5 guys going in May 30th.  Permits Maxed.  We have ours.  What should we expect?  They're newbies.  I hope I don't disapoint them.  What say you?

You don't say what you are looking for. What are primary objectives?

Most of those who are going are into fishing. I'm there for the beauty and to clear my head . I've really talked up the bwca to these guys.I'll be making my 6th trip. My 15yr old son will be on his 4th trip.He's bringing a classmate and his Dad who have limited camping experience.The other two guys did a trip with me 10 years ago.I've read the Beymer and Dan Pauly guides on it . What's the veiw like? Will campsite pressure be high? Is it hard to go down river and back on a day trip?

Thanks for the interest,Old Salt. I'm worried about this trip 'cuz I've got kids (almost) along ,a totally overlly enthused...goes into a trance southern boy-fishing fanatic,and two guys who I went with on ,what You folks ,call a"busted"trip ten years ago. What ever is going to be there is going to be like the weather-what it is.I"m up to it...and I'll do my best to see that they are.Can't help but wonder what to expect on a lake so apparently easy to reach that seems to be so quickly filling up. Is this going to be a Wis. style fishing trip? I'm hoping for more. Any advise from anyone -or any sort of heads ups woud be very appreciated. (I'm new to this computer stuff-I was hoping it'd go out of style.)

knaflec

I don't have anything for you per se as far as your destination but rather consider this.........

It has been my experience that new people to canoe country will generally take their cues from the leader (uh, that would be you ;) ). They don't know the fishing should be better, the bugs less intense, the campsites less crowded etc. etc. so it is counterproductive to point those things out.

There is an old saying which is simple but profound when bringing newbies to canoe country......."Don't worry, be happy" :)

"Fake it to you make it" is one of my pet sayings. Practice your fake smile in the mirror until you have it down and then keep it plastered on your face the entire trip.............(actually it is only fake for about 20 minutes then it becomes real as your mind gets the message it's supposed to be happy.....hence the saying "fake it till you make it"  :D ).

Good advice......it works. I have to do it almost every weekend. People walk by me and smile and I think "what the heck is she smiling at" and then I remember that I'm smiling ;D. In business you do what you have to do I guess. Nobody going to buy anything from a grump.

mastertangler wrote on Apr 26^th, 2011 at 11:47am:

Nobody going to buy anything from a grump.

Good advice MT. But..... Aren't you an "artist"? Aren't you supposed to be grumpy? People see this grumpy old young guy and they think " look he's a tortured soul, that should make his art more valuable someday. Lets buy it now!"  ;)

I've been to Parent L once, a number of years ago. The fishing was ok for eater waldos, bass, hammerhandles. Several nice campsites. It tends to fill early, so you may have to take whatever is available for campsites. Since we don't know what you've told them about expectations, it's hard to know, but my suggestion would be to pick a different entry point with more options for fishing, camping.

Wood L comes to mind.

Android wrote on Apr 26^th, 2011 at 1:10pm:

mastertangler wrote on Apr 26th, 2011 at 11:47am: Nobody going to buy anything from a grump. People see this grumpy old young guy and they think " look he's a tortured soul, that should make his art more valuable someday.

I was in Bass Pro the other day (of course I was) and went to use the restroom. When I got done with my business I turned to wash up and was confronted with an astonishing visage........who the heck is the old guy in the mirror with the grey hair? Jumpin Yiminey.........that would be me. Sorta scary.......so yea, no need to cross "old" out of your post  ;).

Sometimes when I want to kid around with a potential client I tell them this........"You know when I pass away my art is going to be worth a lot of money........and I'm not feelin so well right now"!  ;D

[smiley=dankk2.gif]... :-/...how about day tripping down river? At just less than one month till our scheduled entry - I thimk we're committed to Hog Creek.     The whole park is cool ...so I'm sure we'll have good time. Thanks.

Hog Creek is a nice daytrip. Lots of short portages, so hope they're up for it. Good chance to see moose early/late in day. Mostly NP fishing. Take your cameras.

Thanks. With empty boats ,they,ll portage...even if I,ve got to carry. The map and guides books suggest pretty flat trails.  May be that my "goes into a trance" fishing fiend will find something exciting in one of the river pools. I know the kids would wet themselves over a moose sighting. I'm hoping for a couple of those other-worldly early mornings and the clean/sweet smell of the northwoods. At 600 miles north of us,things will be different enough to be a real trip. My camera is right up there with long underwear and rain gear-esential. Thanks for the reasurances.            

I've been in by Hog Creek several times.  Usually do a loop trip (exiting Perent lake by Perent River/Isabella/Isabella River, etc. and coming out at Kawishiwi (hike back down road a mile or so to Hog Creek).  That is at least a week trip, to be comfortable.  There is nothing wrong with going in at Hog Creek, base-camping, and coming back out at Hog Creek.  Day trips part way along Perent River are fun; you can even pack up and travel in and camp along there (there are a few scattered campsites and they see fewer people than Perent Lake), then come out the way you came in.  Pike and walleye on the river, in the holes, etc.
Fishing probably better on the lake than the river, but I haven't fished Perent Lake that much.
    Do try and go in early on your entry permit date, if you can swing it.  The campsites are fairly spread out, so you shouldn't feel cramped, but they can fill up, early.  There is one on the east shore up by the Perent River portage that I am not sure is marked on maps (but it's a legit fire-grate/ beauty-box campsite). Not as scenic as other sites, but a kind of last resort...
    Hog Creek, in spite of the name, is a pretty little winding creek.  You will run into beaver dams to work over, etc.  If I recall right, you should allow several hours to get to the lake (it looks quicker on a map).  Don't be discouraged if you run into a headwind chop, when you come onto the lake (it's in the fine print that nobody reads).  That lake has many moods and you will likely see some better ones.
    If your schedule allows, consider getting your permit (I assume at Tofte Station) the evening before (Ranger Station is open to about 5, or you can switch permiting site to a vendor (Sawbill Outfitters?) that stays open later?  You could then drive partway in and camp at Temperance River campground or another spot and hit Hog Creek pretty readily in the morning.  Temperance River has modest brookies (you will want to pay the trout stamp fee $10? if interested in trying for them).
    Go with the flow and have a ball! You're on vacation.

Hey, thanks for that. ...and thanks to everyone.