6/19/07 – Sawbill has many customers that unfailingly make the trip up The Trail each year to spend a few days enjoying the wilderness. This week it is the one and only Team Fubar, Team Norski and Team U-Boat that have congregated up here to fish themselves silly. Jack Brenegan of Team Norski brought this picture with him this year of him and Doug Redsten and the 3 walleyes they caught on Alton in 1987. All together their catch weighed in at 28 lbs! Jack was quick to point out that now they would release any fish that big.
Jack and Doug were the first ones to start coming to Sawbill around the late 70s. As they returned each year their numbers began to grow. Sadly, Doug passed away in 1995 at which point the rest of the group of friends and family that had by then made the Sawbill trip a staple of their summer schedules decided to set up the three Teams. Team Fubar is led by Darrel Parker and Fred Escher. Team Norski (named for their Norwegian heritage) is captained by Jack Brenegan and his brother Duane Brenegan. Team U-Boat (named for their German heritage) is Jerry Keiser and Willie Schweffle. While this core has remained the same each year, from time to time they convince a few other friends and family to join them.

Jack and Doug, first cousins, with a fantastic walleye catch in 1987.
The arrival of Teams Fubar, Norski and U-Boat and their matching hats is now a much awaited event by the Sawbill family. Not only do we love to catch up with returning customers, but this particular group enjoys themselves so thoroughly and their sense of humor is so easy that we can’t help but be infected by their good spirits. – Caitlin

6/17/07 – Another new Sawbillian to introduce! Tim Rinden, a native Minnesotan, was bestowed with his nickname, in true Sawbill fashion, before he even arrived. “Tiny” is currently a student at the University of Minnesota. His first catch of the summer, seen below, further cemented him as Tiny around here.

The other two fish caught last night (by our very own Clare Hansen) were a bit more impressive. Unfortunately, an intimidating Snapping Turtle was also quite taken with them.
She was spotted near the Forest Service dock on Sawbill last night while Cindy, Johnnie, Clare and Tiny were fishing. As the story goes, she “appeared from out of the depths.” Unfazed by the now four shrieking people on the dock, she made a beeline for the fish on the stringer and feasted at her leisure. As Cindy Lou put it, she went at the walleye “like it was corn on the cob!”
While she did provide a fantastic photo opp, she has also weakened the swimming enthusiasm I mentioned yesterday. Even though according to all the books, Snappers won’t snap at you unless they are approached while on land. It’s hard to believe the books after looking at her though. – Caitlin

Going in for the kill…


Snappers are the largest turtles in the North Woods and are most often seen in June when the females come to shore to lay their eggs. The average lifespan in the wild is around 30 years.

6/16/07 – The sun has been shining here at Sawbill this week. With temperatures in the eighties for a few days the lake has been drawing customers and crewmembers alike in for a swim (or two or three.) The fireflies are also out in force once it gets dark, making a nightly trip to the outhouse a little more enjoyable.

Solo fishing on Sawbill.
A wildflower update: the early spring flowers have faded now to make room for the summer blooms. The low-growing white Bunchberries and yellow Clintonia can’t be missed along all the roads and foot paths. The small and fragrant Twinflowers are also recently out as well as the pink Pasture Roses. As you drive up the Sawbill Trail, you will also notice purple and pink Lupins along the way. – Caitlin

6/15/07 – For the last 15 years, Dave Freeman has been warmly connected with Sawbill Canoe Outfitters. He was a full fledged crew member for a number of years. In recent years, he’s been providing expert guiding services here at Sawbill.
Several years ago, Dave and former Sawbill crew member Eric Frost founded Wilderness Classroom, an educational non-profit that connects kids to wilderness through the use of innovative technology. Regular readers of this newsletter are very familiar with Wilderness Classroom’s expeditions, including the recently completed Wilderness Classroom Trans-Amazon Expedition.
Now, Dave has been nominated for the Energizer Keep Going Hall of Fame. He was surprised at the Duluth Airport last week by the Energizer bunny, some friends in bunny ears, and the local press and television.

Dave is surprised on his return home after his latest Wilderness Classroom expedition.
So here is where you come in. Dave is one of ten finalists for the Keep Going Award and the winner is determined by the voting public. If Dave wins, Wilderness Classroom gets a significant cash award to continue their good work connecting children to wilderness. Please vote for Dave at the Energizer Keep Going Hall of Fame website.
Thanks! – Bill

6/6/07 – As of this morning, the fire ban in the BWCA Wilderness has been lifted. Fires are allowed in the fire grates at the campsites any time. Of course, as always, fires should be drowned dead out before they are left alone.

6/5/07 – While these photos show nothing of the bustling activity of Sawbill as we head into summer, they do suggest the wonder of the wilderness that so many come looking for here. – Caitlin

Heading into summer.

The dainty Starflower is unusual in the plant family because it often appears with the uncommon pattern of 7 petals and 7 leaves. As you can see though, they occasionally will have 6 or 8 petals or leaves.

A spring storm rolls in over Sawbill.

6/3/07 – Sawbill was overrun yesterday by the extended local Sawbill family of former crew members and their kids (future crew members to be sure!). Everyone made the trek up the trail to help out around here and enjoy the spring weather for the day.
Our little future crew members proved themselves exceptionally capable loading trash and recycling, filling ice bags, trimming down our overflowing stock of ice cream treats and catching a very fish-like stick or two in the lake.
And their parents showed that they haven’t lost their touch a bit. At the end of the day the cash registers were only off by $1.39! Thank you so much to every last one of you! The Sawbill family is one of a kind. – Caitlin

Karen, Cloe and Hazel go for a paddle.

Steve and Tristan sweat up a storm lugging trash and recycling. Actually Steve carried refreshments while Tristan pulled the cart. Tristan appears unhappy about this labor distribution.

Karen Blackburn instructs her son, David, in the time honored tradition of bagging ice.

Young Sawbillians taking a breather in the lake after a hard day at work.

Cloe Blackburn, Hazel Oberholtzer, David Blackburn, Will Surbaugh, Tristan Surbaugh and Cy Oberholtzer on lunch break. Francis Surbaugh not pictured here (not quite ready for the big kids table).

5/30/07 – We were notified today that campfires are now allowed inside the BWCA between 7pm-midnight. So remember to pack your marshmallows and hot dogs!
The Canadian Tiger Swallowtail butterflies also came out today in mass. Male Swallowtails emerge before the females and congregate near moisture and nutrients. They need to replenish the fluids they lost during emergence. These large gatherings also make it easier for the females to find them once they emerge. I found this large group down by the lakeshore, but there were also lots of them hanging out at the mud puddles along the Sawbill trail.
Today I also spotted a Mourning Cloak butterfly fanning in the sun by the lake. Unfortunately, my picture of it didn’t turn out. The Mourning Cloak is one of the earliest butterflies to be seen each year. They also are the longest living at ten to eleven months. – Caitlin

5/25/07 – With the rain we have gotten over the last few days the spring blossoms have decided to show themselves. Yesterday I took a walk around Sawbill with Mary Alice Hansen to try to soak up some of her knowledge of the flowers and plants around here. Mary Alice started Sawbill with her husband Frank in 1957 so there was quite a bit of soaking to do on my part. In addition to the specimens pictured below we also identified Marsh Marigolds (also known as Cowslip), Pin Cherries and Clintonia. – Caitlin

These fragile blossoms will eventually turn into wild blueberries.

Laurel.

Yellow violets.

This recognizable flower promises wild strawberries this summer.

5/24/07 – The fire ban outside the BWCA Wilderness has been lifted. Fires are allowed in the campground, as long as they are in the fire grates provided at the campsite. Inside the BWCA Wilderness fires are still banned.
It is raining as I write this. If it keeps up, maybe the wilderness fire ban will be lifted too. We’ll post the news here as soon as we hear anything. – Bill