BASICS

Where do you live?
     Ely, MN

Approximate number of previous nights spent canoe camping?  
     1000+ (It's where I grew up and I am still here)

Do you have the gear or use an outfitter?
     Never, but have worked for them.  

Preferred/Typical party size?
                4

What length of trips do you do/available to do?  
    6 days or day trips when I feel like sleeping in my own bed.

Preferred season?  
         Any time of the year.

What % of the trip do you travel/base camp?  

     Base camp 100%.  

What difficulty level do you go for?  
           Wherever the fish are biting.  

What area of the park are you most familiar with and do you want to spend time there or explore new areas?  
   I have my favorite spots and go there numerous times a year.  

PADDLING  

Bow or stern preference?  
Stern

What is your paddling rhythm?  
Fast and all day long

Paddle the shoreline or beeline?
Straight as an arrow down the lake.

How nasty of water are you comfortable paddling in?  
Mega-nasty and it sucks.

Do you have strong navigation/map skills?  
 The map is usually packed away.

PORTAGING

Do you usually single/double/triple/or? portage?
Single portage.  ALWAYS.  

Do you carry everything on your back, or alot of hand carry?  
  Everything is on the back, except a couple coolers.

How well do you handle the mountain goat portages?
   Fine.  Used to carry 140 lb. 19 ft. Grumman square sterns so a ticker-tester hill with a 50 lb. canoe isn't too bad of a trade off.

How well do you handle the boot sucking bogs?  
Cuss a lot.

CAMPING STYLE

Would you rather cook or wash the dishes?
Cook and then burn the dishes

Fresh or dried foods?  
Always fresh.  Fish and potatoes mostly.  

Cook over a fire, or over a stove?
Fire.  Always.

Cook breakfast or breakfast bars?
Cold fish, buttered toast and lake water.

How many fish meals do you like to have during a trip?
One meal per day and sometimes two.

Hang the food pack or ground it?  
It stays in the tent.

Axe? Saw? Both?  
Axe

Sit around campfire all night OR wake at crack of dawn? (or both)
In the tent by 11 pm and up by 5 am.

On a travel day, what time do you like to hit the water?  
5 am.

FISHING

How much time do you like to spend fishing?
If I'm not eating or sleeping, I'm fishing.  

Which species do you like to go after?  
walleyes, northerns, and lakers.

How much tackle to you bring?  
Lots.

Are you good with a fillet knife?  
A++.  Clean fish under the stars or clouds every night.  

MISC

Do you have any medical conditions to be considered?  
Nope.

Level of alcohol consumption?
None.  

Are you a smoker?  
No.

Is photography high on your list?
 Pictures of fish.

Do you like to go after pictographs?
If there's good fishing nearby.

Do you like to go after waterfalls?
If there's good fishing nearby.

Do you like to go after the northern lights?  
I get to see them all year long.

PERSONALITY

If the bugs are bad, will it ruin the trip for you?
Never.

What weather conditions are difficult for you to deal with?  
30+ mph headwinds and non-stop rain.

If we've got a problem, would you rather discuss it or bury it?
Never had a problem

Other than illness or injury what events or conditions would make you want to quit a trip early and head home?
If all my fishing gear went in the drink.  

OTHER
  I spend as much time in the woods as possible.  The BW's are  where my family has lived for generations and never want to leave.