Loons flying over Ely

Woke this morning hearing loons calling out as they flew over Ely. You don't hear or see these wonderful birds in the Twin Cities, Chicago or Detroit. One more reminder why we like this area and the wilderness.

Come join us this summer. There still are permits available to travel the Boundary Waters. Mid-August into September is one of the most enjoyable times in the BWCA...limited bugs, less people, warm days, cool nights, and so much more.

 Call us at 800-950-2709 or email  at info@elycanoetrips.com.

Dragonfly in the BWCA

Spotted this dragonfly perched on a grass leaf while I was waiting for a group to return from their 4 day/3 night canoe trip starting from Lake One. Like seeing these critters as they eat mosquitoes.

Loon on her nest

We were fishing on a lake off the Echo trail this past week and came upon a loon on her nest. We drifted close by her and she hardly moved, although she watched us very carefully. The male loon was across the lake fishing.

By the way we caught a couple of small northern pike and had a smallmouth bass grab a lure and flip out of the water.  What a great sight to see.

Stop at Spirit of the Wilderness Bait Shop, Ely MN for your live bait needs as well as current fishing reports.  We talk fishing. Hours: 6 am - 9 pm daily.

Disappointment Lake Island Fire - July 2, 2014

On June 30, 2014, a fire was reported in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) east of Ely on an island in Disappointment Lake (Township 64N Range, 8W Section 33).

Size: On the island the fire is estimated at twelve to thirteen acres; the spot fire on the mainland
was held to one tenth of an acre. The mainland portion of the fire is contained. The rest of the fire
is confined to the island.

Personnel: 8 crew members are on site now. Personnel will be reduced, but crews will continue
to monitor and take appropriate actions for the next few days.

Visitor Impacts: Visitors may see and smell smoke on the eastern portion of Disappointment
Lake during the next few days. One campsite (#10—the eastern most site) on Disappointment
Lake is closed at this time. All BWCAW entry points, portages, travel routes, and hiking trails
remain open.

USFS photos of affected area.

            

Disappointment Lake - Island Fire, July 1, 2014

Disappointment Island Fire

Fact Sheet July 1, 2014

Introduction:  On June 30, 2014, a fire was reported in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) east of Ely on an island in Disappointment Lake (Township 64N Range 8W Section 33—see map). A Forest Service helicopter pilot reported stiff winds had carried a spot fire from the island to the mainland near a designated campsite.  Fire crews were dispatched to the scene. Size was estimated to be one acre on the island and one tenth of an acre on the eastern shore of Disappointment Lake.

Strategies: Fire managers are using confine and contain suppression tactics on the fire. Crews may use some hand ignition to confine the fire to the island. Fire crews will be in the area. Current conditions are damp but a drying trend is expected within the next few days.

Visitor Impacts: Visitors may see and smell smoke on the eastern portion of Disappointment Lake during the next few days. One campsite (#10—the eastern most site) on Disappointment Lake is closed at this time. All BWCAW entry points, portages, travel routes, and hiking trails remain open.