is also VERY HIGH IN CAFFEINE."  :) 

starwatcher  

Nice touch ;D Another book for the library! Thanks for sharing the info [smiley=dankk2.gif]

satchmoa wrote on Apr 30^th, 2010 at 11:49am:

It has been a good series of POD's. [smiley=dankk2.gif]

Thanks Satch.  I think good Company is as important as good Country when up in the BW and QP, (I wrote an article on that topic in the BWJ in the summer of 04).  So I  sent in some pics of all the good Company I've been lucky enough to share canoe country with!

prouboy

Thanks DB for putting these up. My dad is thrilled! (it was a suprise to him and some consolidation since he can't go w/ me this year on my trip)

Today's photo is beautiful.  I was thinking what a pretty morning it was in Michigan and then I opened this up and it just made my heart ache for the canoe country.

Agreed. Fantastic POD today. I never see one I don't like, but this one stands out.

I will pass the compliments along to my dad! Thanks guys!

Thats silence lake back in august of '06

Count me in; nice photo Greg! After being close by this weekend it also makes me dream my next trip.   :)

starwatcher

Oh Hmmmmm :-[ What I wouldn't give to be sitting there rite now :( That is a beautiful pic that draws me north. [smiley=dankk2.gif]

Ahhh...just beautiful...

Beauteous. Leaving on Sunday for a Monday entry

Atypical, drop tine :o [smiley=thumbup.gif]

It's hard to get things sharp when your heart is pounding ...

Nice rack.

Enjoy Pigsmoke!

Mr. Moose decided to pay us a visit. He got out of the lake about 50 yds past our campsite. He walked RIGHT behind the site as well, but we were never able to get a picture.

Great POD [smiley=thumbup.gif] It's moon-ving ;)

Very Nice. Those are the kind of shots I like.

Great shots!  Got any pics of the northern lights?  My dearest beloved wants one, and I firmly believe that "aint momma happy, aint nobody happy."  So I'm hunting for a northern lights shot.

prouboy

Nice shot, db!

Fabulous! [smiley=dankk2.gif] [smiley=thumbup.gif]

Another excellent POD for today as well. Looks like a nice campsite.

db wrote on May 9^th, 2010 at 2:50am:

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Sweet shot DB.  I'll send you a PM on that one!

prouboy

That little cove looks like it is holding my dinner :) Love the shot. (what time of year was it?)

I liked that campsite...heard a bull and cow talking about love there one morning last October and our only sunset for the trip the evening before.

Drewfus--That photo was taken the first week of June last year. It's on Brant Lake in the BWCA and what you're looking at is part of the burnout area from the Ham Lake fire. It was very interesting traveling through it. For example, the campsite where I took the pic wasn't burned at all, yet practially the other three sides of the lake were. Nice campsite, too  :)

WOW 8-) Very nice [smiley=dankk2.gif] Thanks I needed that for some reason today. This corp  :-/^%&^*( is under my skin already this morning and that pics was great. Just what the Doc ordered... [smiley=thumbup.gif]

marlin55388 wrote on May 18^th, 2010 at 6:11am:

I liked that campsite...heard a bull and cow talking about love there one morning last October and our only sunset for the trip the evening before.

Thanks DB

---

Marlin--Looks like we stayed at the same site and had the great foresight to photograph it from the same spot!! Nice site, but I seem to remember the climb up from the water was a little on the steep side  :o

Worth the climb me thinks...heard the moose on the opposite shore early the morning after the shot....gotta love their love whines and moans ;D

This is for the May 22 POD....he looks sort of like a scarecrow  ;D  I guess the flies weren't friendly there.

Yeah, he's a pretty scary fellow, Drewfus  ;D

And the black flies were...ummm....a bit severe, you could say  :P

5/25/10 POD.....Thanks I needed that [smiley=thumbup.gif]

Hey Bill,

That looks like one those that you, KF, QP, & I were catching over on Burt that day!  As much as you enjoyed that fishing hole, you seemed to enjoy the nearby blueberry patch even more, as I recall....

Jimbo   8-)

Jimbo wrote on May 26^th, 2010 at 1:24pm:

Hey Bill, That looks like one those that you, KF, QP, & I were catching over on Burt that day!  As much as you enjoyed that fishing hole, you seemed to enjoy the nearby blueberry patch even more, as I recall.... Jimbo   8-)

Right you are Jimbo, except this photo is 3 years newer.  This fish may carry the genes of some of those released on our trip prior.  I can tell you these fish were smarter (or lazier) in comparison.  We had to work that spot over to scrounge that one and 2 siblings for supper that afternoon.

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-YB

Re: 5/26 POD.  What lb. test is that line?  Looks like your fishing with phone cable.   ;D  Is it the Berkley Crystal or just how the camera caught it in the light.

It's 10lb. Berkeley Crystal Fireline. Yeah, looks like it could be the anchor rope in that picture.

Hoy cabled bucket mouthes ;D

Purdy :) Gillis?

North side of Badwater??

5/27 - Tuck
5/28 - Cheatan Bay, Man Chain
5/29 - Cecil
5/30 - Tuck
5/31 - Basswood (near Kings Point)
6/1 - Saganagons

-YB

Beautiful photo today!  that defines the reason I go canoeing up there.  [smiley=thumbup.gif]

Just back from the U.P. and missed the recent POD's.

Any idea on the size/weight of the LM?

BrownTrout01 wrote on Jun 1^st, 2010 at 4:43pm:

Just back from the U.P. and missed the recent POD's. Any idea on the size/weight of the LM?

BT,
I'd guess that bass to be 16".  For scale comparison, the bait is an X-rap that is 4".  This fish was the nicer one of two caught.


starwatcher wrote on Jun 1^st, 2010 at 2:40pm:

Beautiful photo today!  that defines the reason I go canoeing up there.  [smiley=thumbup.gif]

Thanks Starwatcher,
That photo was taken up in the NW corner of Saganagons.  We had come up the Falls Chain and set up on campsite 1ZB.  Next morning we were up and packed before the sun was above the treeline, waiting for the fog to burn off (it was thick enough to slice).  That little pine studded island lays just to the south of the campsite as we passed by enroute to the Boundary Point portage.

-YB

Nice set of pics YB, I really like the one today also.

Some of those fish at the northern edge of their range look pretty healthy!

Wow--Nice fish pic today!!

Looks like Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson takes his kid to Quetico!

Just watched Race To Witch Mountain remake last night.  Not bad.

Spartans/Anna-

Has to be the fastest from lake to QJ POD ever.

Good work Anna!

Awesome shot Anna....keep taking those pictures you do a fine job. [smiley=thumbup.gif]

Spartan2,
Good work on trainging a new generation of photographers!  It looks like she's learning quickly from you.
Thanks for the pics!
-tom

Nice photo today Anna!  That's the type of photo that says canoe country to me.  :)

starwatcher

Great color and texture contrasts in today's photo.

Big fan of the lichen... nice shots.  :)

Lynda,
Last two blue heron pics are spectacular! Thanks for posting.

Thank you.  It is the closest I have ever been to a great blue and I was pretty excited about it.  Thanks to Spartan1 and Anna who maneuvered the canoe while I was busy with the camera!   [smiley=dankk2.gif]

That is a nice shot!

nice pics fellas

Spartan2,
I know this is repetitive, but those loon shots are really great. Especially when viewed in sequence. Keep 'em comin'!
:)

I agree. Spartan2, your wildlife photography is fantastic!

I LIKE that one!

This is the other end of where we (My dog Bernice and I) had to wade through knee deep to me about 75 yds. I tried to paddle but trees in the way made it impossible. apparently a beaver dam had broke and flooded the area. This was on a 310 rod portage.

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We're running low folks and I'd prefer stuff I've not seen before....

I sent you some photos from our 2010 trip today.   ;)

Love July 2.  Watch your step getting out of bed!

Preacher wrote on Jul 2^nd, 2010 at 2:52pm:

Love July 2.  Watch your step getting out of bed!

I'll second that.  I was behind on viewing PODs after returning from my trip so I just now saw it.  That shot is fantastic!

That was from last year's trip.  Campsite on Kelso.   It wasn't actually as close to the edge as it looks, but it was a neat campsite.  Getting that shot from the water was fun.   :)

James,
Thanks for the recent set of photos;  they help brighten up my day! [smiley=dankk2.gif]

starwatcher

You're welcome. I'm glad someone is enjoying them.

jimmar wrote on Jul 21^st, 2010 at 4:53pm:

You're welcome. I'm glad someone is enjoying them.

Each and every one, BTW.... nice view today.

Nice.   [smiley=dankk2.gif]

Nice shots in there. I wanted to mention something about cleaning lenses at some point and this is the perfect shot for broaching that subject. Today's shot is a beautiful thing and the dirty (or maybe fogged a bit?) lens put the frosting on it for me.

Not sure I understand what you are talking about.

On the recent canoe image:
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Notice the area just left of center? My guess is a smudge on the lens is causing the loss of contrast in that one area. Could be a partial finger print, a drop of sweat ... it doesn't look like a spider web 'cause it doesn't go edge to edge. Some other shots had the same symptom.

The shaft of light looks sort'of like a shaft of light but I see nothing that could cause it so I'll guess flare. Also, that area left of center looks sharper, more circular. It's shot into the light so probably a smaller aperture so it would make sense that the smudge were sharper. It looks real enough but the atmospheric quality caused by fog in the air, on the lens or whatever - mix to add a lot of drama to yesterday's morning scene.

It's a beauty today.   :)

db wrote on Jul 27^th, 2010 at 5:19am:

On the recent canoe image:..... Notice the area just left of center? It's shot into the light so probably a smaller aperture so it would make sense that the smudge were sharper.... scene.

Hey you have a pretty good eye. Actually I'm shooting a el cheapo Canon point-n-shoot A590IS. It is an OK camera for its class but I need to upgrade. There IS a lens issue, but I think it is inside the camera because I can't seem to get rid of it. I'm thinking sending it back for repair will cost me almost as much as purchasing a new one. I'm looking at those Olympus Tough serious right now.

jimmar wrote on Jul 27^th, 2010 at 11:04am:

I'm looking at those Olympus Tough serious right now.

That's what I used on my last trip.  If you read my trip report ... its definitely waterproof.  I guess you can judge for yourself (trip report) about the quality.  I must admit the camera didn't really have the best weather to "show its stuff."

dd

Love those popcorn clouds and reflections in today's  POD.  (unless they're thumb prints!) :)

starwatcher

starwatcher wrote on Jul 27^th, 2010 at 9:19pm:

Love those popcorn clouds and reflections in today's  POD.  (unless they're thumb prints!) :) starwatcher

By the way, I'm joking!  I DO like the cloud picture and I'm sure I have thumb prints and other defects in my photos.

starwatcher

What ARE those two smudges in the bathtub? Bet they left a ring! ;D

If you look real closely in the reflections on the water, you can see thousands of fleeing Japanese. And Mothra.

OS,
The two smudges in the bathtub did, indeed, leave a substantial ring!  ;D  But there appeared to be almost a permanent ring mark around that tub, as if  people had been bathing there for many, many years. Imagine...
WiF

Rojo-

Nice Walleye!

Is the exit portage over your left shoulder?

Nice Mex Hat photo yesterday.  That round rock face beyond (left of) the falls is the where the portage begins/ends.  A load of fun when its wet.  Did you take a few walleye fishing the outflow of the falls.  Caught a couple there, but they were on the small side.  Did you find any camp chairs at that campsite?

dd

Thanks dd.   I believe the portage would be back in that direction.  My brother caught this walleye fishing around an island shortly after completing the 625m portage. We used the Onnie entry, paddled in to Mexican Hat, and back out through Onnie.  My brother broke his ankle collecting firewood on Glenn Lake, so the trip out was interesting to say the least.   Didn't see any camp chairs when we stopped at the Mexi Hat site, but we did catch a number of nice walleye there.  We found awesome walleye fishing below every one of the nice falls along that route.

squigman wrote on Aug 2^nd, 2010 at 12:10pm:

Thanks dd.   I believe the portage would be back in that direction.  My brother caught this walleye fishing around an island shortly after completing the 625m portage. We used the Onnie entry, paddled in to Mexican Hat, and back out through Onnie.  My brother broke his ankle collecting firewood on Glenn Lake, so the trip out was interesting to say the least.   Didn't see any camp chairs when we stopped at the Mexi Hat site, but we did catch a number of nice walleye there.  We found awesome walleye fishing below every one of the nice falls along that route.

Sorry to hear about your brother's misfortune.  I can't imagine how you'd handle the 625 meter portage on a broken ankle and the portage out to the parking lot is not exactly a snap even WITH the boardwalk.

I hope your brother is doing well and on the road to recovery!  I'm assuming your brother broke his ankle on the way BACK to Glenn?

When I was fishing the outflow of Mexican Hat Falls, I had a chance to chat with the occupants of that campsite, who were relaxing, mid-morning, on the front "veranda" in their camp chairs.  They related that they had found them stashed back in the woods.  I assume they left them there when they departed.  They also put us on to a walleye hot spot further down the lake.  WOW!  Hot spot indeed!!! We fished that spot for perhaps 2 hours and I rarely had a period of over 2 minutes where I didn't have one on.  We finally moved off when we saw the party paddling down the lake toward us ... obviously looking for a bit of walleye fishing themselves.

dd

He tripped backwards over a rock, while collecting firewood behind our campsite on Glenn.  Just getting in and out of the canoe were a real challenge.  He made a cane out of a piece of beaver wood, and we wrapped his ankle up good, and he hobbled his way across the remaining 12 portages to get to the truck.  He's had surgery to repair his ankle since returning.

---

squigman wrote on Aug 2^nd, 2010 at 5:29pm:

He tripped backwards over a rock, while collecting firewood behind our campsite on Glenn.  Just getting in and out of the canoe were a real challenge.  He made a cane out of a piece of beaver wood, and we wrapped his ankle up good, and he hobbled his way across the remaining 12 portages to get to the truck.  He's had surgery to repair his ankle since returning.

Yep.  He did it up right!  What's his estimated recovery time?  Any rehab?

The trek from Glenn to the Onnie EP parking lot is not exactly the easiest stretch of country I've traveled, but I guess the absolute worst is toward the end. At least you were covering ground you'd seen before.   How long did it take you to get out?

dd

glad it was only his Fibula :o
injury in the woods always gives me some pucker

They're telling him 3-4 months.  Not sure about rehab. It took us 2 days to get out from Glenn.  We were travelling pretty heavy up until then.  We tend to bring a lot of gear, and we do two trips on every portage.  Our food pack was still pretty heavy at that point, since the fishing was so good we had been eating a lot of fish meals.  We had a nice campfire that night, burning all un-needed food items etc.  I still had to do 3-4 trips on each portage to get our gear out,  but we made it.

squigman wrote on Aug 3^rd, 2010 at 1:55pm:

It took us 2 days to get out from Glenn.

Yeah.  That's what I would have guessed ... two pretty long days (depending on where you started on Glenn).

Last couple of pic's of your campsite on Mex. Hat.  That would be the campsite on the western shore in the northern part of the lake ... not too far from the portage torward Glenn ... with a sandy landing on the left side?  If that's it, someone has cleaned it up a bit from last year.  It had a lot of deadfall spread around it.

dd

I like the photo of the evening grosbeck today; unusually friendly.  Seems like they are usually more reclusive.  What time of year was the picture taken?

starwatcher

It was taken first part of July.  There was about 5 or 6 of them together.  They came in as if they were expecting to find crumbs or scraps on the groud around the fire ring, then they moved on.