Bear Island 2021

 Another awesome year at Bear Island has come to pass. 

As usual, I went to My friend Steves up in NC a couple days early. I left Georgia on Friday, and left for BI on Monday. 

It seems I started packing a few weeks early LOL. There is always so much to do to prepare. I literally have to pack for two trips in one. A set of stuff for Steves house before and after the Island trip and the stuff for hanging at his house.

I always end up with a full truck!

I pack the roller cooler with the Jetboil stove, cutting board, tent, extra propane tanks and some fishing gear. I leave room for Steve to ad a few things. The rest goes in dry bags and coolers etc.

It was great to spend some time with Steve and his partner Susan before the guys left for BI. We did a little fishing and a night run. I think his lake is turning over so the fishing was non existent.

The weather forecast had us rethinking the trip. They were calling for rain most of the days we would be there. We decided to go anyway and ended up leaving a day early. It poured down a couple of times during the day but we managed to avoid the rest. We got up early Wednesday and packed out. It rained one during that time but cleared out for our trip back to the mainland.

We arrived at the park mid morning and made the 3 mile trek over without incident.

The first thing I had to do, after carrying the gear to the campsite, was to get a picture. This was about the only time I paid attention to the ocean side of the island. The wind and surf were too much for surf fishing so we stuck to the flats behind the island.

The campsites seems a little smaller than usual. I suppose the storms last year moved things around a bit? I had to pitch my tent in the grass but also be careful not to harm the Sea Oats. 

My duffle had a little extra room so I took my iPad over this year and watched a movie the first night. It was kind of nice to have the bigger screen!  I splurged and brought the DeWalt fan as well! What a huge difference that made in the tent for comfort!

We took the Blackstone over again this year (second time) and it worked out well. After everyone got set up we had steaks, green beans and mashed potatoes for dinner! The griddle is big and heavy and I'm not sure it is worth the effort but we were sure happy once it was at camp. I think the 17" may be a better choice over this 22".

We loved it up with bacon and sausage for breakfast the next morning and had hotdogs and hamburgers that night. Needless to say, we eat good.

Monday evening fishing produced this nice Black drum before it down poured and got everyone soaked. 

After everyone changed we hung out and had a good time.

The next morning I went down to check the boats in my PJs and split them climbing into my boat. Steve wanted to get right to fishing so I said the heck with it and wore them all day. I can mark fishing in my PJs off my bucket list now LOL These went in the trash once I got home.

Jim sneaking in some fishing time while waiting on the tides and his fishing partner.

Rays boat was out of gas so the guys had to get that worked out. I had to bug them for a picture. I got everyone except Dan who wa busy doing all the work LOL

Ray got a nice Flounder. We did not ge to keep or eat any Flounder this trip. They were out of season.

We caught a lot of shrimp this year in the cast net. No worries, they make great bait! Oh and when I say we I mean Steve, he did most of the net work for our boat.

The shrimp paid off.....

Ok these taste like sunscreen. If you eat enough of them they start to taste better. I'll pass on them next time.

Some down time waiting on the tide...

We got a little action from the local base. During the night one flew so low I could swear I felt the wind from the propellers!

Steve had some luck on the incoming tide!

Tuesday night fishing for the last time.  It was actually pitch black out but my camera picked up Jim's boat out of the dark.

Back on the mainland Wednesday morning. Lil' Salty reluctant to leave.

Once we got back to Steves we spent all day Thursday cleaning up the boat, the gear and and airing out the tent. 

Somehow two little crabs made the journey home in the boat! Poor guys won't last long.

We drove down to the lake in the evening for a lakeside fire.

Since clean up took longer than I expected, I decided to stay an extra day before heading back to GA. Steve and I spent Friday fishing at his doc. We actually hung out on his pontoon tied to the dock for shade LOL

A few odds and ends.....

I picked ups bait net and a rod tripod from Amazon. The bait net was a flop and since the wind and surf were up, I did not get to use the tripod. Just extra crap taking up space LOL. 

I also made a boat umbrella that only came handy once. gain, I could have left that at home and probably would not have missed it. 

Overall, I think everyone had a good time.