We are really pleased to announce that for 2014 we will be offering a “new” access point into Woodland Caribou…well perhaps it’s not really new, it just hasn’t been practical in the past and very few, if any have actually used it. A lot of people here are likely used to having this option for entry into the BWCA or Quetico, but this is all brand new up here!

We have a new 22’ boat coming this spring with custom canoe racks. It will have the seating and weight capacity for up to 8 people, their gear and 4 canoes for the 30 km trek down the lake. Transport into the park will be via the west end of Red Lake and Trout Bay. This will mean paddlers will have only an 800 meter portage to get into Douglas Lake to begin their trip and offers direct access to the 2 different watershed route options below.

Gammon River: Entering at Douglas Lake, you are into Walleye waters as soon as the first portage is complete and offers you entry to the Gammon River system by way of Hatchet, Upper Hatchet, Embryo and Telescope Lakes.

North Route through Indian House to the Bloodvein: This seldom used option is now a lot more practical as you access Indian House Lake by way of Douglas, Hatchet, Peterson, Page, Bell and Crystal Lakes. Not only does this offer access to the Bloodvein, but it also creates options for new routes with a put-in via our new water shuttle, and take-out at Lund Lake. Most appealing about this route option is that walleye are abundant on Douglas and Hatchet, and there is an excellent chance of encountering no other groups along the stretch from Hatchet to Indian House. For groups looking for new areas to explore that are remote, this could be a really great opportunity.

In continuing with our company philosophy and volunteer work, Red Lake Outfitters will be making sure all trails within this area are free and clear of blow down before the beginning of the coming paddling season.

We are also going to be offering interpretive water tours of Red Lake itself for those interested in spending a few hours learning about the history of Red Lake. There is a lot to explore around the lake including Pictograph’s, and old Hudson Bay Post, old mine sites, interesting geological formations and even the west end historical Museum (a true gem!) located down the lake! These interpretive tours can also be included in a water shuttle to begin your trip!

Our new ride will look similar to the boat pictured below
We’ll be posting more information shortly on our website and Facebook pages for those interested.

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This is spam.

Hey Joe,

Really sorry you feel this way.  I would think that most paddlers looking to do a trip up here would want to know about another option for getting into the park.  It would, in my mind, make sense to discuss this here, in the Woodland Caribou forum but perhaps you think I am wrong?

Can you please elaborate as to why this would be SPAM?  By all means, if the mods here believe it is, please remove it, however based on the emails I receive from members of this site, they would want to know about this new access option and the 2 new route options it opens up for travel in the park.

Here is Google's definition of spam:

irrelevant or unsolicited messages sent over the Internet, typically to large numbers of users, for the purposes of advertising, phishing, spreading malware, etc.

Your post is clearly unsolicited and for the purpose of advertising. It was also posted to multiple newsgroups (an identical message was posted on   (You need to Login or Register's forums). Your topic title was also intentionally misleading, since it has nothing to do with a new access point to WCPP (but perhaps "Red Lake Outfitters buys new boat" would have sucked in fewer readers.)

Websites such as QJ and CCR would cease to function if every outfitter in Canada started posting unsolicited ads announcing every new piece of equipment they bought: every new boat, every new motor, every new fishing rod, every new canoe paddle. Fortunately most newsgroup participants who might have a financial axe to grind are careful to ensure that their postings do not include any hint of promotion of their own commercial interests, save for occasionally including the name of their company in their footer. 

Your post is blatant spam.

Joe, I think you are off base. Not sure where you are coming from with all this but appreciate your opinion.

The post is indeed about people knowing there is another option for access to the park now, one that wasn't available previously.  I am sorry that you don't see that.

I am also sorry that you don't see this offers up an opportunity for all paddlers to explore new route options and an open forum that's specifically for this park is indeed the correct place to let people know about it.

Again, not are why you are Taking this so personally to attack me on 2 different sites.

Joe
First off, Harlan is just not "every outfitter". Not only does he provide a service directed primarily to the paddling community he also is involved directly in maintaining the park and has spent much time clearing trail.

He is not to be castigated and denounced but rather applauded. Are we so shortsighted and inflexible that we cannot allow a win-win?

And what about it? Who is accurate? Does the boat deposit one to an otherwise time consuming entry point as per Harlans information (the canoe racks are for?) or should we believe schmo's contention that he is advertising........advertising what Joe? Is he trying to sell the boat?

OK.......I'm starting to get irritated the more I think about it so I had better bugger off before I say what I really think.

I see the post as information and not spam.  YB's definition of spam is the garbage which shows up when I click on an interesting news headline.  Google need not define QJ.

-YB

I have to agree with MT.  Harlan isn't just another outfitter promoting himself.  First, he is no stranger to this site who, in his first post, tries to sell us Ginsu knives. Many on this site know him personally. He is, himself, an enthusiastic paddler who has done a great deal to promote  WCPP and make it accessible to many others.  His post does promote his business, it's true, but it is also real information for anyone who uses the park or is considering doing so.
To be honest, Joe, I find your objections mean spirited and  out of context. 

I think Solotrips post is in the right spot and considering his history here, I have no objection to a little self promotion for his business co-mixed with info anyone could use regardless of if you use his services or not.

He's never made any attempt to hide his business interests and his volunteer work speaks for itself.

His work to clear trails and improve info on park helps self guided/equiped paddlers too.

Seems a win-win situation but I can respect others might not see it that way?

I'd say this is where the keepers of the gate, the Moderator(s) have the final say.

The debate is healthy and, as I am not the Mod on this forum, the decision won't be mine.

As a big fan of WCPP, this IS "information" that I want to know, so I would be disappointed if we decided to remove it.  I'm inclined to believe that Doug, the Mod (& park superintendent) will likely see it the same way.

ST also makes a good point re: Harlan's past contributions & history, both with the park & on this site.  Knowledge of this relationship DOES impact one's perspective, in my opinion.

Having said all this, I would suggest to everybody that we are a healthier website when we can have this kind of debate.  I welcome the discussion.

Jimbo   8-)

I don't post here often, but I have been to WCPP on four different trips, on four different years and now have a 2014 trip planned as well. Even at that, I am still not a 'seasoned' park user, and listen closely to the ground for any new information that could be useful to me in future years. When I saw this info posted by Harlan on another board, it was music to my ears, not the crappy feeling that I get from pop-ups or other blatant advertisement. Spam filtering is great when it is really needed, but I don't consider this to be one of those times. I said it before, but thanks again to Harlan for keeping us informed. And Joe, please don't stop patrolling because of this. Some patrolling does need to be done.

Not spam imho.  Interested to know of a more affordable than float plane option - or I assume more affordable.  Guessing like Crane Lake to LLC - which is still pricey for my budget.

Good thinking Harlan.  I hope you do well with it.

Good information. glad Harlan posted it. My dog Bernice loves boat tows. I love that area too. I may plan my trip around this option.