Last trip up the creek for '09.......

It was the last chance to put the boat away on McGregor before conditions were too bad. Since I had the wrong key the last time I tried (seems that has happened before!) I needed to make a second trip. Susanne volunteered to come along.

I thought the snow melt on the lily pads was interesting.

The creek was fairly high at the beginning but went downhill quickly. One new beaver dam we had to pull over and the last 50 yards we had to pole through due to the low water.......but we made it!

Snow on the ground on the portage trail.......with leaves still on the bush and trees. What an unusual Fall.

Finally, the right key to unlock the motor! A couple rods to test the waters. I was anticipating a walleye dinner that night. Unfortunately I must not know the Fall pattern on these waters. Go to "Plan B".

O.K.........well at least the whitefish are in the same location as per usual on Clearwater. Unfortunately the lake trout wanted to bite as well, and since that season is closed we left them to their spawning or post-spawning rituals. We returned home slightly frozen to the core, but several warming cocktails and a dinner of fried whitefish put us to right.

All is well on the portage lakes......the boats are put to rest for the winter, the fish await the challenge of the anglers in 2010. The ritual continues...............