A new addition to the camper. It's very own quilt.

Our camper now has it's own theme quilt. A fishing theme should be no surprise to anyone who knows us or reads this blog.  The quilt was handmade by Donna...... mostly on the QT. It was only when she needed help deciding which was a Northern Pike and which was a Muskie that I was told about the "surprise".

And here it is in the camper. I think it adds a little style and class to our traveling quarters.

This is the main theme area at the top and bottom of the quilt.

Each corner has it's own unique panel. This is a "dandelion" which has special meaning to my life long love of fishing.

This is the upper right corner panel. Not a half bad cast.

This is the lower left corner. The reel is made of individual piece of cloth stitched together to make  a great looking fly casting reel.

This is the lower right corner. A fishing creel. By the way it is full with our limit for the day.

Michigan U.P. fishing and camping trip.

Traveling east in the Michigan U.P.

Camping near Paradise MI.

Entrance to Paradise MI. Paradise...? Look here. Read and enjoy. For another take on literary connected locations in the MI U.P. see here.

Suspension Bridge over the mouth of the Two Hearted River.

Crisp Point Light House on the north shore of Michigan U.P. (West of White Fish Bay).

Shore of Lake Superior looking west from the lighthouse.

Shore of Lake Superior looking east from the lighthouse.

Anyone know the name of this moth?

Trout caught under the bridge at the mouth of the "Big" Two Hearted River.

Grand Marais MI

Now known as The Lake Superior Brewing Company.

Great bar. Good drinks. Fun locals.

Thanks Ashleigh and Dan. Ashleigh is by far the hardest working bartender I seen in a longtime. Dan just moved to the region to help run his granddad's business.

"THE BEST" juke box in the U.P.......... I'm told

Rock hunting and swimming.

There are hatches and THERE ARE HATCHES. This was latter.

Dandelions. It isn't Wareham MA and it isn't Tautog.  I'm still fishing 55 years later. I still think of my first fishing partner every time I wet a line. Thanks again Dad for teaching me to fish. Here (#1) is a Google Map image of the spot where I caught my first fish circa 1952-1955. Spot #2 are the "finger piers"

An underwater photo taken with my new underwater camera when it was working which was just before it wasn't working. 

May fishing trip part 2. May 30th was "species day". I caught Smallmouth bass (3), Largemouth bass (1), Northern Pike (4), Bluegills (10), Walleye (1). All catch and release. All but the Largemouth Bass were in season and legal size. Most but not all were caught on a foam fly I tied from a pattern (see here and here) found here on the internet.

Catching up on home repair projects. New front stairs.

Update: Finished steps.

A little closer to supper. But not much. Day 4 on Chequamegon Bay.

Another beautiful sunny day. High temp on the ice 34 degrees. Wind from SW 10-13 mph. Travel conditions on the ice are great. There is very little snow and what is there has melted near flat. It's like driving in a very large parking lot. The landings are getting a little rough but still easy on and off.

Lots of people fishing on the Ashland side of the pressure ridge. The talk was people were having spotty results. Some coho, walleye, a brown trout occasionally, smelt and of course perch.

Today was a landmark in a manner of speaking. Todays trip (#4) means that I have ice fished more in the last 2 weeks than I did in the last two seasons.

A special thanks to all who helped make it possible Scott, Chris, John and the school staff and of course Donna.

Oh ya...... four more perch only two came home. The two that came home are from the same cookie cutter. See yesterday's post and photo.

A little kayaking and a little not so silent a sport. (VIDEO)

We spent a couple of hours on this Bayfield County WI lake fishing and kayaking.
The fishing was s...l..o...w. The kayaking was quiet and enjoyable.



After kayaking we stop to visit friends. They sent us off on a little four wheeling excursion to check out a potential camping site. This was another first time experience for our favorite retiree.



Based on the quick smile you see in this video I can say the four wheeling ride went well. The campsite is on our list of must do.

Yet another new retirement experience.

Not bad for a first time kayaker. Taking the new Future Beach Angler 160 Kayak out for a test paddle. This boat is a fishing boat. Amazingly stable for it's size and weight.



Gliding along. There might have to be a second one of these boats in our future. Easy to fish from lots of features like rod holders, dry storage, cup holder, comfortable seat and foot rest. Easy to load on the car top carrier....... and a second one would fit just fine.



Sure looks like a retirement photo to me.