Anderson's on the west end as DD mentioned - good folks, nice accommodations, very helpful and reliable. Never been up the Gunflint.

If staying central, as mentioned by a few, Williams & Hall.  I've stayed there and CBO and in my opinion, the facilities are better.  W&H has more comfortable/updated rooms (overlooking the lake), WAY better shower facilities and a grand view overlooking the lake, especially from their dining room (great food too).  CBO doesn't have much of a lake view and they are tucked back in that bay.  It's also a great place to spend a few extra days before or after the trip vs. the hustle/bustle of town.  Plus, they can shave portage weight and rent Savage River carbon fiber boats at W&H. My $.02, FWIW.

pd

PhantomJug wrote on Jan 27^th, 2020 at 7:20pm:


  Thanks, PJ
I had to ask since other's gave them a mention.

Yes, personal experience.  Maybe they were just having a bad day though.

PhantomJug wrote on Jan 26^th, 2020 at 5:32pm:


  I think they might like going through Ely their first trip because of its history and the shopping thing but IF they decide to go, I'll tell them about your suggestion too.

Is your comment about Latourells from personal experience or?

Anyone but Latourells.  CCO has a good reputation. 

However, if they're coming from Michigan, why not head south at Thunder Bay and utilize the eastern entry points to BW and skip Ely altogether?

Like Denton Doc and TomT  ... I am partial to Canadian Border Outfitters when going out of Prairie Portage.

And DD is spot on with Anderson’s and Zup’s when going in via Crane Lake.

I really like Seagull Outfitters when going in from Saganaga into Cache Bay to Saganagons.

Thanks, guy's

  After I posted I remembered that they like to collect Folk Art. I'm thinking they would enjoy starting from Ely so they could see the local scene?

I have enough to give them some ideas. I don't want to overwhelm them with too much info/choices.

  They go up to Canada to hunt but I don't know if their idea of roughing it is the same most of us think it is?

I think the money is no object would lead me to recommend Piragas. They seem to have the newest and best gear.

I'll still always go to Canoe Country Outfitters.

Lots of good ones already mentioned. We've be had good luck with Voyageur North and Piragis in Ely and La Tourells on Moose Lake. Sawtooth and Sawbill near Tofte if going that direction.

They can overnight in Ely at outfitters based there and get shuttled to their entry or stay at Moose Lake, Sawbill, etc at outfitters based there. I prefer staying away from town the night before. Canadian Border Outfitters or William and Hall on Moose would be my choice over CCO and La Tourelles only because of the dining room. CBO has nice motel rooms on site also. Their only drawback for me was no seats in the shower room. 🙂