Leeches, night crawlers and more - July 7 2013 fishing report

Leeches and night crawlers are the hot bait right now on most lakes in the Ely area lakes and BWCA.

Lake Isabella, Gabbro, Bald Eagle have been giving up great walleyes. Drift in your canoe across 18 foot depths using a chartreuss jig with a leech or crawler in the morning hours.The web beds have been good for small bass action. Use a top water lure; skitter pop, hula popper, jitter bug etc.  Throw right into the weeds and retrieve your lure along with short jerks causing bubble and action to catch the fish attention.

Pick up your live bait at Spirit of the Wilderness, on east end of Sheridan Street, Ely MN. Open 6am-9pm daily. email: info@elycanoetrips.com or call 218-365-3149

More critters on the deck, Ely MN

Red Squirrel 

Luke, our dog, chased this critter up the tree outside our Sheridan Street door. He finally jumped down and ran off with Luke chasing behind. Corben, one of our staff, commented that he has never seen Luke run so fast. The squirrel got away.

Interesting critters come visiting

A number of different moths have been showing themselves around our Ely building. Don't know what this means but each type of moth has been interesting to observe. This moth stayed around so our customers could have a good look and take photos.

Cecropia Silmoth, from Saturniidae family

BWCA Fishing Report - July 5, 2013

Bass are hitting on top water in the lily pads. Best time seems to be in the evening hours. Using jitterbugs, hula poppers, skitter pops have produced results.
Night crawlers and leeches are doing well when fishing for walleyes. Still 12-18 feet deep or in areas with a current are your best choices.

Shagawa and Basswood produced some large walleyes, bass and northerns this past week.

Here is a trifecta by Tommy Dowden of Indiana. Out fished his dad!

8 lb 8 oz on the left, 6 lb on right (Dads)

M Martin on Basswood

Kawishiwi Ranger District update - June 25, 2013

      More campsites have been opened on Three, Horseshoe, Harbor, and the Wilders. This should be the last group of campsite openings for the Kawishiwi District.  116 campsites were affected by the 2011 Pagami Creek Fire on the Kawishiwi and the Tofte Districts.  To date 18 sites remain closed in the Kawishiwi Ranger District.  These sites will remain closed for a rest period of 4-10 years.  

      

     The maps will be updated on the Superior National Forest web page;

      http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/superior/home/?cid=stelprdb5341928#maps

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      Bear activity

      The USFS has received a few more bear reports:

o    S. Arm of Knife L (probably the same bear making its rounds). No aggressive action but quite persistent.

o   Basswood: especially around Washington Island. Also no aggressive action but very persistent.

Remember to keep your campsite clean, do not bring any food or toiletries into your tent, hang your food pack (12 feet up and at least 3 feet away from trunk of tree) away from your tent and main area of your campsite or use a bear resistant food container.

Entering & exiting the BWCA:

·         You are required to enter the BWCA on a specific date at a specific entry point as listed on your permit. Once you exit the wilderness your trip is done and you will need a new permit to re-enter. The USFS is hearing reports of people who camp on Disappointment or Lake One and other close-in lakes who are treating their sites like campgrounds—going into town or nearby resorts to shop or buy ice cream then paddling back out to their campsite. There are campgrounds and dispersed sites (Tofte, Snowbank, Triangle, Ojibway, Burntside, Bass L., etc.) if you are looking for that sort of experience. 

Granite Mountain Hotshot Crew...you will be missed

I'm sure you heard about the Hotshot crew in Arizona that died a few days ago. Just found out they were here in the Ely area fighting the 2011 Pagami Creek Fire. Our prayers go out to all their family and friends. We are thankful for each fire fighter and all they give to their community and those in need.  Thanks Granite Mountain Hotshots. You will be missed.

Turtles are laying eggs

One of our guests reported painted turtles and snapping turtles are laying their eggs. A bit later than normal.
The painted turtles moved onto sandy/gravel shore, laid their eggs and then a snapper moved in; trashed the painted turtle's nests and laid her own eggs over the top.  Sounds like a bully momma to me.

Painted turtles sunning themselves

Snapping turtle laying her eggs