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

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