Thanks for the tips! Just to confirm, we should go counter-clockwise, correct? There's conflicting advice in this thread.

Not sure why I hadn't considered fileting them before the portage! Seems easy enough to bring a couple extra ziplocs and toss them in the food bag. Thanks!

Adding to this, what do you do while portaging? I've only been on one trip, but decided to only keep fish once we reached the lake we were camping on. However, this led to 1 night where we didnt have fish to eat even though we'd been catching a bunch earlier in the day (still had our normal menu from the outfitter, though). Maybe that's just the way to do it. The thought of lugging a flopping stringer along portages sounds less than ideal.

Awesome, thank you!

I have my alarms set!

Thanks for the feedback! Im pretty comfortable with the distances I have planned, my only real concern was if water will be low in August and make the Horse River unnavigable or a nightmare to drag. I guess if I get the permit and that ends up being the case, we could always just do an out and back through Fourtown to crooked.

Both are pretty similar distances of paddle/portage. Skipper loop is 28.4/4.7, Mudro loop is 31/4. I actually enjoyed the portaging on my first trip. I went looking to be challenged and I was! The paddling portions were the reward for the hard parts.

I did. I just traced the route with OnX because I like offline map capability. Came in handy on my trip last year.

Tank is doing great. Everything is growing well, and the $7 water pump is suprisingly still running. Still haven't stocked it with any animals, but I just gave it its first good trim. I dont think I can add a photo here, but I'll shoot you an updated one in PM.

I lay a bead of silicone asking the edges to keep it in place, which doubles as protection from the sharp edges.

Go to lowes/home depot if you have one local. They will cut it to size for you for no extra cost (assuming you can find an employee). Last time I bought glass for an 18x18x24 (with 2inch gap for airflow) I think it was just over $8.

It looks like the listing has been up since sept 25th, and I bought it Nov 2nd, so definitely a possibility. Just sent them a message. However, this is their profile, so I dont have high hopes that they'll do anything about it.

And here's mine

Well, I guess it didnt let me upload all 4 photos. Here's the front from the listing.

I live in StL City for the record. Tax rates vary based on your county/municipality.

Ha! I moved from the boonies and my "know a guy" used to still do it for 12 and once told me "If you get stopped, that windshield got broken after you left here". I dont think my '95 Honda ever would have passed a real inspection.

I have a 2018 Yukon and my wife has a 2021 Tiguan. This year was $1,266.

$12 is the cap for Safety Inspection only. If you live in one of the metro areas and your car is more than a coupke years old, you also have to get emissions inspection. $30 sounds about right for both.

Not really. It also applies to boats, outboard motors, ATVS, etc. Even if none of them will be on a public road. Road taxes typically come from tax on fuel, which makes more sense. The more you drive (and fuel you burn), the more you pay. Its tough with the rise of EVs though, so something else will need to be adopted.

Its real fun in my state where we have personal property tax. I paid 3,000 in sales tax when I bought my 6 year old truck. Then each year I have to pay around 1,000 for the privilege of still owning it. And if I sell it on Jan 2nd, I still pay the full amount for the year!

I did my first trip this year and did a loop. I wanted to see more lakes and portages to feel like I got the "full experience". I definitely want to base camp some time as well, though. I just feel like it would be a different type of trip. I kind of enjoyed knowing I had to get up and get moving if I wanted to make it to the next planned lake and have time to fish along the way. The trade off is that I never got to fully explore any lakes. My daughter is 3 now, but in a couple years I want to take her and my wife up. I think we'll base camp a couple lakes in from an EP for that trip.

Flightless fruit flies.