Westwood wrote on Sep 27^th, 2010 at 10:09pm:

Just as a footnote, when I checked in at the Beaverhouse Ranger Station this past Labor Day, the ranger said that registration numbers were up at Beaverhouse compared to last year.Westwood

I don't doubt that, but Beaverhouse being an easily accessible starting point, I'm sure more and more self outfitted paddlers are the reason the numbers are up.

As fees increase, more and more paddlers will buy their own canoes/gear and the small outfitters will fade from the scene.

I think if Dave wasn't married and had those responsibilities, he would tough it out. He mentioned nothing about selling out his gear, so who knows what the future holds?

Dave had told me awhile back that there was talk about requiring ALL visitors to go thru an outfitter for at least licenses/permits/transportation.
Obviously that didn't fly.