Flip Flop Hikers: Sprout Day 149 (Tuesday, August 23rd, 2016)

Bubbles and I got up early, so early that we were the first ones awake at the shelter. We made coffee and breakfast, took the tent down, and organized all of our goods. After that I went over the hill and woke up Smudgy. By the time we got done packing and talking to everyone it was around 8:00 before we started on the trail.

The plan was to go 16 miles with everyone from camp but when we got 12 miles in there was a shelter and Smudgy was there waiting. I waited with him for Bubbles to show up. We kind of thought it would be a good idea to relax and stay here for the night. Then we would start with a 1700 foot climb in the morning. Smudgy said his legs were tired and I didn't mind staying where we were.

We had an exciting day, earlier we had to take our shoes off to ford two rivers. It came up to my knees and the water was cold but it felt good. We saw a huge waterfall! I think it's Maine’s second biggest and the biggest one on the AT in Maine. Bubbles saw a bear cub! It ran up a tree! She didn't see the momma bear but she was around if there was a baby.

I had to get some water while we were waiting on Bubbles. I was empty, just took my last sip before I started climbing this mountain. I went to a spot at the bottom of the incline, Slugundy Falls. I noticed a deeper spot and decided I'd be back if we didn't move on, I want to catch some fish! When we decided we were staying Bubbles and I found a spot where no one else was camping and set up the tent. It's away from the shelter and most of the other tenters. I love being away from everyone enough to not have to worry too much in the morning about being loud.

I went down to the fishing hole while Bubbles finished the tent. It only took a few casts to realize there was definitely something in there going after my bait. Eventually I got a small brook trout. It wasn’t too long so I threw him back. I caught a couple more before I finally caught one big enough worth keeping and caught another one big enough to keep! I caught another trout the was at least 12 inches big! This one was definitely a keeper! I was shocked how huge the trout was!

The fish were good. We made a fire and cooked them over it with our veggie oil and tin foil. It feels great to catch fish in the hundred mile wilderness. It was some of the best fish I've ever had. If we had to I would catch us fish in all these brooks! You gotta hook em to cook em! Hopefully I have just as good luck tomorrow and I end up catching some with the guys from PA.