Summer Camping…and…Fishing

by Lee Wilbur

Time for our almost annual summer fishing trip, Grandson Spencer and I. After the seeming never to end rain and cold of June, July was giving us bit of a break and the hot old “dog days,” I remember as a kid, had returned for a visit. We picked a date and of course the day we intended to leave it was overcast, though rain was prescribed to hold off until later in the evening. Decided to make a run for it and set up camp before the drops started falling. Destination: Donnell Pond. 45 minutes away.

Course, two of the factors which I never seem to take into account when going on any kind of a trip are my backlogged list of things needed to be done before departure and... the “gremlin” cloud. Tried to cover some by Spencer and I putting the camp gear together day before, but run as I could it was still late afternoon before we hooked Big Green Canoe to the back of the Burb and took a course for Franklin. Had never been on Donnell, only heard great things about it and that fishing was “good.”

Spencer navigated us to the launch ramp using “Delormes” as fog and drizzle thickened. We chatted with a guy, who was just taking his boat out, about fishing, campsites, and skinny water. For prudence sake, before launch I gave the motor a “tunk,” to make sure the fully charged battery would do it’s duty. Stone Dead. Later learned to my chagrin, that battery charger was reading charged but battery was so dead it wouldn’t even accept a charge...2 years old. I won’t reveal the brand.

Retreated home. Rained like no tomorrow that night. There’s a reason for all setbacks. Early next morning, sun was coming through the clouds as we picked up a new battery and headed out for try #2. Donnell Pond is “gorgeous.” Sun was streaming as we worked our way out of the channel into main lake surrounded by mountains and down to pick a campsite from several neat opportunities. Being middle of the week, we had plenty. Few areas had tents already set up but these were, as we soon realized, for weekenders.

By noon, we had tent, table tarp, and stove set up. Spencer had uniquely engineered the table tarp over our crazily rebuilt picnic table. (seats so low the table was about even with one’s mouth). Wound up juggling our meals in camp chairs... Time to wet some lines.

One of our primary goals on these fishing/camping trips is catching the main ingredient for a big Bass chowder. Skinny water fishing in order. Rigged rods with “deadhead grubs,” found the closest rock piles and started casting. Immediately, as if on cue, we both hooked up. Now as most outdoorsmen know, this, at least to me, is a bad omen. Caught 2 medium bass, I lost mine, Spencer boarded his. Then, he began to get nibbles, and started landing panfish. We kept a few, thinking there had to be more bass lurking. We had tomorrow, and the next day as thinking goes. I hooked up the latest addition to BGC, an electric trolling motor, and we worked the shorelines for a few more hours, amongst beautiful islands, in and out of the reedbeds, catching the occasional panfish, until finally deciding to try some deep water for Togue or Salmon. Salmon chowder could be enjoyed. But, each time we reeled in, a white perch would snag on. I didn’t have the sense to try for a good mess of this alternative.

Supper that night was charred hot dogs, store-bought potato salad and cole slaw around the campfire followed by “S’mores” of which Spencer had conned the ingredients. No complaints.

Campsite we’d picked was delightful. Sand beach facing Southwest. Breeze kept bugs down till darkness fell. All spring-fed water, actually spring-fed brook next to tent where we kept caught fish. Reed beds nearby with more of the ubiquitous pans. Warm sun in the morning, and great sunsets in the evening. Paradise!!

Next morning, Thursday, I managed to finally roust a sleepy teenage fishing companion out of his rack and we headed across the lake where we’d seen other boats working the previous evening. Try again to find a salmon. Trolling worked fine for about an hour until a brisk North breeze came up and though the electric did it’s best to maintain headway, a bluff bowed 20' canoe powered on the stern couldn’t stand up and we kept heading toward the rocky shore. BGC is powered by a 25 hp Mercury with amidship controls, starter button on the motor, and trolls too fast. A problem to be solved.

With a one skillet breakfast of mixed eggs, bacon, onions, fried potatoes, cheese and stove toast demolished, we went back to work. Covered the north end of the lake, around every island, anything that looked promising. Tried everything in the tackle box I’ve ever caught bass on. Few hits but no real interest from our friends. Kept a few more panfish. This was Bass chowder night and looking more like “fish” chowder.

Day stayed bright sun until we decided to make an ice run to Franklin. Then heavens opened. Minor issue. Stopped when we’d quit shore for an exquisite, clearing sun, deep troll back to camp where we found a nearby site filled with a five tent cluster. Never fileted quite so many fish for so little flesh. Chowder became “fish flavored” with lots of potatoes and onions. Lake was so calm, with another sunset show, we went out again. Still no luck. Came back under a thumb nail moon and took negative time making snores. This would be the last quiet night.

Fished next day till one, packed a few unnecessaries (like fishing gear), caught some sun, read, swam, Spencer slept, watched a neat “Lake” amphibian do a touch and go, and generally enjoyed the afternoon. By 5 or so, our neighbors had arrived with 3 big dogs (well-mannered) and gear enough for a month (we thought). By evening the pond had turned crazy. Boats racing around, campsites filling, people having fun. Fireworks till the wee hours of the morning—how did that law get changed and why—motors then revving before light.

Saturday morning, nine AM, we’re passing the Trenton Airport. Parking area for the commuter jets was crowded. I wondered if Big Green Canoe was musing as I, whether jets owners would experience their few days here as we had just 45 minutes away.

With September another reality, there’s just a few weeks left ‘til the grill will be a distant memory. Don’t say “Oh no! Another chicken recipe” until you give this one a try. From “Grill Recipes for Chicken and Other Birds.” You may want to import it to the kitchen for winter livelier dishes.

• R E C I P E •

Marinade

Cloves from 1 whole bulb garlic, minced

1 T plum sauce

Third cup dry sherry

1 T low-salt soy sauce

1 T hot chili paste, or to taste

2-3 boned whole chicken breasts, with skin on

Combine ingredients, place chicken in non-aluminum baking dish. Marinate at room temperature for up to 1 hour or refrig for at least 2 hrs. Turn chicken at least 2-3 times. If refrigerated, remove one half hour before grilling. Use covered grill. Place chicken over red hot fire, skin down for 4 min. Baste, turn, baste. Do this every four minutes for total of 16 minutes until well browned on outside and opaque on inside. Transfer from grill to plate, cover with aluminum foil for 10 min. before serving.

Fair Winds and Good Roads
– Lee S. Wilbur