Solo canoe trip down Minnesota's Little Fork River.

In many ways the Little Fork River is a twin to the nearby Big Fork. Despite their names, they are nearly the same size. The Little Fork winds through northern Minnesota's forests and bogs, its tea-colored waters slipping past spruce, maple and aspen, the big pines having been logged off in the early 1900's. Quiet stretches give way to chattering rapids, and its wild banks are home to eagles, otters, deer, bear and the occasional wolf. The Little Fork is notable for its fishing. Smallmouth bass, northern pike, and walleyes are all present. Most notable, however, are the river's muskies, which can exceed 20 pounds. I recently explored this exceptional river for 5 days, paddling 80 miles from a put in just west of Cook to Dentaybow Park.