Note: Other than a few minor and inconsequential variations, Day 11 would also come to pass in basically the same manner from daylight until dark as did Day 10.

Since the chocolate bear failed to materialize during daylight hours on the previous afternoon, Bob planned on getting to his stand long before first light.  At 4 a.m., Monty cautiously opened the zipper on the front of our tent and whispered to Bob that it was time to go.

Since being awakened by Bob’s departure, I figured it wouldn’t hurt to add a little more wood to the fire.  With the wood stove now pumping out another round of soothing heat, I once again returned to my sleeping bag for a few more hours of sleep. 

After dropping off Bob, Monty shook off the cold and followed my lead by taking refuge in his own tent.

I thought to myself, “Man, I sure wouldn’t want to be an outfitter on this morning.  Dang, it’s cold outside!”

Our second wake-up call of the day came in the form of a group of overzealous, chirp-happy birds and the unrelenting growl of hunger pangs.  This morning I would again check bait sites with Monty and Nolan for feeding activity following another hearty, all-you-can-eat breakfast. 

After several hours of visiting and checking all of the baits, except for the areas that Bob already occupied and that Jim and Darrel had claimed, it appeared that I was destined to become a professional fisherman on this particular trip.  It seemed that I would be spending the rest of my days in Manitoba fishing.