Malone Bay September 6th-14th

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Malone Bay September 6th-14th

Post by johnhens »

We had planned on going to Yellowstone this September but with gas being what it is and the desire to try fall fishing on Siskiwit Lake, we soon had reservations for the Voyager. We would be joined for a few days by niners and his daughter, her first time paddling Isle Royale and the first time fishing for northern (and lake trout) for both. Joining us for the week was our friend Dan and his "new" Hobie Kayak with sail rig.

We left Chicago Thursday PM driving in the remnants of Gustav. We usually drive to Black River Falls and camp but opted for a dry bed and roof over our head as the rain continued. We woke early, took showers and were on our way to meet fonixmunkee in Duluth. I called fonix and we agreed to meet at the Perkins where I-35 ends. We arrived at the same time. What a view looking over Superior!!
We had a great time talking of past trips to the Island and future plans. It is funny how comfortable I always am with folks who share a passion for Isle Royale, there is a certain familiarity there and Richard and I have e-mailed back and forth over the years, so I felt I "knew" him. It was fun and pleasure to meet him in person!! Thanks again for the Forum!!

We continued on our way making a stop in Two Rivers to check out the bargains to be found at Granite Gear's Outlet. Thanks to fonix for the heads up on GG being open!
We arrived in Grand Portage late in the afternoon. We stopped at the dock and then headed to Rydens where we ran into Capt. Don, Jennifer, Mike and Tony enjoying dinner. We grabbed the table next to them and spoke of the summers events. It was good to be back in Grand Portage. We didn't stop to see it but the new visitor center for the Grand Portage Monument is nice!

Our friend Dan arrived later. Needless to say all were excited and sleep would not be much!!
We woke early unloaded our gear at the dock and Tricia and Dan went to Casino Station to grab coffee and donuts.
Our ride across was pleasant, a smooth ride. After stopping in Windigo, we were on our way to Rock Harbor. I was talking to a guy on the ride who posted on the Old Forums site, we had a great time talking about past trips, the old forums and the new forums. Wayne welcome to the Forums.

Soon we were close to Rock Harbor. As we rounded the point to Snug Harbor, there on the America's Dock were Dave and Michelle. They had arrived Friday on the Ranger to close up the Artist in Residence Cabin for the year. Upon docking we headed up to the shelters. We had cooked brats from the local butcher at home (we sear them over charcoal and them simmer them in dark beer!). Tricia freezes them and vaccum seals them. We carried them in a cooler with cheese, butter, cream cheese (for bagels). We heat them up in boiling water and dinner!!
While walking around later, I came a across a cow and calf at group site 3. I went back to get the group. We had good views of the two feeding.
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We went to bed early as we were tired. Up early the next AM for the final leg of our commute to Malone Bay. At Chippewa Harbor, a guy I had met on previous trips, Derek, got on board. He had been kayaking the middle lakes. We had a good talk about his trip.

We arrived at Malone Bay. We approached the new dock and agreed the NPS had done a nice job at replacing it. We offloaded gear and moved to the shelters and found them empty. We paddled our kayaks to the shelter "beach" and portaged our kayaks to Siskiwit Lake. I had brought along this years birthday gift, a fish finder, and was anxious to try it. We also were trying yak clips, which you placed your paddle in while fishing or taking pictures.
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We grabbed our fishing gear and headed over to Siskiwit to try our luck. The fish finder was switched on and it worked. I marked lots of bait fish and drop offs and humps. We headed to the West end of the lake, fishing points and dropoffs alonf the way. The wind was blowing fairly strong out of the West and the lake was choppy. No fish.
We returned to camp and made pizza for dinner accompanied by a fine red wine. When we were eating breakfast, a family of 5 river otters swam by.
We woke the next AM, ate breakfast and made sandwiches and went to the far end of the Siskiwit. We began hooking fish after being there about an hour. I lost 2 fish, the last one I had at the boat trying to get the lure out. The fish finder did a good job showing the weeds below. Michelle was the first to hook a northern, followed later by her dad who hooked a few 24"s . We returned to camp with a nice lake trout Dan had hooked. We had brought Shore Lunch and oil for a fish fry accompanied by Orzolaya (jambalaya with orzo instead of rice).

We paddled to Wood Lake on Tuesday. I caught a few off the camping area. Tricia and I moved towards the South end of the Lake where we started getting strikes. I hooked a 28" northern. Tricia hooked one, (I made her wait while I took pictures of her). We paddled back to the camp area for lunch and then went back to South end. The action had slowed, Dan hooked one and that was about it. The wind had picked up, we had to paddle back into a head wind. Dan had hooked a whitefish earlier so we had fish again. I had brought a baitcasting rod which tangled on the first cast and a fly rod. The fish we were catching were hitting on top of the weeds in 15' of water (5' off the bottom). I didn't try my fly rod.

Dave and Michelle were leaving the next morning to begin their paddle back to Rock Harbor. WE had fun talking of the past few days events and enjoying Cheddar Potato soups with fish. The next day, Dan and I went to Siskiwit to get Dave and Michelle's kayaks. The loaded up their gear and were soon on their way.
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We grabbed Dan's sail rig for his kayak and headed to Siskiwit to try it out. After a bit of head scratching we figured out the rig and soon Dan was under Full Canvas.
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The wind was a little puffy and variable which made sailing "lively".

After a pleasant morning sailing, we enjoyed the "warm" lake waters and went for a swim. We had lunch and paddled back to the West end to try for Northern. We caught a few, nothing worth keeping. I want to mention on my spoons, I clipped the third hook of the treble hooks to facilitate releasing fish. I don't think it made a difference in hooking fish and made releasing the fish easier. A moose showed up as it was getting dark and we headed to go back to camp. We had spaghetti for dinner with a nice red wine.

The Thursday dawned dark and rainy and continued through the day. Tricia slept, I went to the Vistor cabin to read. Reece, a paddler from Chippewa who was out for month, showed up in his self made wood kayak. We had a nice chat. He said that Michelle and Dave made it to Chippewa. Dan fished and bought back a nice northern for dinner. We had both looked at video off cleaning northern and removing the y bone. It worked well!!

Friday, was nice. A father and son from MI who were kayaking left early to paddle back to Rock Harbor. I helped Reece portage his kayak to Siskiwit. We ended up portaging our kayaks back to Malone. We planned on headin to Wright Island the next day. We checked the forcast for our return trip Sunday, Glales were forecast Sunday afternoon. We hoped we would be back in Grand Portage early.

We woke early the next day and checked the forcast. Gales still predicted. We wonderd whether the Voyager might come Saturday instead of Sunday. We had a beautiful paddle to Wright Island. We paddled the South Side toi the bay where the family had lived eeking out a living fishing. It was cool to see the cabins and buildings. It is sad to see the fishing boats wasting away. I would love to make one!!!
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We were paddling from Wright Island to Malone Island when a Park Service boat appeared. We were approached by the boat. It was Ranger Carl who was on his way to Windigo toi take over duties there. He related that Mike and the Voyaguer would be coming that evening to pick us up and maybe head back to Grand Portage.
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We continued our paddle to Hat Island and back to the dock at Malone where we left our boats.
We went back to the shelter to begin packing. We were ready by 4:00 assuming the Voyageur would be there around 5:30.
Sure enough about 5:20 we could see the Voyageur throught the Island cuts. Mike blew the horn as he made his way though the channel markers. We loaded quickly and were on our way. We arrived at Windigo in the dark at 8:00. We made our way in the rain to the shelters. We were up ealry hoping to beat the predicted gales back to GP. We had to wait for some last minute arrivals. We stopped at Washington Island to pick up some folks there. As we cleared the Islands, we were slammed with 4-6' waves and strong winds. It would be a slow ride back. We were taking the seas on the beam causing us to roll quite a bit. Mike adjusted his course as big waves approached. It was an exciting ride. We unloaded gear at GP. WE spoke to Capt Don a bit about our fishing and began our trip home.
We stopped in Grand Marais at the Blue Water Cafe for breakfast. We had intended to go to Sven and Ollies in honor of Ingo, but breafast was what we needed !!! We began planning our Spring '09 trip!!!!

More Pics:
http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/567282370ruyxPN
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Re: Malone Bay September 6th-14th

Post by Backpacker534 »

Sounds like you had a pretty good time on your kayak trip. I would like to paddle Isle Royale some day. I liked the photos as well. Pike fishing was one of my more memorable times on the island.
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Re: Malone Bay September 6th-14th

Post by johnhens »

I have spent a bit of time backpacking the Island, paddling is yet another way to see a different side of things-and then there is fresh fish!!!
I have tried to include pictures of places one can only get to by water for those that may not get there!!
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Re: Malone Bay September 6th-14th

Post by Kevinl »

Nice trip report. Awesome pictures too--that is one fat northern. Great shot of that moose too.

Like you, we watched some youtube video before leaving to hone up on our northern filleting/butchery.

We were at Wood Lake on the Sunday of those gale winds and I knew you were in the general vicinity, worried you might be kayaking big water in that mess. We left on the Voyageur's next trip and met three guys who got left behind on your departure--don't think they were too happy about it but I told them it's hard to get too upset about weather.

Glad you had such a great time. That sail looks like a blast.
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Re: Malone Bay September 6th-14th

Post by johnhens »

Kevinl wrote:Nice trip report. Awesome pictures too--that is one fat northern. Great shot of that moose too.

Like you, we watched some youtube video before leaving to hone up on our northern filleting/butchery.

We were at Wood Lake on the Sunday of those gale winds and I knew you were in the general vicinity, worried you might be kayaking big water in that mess. We left on the Voyageur's next trip and met three guys who got left behind on your departure--don't think they were too happy about it but I told them it's hard to get too upset about weather.

Glad you had such a great time. That sail looks like a blast.
Kevin, we opened the stomach to see what it was eating. One partially digested sucker that had to be 9" when it was swallowed and a 4" minnow.

Thanks for thinking of us. Rest assured there is no reason I can think of that would have put me on the water in a yak that day. Steep 6' waves and some larger that pounded the boat. Mike earned his pay that day!!!

We are planning our Spring trip for Malone in May. I found an underwater "hump" close to deep water that I think will be good for lakers and of course we will check the normal spots for the large Northern that lurk there.

Did you get off Monday or Tuesday? Glad you got up there!!!
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Re: Malone Bay September 6th-14th

Post by fonixmunkee »

Hey John,

Welcome back! I've been waiting for your pics and TR. The pictures are amazing (the one of you next to the ranger boat shows just how beautifully blue the water is around IR), and the TR is awesome as usual. I loved the pics of that old cabin & fishing boat.

It was awesome to meet you and Tricia, and glad you made it to Two HARBORS (not "Rivers," like you said, hehe). Did you buy some Granite Gear stuff? Were they giving that stuff away or what?!

Like Backpacker534, I've pretty much hiked the entire island, now I think it's time to move into kayaking it. Add to that this TR, and I think I'm ready to make the jump. You can rest assured that I'll be bothering you with some questions about it :)

Also, as we discussed at brunch, let me know if you plan any snowshoeing trips to the UP...I think I'd be *very* interested :)

Thanks for sharing!
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Re: Malone Bay September 6th-14th

Post by philranger »

John & Tricia,

Thanks for the awesome TR and pics. I hope to make it to Malone some day. Your pictures just confirms the reasons why it's on my list of places to visit. You are still my number one source for IR answers. Thanks.
Isle Royale Trips: 2005-RH to Windigo via Greenstone. 2006-McCargoe Cove to Chippewa Harbor. 2007-RH to Daisy Farm and back. 2008-Feltmann loop. 2009-McCargoe Cove to Chippewa Harbor. 2013-Minong Ridge. 2014-Windigo+Huginnin Cove. 2015-Lookout Louise to LC to DF to MB. 2018-McCargoe to Todd to HL to Malone Bay. 2021-Windigo/Huginnin. 2022-RH-DF-MB-CH
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Re: Malone Bay September 6th-14th

Post by johnhens »

fonixmunkee wrote:Hey John,

Welcome back! I've been waiting for your pics and TR. The pictures are amazing (the one of you next to the ranger boat shows just how beautifully blue the water is around IR), and the TR is awesome as usual. I loved the pics of that old cabin & fishing boat.

It was awesome to meet you and Tricia, and glad you made it to Two HARBORS (not "Rivers," like you said, hehe). Did you buy some Granite Gear stuff? Were they giving that stuff away or what?!

Like Backpacker534, I've pretty much hiked the entire island, now I think it's time to move into kayaking it. Add to that this TR, and I think I'm ready to make the jump. You can rest assured that I'll be bothering you with some questions about it :)

Also, as we discussed at brunch, let me know if you plan any snowshoeing trips to the UP...I think I'd be *very* interested :)

Thanks for sharing!
fonix,
I am gettig old, my memory is fading!!! :lol: :lol:
I looked at some of their lighter smaller packs, might be a good option for the future.
I was hoping to get some compression dry sacks. I did get a map case that hangs from a thwart in a canoe. And a T shirt.
We will stop there next year for sure.

I hop[e you do try paddling IR, it is a great place to be on the water.
I will let you know if we do any 'shoing trips for sure!! It would be fun to spend some time in the Northwoods with you.
How was tour trip to Madeline Island?
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Re: Malone Bay September 6th-14th

Post by johnhens »

philranger wrote:John & Tricia,

Thanks for the awesome TR and pics. I hope to make it to Malone some day. Your pictures just confirms the reasons why it's on my list of places to visit. You are still my number one source for IR answers. Thanks.
Wally, we stopped at Rutabaga on the way home to pick up a few things. I didn't have your # or I would have called.
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Re: Malone Bay September 6th-14th

Post by moss13 »

John,
Great report and pictures! Looked like great weather. I really liked the picture of you kayaking in Malone Bay with Menagerie Lighthouse in the background. Very nice. Glad you had a great time.
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Re: Malone Bay September 6th-14th

Post by sgerbs »

Like others have said before, good trip report. It definitely makes me want to Kayak IR as well. It looks like you were able to see some really cool things. I really enjoyed your pictures as well.

Obviously we can see that you had good luck/skill while fishing. Have you had similar luck when hiking/fishing from shore? For example, if I were to bring my fishing stuff while hiking, could I potentially plan on having one dinner of fish while on the island or is that a bad idea?
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Re: Malone Bay September 6th-14th

Post by philranger »

I witnessed a guy pull a good sized (2 foot +) fish out of Feltmann Lake this year and saw a guy with fish at Chickenbone in 2006.
Isle Royale Trips: 2005-RH to Windigo via Greenstone. 2006-McCargoe Cove to Chippewa Harbor. 2007-RH to Daisy Farm and back. 2008-Feltmann loop. 2009-McCargoe Cove to Chippewa Harbor. 2013-Minong Ridge. 2014-Windigo+Huginnin Cove. 2015-Lookout Louise to LC to DF to MB. 2018-McCargoe to Todd to HL to Malone Bay. 2021-Windigo/Huginnin. 2022-RH-DF-MB-CH
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Re: Malone Bay September 6th-14th

Post by Less Paul »

I was there 1st week in September. Caught pike off the dock at Chippewa Harbor and McCargoe Cove. And from shore at Lake Ritchie.

It limits how much water you can cover, but it's doable.
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Re: Malone Bay September 6th-14th

Post by johnhens »

sgerbs wrote:Like others have said before, good trip report. It definitely makes me want to Kayak IR as well. It looks like you were able to see some really cool things. I really enjoyed your pictures as well.

Obviously we can see that you had good luck/skill while fishing. Have you had similar luck when hiking/fishing from shore? For example, if I were to bring my fishing stuff while hiking, could I potentially plan on having one dinner of fish while on the island or is that a bad idea?
Thanks, glad you enjoyed the TR and pics!!
While doing backpacking trips in the past, I have had good luck fishing from shore. I have fished Feldtmann wading out and have done well for northern. I have done OK on Ritchie, though I think it is a lake better fished from a boat. I hiked into Sargent and Mason and caught northern in both lakes. Depending on the time of year, early season is better for shore fishing, it would not be out fo the question to have a few nights of fresh fish for dinner (or lunch or breakfast!)
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Re: Malone Bay September 6th-14th

Post by johnhens »

moss13 wrote:John,
Great report and pictures! Looked like great weather. I really liked the picture of you kayaking in Malone Bay with Menagerie Lighthouse in the background. Very nice. Glad you had a great time.
moss, sometime we will run into each other there (hopefully passing each other while monster fish tow us across a lake :)
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