Lake Nipigon 2023 - Day 5, Saturday, July 1

0600-63F/61F. Solar 80%. Heated up coffee cake, made coffee. My eagle friend exercised his wings today but soon returned to his roost.

Morning Sun On Cliff Side

My Friend The Eagle - Getting Some Early Morning Sun (1/4 Mile Away)

0800-Finished my study time and here is the verse for today: "I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve." (Jeremiah 17:10)

Making breakfast. 73F/63F. Solar 77%.

0830-Finished breakfast, preparing to depart.

Gross Cap Channel - Looking NE

0845-Left the anchorage and headed around Grand Cape to check out the campsites on the southside of St. Paul Island that YouTuber "Lost Lakes" talked about.  Found both sites but did not go ashore. A large trawler was anchored near the site on North Ursel Island. That site seemed particularly appealing. It seemed to have good protection and a high overlook. The site on St. Paul looked okay, but according to Lost Lakes was trashed by past users leaving junk everywhere.  I cannot verify that. 

North Ursel Island Campsite

Campsites Checked And Observed

1015-Went 8.5 miles on Tank #2 then switched to Tank #3 underway.  This will help keep starboard weight lower and help trim the boat. 68F/63F. Water temp is 54F. Solar 82F (6.7 Miles on Tank #3)

Underway - Looking South Toward St. Paul Island

1130-Arrived at destination on Wilson Island. Leg 5 was 15.2 miles, longest so far. Uneventful, thankfully, and the way I like it.  A very pleasant passage. The extra distance was due to time and distance spent checking out the two campsite locations. The site on N. Ursel Island appeared to be nice but I'm not sure of access by my boat, despite the trawler anchored there. A closer look would be necessary.

Leg 5, Day 5 - 15.2 Miles

Leg 5 Destination - "The Moose Camp"

I'm currently tied to shore for a change but there are lots of mosquitos. Observed a piliated woodpecker right away, but was unable to get a clear shot. The site is obviously used as a moose hunting camp with moose horns tacked high up in a tree.

Obvious Signs Camp Is Used For Hunting Moose - Can You See The Woodpecker?

Pileated Woodpecker

The mosquitos were relentless and I sprayed the screen to keep them at bay a little, but it did not seem to last.

1600-I read out of Grey Owl for a while. Then went ashore to recon the area.

The Pole Cam - DJI Pocket 2

Made dinner of chicken wild rice soup, salad, hot rolls, and white wine. Will wait a bit for dessert.

1640-Tried going ashore with my shore kit to listen to music, read, and observe, but the mosquitos chased me away.

Wind Meter - Measuring Wind Trend

I returned to the boat and set up my sun shade on the chair on the aft deck which worked better.  Being off the shore and away from cover the light breeze kept the bugs at bay.

I computed the range on Tank #2 and got a record 43.3 miles on 9 gallons of gas. That's 4.8 mpg. Very good!

Female Common Goldeneye

1930-I downloaded files to my portable hard drive and while videos were downloading I went out to make drone flight but again the mosquitos were so bad I cut it short. They were swarming and I had to ignore the bites to keep from crashing.  I quickly retreated to the cover of the boat cabin.  I will depart in the morning.  This site is too buggy!

YouTube Video

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You Can See Some Of The Trash Left Behind By Users - Disappointing!

2015-Very hot 77F/77F.  Too hot to sleep! I will try to read and let it cool off some more. Once the sun sets temps should drop fast with the cool water temps.

Lake Nipigon 2023 - Day 4, Friday, June 30th

0700-59F/56F. Solar 76%. Baking coffee cake this morning.

0900-finished my morning study time. Coffee cake was delicious, as usual. Making breakfast now.

Verse for the day: "Just as it is written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster has come on us, yet we have not sought the favor of the Lord our God by turning from our sins and giving attention to your truth." (Daniel 9:13)

0930-Preparing to depart Dockery Islands.

Preparing To Depart

1000-Departed the anchorage. During the crossing visibility was about 1/8 mile in fog. Depth to 350'. Water temp 52F.

Leaving Anchorage In Heavy Fog

On Passage Nothing To See In Fog - Depth 350'

Grand Cape

As I approached Grand Cape wind increased and the fog blew away.

Tried to locate a marked campsite near the entrance to Charlie's Harbor, but no luck.

Entrance to Charlie's Harbor

1145-Anchored at the north end of Charlie's Harbor. Cloudy with a light breeze. Camera's are not syncing with the app, not sure why, perhaps my Zoleo device is conflicting.  They all use BT.

Anchorage - Charlies Harbor

Leg 4, Day 4 - 7.7 Miles

Destination - Checked Out South End Of Harbor

Quads Show Steepness Of Terrain - Harbor Is Large

Batteries are not lasting on long passages.  I need to charge or change batteries before arrival.  Ensure all SD cards are downloaded to external hard drive.  66F/67F. Solar 90%.

1300-Finally got around to putting the kayak yoke in the trunk hatch and putting the cover on. Rear hatch still leaks so I'm not sure it helps much.

Anchorage - Kayak Finally Covered

Finished the dishes. Temps are moderate. 68F/69F.  Light breeze, cloudy. Water temp 54F. Solar 94%. I will try to shower later.

Loon Checking Me Out

1500-T-Storm passed. I listened to music while it rained.

1600-Put pizza on to bake.  Pizza, salad, cold beer were great!

Pizza, Salad, and Cold Beer For Dinner

Dessert - Irish Liqueur Over Ice Cream

I set up the shower and used it.  Felt great to be clean again. 

Broke the shower down after and let the curtains dry outside. 

Taking a shower precluded using the drone, I just ran out of day, or maybe I was just lazy! Too bad since it was a great place to fly the drone.

Dramatic Terrain - Eagle Watched From Cliff All Day, Look Closely

Bald Eagle On Watch

Read Grey Owl for a while. My eagle sentinel is still in place up on the cliff. He's been there all day. Must not have a mate. 

2100-Sun is down. Time to pack up and hit the sack. 70F/66F. Solar 94%.

YouTube Video

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Lake Nipigon 2023 - Day 3, Thursday, June 29th

 0700-61F/58F. Solar 85%. 

0900-Morning study, prayer, and morning reading complete. Time for breakfast.

Verse for the day: "In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly." (Psalms 5:3)

0940-Breakfast is finished. Preparing to depart the anchorage heading to Rae Lake, one mile to the west. Ran into a boat of fishermen from the campsite I spoke of yesterday.  Turns out they were from Minneapolis!

Minneapolis Fishermen Stopped Me To Talk

1305-Tried the creek entrance to Rae Lake but hit rocks and decided it was not worth getting stuck in that exposed area, so I punted. Decided to go south, clockwise around Shakespeare Island (5.7 mi. x 8.1 miles).  

Attempting To Enter Rae Creek - Rocks Everywhere!

Came Up On Rocks So Backed Away - A No Go!

Rae Lake Access

Cloudy, Drizzly, Hazy Day - Heading SSE From Rea Creek

Anchored in the Dockery Islands. Leg 3 was 11.2 miles.  A long leg in misty and smoky conditions. Had some rolling going along the south side of the big Island.

Leg 3, Day 3 - 11.1 Miles

Eagle Watching My Approach To Anchorage

Leg 3 Anchorage - Nearby Campsite

Had trouble with the motor revving up as though a cable was stuck.  Eventually discovered the control cables were getting caught up in the autopilot tiller. I unwound that situation and all seemed okay after that.

Upwind the autopilot oversteered a lot and was hunting too much. I think it was the lack of adequate rudder response in the gusty conditions. Crosswind it seemed to be fine. Still a real aid underway. 

1445-Had some hot chocolate and sat on the aft deck drinking it when I spotted the campsite I was looking for when I anchored.  There were no markers but there were other indications that appeared to be cabin remnants.

Campsite Approach From Inside The Harbor

I did the dishes. Kind of late in the day.  The EDT is messing me up.  I'm sleeping later and getting in later as a result. I hope no one comes to use the campsite while I'm here. I'm tempted to tie ashore to stake my claim. I'll have to think about it.

1700-Finished dinner of grilled steak tenderloin, potatoes, salad, roll, and wine. I guess I have pretty much killed this day.  I don't plan to move ashore.

210-I flew the drone for one flight to film the area and recon the campsite.  Turns out to be nice one, but is best approached from outside the anchorage to the north.  It has a fire ring and even a picnic table.  Pretty nice!

Looking SSE From Dockrey Islands - Shakespeare Is. To Left

Campsite - Dockrey Islands

YouTube Video - Click To Play

I started recharging all my batteries and reviewed the drone video from yesterday and today.  Unfortunately the drone camera was out of focus yesterday on the first flight, not sure why since that is automatic. The second flight and today's flight were fine.

Sat on the aft deck for a while and read the third book in Grey Owl's collected works. Then I listened to some music and had my evening chocolates with Bailey's for dessert until the mosquitoes chased me inside. I will listen to my audio book and hit the sack. 66F/60F. Solar 94%.

Lake Nipigon 2023 - Day 2, Wednesday, June 28th

0640-60F/57F. Solar 78%. Light rain. Slept in but it is EDT, so I have to adjust my internal clock.

0715-Had to wash out my French press to make coffee since I didn't do that yesterday morning after coffee. Time for study and prayer.

0800-Bible verse of the day from my study time: "In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety." (Psalms 4:8)

0900-Making breakfast, will depart shortly.

Gray Blustery Morning

0925-Departed the anchorage. Taking small waves from a south wind. Okay but could get worse through the day.

Headed SE to attempt to check out a camp site in the Macoun Island Group, but no luck!  I could not approach from the west.  A kayak or canoe could get through but not my boat. Too shallow with lots of rocks.

Leg 2, Day 2 - Tried To Recon Campsite
But Reefs Block From NW

I punted that idea and headed back to the north to the Asseff Islands.  

The chart shows two campsites and an anchorage in these islands but I observed no campsites from the water (later I observed one in the harbor occupied by fishermen).  I had deemed the Colter Harbor anchorage was not favored based on forecast winds, but I think they were already camped there so the point was moot.

Instead I hid behind a hook on the inside of the group of islands.  Leg 2 was only 5.8 miles, including the diversion.

Anchorage Leg 2, Day 2

1045-Arrived and anchored in about 6' if water with a mud bottom.

Anchored In Asseff Islands - Leg 2

1220-Did dishes and tried to listen to VHF weather but it cut in and out.  Not sure where the tower is.  It may be south in the town of Nipigon on Lake Superior. I could kayak here and may consider that later on.

1330-I got hungry so I had my typical "boat lunch" of crackers, cheese, nuts and white wine. I left out the apple I usually include. I will plot tomorrow's route and then maybe fly the drone off the bow when the light is better. 73F/74F. Solar 100%. Partial sun.

Asseff Island Group

1445-Checking video downloaded to my 5 TB external drive. Osmo looks okay. Had to get the laptop charge cable out to recharge after viewing videos.  I set up the shower and hot water heater so it is ready to use. Topped off the charge on the water pump.

P2 video is okay too. Downloading is slow about 18 mbps. Got the drone ready while waiting.

1615-Flew the drone a couple times but the batteries were only 53% so I could not make the long recon flight over to Shakespeare Island to look at the creek access to Rea Lake to see if I could maybe get into that lake.

YouTube Video

(Click to Play)

During my flights I observed that in the anchorage was a big fish camp with multiple tents. I heard boats earlier.  They must have been going to and from the campsite.

First time flying the drone from the boat off the bow.  Need to set the return to home warning to a higher value.

I'm not really hungry but should probably get started on dinner.

Lots Of Rocks & Reefs In This Area

1820-Dinner was roast pork, potatoes, salad, roll, and red wine. Got the laptop and two drone batteries recharged. I don't feel like fishing. With no filet knife the incentive drops!

Sun Setting In West - Breeze Was Up

2100-Just came in from setting out on the foredeck listening to music. Having my evening libation with chocolate covered almonds for dessert and enjoying the ambiance.

Clouds threatening to the west. 67F/65F. Solar 99%. Cooling off fast with the water temperature down in the 50's. I will listen to my audio book "Orchid Beach" by Stuart Woods and hit the sack.

Lake Nipigon 2023 - Day 1, Tuesday, June 27th

Note: Road travel took two days, with an overnight in Grand Marais, MN to visit friends and break up the drive to make it less tedious. First day's drive was 250 miles. Weather was good. No log entries.

White Bear Lake to Grand Marais, MN - First Day Of Road Travel Was 250 miles

0430-Wake up! 62F/64F. 71% solar. Made coffee. Study verse for the day: "Salvation belongs to the Lord; May Your blessing be upon Your people." (Psalms 3:8 Amplified Bible)

0550-Time for breakfast.

0630-Breakfast done, preparing to depart GM.

0700-Departed. Lake was calm. Smoke haze over the lake, some fog.

2nd Day Of Road Travel - 209 Miles

0745-Border agent gave me the third degree, but let me go. Though there were several banned items, like bear spray! A surprise to me.

My truck transmission gear indications on the column started acting up just before the border and a while after.  It wasn't shifting properly and the gear indications were bouncing around even indicating 1st gear at times! Not sure what was causing the anomaly. Transmission temperature was normal.  It returned to normal indications the further along I drove.

I thought I shut down my P2 camera right after crossing the border intending to film a portion of the drive just north of the town of Nipigon but the battery was dead.  So much for that plan!

1130 CDT/1230EDT (Trip times are now in EDT)-Arrived High Hill Harbor Marina. No one was there to collect fees or provide any information as the Beardmore City Clerk stated there would be in my emails back and forth.  I proceeded to get the boat ready, not sure what to do about the permit problem.

Road To Marina From Main Highway

1330-A U.S. boater from Manitowoc, WI, pulled his boat out while I was getting ready. He gave me pointers about the lake and offered some night crawlers but I had no place to put them. He showed me his map and I took photos of some of his notes.  

Fishing Notes

On the way out he planned to stop at Popular Lodge (3 miles of rough gravel) and said he would alert the harbor master I was at the marina looking to get a permit. I drove 10-15 mph on my way in to prevent dust and keep from beating up the boat.  I was not going to go back over that rough road again just to get a permit. It seemed like a weird way to manage the marina.

Marina Dock-Launch To Right

When it was time to launch I had plenty of volunteers.  A couple of Canadians guided me back and helped tie up so I gave them a quick boat tour. That may have been their reason for helping in the first place.

1500-I was tied up to the pier and planned to stay the night since I had no permit but kept working on boat prep hoping the harbor master would show up.

Tied Up High Hill Harbor

1600-The harbor master finally came down so I finally got my permit to launch and park.  She suggested parking my rig in a different spot for better security, so I followed her advice.

Harbor Gazebo

1640-I departed the marina, deciding conditions were ideal and I should not waste an opportunity.  

Ready To Depart

High Hill Marina - Departure Track

First Leg Of The Trip- Due West10.3 Miles

1835-I arrived at my first anchorage after dodging one marked reef and anchored in 8' of water. Leg 1 was 10.3 miles in calm seas and clear skies.

First Anchorage-Exposed To SE

Google Earth Shot Of Anchorage & Arrival Track

I made chili, with salad,  rolls, and a cold beer for dinner.

2000-Went out on the aft deck after dinner for a Bailey's with chocolates.

Will hit the sack early. It is very still and quiet with the moon rising. I'm a bit exposed to  wind and waves from the SE but it should not be an issue based on the forecast. No wildlife observed.

YouTube Video

(Click To Play)