Ivan and I decided that even though Ivan being 63 and me being 71 years old we would try to get my canoe into Shadow Lake, a lake of about 30 acres, 30 feet deep, and nearly inaccessible. The lake is surrounded by steep bluffs and because of that it is not fished by many. We had purchased a canoe carrier a couple of years ago for this purpose, to get to places off the beaten track.
We launched the canoe in Sunset Lake, 90 acres and 30 feet deep and which is adjacent to shadow lake and has a small launching area. My canoe, by the way is a 17 ft. Grumman and weighs about 125lbs. Fully loaded with our equipment, I’d guess it weighed 150lbs. We paddled across the lake to get out of the wind which was coming from the NE at about 15 mph. We fished along the East shore with no luck Ivan using his fly rod and me using a baby fat rap. We saw a few people fishermen fishing both from shore and a some fishermen were fishing in three boats. No one was having any luck or so we were told. We decided to get on over where we might beach our canoe and get started to Shadow lake.
We found one place where this was possible and with some effort we got the canoe out of the water and onto the foot trail which meanders around the lake and between the two lakes. I had forgotten to load the straps that hold the canoe onto the carrier. So, we improvised using the anchor rope. This was O.K. for a little while but when the going wasn’t smooth the canoe broke loose, twice. We traveled about 3/4′ of a mile taking breaks to catch our wind. Ivan had undergone surgeries on his shoulders and knees in the recent past and I have arthritis in my spine, the pain was starting for both of us. Once, the canoe fell over and wrenched my thumb; I could hear it pop but it wasn’t broken so we plodded on.
We came to a field of very tall brush and grass up to our waist. There was no path except where someone had walked though it before knocking down some of the brush, and after scouting it, we decided it was the only way we could get the canoe to the shore where we could launch it.
This was really rough going and once again the carrier broke loose. We decided to remove it and try to carry the canoe. The footing was really not good but we plodded on for about another hundred yards finally reaching the shore. By then we began to wonder if we’d ever catch our breath.
After a break we sorted out our equipment and tied on the lures we would try here. We each had two spinning rods and one fly rod, one tackle box, life preservers and I always carry a repair kit with me. Then we launched the canoe.
By now it was 2:45 P.M. We started out at Sunset Lake at about 11 A.M. The park closes at 7 P.M. It had take much longer than anticipated to get the canoe into Shadow Lake. I think we thought we were still 25 years old when we decided to try this grueling adventure. It would be hard for 25 year olds to get there as we did.
Ivan started out using a spinner bait and I tried a white tube thinking I’d try to match the multitude of silver like minnows swimming in swarms all around us. No luck. I switched to a brown ribbon tail worm and he a black and silver worm. No luck.
I put on my fat rap, a translucent white with a red head and Bingo! I started catching fish. I landed a nice fat largemouth of about 1 1/2 lbs, missed a couple more hits and then landed a crappie of about 1 lb. In all I landed three nice bass and three more crappie and, surprise, a large snapping turtle that took my baby fat rap. Well, I didn’t want to lose my fat rap so I took out my pliers and even after the turtle snapped at me with his very large mouth, I was going to attempt to get the pliers onto the hooks to pull it free when his weight bent the hook and he fell off.
I straightened the hook and continued to fish but with no other hookups. Ivan meanwhile, had tried several other lures but with no success. We decided to move on and explore the shore line and use our fly rods. Ivan manage to land a few bluegill and I only caught one, but had several misses. Ivan was using his Arbogast popper and I was using one of my new Accardo poppers. The ‘gills were hitting the rubber wings and not taking the hook.
We saw many small bass cruising near the surface but no takers. I went back to my fat rap and had a few light taps before catching another bass of about 1 1/2 lbs. No big fish on this outing but it was fun anyway.
We decided we would have to get started back to ensure that we would be back before the park closed and we knew that it was going to be just as rough going back as it was getting there. And it was at least as far as getting through that field of tall grass and brush. Having figured out where to balance the canoe on the carrier the going on the foot trail was much easier going back. It didn’t fall off again.
We arrived at Sunset Lake at 5;15 P.M. and decided to fish our way back to the launch area. I tried a little casting with my fat rap but mainly tried to keep the canoe where Ivan could try some more fly casting with his Arbogast popper. I had no luck and Ivan managed a couple of more bluegill, but with several misses.
We reached the launch area with a half hour to spare before the park closed. We won’t try that again.
However, I still have my Coleman canoe but, although it is a two seater it would definitely not accommodate two people fishing at the same time and it would be sitting far too low in the water. I’m trying to convince Ivan to purchase either another canoe or possible a rubber raft like the one mentioned earlier on my trip to my daughter and son-in-law’s place at Little Wolf. The raft was better for fishing and could accommodate two fishermen fairly well as it certainly did for me. But, I think a four man raft would be even better allowing more room for tackle and other equipment.
It was quite an adventure and I’m sure we will return to the lake, but a little wiser and better prepared. Not bad for a couple of old guys who love to fish. I highly recommend fishing to all those that think it’s all aver. It’s not! The exercise will do you good but don’t try what you just read; it’s really not for old guys. Well, tight lines.
Jim
