Friday July 11: Stony Lake - Horseshoe Island

With two days of predicted 'perfect' weather, we headed back north toward Stony Lake. Steve wanted to fish and with winds of 5 mph, temps in the low 70's and mostly sunny skies, it was the perfect day to try again.

First we stopped at the island on Katchewanooka Lake about 5 miles north of Lakefield (where we caught perch last year with Becky – in the pouring rain!). The osprey guarding it's nest was not too happy with us. There were chicks in the nest and between them and the adult standing guard it was quite the raucous noise making. Like we were about to climb up the tree to the nest!

Not much success there so we passed through Young's Point lock again and moved onto Clear Lake. Site of the houseboat fishing stop where the guy yelled at us for spoiling his view and that we should move away. Right – really?

The fishing was better there – enough perch for dinner so it was a good fishing day.

It had been quite a few years since we had an opportunity to stay on Horseshoe Island. From the approach, it looked like it was still ok to tie up – no 'no trespassing signs' in sight. We had feared there might by by now.

The island is actually owned by Viamede Resort. One time we were staying there with my brother and his family + others, the staff from Viamede came over and 'hid' pirate booty in the form of candy around the island. A bit later they brought a bunch of kids over from the resort for a candy hunt. It was nice – they invited all of our kids as well.

The view from this little island in the middle of Stony Lake is amazing. It's like a little North Channel with the granite rocks and pine trees. Very populated though with a cabin on most of the islands at this point.

We were tied up quite nicely using a line from the back cleat to the anchor wrapped around a tree on shore. In front, Steve used the anchor chain (so no rubbing of line on the rocks) to a tree in the front. Perfect!

Easy step to shore as the rock cliff was just the right height.

It was also an easy place to use the coleman stove to cook the fish – no muss, no fuss, no mess to clean up in the galley!

There was even the chance to see a full moon before it slid behind the clouds for the night. Lots of mosquitoes – I sure love screens :-)

On the way to Horseshoe Island, we passed Juniper Island. This site serves as the focal point of the Stony Lake Cottagers Association and has a long history of being a gathering place for this lake.

My family docked here one day in the late 50's. Just before dark, there must have been 50 small fishing boats tied EVERYWHERE (including to our boat) as the kids came in for a movie (dance? - don't remember which). When it was over – long after dark – they all jumped into their boats and took off speeding across the lake in all directions as they headed home. Talk about needing to know the lake!

Viamede Resort was visible and enticingly just across the lake when we were docked that night at Juniper. My mom commented any number of time how was it that she was on this 21 foot boat with five kids between the ages of 4 and 14 and yet there was Viamede looking like a dream resort but not within reach. I always thought she was kidding but putting myself in her position, I think she might very well have been serious!

Tomorrow: back to Young's Point and then Lakefield.