Snowdog & I are kicking around the possibility of making a trip to Kawnipi next year 2013. Nothing has been decided at this point, but we are wondering if we do, if there would be fellow paddlers who would have interest in a rendevous on Kawnipi?

There are several routes in/out, and each group would need to have own entry permit and travel/camp separately. There are lots of good campsite options in the area. We are thinking we might be there 2-4 days, so a window could be provided for a  rendevous.

As I said, nothing definite yet, just gauging interest. The approximate time frame would be late June-early July.

I would like nothing more than to meet you and SD on Kawanipi as well as some other QJ members. I always feel cheated when Copia rolls around as I always have an obligation that weekend.

Would you be making some of your famous chowder? Perhaps SD could show me a few culinary tricks?

Will there be a fishing contest? If MT is there I'll have to go too.
Jon

There is always a fishing contest. ;).

I never know when my business will permit me to go north but I'd be interested.  Keep it alive.

I am already planning next summers trip even though I still have a fall one to do this year. I am recruiting an all male fishing oriented group to go up the Falls chain on June 24 and be in Kawnipi  June 25-27. A mix of socialist/liberal and gun toting conservatives with 2 young (15 years old) men. See you in Kawnipi, and we want the one of the 5star sites in the entrance to MacKenzie bay!
Jon

How many in your group? Do you need the Embassy Suites or can you 'settle' for the Hilton? ;D

Group number is six so we will take either site.
Jon

Snowdog & I are gradually working out a plan. We definitely plan to go to Kawnipi, still looking at a late June-early July timeframe. When we work out dates and other details, will post more.

If my foot has healed by then, I'd consider a late summer trip next year.  McKenzie is next on my list so that might work.   Although, I seriously doubt there are any big fish left there to be caught.
qp

Just got my permit for the Falls chain, entry date June 15. Intend to be in Kawnipi that night. Just me and Scott, my NRA member/conservative high school buddy with whom I took many Quetico trips in the 1980's. He has not gone the last 3 years as his partner could not stay upright and they tipped 3 times on their last trip. Hopefully I will be an improvement and I am really excited to do a trip with the focus being fishing and more fishing. It will be my first Q trip with a depth finder.
Jon

Snow Dog and Old Salt (along with 1 other adult and a gaggle of 5 kids) are pleased to announce our presence in/around the Kawnipi Lake area during the 10 days preceding July 4th.

If you think you can outfish, outcamp, or outpaddle us, you are welcome to stop by and challenge us to a duel, or to just swap lies stories and lies information.

The fishing contest begins with our arrival. We will camp in McKenzie bay area. We will be in 3 canoes. OS will be paddling an SRQ 17' LeTigre. SD will be paddling a red SRQ 17'. Tim's canoe is TBD. Our site will be marked with Jimbo's invasive species, the infamous pink flamingo. If you are in the area, stop by. ;)

Sorry boy's but qp is out.  Hoping to head back to Costa Rice in May, and there's not enough time off for another weeks off from work. Besides, the fish are much bigger there.   ;D
qp

We're sorry we'll miss you, QP. Now we gotta figure our who will carry pink stew & firewood. ;)

If you are planning to be on Kawnipi the last week of June, please post or PM us. Thanks! We hope to see you.

Snow dog wrote "Snow Dog and Old Salt (along with 1 other adult and a gaggle of 5 kids) are pleased to announce our presence in/around the Kawnipi Lake area during the 10 days preceding July 4th."

I will be heading out so we may meet on the Falls chain. Although it will be our intent not to traumatize all the fish in Kawnipi so as to ruin your fishing, it can not be guaranteed.
Jon

I was keeping this on the back burner as a possibility but just this past week committed to a Philmont trek in July so will not be joining a "meet" this year.  I'm sure it wil be terrific!

Maybe our routes will overlap.

I expect to be at the north end of Kawnipi on the night of June 23 (maybe site 1MP), heading out and around the corner to Montgomery on the 24th. Unless your schedule changes, I will probably miss you on that leg of my trip.

But I hope to be back on Kawnipi on July 2 (if schedule holds), camping on the west side (1LN or 1KW?) that night and heading through MacKenzie Bay to MacKenzie Lake on July 3. Maybe we will cross paths on one of those days?

I will be paddling my stripper and probably wearing a once-white t-shirt and a navy blue ball cap.

Looks like a near miss on both ends Joe. We enter on 23rd, heading to McEwen. On the 2nd, we will leave our camp from south end of Kawnipi, heading out, camping on Saganagons or Cache bay. We meet the tow on the 3rd.

On the 1st, we will be paddling from McKenzie lake to Atkins bay area.

Sorry 'bout that.

Anyone else gonna be around?

I will be in the north west area of Kawnipi on June 27th and will keep an eye out for "pink"  :D

"Pink" will hopefully be in McKenzie bay.

OK, to make a short story long: I was in Duluth this weekend to run in a race (the 5K Friday night, not the marathon).

We brought our dogs, and the plan was to explore the trails around Duluth on Saturday. But the weather was rotten so we drove up the lake. We ended up all the way to Grand Marais.

Getting back to my car, I notice that the canoe on the car parked next to me has "Old Salt" on the stern, and a QJ decal on the bow. I look around, and I see Snowdog across the street. We chat for a bit and I wish them well. As I'm leaving, Old Salt comes back and I give him my best as well.

So that makes me the first one at the Kawnippi rendezvous, even though I was only in Grand Marais!!

What are the odds?  :)

Seredipity!  Pretty cool ML!  Our group of 6 was on the 5 star site on the southeast end of the big island about a half mile or so up from the entrance to McKenzie Bay on June 21-22 for two nights.  We caught plenty of pike and walleye in the areas just adjacent.  The weather was a bit rainy the first few days from 6/20-28.  We saw one pair of campers on a small island just entering Kawnipi from the falls chain, but no one else.  We were off the lake before the pink scene showed up and on our way down Agnes.  We saw lots of wildlife, including a large bull moose heading down the S chain. 

I'm headed back up on the 27th to bum around Ely for a few days, then meeting some buddies on the 31st for a 9 dayer through Sarah on 8/1 and up to Conmee maybe, coming out on the 9th.  Anyone gonna be up there around that time?

pd

I went up McKenzie Bay and stayed in the last camp site on the south shore before the portage into McKenzie on 6/14. I caught lots of Northern up there. There was a high school group had all the camp sights filled at the entrance to McKenzie bay.

I was on the eastern point at the mouth of McKenzie Bay on the evening of the 28th.  Dodged a few downpours that day.  You wouldn't have missed my flamingo pink camp tarp if you went by my camp.  Next day headed south into Murdoch.  Had windy points to stay on both days so got some relief from the very persistent biting insects. ;)

We were camped on 1R8 as our prefered choices were taken. Did not see IC, but looked for her. We were out fishing all day every day. Did well with waldos.

Good to see MuleLars and derek.