I don't think QJ can change anything up there in regards to outfitters and park rules.  I'm not advocating change either.  I'm just pointing out an underutilized resource and a mindset that virtually guarantees it will continue to be so.  

Nor do I want to go up there and compete against them (even as I'd kick some tail, of course  :P ) because the moment I open an outfitting business is the moment I've taken my last canoe trip between May 10 and Sept 15.  That, and Mrs. Snow_Dog has made it very clear that we live as far north as she cares to live.  ::)

Agreed, filling cabins is one of the bigger games to be played up there.  But the potential of expanding canoeable wilderness or semi-wilderness isn't being tapped at all.


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...but after some work, time and talking to people NOT found in a Google search, my experiences were greatly enhanced.

And that's my point.  Outfitters who aren't willing to open up to potential customers (or who just don't know the area they service very well) are going to have a hard time making a go of it.  Then blaming Ely outfitters and penalizing customers for not fitting their definition of "ideal" just makes it worse.