A solo cruise over to the Route Bay boat lift into Blindfold Lake to check out the water levels at the lift. Levels are down to a manageable level and the fixed concrete dock on the Blindfold side is out of the water and the railway cart appeared to be operational .
On the way over I looped by the old Wilstrop place and there seems to have been a massive update with a major building expansion connected by a very large deck.
I saw lots of people enjoying the lake on this warm August day, swimming, fishing and two kids jumping off a boathouse roof into the lake. That looked like great fun!
It’s a calm clear morning. The lake is calm. It’s just as the sun is coming over the horizon. A boat goes by towards Smith Camps. The wake of the boat sends waves out in both directions.
The wake
Shortly, the boat is gone but the waves still travel outward. Because I’ve passed by this way my life, my presences has an impact. It sends out “waves” that have an impact long after I’m gone. Waves hit the shore and then reverberate back out again. Not as strong but still making “waves” like the impact on a second generation.
I want my “waves” to have the best possible impact on those around me as I pass by. 2021/9/9
Recently, a friend gave me several paper maps of one of my favorite places, Lake of the Woods.
Nice waterproof maps for LOTW
I find something quite pleasurable and almost magical about looking at paper maps and wondering what it would be like to explore over here or over there and how would I get there. Plus there is a fascination with the markings, symbols, legends and colours. I find paper maps a pleasure to look at and explore.
This week at the lake I went out fishing twice. Both times had some similarities and some differences. Both times nobody caught any fish. 🙁 however, one trip was way nicer that the other!
Last Wednesday it was warm, sunny and calm as Shirley and I went out so when we didn’t catch anything we at least had a nice time on the lake and enjoyed the fall scenery on the lake.
In The Hades
Yesterday, the weather was a different story. Roy invited me to go fishing and in spite of the cool 3°C with drizzle / rain I was up for the adventure. I layered up in some warm clothing and headed out to Roy’s place on Blindfold lake. What I wasn’t prepared for was the high water level on Blindfold Lake and what that would mean in terms of going over the boat lift into Lake of the Woods.
On the way over to the boat lift there is some casual talk about how the water might be flowing over the road! Sure enough the dock and road are under about 2-3 inches of water and I don’t have boots. So it’s shoes and socks off, roll up the pants and wade around in the water to get the boat over the lift. Going over is not too bad. The water is 60°F and we’ve only been out for 15 minutes. Two hours later we’re much colder, it’s now raining and coming back up to Blindfold is a little more involved.
Step one, get the boat on the dolly and use the hand winch to get it started and then hook on a rope to use with the power winch.
Getting ready to bring the boat up with the power winch.
Step 2, use the power winch to get the boat up the steep side and onto the flat section
Step 3, here she comes.
Boat coming up the steep side of the lift.
Step 4, pack up the rope & power winch back into the boat and push the dolly over to the Blindfold Lake side, which of course requires more walking around in the cold water.
My feet in the water.
A quick 10 minute but frigid boat ride back to Roy’s and were in the cabin where it’s toasty warm and having a much welcomed hot coffee.
It’s a calm day at the lake with a sun/cloud mix that is quite pleasant with temperatures in the low 20°Cs. A perfect day for some boating and fishing!
After picking up some minnows and catching up a bit with Al of Smith Camps I’m back at the dock picking up Shirley and we head out.
Goin’ Fishin’
However, the fish were not cooperating! We try a couple of spots with no success. At some spots the fish finder shows lots of fish, but the end of the line is still empty.
We cruise through Eagle Pass, Moore Bay, The Hades, Copper Island and our very own Needle Point before returning home. A very enjoyable couple of hours out on The Lake.
I’m up early and on the dock with two cups of coffee and it’s a sunny clear morning with a light south west breeze. After some reading and just sitting enjoying the view I’ve decided to take the kayak and get a closer look at the 7am feeding.
Most days during the summer a small aluminum boat comes out of Smith’s Camp at the end of our bay at around 7am. One of the staff is responsible for disposing of the fish remains from the filleting shack from the previous day’s catch. They have a plastic garbage pail on board that is dumped on an rock out cropping around the corner from the camp.
Prior to this at about 6:30am a flock of pelicans congregate at this spot awaiting their breakfast delivery. They are joined by dozens of seagulls that circle overhead in anticipation. Bald eagles are also perched high in the trees awaiting this event. Today I spot 5-6 of them. Some are easily spotted, others are tucked away in the branches and others fly back and forth along the shore line.
All of a sudden all the pecans take off and fly around the corner to Smith’s. Sitting in my kayak I can bairly hear the faint sound of the outboard motor of the “delivery” boat. Sure enough, a few moments later the boat rounds the corner and comes into view with all the pelicans following in formation.
As the staffer pulls ashore and dumps out the fish guts the pelicans eagerly land and then edge ever closer to their breakfast. They can hardly wait until the staffer gets back in the boat and backs away before they attack the fish remains.
Today, the eagles remain in the trees for some reason, perhaps it’s because I’m there. On other days I’ve seen them swoop in and the pelicans and seagulls scatter as they take over at the top of the pecking order.
After watching for a while it’s time to paddle back and rejoin the family for breakfast.
This is what we wait for all winter long and here it is. Hot (25°-30°C) and sunny with a light breeze form the south west. Quite a glorious day at the lake.
Up at 6am for a few cups of coffee and some reading in the quiet of the dawning day before easing into a bacon and waffles breakfast. A little yard work before the day gets too hot and I’ve satisfied my need to accomplish something useful for the day. Now it’s time to goof off, relax, adventure, and perhaps a siesta.
We take a scenic boat ride through the Hades and over to Scotties Island before turning back home.
After some dock time and a light lunch its on to reading a book which will inevitably lead to that siesta.
