Good thoughts SD.
I have too agree with the comments about the Ely outfitters working hard for your business. I see them listed at more Outdoor Booking Shows than any of the Canadian outfits.

From posts here, I get a sense that most of the US outfitters are willing to work with you, even up to recommending other outfitters that might fit your needs better? It seems from posts that they all know each other and have a degree of co-operation working.

I remember asking Q-Dave, if he knew the guy KF and MP used on their Eastern entry adventure? Dave had advertised that he could get you into the Wawiag River, but had told me that it was above a set of rapids that he didn't think you could run, and that had no portage established? That's when I suggested he talk with KF's guy, as he was looking too establish something in that area. I was surprised that Dave said he didn't know him, but had heard the name? I would think that in a small town like Atikokan that ALL the outfitters would know each other?
Maybe that's not the Canadian way, just seems odd too me?