I fished a local lake last evening. I hadn't been in there for a few years, and the road is still rough as a cob. But I watched a cow and calf moose in the adjacent marsh on the drive in, and there was a loon crying at the foot of the lake while I fished. Even with my degraded hearing, I can hear them when they are close, and it is the most incredible call. For me, Wolf and loon are the signature calls of the Northern Wilderness.

Two kayakers at the far end , a mile distant, and the peace and quiet was like a  heavy blanket.

I got home at 3 am, caught nothing, and still had a great trip.

Good for you my friend.  Nothing better than true wilderness.

Sounds like a fine time, hopefully you can do it again soon 

I just ran into a friend who fished this same lake the day after I was there. He caught "lots of small pike" using a boat. I fished the bank and caught nothing. There's a lesson here. I dug the canoe out of the weeds behind the barn and cleaned it up this afternoon. It was my first skunk this year.

The biggest reason I fish.  Being out in the wild......I watched a Mother raccoon teaching babies how to wash food for a couple of hours one day last year.  Forgot all about fishing.  I've watched huge deer drink at the water's edge and one day I was eating lunch in a small creek channel next to a laydown that went all the way across the creek.  A juvenile coyote walked out and didn't see me.  He got close enough I could have touched him.  When I said, "Hi Buddy" he jumped up and starting running in mid air like a cartoon.  I laughed for hours.  Seeing all the babies in the spring, watching eagles soar in the fall.  Watching the sun come up while the geese are screaming at each other.  Nothing like it.  I've told my wife that when it's my time, I hope I'm in my boat on a beautiful Missouri morning.  I'll die a happy man.

You shouldn't terrorize the wee little coyotes like that, mate! But I absolutely share your sentiments. We have a vast, fascinating world.

You have a good day, Sir!

Dee

9 hours ago, Jaderose said:

The biggest reason I fish.  Being out in the wild......I watched a Mother raccoon teaching babies how to wash food for a couple of hours one day last year.  Forgot all about fishing.  I've watched huge deer drink at the water's edge and one day I was eating lunch in a small creek channel next to a laydown that went all the way across the creek.  A juvenile coyote walked out and didn't see me.  He got close enough I could have touched him.  When I said, "Hi Buddy" he jumped up and starting running in mid air like a cartoon.  I laughed for hours.  Seeing all the babies in the spring, watching eagles soar in the fall.  Watching the sun come up while the geese are screaming at each other.  Nothing like it.  I've told my wife that when it's my time, I hope I'm in my boat on a beautiful Missouri morning.  I'll die a happy man.

Well said! I’ve experienced a lot of the same things, very cool