Ok, so an update on my previous post regarding the Wawiag - we've decided to 86 that altogether - sounds like a neat trip, however, I managed to squeeze an extra few days into our trip, and we've decided on a different means of getting to the poet lakes.

We're thinking of possibly trying to get a fly in to Cache Bay, and make our way up the Falls Chain, through the poet lakes, and out through most likely Nym.

Any thoughts?? Pointers on the route, suggestions, where to check out, where to avoid? We've only taken one prevouis spring trip, and it was more towards the 3rd quarter of May. Seems like fishing was spotty - I guess this has to do with the lakes not having 'turned' back over yet? We go more for the voyage itself than the fishing, however we certainly do wet the lines quite a bit... Got my first laker on the last trip.

We've never been any further south or west than about Russell lake, so we're excited to get into some new territory! Planning on setting out from Ohio on May 7th, returning somewhere around May 17th or 18th.

As always, any and all feedback is appreciated!!    :dankk2

No need to fly in to Cache. You be motored to American point from the end of the Gunflint trail.
Jon

We'd considered that option as well - but are wanting to travel across the park - doing that option we'd have to make a loop of some sort

check your flight prices vs. an outfitter shuttle

I believe you will have to pick up your permit at Cache Bay ranger station.  Some folks would have tried to get to Kawnipi by night one but I'd think at least one night if not two between Cache Bay and Kawnipi.  I don't fish but see folks at the falls seeming to do quite well.  I'd guess 6 or 7 days?

I'm envious of flying across the Q. Should be wonderful and does save time.

RABC ?  got one for everyone in your party ? if not, then you'd need to do your fly-in from Atikokan side after crossing the border by car.

Cache Bay ranger station opens about mid-may ?  I assume you could self register there if its not staffed yet, but you may want to confirm that with the park HQ

you'll be going downriver and some of the portages are very close to the lip of the falls - you want to be very careful at the approach to those landings. often, there are "extensions" that should be used when the water is high (i.e. you do a longer portage to be safer). 

Park HQ and Cache Bay ranger station have a handout "map" with detailed portage locations for the falls, which aren't always accurate on some other maps - its worth getting a copy of that if you can - maybe they can mail one to you if you call and ask about Cache Bay ranger station

for those people who do use a RABC, I'm curious if you have to show it to the rangers when you get to Cache Bay or P.P. - do they ask to see it ?

I've never had either ranger station ask for my RABC.  Makes me wonder if they have it in their computer when you pick up the permit.  Doubt it, but they might.

I doubt the park cares about RABCs. No concern to them.

Here's a map of the falls chain thanks to KF:
  (You need to Login or Register

I'd still want current (punny) info going downstream first time.

Poets chain, same deal. I remember Split Rock has a downed tree sticking 30yds straight out right before the take-out - which is right by the lip.

The above replies bring a couple questions to mind. You have to have a RABC permit for each member of the party? Does the ranger station in Cache Bay handle all of the necessary transactions, including nightly permit fees and fishing licenses? When it's said to pick up your permit at the ranger station, would you not have already received your permit in advance when you purchase it by phone or mail? Please excuse my ignorance of the system, because it has been years since I was up there last.

What you get in the mail is your reservation. AFAIK, you must pick up your permit at "a" ranger or the park office on the day of your entry ... or sometimes the day before.

They sell fishing licenses and outdoors cards at the stations or you can get them in advance from all sorts of places to save time. Again, that's a different government agency.

To get a park permit you have to physically show your smiling face or put your money in an approved pole out of season.

Thanks for the clarification. This is a first class site.

I've made cross-park trip, but went north to south, and came out at Prairie Portage. 

PM  me if you'd like to discuss further.  I can give you my email address and phone number.

prouboy

Mad_Mat wrote on Apr 30^th, 2012 at 12:38pm:

RABC ?  for those people who do use a RABC, I'm curious if you have to show it to the rangers when you get to Cache Bay or P.P. - do they ask to see it ?

No, they don't ask for it and they don't care if you have one. However, occasionally border patrol (or whatever the Canadians call this branch of enforcement) will do spot checking for Remote Area Border Crossing Permits - RABC.
How? I've been told that they fly an agent to one of the entry point ranger stations and then check each person's RABC as they enter Canada. I've never had it happen to me and I've never seen it going on but I've been told by Quetico Park rangers that it does happen. How often they wouldn't say.
Immediate family members need only one RABC. (husband, wife and dependent kids)
RABC's need to be renewed yearly.

Caution:  I think children 18 and over require their own RABC.

Since the post 9/11 security increases, I'm not sure the routine checks are very frequent at all.  I was led to believe that the Canadian checks at PP were somewhat in retaliation for the increased US immigration scrutiny of Canadians entering - like the many who do every day for work.  But still get one.

I've mused that if, for instance, I left home without mine, would I go or cancel?  Haven't had to face that yet. Thank heavens for fax machines and outfitters.

I have been stopped at PP by an imigrations/customs officer equiped with a sat. phone if he needed to verify anything.  Thankfully, my group did have all the correct paperwork and the process was carried out in 5 minutes during our wait at the ranger station.  That was in 2000, so had no post 9/11 implications.

Of course I've also been stopped at every single portage between Birch and Knife by alternating USFS and Quetico rangers, on the same day.  It was cool though, because at least the rangers have some good stories and information. The immigration officer seemed out of place, like he wanted to strip the bow plates off our canoes.  ;D

thanks for the replies regarding whether they check for RABCs - I was just curious.  It seems that RABC was set up so you didn't need to show it, but if they don't at least spot check, how would they ever know if people were just crossing onto Canada without one. 

We are indeed flying from Atikokan - we'll be crossing border at International Falls at around 5 or 6. Trying to pull up the map you linked me to as I'm typing this - looks like some useful info to be sure! Thank you for that!

Thanks also for the heads up on the possible perils on approaching the take out for portages - definitely something we'll have to be prepared for, with some 'current' information.

Anyone who has been through he falls chain and poet lakes have any particularly nice places they recommend checking along the way or notables (pictographs etc).

Kingfisher
It's true, Just like JJ, I paddled up to Q side of PP coming off of Basswood.  Out of the trees come two canadian border officials.  They wanted to see our RABC's.  They indeed had radio contact to someone?....Ft. Francis?  We were fine, but the bloke from IA right behind us was watching us being shookdown on the beach.  He still paddles up sans RABC (I would have paddled over to the US side of the portage).  While we were waiting for our tow, he comes up hill and told us he just racked up several $100's on his MasterCard.  If he didn't pay or have a card, they would have called in a float plane to pick him up and take him to Ft. Francis.

"Anyone who has been through he falls chain and poet lakes have any particularly nice places they recommend checking along the way or notables (pictographs etc)."

there is an old portage trail along Chatterton Falls that makes for a nice hike - there are 5 or 6 falls along that section that you only see from that trial - there is a campsite at the upper end/Chatterton Lake and you could hike from there as well as from the bottom.  its well worth the hike, especially if you are going to fish below the falls.  From the bottom, the trial starts at the campsite closest to the falls - the trail is "river left" on the south bank of the river - I'd not do that trial for portaging, just for the hike - there is a better/recommended trail further south.  I've tried fishing the upper sections, but have not had any luck above Russell Lake.

Since you are going to be in Atikokan anyways, I'd be sure to get a copy of the falls detail map from the ranger station if your outfitter does not give you one.

Thanks Matt, I'll definitely have to check that out along the way!