Next year, I'm looking at options for a fly in, fly out trip. We would fly in to one lake, and fly out of another lake. Our trip would be a loop of lakes between. This would maximize fishing opportunities. We are interested in a combo of Lake Trout & Waldos. Which lakes would you choose to visit, based on your fishing experiences? Thanks in advance!

Here's something you may want to know.  Harlan's website indicates that only HIS fly-in service partners have the ability to fly in personal canoes that are over 16 feet in length.  Now there's a slick strategic manuever for you.  See: (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)

Anyway, seems like Harlan IS the guy to talk to for this type of trip into WCPP.  I suppose you could try to talk to those "partners" independently.  It was no more than a year ago that at least two different providers were willing to fly me almost anywhere in WCPP.  Might be worth a try.

Jimbo   

Thanks for the good replies. We will likely use Harlan and I have already emailed Harlan to let him know that, and to seek his input. Certainly, if he is at Copia, I will plan to see him.

What I am seeking, in this thread, is to learn from QJ folks regarding their personal experiences regarding the fishing possibilities. Put another way, if you were planning this trip, where would you go, based on what you know. I do have a copy of the lakes and species info. What it doesn't tell me is on which lakes they are most numerous, and which lakes have the the best (biggest) sizes of waldos and lakers.

OS -

I'll bring my WCP maps - marked for fishing spots - with me to Copia.  With all the QJ trips there in recent years, you should be loaded up pretty well, I would think.

The great thing about WCP is that you can decide to go at the very last minute... and still have complete freedom to go wherever the heck in the park you WANT to go.  Gather your information & decide en route!

Jimbo   

Pretty limited experiance here. But Roustol, Hansen, Glenn and Mexican Hat were good lakes for Walleye. Caught one Laker on Paull and I think Wrist is good for Lakers.

I've connected with Harlan too and yes he'll be at both copia and Midwest Mountaineering's Expo. He'll get you a great deal on flights. And can hook you up with lodging. If you have a spot, he likes to be included as a contact. And if you don't have a Spot, he'll rent you one.  Great guy!

Good morning everyone!

Denton's link to the Lakes and Species document is a great place to start when planning a trip around fishing.  You'll notice a trend with the Walleye lakes being located around the Gammon and Bloodvein River systems (for the most part), and Laker lakes everywhere in between. 

Yes, I will be at Canoecopia again in 2012.  I had an amazing experience there last year and it was great to meet up with a lot of you and put a face to a name. We'll have a larger booth this year with lots of large maps and info to look over!

Harlan

Geez, Harlan... I was actually hoping to possibly head back into that Royd/Irvine area again next year.  There goes that pipe-dream but thanks for the heads-up!

I wrote a story about a trip that Kingfisher & I did through there in 2010 that was supposed to appear in the BWJ last spring.  I suppose Stu will get around to using my story (& KF's great pics) one of these years.  [One school of thought has it that if only more Red Lake vendors would advertise in his magazine, he might consider publishing more often than just than one WCP story by either prouboy or me every 2nd or 3rd year...HINT, HINT!]. Anyway, I just loved the prime-time solitude & great fishing for both walleyes & lake trout in that area of the park.  Guess I'll have to solicit you & Marten for a #2 route that would accomplish much of the same thing (regardless of whether or not Stu ever publishes another WCP story of mine).  I was thinking of a fly-in/paddle-out trip of 8-10 days in length. 

Also, I don't suppose that cabin of yours in the NE corner of the park is anywhere near any lake trout, is it?  Might be a nice twist to either begin or end a paddling trip with a couple days there.

Hey, I really enjoy your website (see: (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links) ) and the videos you've either put together or have linked to.  By the way, I don't see anything about "shuttles" to the west side, yet I'm guessing you can handle such a "cross-WCP" type trip, no?

I look forward to seeing you again at Copia!  Care to join us at the Saturday night QJ supper?

Jimbo   

Do you think ALL of the approaches to Irvine have been wiped out by the fire?

By my count, there are 4 basic ways "in" although the routes from the east & north (the creek from the far north) pretty much sucked before any fire added to the misery.

Jimbo   

I'm planning on going in and out of Irvine from the south this year. The portages on the north end are burnt over. And I'd have to think real long and hard to try the way you (Jimbo) came in from the east. The northern portages on the Murdock to Royd route are closed too. So that eastern side of Irvine might be marginal if not burnt. I hope to take a paddle to the north end and maybe get a picture of what once was a cool portage... or so I've been told. 

I flew into Artery and got picked up on Donald this year.  I can't tell you much about the lakes with great fishing, but I can tell you that the picto's on Artery are worth the flight in!!!  I can also tell you that Dunstan is a beautiful lake as is Royd.  I would fish those two for sure!  The third thing is, Red Lake, Outfitter's did a wonderful job lining up the planes for me.
SunCatcher