Depot Lake

On Saturday the Kayak King must've been feeling a little guilty for deserting, abandoning, leaving me all alone... He was kayaking most of the week. Big surprise, huh? Anyway, when he offered to spend the day with me I suggested we go fishing on Depot.

The boat launch is just south of town on highway 108.

While he hooked the boat up to the van, I grabbed my tackle box. Yes, I really do have my own fishing supplies. Naturally, I refuse to use real worms because, well, they're just gross. I use these pretty pink plastic thing-a-ma-jigs instead. The one below is almost neon. Cool, huh?!

There's always so much to see on Depot Lake. I may be wrong, but I don't recall seeing this beaver dam last summer.

The shoreline is dramatic and picturesque, and one of my favorite things to do on any lake or river is just drift along in the boat while the wind rustles the tree branches. It's serene. Pure bliss.

When it comes to fishing John and I have differing opinions. He likes shallower, weedier areas, and is always telling me the fish are down there hiding out of sight. While those weeds and lily pads are lovely to look at, they're also the place my line tends to get snagged. For that reason I prefer deep, open areas. 

One spot we both agree is a super place to fish, however, is a spot we nicknamed "Big Billy Bass Narrows". We always tend to catch something here, and yesterday was no exception. I caught a bass and two perch. I also caught one honking big ugly cat fish, but that was in the shallow spot John stopped at first. 

Bet you wanna know what the Kayak King caught, right? Nada. Nothing. Zip. Zilch. Squat. Hehehe. Maybe that's the price to pay for kayaking all week long. Oh, wait. Where is John right this very minute? Yup. You guessed it. He's kayaking on Ompa Lake. 

He doesn't know it yet, but he's cooking dinner tonight. 

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Emily's Wild Blueberry Bran Muffins

John, Guy and Emily hiked to the top of Cougar Mountain on Saturday morning--just two days after their first attempt to scale it.

While John made it to the top last Thursday, Emily and Guy did not, and that was reason enough to make a second attempt. This is a view of where they went from the river.

It may not look all that high from this angle, it's quite a view from the top.

More photos are on John's Facebook page if you want to take a more in depth look. They certainly showcase the splendor of the Great White North.

Speaking of splendors, let's talk wild blueberries. This year's crop is a whopper.

Emily stopped to pick a few...although I doubt it was spur-of-the-moment considering she just happened to have a baggie in her backpack!

Imagine my surprise (and delight) when she gave them to John to bring home. I added them to the bran muffin mix I had on hand in the fridge, and our Sunday morning breakfast was not only healthy, but delicious. Thank you, Emily!

Here's the recipe:

6-Week Refrigerator Bran Muffins

I've had this recipe more than 30 years. There is something special about muffins made from scratch, plus this recipe is super easy. It's also a godsend on those days when you're in the mood for something fresh from the oven, but don't have the energy to bother!

INGREDIENTS:

3-1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1-1/4 cups white sugar

1-1/2 cups natural bran

1 cup All-Bran

1/2 litre buttermilk

1 tablespoon, plus 2 teaspoons baking soda

3/4 cup vegetable oil

2 eggs

1/4 cup molasses

1 cup raisins (optional)

Combine flour, sugar, bran, all-bran and baking soda in a large bowl. Add buttermilk, oil, eggs, molasses and raisins. Mix well until batter is blended. Spoon into paper-lined muffin cups until about 2/3 full.

Bake at 375 Degrees F. for 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean.

Remaining batter will keep in the fridge for up to 6 weeks. Another bonus is the flexibility of this recipe. Add blueberries, cranberries, dates, walnuts or whatever you fancy and have on hand before baking in oven. 

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