THE LAND NORTH OF SUPERIOR

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When you leave the paved roads of civilization you have to remember that a different set of rules apply.  Out in the land north of Nipigon if something is stolen from you can’t always call the police.

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My wife and I enjoy coming to this particular lake.  It is relatively easy to access, the camping space is too small for unwanted neighbours and the fishing is good.  Our dogs have a lot to explore without bothering anyone.<o:p></o:p>

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The summer heat had finally broken the week previous and sleeping at night required a light bag.  The trip in had been cool and the camper set-up had gone smoothly except for the overly helpful critters we brought with us.  The old pickeral hunger had called and fishing for super had been the order of the evening.  Just at dusk we found them golden beauties roaming a shoal out in the main body of the lake, and four fish were on the stringer in short order.  While I cleaned fish my partner peeled and sliced potatoes for the fish and chip propane light super.  A campfire, a must for my wife, burned merrily as we enjoyed the peace, quiet and bounty of the north.<o:p></o:p>

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After the dishes were cleared the campfire got my wife’s attention until the dogs started barking at the lake edge.  They would charge into the water then retreat barking madly the whole time.  I tried to see what was causing this havoc but with no moon visible through the clouds I had no luck.  The ‘radar light�?showed quick glimpses of a sleek shape slicing through the water.  The otter knew exactly how close to come to the dogs as it played and hunted in front of our campsite.  It was twenty minutes before the sleek shape got tired and moved on down the shoreline.  A few minutes later the dogs settled down.  Without a word being said the campfire was drowned and stirred, and other loose things put away for the night.  The fresh air, pickeral and a nightcap put me in slumberland when my head hit the pillow.<o:p></o:p>

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About three in the morning nature called and I went outside.  Glancing at the boat I noticed that the otter was now just at the back of the boat.  With the cloud cover gone the animal was easy to see as it silently patrolled the shoreline.  It was back to bed for me.<o:p></o:p>

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After two cups of coffee in the morning we trooped down to the boat.  As was my custom I checked the minnow bucket to see how they were doing.  They weren’t!  They were gone!  Then it dawned on me.  That otter had figured out how to push the spring loaded door of the flow through minnow bucket.  He had dined on about five dozen minnows and gone away content.  Luckily the pickeral were interested in yellow twister tails and we had enough for super in a short.<o:p></o:p>

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That afternoon a gang headed out stopped by our place for a chat.  When they offered me their left over minnows I accepted gratefully.  The story of the otter stopping by his favourite restaurant was told.  Possible solutions were discussed.  I also mentioned the leach problem at some lakes and told how a ruined pair of panty hose, tied at one leg, the hose stretched over the minnow bucket and retied, was just the solution.<o:p></o:p>

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That evening I took a piece of rebar wire (millwright wire) and fed it from inside the door, through two holes, then wrapped the wire back around the bucket and twisted the ends.  That night there was a lot of commotion and splashing at the back of our boat.  The dogs barked for about five minutes until the otter decided that the restaurant was closed and left to dine elsewhere.  I never leave home without it; millwright wire that is, there is another easy fix if you have non-paying customers.  Tie a rock, an anchor any weight to the line on your bucket and take it far enough out into the lake so that it floats in two feet of water or more.  If the otter can’t hold the bucket steady he can’t get at your expensive minnows.<o:p></o:p>

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The animals don’t care what it cost, or whom it belongs to.  If they see a free meal they’ll help themselves.  That’s the only law there is for critters in the land north of Superior.<o:p></o:p>