TomT wrote on Jan 11^th, 2020 at 3:24pm:



Tom,

You're right about it being "elevated" there.  That's a fairly steep drop-off behind MP and quite exposed to the east.  However, Mpeebles & I each found some nice protection in the woods high on the north side of that island while Magic did the same in thick brush on the south side down low near the water.  We mostly cooked right next to our shelters.  There was probably an established fire ring somewhere but, honestly, I don't remember it.  I felt we were fairly well-protected against the elements where we set up camp.

I liked Veron Lake though it was a fair amount of work to get in there.  We made a day-trip down to Delahey but encountered bad weather so it was a short stay. Magic & I visited the Olive Jar island camp just a short distance east of the Death March Portage.  The jar was crammed full but I DID manage to stuff one more note into it.  I wouldn't mind heading back and actually camping there some year.

Still, it didn't have the nice, airy elevation of that Veron island site.

Later,

Jimbo   

I've always had a hard time fishing with a double blade.  IO'd most likely lose my paddle fighting a fish or getting the line wrapped around it.   

I like it because I can just set it on my lap when fishing and it gives me pretty good control...even backwards.  Admittedly, it has slipped off my lap on occasion but I can't recall ever having it totally leaving the boat....it just kind of stops once an end hits the water. 

ST,

Well, there ARE one or two truly decent pics coming up in this series.  Of course, I have shamelessly BORROWED those other trip participants.

Please note my "aluminum" Kelly Kettle in the foreground.  I really like the KK's and touted them in a recent BWJ "Contributing Editors" piece.  HOWEVER, I strongly recommend going with the stainless steel version.  Their aluminum model was the source of endless frustration and amusement as the bottom welds failed due to abuse received in the rough handling of packs during tough portages.  You should have seen MagicPaddler and me try to "field repair" the thing so I could boil water faster than it could leak out... often putting out my fire as it did so!  We crimped it, duct-taped it & puttied it; hell, we tried every sort of fix you could think of.  It still leaked.  When I got it home, I contacted the Kelly Kettle representative who had persuaded me to buy it to "share my experience."  The upshot: not only did they replace the aluminum model with their stainless steel model, they ALSO sent me every accessory under the sun PLUS a brand new aluminum model, too! 

I took the stainless steel version on an equally rigorous trip - once again to the middle of the park - last fall,  (pics from that trip appearing as POD's soon) and it worked wonderfully.  Stainless steel IS the way to go.  You may be carrying a couple ounces more weight but, given how we treat our packs when loading & unloading on rugged portages, you need the durability.  I beat the crap out of that thing last September & it worked like a charm throughout.

Hey, if mostly what you're going to do most of the time is: heat water & put it into a bag, well, you can't beat the Kelly Kettle!  It's quick (5-6 minute boil) and reduces/eliminates the need to carry other types of fuel.  Of course, you'll need to keep a good supply of dry pine cones and sticks handy in the event of a 3 day soaker!

KK offers a fine product & some the best customer service I've ever seen.  I encouraged them to open a booth at CanoeCopia.  They said it was a "great idea", so we'll see if that happens.  I also recommended they leave their aluminum inventory in the warehouse....

Later,

Jimbo 

In case anyone cares about the history...…

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They were also known as Bengazi Boilers, Irish Fisherman's pots, and some other less polite names.

A couple of years ago I nearly bought one made from copper, but could not locate the company today.

MB