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.

Bear activity report, Lake Two & Three, September 24, 2013

From September. 16 through today, the USFS has received some bear reports from Lakes Two and Three. They are not sure whether it is one bear or two. The activity has been from one of the campsites on the southern shore of Lake Two, to the western most campsite on the south shore of Lake Three, back to Lake Two at the site closest to the portage into Rifle lake. The bear is persistent and was successful in getting hold of food on at least one site.

Bear awareness*:

• Keep a clean campsite. Never eat or store food in your tent
• Take all precautions to discourage bears from visiting your site, including hanging your food pack or using a bear-resistant container, as well as garbage and anything that has a strong or sweet odor (soap, toothpaste, etc.).
• Some bear overcome their fear of humans and approach campsites looking for food. This includes islands sites since bears are good swimmers.
• If you do encounter a bear, most will be scared off if you make noise (shout, bang pots, or throw fist sized rocks at the bear, etc.).
• A very persistent bear may be discouraged by spraying pepper spray into its eyes.

 * USFS "Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness Trip Planning Guide

Fish Dance Pictographs - July 2013

Todd F. a long term customer sent us these images of Fishdance Lake pictographs from a recent trip he guided for his BSA troop from Wisconsin.  Thanks Todd for your contribution.  We will be sending you a Spirit of the Wilderness T-shirt as a token of our appreciation.

Join in the fun
Email us your photos and BWCA/Quetico story and if we publish it on our blog we will send you a Spirit of the Wilderness t-shirt as a thank you. Be sure to include your name, mailing address, phone number and shirt size.

Traveling to Fishdance takes 1-2 days. Enter at Lake One, entry point 30F, travel through Lake Two, Three, Four, Hudson, Insula (a great walleye lake), across Alice then a southerly turn to Fishdance. Be sure to spend a night or two on the southern campsites of Fishdance. You will feel it it one of the most remote areas you will visit in the BWCA.

Fishdance Pictographs

A close examination...but don't touch

Fishing report - July 13, 2013

If you are willing to do a bit of paddling for excellent walleye and bass fishing; travel out to Insula Lake. Enter the BWCA at Lake One, #30F, paddling through Lake One, Two Three, Four, Hudson and finally the 105 rod portage into Insula. The southern shore of Insula was affected by the 2011 Pagami Creek Fire, but what a neat place to visit looking at the regeneration of ground cover and wildlife.

Move onto the northeastern section of the lake working the reefs and drop-offs with jigs and leeches. Bass are hitting on top water lures right in the weed beds. A father and son reported today catching 5-28+ inch walleyes, 3-4 lb bass and more. Pictures to follow when they are able to get email access.

Gabbro and Bald Eagle, entry #33, have been producing plenty of walleyes, bass and 30+ inch pike.An Ohio group reported catching a 38 inch pike that grabbed the lure, dove to the bottom and the fisherman dropped his rod in the excitement, grabbed the line and pulled the fish in hand over hand. What a great memory of fishing the BWCA.

There is still time to travel and fish the Boundary Waters this summer and into the fall. Permits are still available with some limitations for dates and entry points. Make lifetime memories this summer. Call Spirit of the Wilderness, Ely MN at 800-950-2709 for more details on fishing the BWCA, reserving your permit and outfitting needs

Check out our website Special Offers for August-September. Visit www.elycanoetrips.com