25 Lake Superior (Read 19174 times)
mastertangler
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Re: Lake Superior
Reply #10 - Nov 25th, 2011 at 1:28pm
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Jim J Solo wrote on Nov 24th, 2011 at 4:35pm:
Jose's a paddling buddy of mine. Never tripped with him, but we always enjoyed sharing our tales. Here's a link to his report. Very nice photos too.

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Wow Jim........thanks! This was better than I could of hoped for. Pukaskwa was high on my list. looks groovy.
  
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solotripper
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Re: Lake Superior
Reply #11 - Nov 25th, 2011 at 3:34pm
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Pukaskwa was high on my list


First year the park opened, a buddy and I decided to backpack the shoreline from N-S.
Great trail and I could see the paddling possibilities. Lots of places to camp/protection from elements.
Sadly 1/2 way down I fell violently ill. I was in my late 20's then and couldn't figure out why I was having such severe abdominal/kidney area pain.
It would come and go but the episodes became closer together and we decided to backtrack what we knew rather than forge ahead.
Turns out I was passing a kidney stone Cry
Got home and went to doctor who advised it was just about thru me.
Ended up passing a stone the size of a small Navy Bean.
First and last time, thank God.
I think that would make a great first trip before tackling longer more exposed one's.
  
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mastertangler
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Re: Lake Superior
Reply #12 - Nov 25th, 2011 at 11:35pm
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Dude.....bum deal on the stone. I bet it got your attention.

Wow.....hiking trail along the park shore! Very cool......I can picture a fair amount of time being windbound. I generally hate laying around other than the odd hour or so to recharge. Nice to hike without a 70lb pack eh?

OK.......I'm in. I wonder how the fishing is?

Weird.........3rd day on the glucosimine and chondrotin and I already feel like a new man. Now if I can just ease in without overdoing it maybe I'll be back.
  
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solotripper
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Re: Lake Superior
Reply #13 - Nov 25th, 2011 at 11:53pm
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OK.......I'm in. I wonder how the fishing is?


I can't speak to LS but the year I was there, I was very disappointed in the fishing in the rivers, small inland lakes.
I had my pack spinning rod and some Mepps type lures. I saw water, I stopped and fished it.
Zero/zilch Huh
After awhile I noticed a complete lack of minnows/crayfish, nothing for the big ones to eat?
I couldn't understand it.
One night we camped on a cove and saw a nice sailboat anchored there.
Soon a small Zodiac pulled up and the teenage guy at the tiller asked if we wanted to join him and his family for dinner on the boat. He said it wouldn't be fancy, just fresh caught salmon/smoked on board, homemade bread and cold Molson beer Shocked
Back then we were eating freeze dried.
We piled in and headed out to the boat.
I thought these Canadians are awful trusting bringing two strange men out to a private boat crewed by a husband/wife/teen son and daughter.
We climbed on board and found the skipper was a mountain of a man, think Grizzly Adams.
He and his wife were both teachers and were in a program were you work for 4 years and bank a percentage of you salary. The 5th year you get off to do what you wanted without losing your job/seniority.
He was a biologist and also taught outdoor wilderness skills. His wife was a home economics teacher.
In the 4 years prior THEY built and outfitted that 40 foot sailboat and were on the first leg of the shakedown cruise, heading for the Caribbean.
During our dinner conversation he enlightened us to why there was no fish in the streams/lakes.
Back then ACID RAIN was a big problem. The PH was so acidic the water was basically sterile.
I think that's been cleared up but I'm not sure.
He did say that before the acid rain, those streams were good for what they call " COASTERS", which are basically Brook Trout that spend their lives in LS and head upstream to spawn?
Were talking 5 lb plus fish or bigger.
Hopefully they've made a comeback?
  
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Jim J Solo
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Re: Lake Superior
Reply #14 - Nov 27th, 2011 at 3:41pm
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solotripper wrote on Nov 24th, 2011 at 7:50pm:
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Thinking about a double paddle..........



I seem to recall Krueger used a single paddle but there no law that says you can't have both.
I still think that when going against a strong headwind or with one at your back, a double paddle really shines.


Here's a link to Steve Landick's comments about paddles. He was Verlan's son-in-law and did the 28k mile trip with him. I got a chance to start the AuSable marathon next to him this summer and visit with him. Nice guy.

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mastertangler
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Re: Lake Superior
Reply #15 - Nov 28th, 2011 at 3:07am
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Interesting Jim...........I rather doubt I could "roll" the Expedition right side up even with a Yak paddle. Scott Smith the maker of over 100 Sea Winds before he developed the Expedition also uses a single blade bent shaft Zav (which is what I have). I have a Yak Paddle sitting on top my seldom used Kayak which I will try with it (If he ever gets it done Angry ). I guess I will just have to see....

ST the coasters really have my interest. I trolled for some at Isle Royale but picked up some pike. I'm pretty sure I came across a pile of coasters in McCargo cove. There was probably about 15 or 20 fish in 8' of water all between 2 and 4lbs. I guess they could of been lakers but I'm thinking coasters. They were heavy bodied and nice. I was pretty excited but never quit casting the big pike lure. Looking back I should of tried for them but that would of meant turning around.......not usually my style.
  
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solotripper
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Re: Lake Superior
Reply #16 - Nov 28th, 2011 at 2:53pm
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I love to catch and eat Brook Trout.
For their size they're good fighters.
I can imagine what a 4lb one would feel like on a ultra-lite rig.
I know in waters around Ilse Royale, they have a very strict limit. I think it's something like 1 fish a day over a certain length.
In Canada I'm thinking the limit " might" be a little more generous.
Hard to believe they were commercially fished almost to the point of extinction.
Butterflied and grilled on a campfire would be some good eating.
  
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mastertangler
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Re: Lake Superior
Reply #17 - Nov 28th, 2011 at 3:55pm
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I might just have a hard time putting the knife to a 4lb brook trout. Maybe I could catch one smaller, say a 2lber which is still a whopper in my book. They are delicious aren't they...........
  
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solotripper
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Re: Lake Superior
Reply #18 - Nov 28th, 2011 at 7:08pm
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I might just have a hard time putting the knife to a 4lb brook trout.


I would too if it was a stream trout, but since the world record brook trout coming out of LS is something like 11 lbs +( Might be a little off), I might have to make a exception for a Coaster Wink
  
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mastertangler
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Re: Lake Superior
Reply #19 - Dec 7th, 2011 at 5:46pm
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I talked to Scott Smith yesterday about my boat............seems like I'm next on the list.........I think I have heard that before Roll Eyes. Nice guy, hard to get mad at him. I'll just wait.

I will probably stick to warmer waters initially until I get a feel for what she is capable of but Superior is definitely on the list. I like the park ST suggested as the hiking trail is appealing.

But I might be able to portage after all. Definite improvement on the knee. 12 miles today and yesterday with the bike with no ill effects. Pretty Jazzed about that. Maybe I'm back Smiley.
  
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