Warning: this is a RAMBLING question/issue.  Patience/persistence is required to slog through this.  Sorry, but I'm writing this after two G&Ts. 

I've canoed the wilderness for over 25 years.  Initially I and my buddy did destination trips.  In essence, we paddled for 2 days to get to our desired lake, made a nice camp, then stayed there for 3 or 4 days to fish (and occasionally taking day trips to other lakes).  After 4 days or so at the base camp, we paddled back out using the same route we took to get in. 

After awhile I got the itch to see more lakes.  So we started to do travel trips."  We'd make long loops that covered lots of lakes and portages and miles.  And in the WCPP we were flown into the far edge of the Park, then we'd paddle back to Red Lake for a pickup.  These were fun trips.  We saw a lot of country, and caught our share of fish. 

These travel trips involve "travel days" where we stow our rods and reels, and plan to cover 10 or so miles of water.  This was necessary, particularly when we have agreed to be at a take out point on a given time/date for a pickup. 

Here's my dilemna: during these travel days, (some would say, "forced marches") whether it was in the QP or in WCPP, we often passed over pristine fishing water that called out to me: WALLEYE!!  But in order to keep on schedule, we paddle on by.  It kills me!  I ask myself, "why am doing all this work (paddling/portaging) only to miss all this great fishing?"  But I also understand we have to make so many miles to get to where we need to be by a certain date. 

I'm retired.  I don't want deadlines.  I don't want to have to be somewhere at a given time.  I want to be able to mosey.  I want to be able to spend 2 hours or so fishing below a falls, or in a fishy narrows.  I want to spend a leisurely hour or two at a shore lunch.  If I see a 5-star site at noon, I want to be able to call it a day and set up camp!  I want to take "power naps" after lunch!  If this means I screw up our schedule, so be it!!  I want to be able to come out a day early, or two days after the exit date, depending on weather, fishing, or whatever. 

As it is, I don't find my current style of wilderness canoeing relaxing, or particularly rewarding.  Maybe I simply need to go back to my old destination camping approach, given that most of the people I canoe with have places to go and people to meet at a certain point in time. 

I do know I need to change what I'm doing!  I want my trips to be more relaxing.  And I want to spend more time fishing.

I also know I'm not cut out to be a solo tripper.  I need the camaraderie of friends.  So, what to do?  I've got to make a change.  Just don't know what that will look like.   

So, all you QJ'rs..... wade in!

puckster