Bear Lake 1998  

A GOOD YEAR

Sat-Aug 1	Sun-Aug 2	Mon-Aug 3	Tue-Aug 4	Wed-Aug 5	Thr-Aug 6	Fri-Aug 7	Sat-Aug 8

Fri 31		Most of us will meet in Flint, Michigan at 9:00 AM.  We pack the vehicles and leave by 10 for Espanola.  The others arrive later in the week.  Gaylord is our first stop to Pick up Mike Goodrich.  Then its off to the Soo for a great dinner at Antlers Bar.  The last 3 1/2 hour stretch takes us to Espanola and The Goodman Hotel where we sit up with drinks and play a few hands of Euchre before retiring for the evening.
Sat 1		Morning comes early as Chuck likes to pick up the first group around 7AM.  The rest of us enjoy a breakfast at Howards.  Most everyone will be on the island by 10:30 AM. The first day of fishing is one of the most important. The first day determins the best lakes for the rest of the week. Remember, we need to catch our dinner for at least five nights.
Sun 2		Euchre tourney begins. The quest begins; a journey to Howry organizes to leave early Monday. Equipment allocations are carefully weighed and rookies evaluated. We ask the vital question: How much can a rookie carry anyway???
Mon 3		Morrison arrives with more beer, steak and chicken. Half the island rallies to meet the new visitors. Most are happy half the island is away on the larger journey to Howry. The night is quiet.
Tue 4		The Howry gang returns tired and thirsty. Those that remember making the epic journey to far away lands for fishing and camping stand on the shore waiting the return with cold beers in hand and good memories in mind. Those that never made the trip eagerly await the stories, nervous about their own records being shattered by the fish brought by the Howry gang.
Wed 5		The Euchre tourney continues. The evening Walleye fisherman head out into the dusk for a chance at landing a few. Many hoping for a GeorgeT sized Walleye. Others wade into deep water of Bear Lake to wash away the mud of work worries and sediment of 50 hour weeks.
Thr 6		The euchre tourney continues. People have had days to reflect on the passing of Bear Lake Time. By thursday I begin to sing songs to break the silence of Bear Lake. Its the healing process that makes this trip so affordable.  Hopefully, a party develops on DogPoop island.  Something we miss greatly from our trips during the first week in July.
Fri 7		Stories are told again.  Prizes for winning fish are paid. Euchre tournament concludes. Prizes are awarded. The desperate and determined fish to the last minute.  Rookies earn their initiation.
Sat 8		The long trip home. We all meet for breakfast early in the morning at Howards and depart from there. Hope to see you there...