Secret Shopper Visits Ely, October 2014

We had a secret shopper in our store today inspecting fishing rods. A very discriminate buyer. She clearly knew her fishing rods and what to look for. She liked our selection of G Loomis, Shimano, Fenwick and other name brands.  However, she commented on the great seats we provide to our customers. Our shopper is Sadie Ann, 11 months old, and our #2 granddaughter. 

Visit Spirit of the Wilderness Outfitters & Bait Shop for all your Boundary Waters fishing needs. Located at 2030 E. Sheridan St, Ely MN.

Staff Appreciation Dinner - October 2014

This past season we had a great staff working for Spirit of the Wilderness Outfitters & Outdoor Store. They served our guests very well. We do appreciate all the hard work and many hours they put in to make this one of our best years. Thank you to all. 

Staff Appreciation dinner at the Grand Ely Lodge.

Many smiles and a great dinner with everyone

Isabella River to Bald Eagle Lake, September 2014 trip

Great video of Dave & Naomi McTeague canoe trip from Isabella Lake to Bald Eagle Lake in September. The Mcteagues bought a Bell Northwind from us and really enjoyed it. Thank you Dave and Naomi for the business and the video.

Enjoy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdJM9gVGlGo

Prescribe burn update - October 7, 2014

Observers may see smoke and even flames on the interior of burn areas listed below as fire continues to smolder and consume more pockets of fuel, which is what fire managers want to have happen. Holding lines are secure. Smoldering may continue until significant snowfall.

• Coo Lake North, T63N, R13W, S20, is 19 acres, is on a peninsula on the western edge of Burntside Lake.
•  Bear Island Island Unit, T61N, R13W, S10, 121 acres, is the large island in the center of Bear Island Lake. This unit continues to put up a fair amount of smoke.
•   Pine Ridge Unit, T65N, R16W, S1, 90 acres, is north of the Echo Trail and west of Jeanette Lake. About half of this unit was ignited.

·         In addition, fire crews burned some brush piles along the Mushroom Island Road (Township 62 N, Range 12 W, Section 1) just to the west of the mid-section of White Iron Lake, east of Ely, MN yesterday.

Crews continue to monitor all of the areas listed above. They watch for both weather patterns and fire behavior.

Safety message: 

Please do not walk in “the black” as burned areas are called. Root systems of trees may have been burned so that a green tree might topple over without warning. Holes may be filled with smoldering material.

Fire crews may return to these sites to perform additional prescribed burns within the next several years to continue clean-up and encourage the comeback of desired species.  For more information, contact Becca Manlove, Information Officer, Kawishiwi Ranger District, 218-365-2093. 

Ely Area Fishing report - October 1 2014

The Fall fishing is heating up with numerous big fish being caught. Walleyes have been biting from 20-29 feet of water on Lindy rigs with minnows. The walleye pictured was 29 inches long and had about a 16 inch walleye in its throat. Big fish eat little fish! 

Fishing report provided by Rob Nelson, Ely Fishing Guides

Spirit of the Wilderness Outfitters and Bait Shop, Ely MN on Sheridan Street just received an abundant supply of minnows: Rainbow Chubs, Fathead Chubs, Crappie minnows, Pike suckers, Heavy Northern Suckers. Oh do they all look nice and lively.
Hours: open daily 7 am - 5 pm

Prescribe Burn Update - September 29, 2014

Monday, September 29, 2014

Coo Lake Understory Prescribe Burn 

Fire fighters made good use of the weather window over the past four days and managed good consumption of hazardous fuels on three prescribed burn units. These units will be monitored. As holding action, crews may ignite pockets of unburned fuels within the boundaries so people may continue to see and smell smoke near the burns. Fire managers will continue to watch for opportunities this fall. If warmer, drier weather returns these units may be revisited or other units may be addressed.

• Coo Lake North, T63N, R13W, S20, is 19 acres, is on a peninsula on the western edge of Burntside Lake. This unit was ignited yesterday. There was good consumption of hazardous fuels. The result of this burn will be a mosaic of species and ages of vegetation with some openings allowing blueberries and pine seedlings to grow. A crew is already on scene today. Pockets of unburned fuel may be ignited over the next several days as holding actions and to complete fuel reduction.
• Bear Island Island Unit, T61N, R13W, S10, 121 acres, is the large island in the center of Bear Island Lake. This unit was ignited on Friday. Pockets of fuel continued to ignite under stronger winds on Saturday. Firing tactics were designed to protect mature pines in the center and consume hazardous fuels. Some individual torching of pines occurred but pines remain to re-seed the island. Fuel reduction on this island will help to slow or even stop a wildfire from threatening nearby homes. 
• Pine Ridge Unit, T65N, R16W, S1, 90 acres, is north of the Echo Trail and west of Jeanette Lake. About half of this unit was ignited yesterday before rain swept in, but fire cleaned up some holding lines for future burns.
• Kangas Burn Unit, T61N, R12W, S14, 99 acres, is south of the Blueberry Lake Road (St. Louis County Road 120) off the Birch Lake Road, south of Little Lake. The purpose of this burn is to re-establish moose habitat. The short window of burning weather forced fire managers to set this unit aside for a future opportunity, perhaps even later this fall if the right weather develops.

 Any one of these sites may be re-visited with a prescribed burn within the next several years to continue clean-up and encourage the comeback of desired species.  For more information, contact Becca Manlove, Information Officer, Kawishiwi Ranger District, 218-365-2093.

Prescribe burn update from USFS - September 28, 2014

Coo Lake North Crews just reported they are about 50% done with firing. The burn is going very well. The wind is still from the southwest so people to the northeast will be seeing and smelling smoke but winds are light and dispersal is good.

Pine Ridge Crews completed a test burn and have begun firing.

Bear Island Island monitoring crew just reported in. There is no smoke column. Fire is still finding individual pockets of unburned fuel. Fairly light smoke is being carried to the northeast toward Highway 21 but a wind change from the north is expected soon. Rain is expected to follow soon after the wind change.