2013 Isle Royale - Fishery Trip

This trip was for the purpose of photographing the old fisheries of Isle Royale National Park with a Norwegian heritage and included personal interviews with some fisherman. 

The photographer doing the work was Kristian Bålsrød, from Lutefisk Hotel/Harvest Magazine in Norway.  He was doing the project in conjunction with a variety of museums along Minnesota's north shore and with WTIP public radio in Grand Marais, MN, where Kelly my daughter is Director of Production.  Kelly requested I take Kristian out to the Island to assist in the project.  

Weather was good except the first day which had heavy fog for the crossing and violent storm conditions as we approached the island.

Isle Royale Route

Click to view route in Google Earth

Click to view pics in Google Maps

Approaching SW end of Isle Royale National Park in the fog.  Rock of Ages Light stands on a rock about 5 miles SW.

(Photo by Kristian Bålsrød, Lutefisk Hotel/Harvest Magazine)

Approaching storm packed winds to 45 knots and lots of rain!

(Photo by Kristian Bålsrød, Lutefisk Hotel/Harvest Magazine)

Looking out the entrance to Fisherman's Home Fishery on SE corner of Siskiwit Bay, Isle Royale National Park.  Note reddish color in the water and the narrow cut. Just wide enough. Depth 5.8 ft but inner anchorage only 3.5-4.0 ft!  CB and rudders had to come up.

Mark Rude - Fisherman, demonstrating he can still catch lake trout.  We ate this one accompanied by some great steak!

(Photo by Kristian Bålsrød, Lutefisk Hotel/Harvest Magazine)

Wright Island Fishery - kayaking around anchorage.

Wright Island Anchorage

Wright Island Anchorage from the fishery site

Chippewa Harbor Entrance, looking east

(Photo by Kristian Bålsrød, Lutefisk Hotel/Harvest Magazine)

Rock Harbor Light

Edison Fishery - Rock Harbor

Edison Fishery - Park Service has restored this site.

Edison Fishery Dock

Tobin Harbor

Tobin Harbor

Rock Harbor Light

Enjoying some liquid refreshment at the end of the day in Chippewa Harbor, Kristian on left, me on the right.

(Photo by Kristian Bålsrød, Lutefisk Hotel/Harvest Magazine)

Eckel Fishery, Washington Island

(Photo by Kristian Bålsrød, Lutefisk Hotel/Harvest Magazine)

Close encounter with Moose on Washington Island.  Kristian was chased by this one when he inadvertently surprised the moose near dark.  He was a little shook from the experience!

(Photo by Kristian Bålsrød, Lutefisk Hotel/Harvest Magazine)

Dash at Rock of Ages Light on a clear day.  Yours truly.

(Photo by Kristian Bålsrød, Lutefisk Hotel/Harvest Magazine)

Rock of Ages Light - Kristian going in with the dinghy to take photos.

Kristian approaching the broken concrete dock.

Rock with a collection of cormorants roosting.

(Photo by Kristian Bålsrød, Lutefisk Hotel/Harvest Magazine)

Looking up from the base of Rock of Ages Light

(Photo by Kristian Bålsrød, Lutefisk Hotel/Harvest Magazine)

Kristian finished with his work and rowing back out to the boat for departure to Grand Marais

Just prior to departure for Grand Marais and the end of the trip.

(Photo by Kristian Bålsrød, Lutefisk Hotel/Harvest Magazine)

Apostle Islands 2013

Crossing from Grand Marais to the Apostle Islands was solo with good sailing, a mix of full sail and spinnaker toward the end.  I picked up guests in Bayfield, WI and took them out for three days sailing in the islands as a treat to the family.  After I drop them off  I joined three other boats for a birthday party in Presque Isle Bay before crossing solo back to Grand Marais, MN.  

Apostle Island Trip 2013

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Approaching Rocky and South Twin Islands in the Apostle Islands
Anchor and rode positioned for the set

On "D" Dock, Apostle Islands Marina - Bayfield, WI
Behind Dash is my partner boat from Grand Marais - "Diversion"

First day was great, mid-70's, second day was hot in mid 90's!
Front row seats for the fireworks display.

4th of July Blind Rower Dinghy Race
The crew calls out directions to the blindfolded rower.

2nd from left are my guests for three days, they came in fourth and had never rowed before!

Here they are in front of the picture, doing well as the other rowers run into each other rounding the mark.

We are anchored on the north end of Oak Island with about 25 other boats

Guest crew is going ashore for a hike
Holly on left, sons Andrew and Robert on right

The plan is to hike up to the cliff overlook, however, it was foiled by the warning of bears in the area, Holly was not feeling good about hiking through the woods and meeting up with a black bear.

Holly and her son Robert relaxing on trampoline

Made a lunch stop at Raspberry Island Lighthouse, crew hiked over from the east side of the island

Overnight was on Sand Island at the sea caves in Justice Bay, only one other boat in the anchorage.  Poor bottom hear, mostly rock.  We later dragged in a severe thunderstorm.

Fog was moving in and out as they explored the caves with the dinghy.

You are able to row inside some of them, Robert got out and walked on a ledge in one of them.

Exploring the arch at the point

Robert bailing the dingy out after the storm the night before.  He has it about half empty, it was almost full.  We are anchored on the north side of York where we had to run in the dark of night when the T-Storm winds caused the anchor to drag.  Two resets failed in the poor bottom of Justice Bay.

The crew of Windseeker, another Grand Marais boat who joined Diversion and Dash for Art Kidd's birthday.  Presque Isle Bay, Stockton Island

The three Grand Marais boats, behind Dash are twin Catalina 34's

Overlooking the anchorage

Birthday boy, Art Kidd on right, with Rolfe and Lane Lindquist behind him.  On the left is our friend from Ontonagon, MI, Tom Lee from Viking

Hiking the island trails

Another great overlook of Presque Isle Bay

Viking (Allied Seawind) with solo crew, Tom Lee heading for dinner on Diversion

Tom rowing in his tiny dinghy

Always looking the part!  

Just the right size for one

I did not join the others because I was departing at 0500 for the crossing to Grand Marais, about 50 nm.  Hitting the sack early. The crossing was in heavy fog almost the whole way.  Then it began to rain hard the last 15 nm.  Motor sailed mostly, no close encounters with ships though I saw 3 or 4 on AIS.  Used the radar some in places where smaller boats were likely.  Trip went well. Topped the trip off with a fresh whitefish dinner at the Angry Trout with my daughter Kelly that evening.