Sounds like fun.  Will you do both US and Canadian sides?  Thinking of all the luxuries you can carry.

I've been interested in the Merriams and the stretch between North and Ranger Bays.  One year with an extra day whne we reached North Bay on way out through PP, we skipped Burke and paddled around Canadian Point.  Preety, different, and few camp sites relatively.

I'd also add that if you are in North Bay without a Quetico permit, you may be hassled if you run into a ranger.

Legal, schmegal.
Do it.

db wrote on Apr 25^th, 2012 at 4:00pm:


Not if you have a state license on your boat already, i.e. Ohio, Ill. But if you come from a "free state" like Indiana where they don't ask you to license canoes,,,MN requires you to license it with them,,,last I heard.

Just another reason for me to go to Q.

"License? We don't need no stink'n license!"

Hmmmm..........

Well maybe I don't have my ducks in a row........long time since I have been in BWCA. Enter PP Aug 6........spend 4 or 5 days putzin around via North Bay getting to the falls.

Can't I just show up to one of the outfitters in Ely and get the permits for BWCA? I definitely want to be legit. Wouldn't they also have the invasive species sticker?

MT......"invasive species"........Ha! Good one Mat.

Kingfisher wrote on Apr 25^th, 2012 at 8:48pm:


Sigh..........I thought the hard part would be getting the Quetico permit at this late stage of the game (and it was iffy.....I was surprised at how much was filled). Seems to enter at PP I have to enter a lottery for BWCA. There must be someone I can talk to. The circumnavigation trip is rather tame but is just interesting enough to get my motivation. Not crazy about just fishing in North Bay and Ranger for 10 days even with the new ride.

I spent part of church tonight asking myself why I want to go into BWCA........Motor boats, more people and shallower water. (I did of course listen to the message......."If God be for us who can succeed against us"......good stuff, but I digress).

Very peculiar winter as far as planning my trip.......usually I know that I know where I'm going. But this years trip has been constantly evolving. Good thing I'm somewhat flexible if need be. Looks like I will take KF's thinking to heart and stay on the north side of Basswood. Plenty of water to get to know. That way when I'm an old (older) guy I'll hopefully know some decent spots to camp and fish only a portage or two in. Lots of batteries for the depth finder and some jigging spoons to try on the reefs for walleyes and smallies. Time to think outside the box for august fishin.

Thanks KF for the prod......it got me thinkin. up

I've done several trips incorporating both BWCA and Q permits.  I get a BWCA permit for the entire length of the trip and I reserve a Quetico permit for the first half (or whatever) of the trip.  You do need an RABC too and your passports so you can check back in at Ely on the way back.  Going in at PP you can do the Canada side of the lake first, check out the area on Canada side of Upper Basswood River Falls; then leave the Q and travel back along the US side.  Since I do not fish I cannot speak to fishing licenses.   

You're making this too hard, MT.  Go to this link:

(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links) 

You'll find BWCA permits for Moose Lake available just about any day in the summer except most Sundays and Mondays.  As IC posted, reserve an overnight BWCA permit for the same day you're entering Quetico.  Pick up your BWCA permit at the Kawishiwi ranger station (or an outfitter if you're towing up to PP), and then hit the water.  Get your Q permit at PP, paddle the Q portions of Basswood, then head to the US side for as many days as you want.  You will see motor traffic on parts of US side, although motors aren't allowed north of Washington Island to Basswood falls and areas just to the south and west of the falls.  Fishing is good almost anywhere in Basswood.  IN addition to your permits, you'll need Ontario and MN fishing licenses, ON Outdoors card, your RABC, and passport.  When you finally exit back to your vehicle, you just need to visit Customs in Ely.

Frankly, I would just stay on the Canada side if I had the money to pay for the extra days.  When the US side is busy and it's hard to find a campsite (the US sites are mostly butt ugly due to overuse) there is always a nice open spot on the Canada side.   

intrepid_camper wrote on Apr 26^th, 2012 at 12:33pm:


"frankly my dear I think you are correct"...........I'm glad I made the post, I thank those that have weighed in, I am more settled......75% chance (Lord willing) I will spend 10 or 12 days getting to know the reefs on the Canadian side of Basswood. 25% chance I will head to WCPP although I would need to hear a booming voice from above.........it has been a weird year so who knows. A good ride so far, all things considered  up

I don't know about number of days - I thought a BWCA permit was good for a year from entry - as long as you didn't "leave the wilderness".  (I doubt too many people stay that long and I therefore can’t confirm on Google - yet.)  When I looked into the border route and hopping back and forth, the only real problem was the Quetico permit - picking it up at a Ranger station on the day I entered - and having to leave the Q on the last day on the permit.  I wanted to do like 5 out of 10 days in Q but I would have to pay for the first to last whether I camped in Q every night or not.  Of course RABC, US immigration on way out, fishing paperwork for both countries if you fish, and the permits for both sides.

I wondered if you entered on Canadian side after going through immigration - no RABC - if you can cross into US and back and exit wilderness on Canadian side, since you would not be reporting to US immigration for a while.

We’re it me, I’d do all Q - lots of shore and bays and even opportunities to day hike.  And I’d probably squeal in a trip to Isabella - love paddling through the meadows leading up to it.  And Lost Bay is a nice paddle - protected if on a stormy day.  The old Ranger Bay ranger station is stabilized and an interesting walk about.  Lots to see from BF to PP along the Q side.

I will probably show up on the 4th after I drop my wife and daughter at the Minneapolis airport at 6 A.M. and then to Moose lake. I wonder how far that is?.......I see 2.5 hours to duluth and then what about 4 hours or so to Moose lake? Might take longer after a stop at Betty's pie shop.......

BWCA is but a memory now. I dislike the thought of paying for nights I won't be using all to go to a less desirable area. Double whammy. Now instead of going fast I'm going to have to concentrate on going slow and really looking around. Investigatory trip if you will. Check out campsites, reefs.......have GPS and pencil and paper handy to jot notes. Hopefully whack a few monsters while I'm at it. I'm starting to feel good about it and you folk helped me iron it out. Thanks. 

My entry date is not until the 6th. I wonder if I can smooth talk my way into getting in early (yea right)? Maybe they would let a solo boat on Basswood in early eh? Otherwise I have to hang around a day. I thought about walking the Poacher lake portage for something to do, might be interesting.

"BWCA is but a memory now. I dislike the thought of paying for nights I won't be using all to go to a less desirable area."

?   I don't see that you have to do that?  pay the Quetico Fee for the X# of nights you'd be there - say the first week, then move to BWCA side and you'd only pay the $16 - you don't pay a per day camping fee for BWCA

Quote:

(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)

(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)

There must be GPS maps with the same info included?

MT:  "Since I will be spending the first 5 days or so in Quetico and wandering up toward Basswood falls that would certainly put me at odds with the "spirit" of the entry system would it not?"

While I tend to agree with your logic, and think the day paddle on day in and over night paddle #71 on day back into BWCA is correct, outfitter said just get the overnight paddle to start with and it will be fine until you "leave the wilderness".  I don't like to circumvent laws because you won't get caught, but lets say you got a #71 that started two days before you crossed back into US. No USFS ranger will stop you in Q and they won't know when you are in US when you entered, and you've not deprived them of any money, so?

My direction recently has been to get the overnight paddle and paddle up Moose the night before Q rather than bunk and pay for a tow to PP. One of those 4-5 sites near top of moose and a couple of minutes from PP is nearly always open - if not all of them - and while not perfect, it's economical and all perfectly legal.

I think it works for me because if I start driving up early, I can be on Moose at 3 or 4 with a stop at Zups and CCO.  And, if it is poor weather, I can probably still bunkhouse and take a tow in the morning.  I use CCO, which has a small store at their Moose base for teh very last minute items. What I haven't done but have thought about is taking a tow the later afternoon/early evening before Q rather than paddle.  I guess when I've done this Moose was beautiful for paddling.  It's about 2 hours tandem on a glass lake day for me - under 8 miles.

More contemplative thought......

Just finished reading Hunter Island Showdown in BWJ and listened to Stu boast about having all that fresh food like steaks and such. I have always thought such treats might be nice but the thought of portaging frozen water never had much appeal to me.......

Until now that is ......... Shoot, I'm doing a portage free trip. Why not make meal time super special? A guy can only troll and jig for so long. Make a fire, break in my purcell grill with a nice steak and a glass of ice cold gatorade. Sounds kind of groovy.

Looks like Stu might get a customer. I just have to make sure his hard insulated food pack will fit inside the Expedition. If it gets really hot I might just hang a sign out in front of my camp......"Ice cold lemonade $5".........  

Puckster wrote on May 1^st, 2012 at 3:41am:


Good timing Mike........during lunchtime I have been watching "The Empire Strikes Back" in 1/2 hour segments........"There is no try, there is only do" (Yoda accent implied.....My favorite Star Wars saying)

No paralysis........actually this has been extremely helpful. I'm almost to the point I'm looking forward to it. Yup, I planned a trip I really didn't have my heart set on because it just makes sense. My practical self seems to have asserted control........rats! But I'm feeling lots better about it after YOU-ALL (wanna be a southerner) weighed in. Shoot, good eatin, topo map, fishin the right side, permit in place with no extra hoops.........all good stuff.   

More ponderings........Contour map has arrived (thanks again db). I was a little miffed that North Bay isn't in the works as it would of been so cool to get a visual on where I have caught fish before.

Still kinda groovy though. Getting excited. Here is the fishing plan......troll, troll, troll. I expect to run a deep diver but here is a little different wrinkle. I am very curious to see if the whopper walleyes relate to the open water cisco schools like I have found in other big shield lakes in August. So 2 rod holders, 2 rods, and I think one will be WAAAAAY back on braid with the big honkin flat rap. Should run about 12 ft........ I will find out........ and those of you who have been "nice" to me I will tell you about it    .

The other thing I really want to spend a fair amount of time doing (once I find the reefs and mark some fish) is to use butterfly jigs and jig the bottom in waters between 30 and 40ft for big walleys and smallys). Middle of the day stuff..........now I just have to get Scott Smith to make the blasted boat. My patience is getting depleted. Am I going to have to send some people over to his place to make sure he understands  who he is dealing with  ?? Maybe he will find a fish head under the covers  .

Kingfisher wrote on May 5^th, 2012 at 7:34pm:


Thanks KF.......there is little or no doubt in my mind I would of forgotten this. I have always just run one rod in my solo but with a bigger boat I was really lookin forward to runnin shallow and deep. Rats......I really had wanted to kill the proverbial 2 birds with one stone.

BillConner wrote on May 6^th, 2012 at 3:20pm:

Carry as many rods as you like but only one rod/lure per person can be in use at a time.

Now I know I made the right call by not going back to WCPP to settle the score and repair my wounded ego this summer.............

Finally picked up the Superior Expedition from Scott Smith (just outside of Lansing Michigan)...........I was blown away with what he had made. It was so much more than I expected...........he is a true artist and craftsman. The boat is so nice I almost don't want to use it for fear of putting a scratch on it (I'll get over that soon enough ). I'm also seriously concerned that someone might swipe the darn thing while on the road parked at a motel..........might have to look into some insurance). I haven't, as yet, put it into the water and who knows if I will have time before August.

Looking forward to drilling some holes in it today for depth finder mounts, rod holders etc............The real test will be the 10 or 12 days on Basswood. I will of course give my opinion on the boat after that............right now she is drop dead gorgeous but how does she paddle? How does she paddle in the snotty stuff? How does the wind effect her? Is she as responsive as I think she will be considering the rudder? blah, blah, blah.........anyway I'm almost a little nervous that I might leave my first love (Bell Merlin) for this sexier model. Looks aren't everything though and I will have to reserve judgement.

Thanks Mat.............you have always been very helpful and I, for one, do appreciate it. I intend to do exactly as you suggest.

BTW.............I have a keyed cable type lock with a slim end that should work just fine and dandy for sliding though the tugeye.........FWIW I picked it up at either Lowes or Home Depot, they come in various lengths..........3/8 cable I think, fairly substantial..............I will likely also slide my radio shack motion detector alarm up inside the boat as per my usual custom.

Mounted depth finder, GPS, rod holder, and a unique system for holding 3 rods..............came out great, very pleased. Pics will come with TR (Lord willing)................

When Basswood kicks up a snot (not IF), just remember, you got what you wished for...stay safe. Your canoe can probably handle more than you can, superman.

Took the Expedition for a test run..........

The first thing I noticed is how sensitive it is to weight placement. The little 24lb 12 volt battery was off center and the effect was immediate. I suspect fore and aft weight placement less of a concern with its 18 ft length.

The 2nd thing I noticed was just how fast the boat is. Moves right along. I have gone from a chevy pickup to a mazarati.

3rd.........rudder system is super sweet. I can also envision using it while drifting a shoreline fishing to correct the attitude of the drift.

4th..........paddles very nicely with the rudder up.

5th........depth finder shot through the hull just fine. Great!

6th..........it is heavier than my Merlin at 65 lbs. I went to flip it up like I usually do and had to double clutch. Not used to that.

A rather funny incident (at least from my perspective) happened at the take out. I was wondering about secondary stability and was rocking her pretty good at the take out trying to heave her over (and almost suceeded when the aforementioned battery decided to help out). A middle aged jogger lady yelled out "do you need some help"...............Had she been a pony tailed, spandex wearing, blond twenty something I might of responded in the affirmative..........."why yes, yes I do..........how very kind of you" 

mastertangler wrote on Jul 11^th, 2012 at 11:18pm:

My fear would be that a 24pound ??? solid object of that size could over power the neutral buoyancy of most paddle type crafts and take it to the bottom in certain situations.

Tie a rope to that battery to give it a dual purpose, boat anchor.

12 pounds!
Why not try a cheap beach chair from K-Mart or Walmart or Target?  Only about 3 pounds.  At 12 pounds you could opt for a cheap folding camp chair, since they fold up you can stow inside the boat or lengthwise on top, still with a lower center of gravity.

well here am in Gurnee Illinois........

4 days here and 4 days in Minneapolis with my new baby sitting on top of my truck before my entry at PP. Even though I have a cable lock through the hull I'm still a bit nervous leaving it out all night. Geico wouldn't insure it and my homeowners only covers 1k.

tonight I did something that may be of value to some other folk and hence the reason for this post. In an effort to thwart bears from obtaining my groceries I purchased a "motion detector" alarm. With a fairly loud siren and flashing light I figured it would scare the daylights out of any self respecting bear. I couldn't of been more wrong as the bruin on Sawbill made short work of my oats and granola all while the alarm was blaring............but I digress.

This motion detector alarm is slightly larger than a cell phone and is designed to hang on a doorknob. Open the door and off it goes. It fires only if you move the unit. Tonight I armed the unit and slid it into the hull. Might be just enough to scare someone off. I picked mine up at radio shack for about 20 bucks. It could be a little peace of mind at that remote mom and pop motel in the middle of nowhere.............

well, you almost had a taker on that duluth trading post alarm - looks like the cable is small enough to fit thru the smallish tugeye for composites fitting

until I read the reviews !  4 out of 8 not so good

I probably run against the grain with traditional thought of having multiple uses of items. My experience is when that tack is taken the item seldom does anything especially well.............the lock is a perfect example.

Mat..........cable locks thin enough to go through the tug eye might not be to hard to find. BTW.........I ordered the tug eye but was rebuffed when informed he wasn't supplying the type I ordered at this time..........."check back later". Just as well, the Expedition has a through hull fitting designed to accept a stabilizer pole to cat up to another boat. Works for me.

I like the little radio shack alarm............I have had it for several years now. It also has a flashlight function (so much for doing just one thing well eh?). The light flashes on and off if the alarm is triggered. (while the bear was munching my oats I quipped to my buddy at the time........."Dinner with music and a light show" )

Hey I like those ST.............a little peace of mind.

Well I'm bringing an absolute pile of fishing tackle. I even have a extra plano box so I can pick out what I want to use for the day. An insane 7 rods are coming along. Why not? 1 portage and base camping with a move every 2 days with 11 days of nothing but fishing in a complex mid summer large body of water. Specialization is at a premium.

rod 1...........6' 6"light action spinner with 4/6 lb mono. slider heads/shakey jig heads and 4" straight worms will take the smallies when all else fails down to 15ft

rod 2.........7' med hard action spinner 6/8 mono for deepwater jigging and larger plastics.

rod 3........7' baitcaster with 12 lb XT mono. Night trolling with large rapalas and night casting 1 oz single blade spinnerbaits for smallies

rod 4......muskie rod 50lb braid..........big spoons, 30 manns, dipsy diver, 8oz in line weights

rod 5.......8' walleye trolling rod/line counter with 30 braid.........smaller dipsy divers and in line weights

rod 6........9' steelhead rod..........my go to rod for running deep diving cranks on light line. The length lets me get by running light line with hard pulling cranks like tail dancers and not get busted off when mister big walleye decides to eat. Very forgiving.

rod 7.........trying something new, jigging spoons (butterfly) on mid lake reefs

So yea.....a lot of stuff. But what the heck, I'm solo with nothing else to do but keep trying new stuff until I banish my August jinx. It's not like the fish stop eating in August but I have done poorly my last 2 trips in the Q in August. Maybe to much traveling and to much afternoon fishing.......I dunno.

I am going to make a serious attempt at panfishing (yes I like to catch small fish too as long as they are big  ). I'll plop out a jig with a maggot of gulp while in camp on a slip bobber. I'll probably cast the slip bobber set up occasionally while I work a shoreline as well especially if it is calm. I even have some tiny flutter spoons to try behind some in line weights. I am partial to eating big perch or large gills if I can get them. I wouldn't be the least bit surprised to bang a big crappie or two as well. Anyway, I do intend to try for the panfish this time.

I have never tried the dipsy divers but with the line counter reel I think it could be effective if done right. When we used to fish the shield in August by powerboat I was always surprised just how deep the big fish were. Walleyes 6lbs seem to be at least 30 ft during the day and we caught one over 8 on some spikes in water over 40.

I usually fish at least an hour after dark but it is usually fruitless after it gets totally dark. I think I give up to soon. The plan is to start around 2 A.M. and fish until mid morning. Snooze during the heat of the day (and avoid the flies). The big 6 inch flat raps will get the nod along weed edges. The 1 oz single colorado spinnerbait will be used along rocky points.

what else? a few other wrinkles. Should be interesting. I am totally jacked up to the point it is spilling over on this keyboard. I think I REALLY need a vacation  . Who knows.........maybe I'll just sit in camp and read and drink coffee all day. That has some appeal after a summer of go-go. But I'll certainly have options and specialized tools which are in and of themselves enjoyable to employ. I'll try and take a few pics and give an honest appraisal of how I did. If I suck you'll know it..........if I do good I'll share what worked. If I do REALLY good you can PM me for details (contributions/donations are handled via my secretary at MT enterprises). Wish me luck 

 

Pondo, looks like I'll be off by one day...........drop the missus and the young'un off at the minneapolis airport Saturday morn. Should be somewhere on Moose later that afternoon (Lord willing and the creek don't rise). My entry date is not for 2 days later...........wondering if they will let a solo who is staying on Basswood in early. I guess I will find out.

MT, Looking forward to your findings. Any fishing report that follows should include a rod # since a published rod list is available for easy reference  up.  Gills are on the top of my list for eating fish, and i wonder if you might see a whitefish on the end of your line, i've heard they're tasty, but never caught one. Be blessed, have fun!

Hey MT -- I'll buy you a cup of coffee before you leave tomorrow.  Call.

prouboy

I'm back. Trip went great, very satisfying. Boat is awesome. Fishing was good for size but not numbers. 11 days and I'm already wishing I was back out there.

Thanks to all who weighed in on this thread to help me flesh out a trip that was so much more than I was expecting it to be.

I will post my journal in lieu of a TR along with some pics. My apologies in advance as it is a bit laborious to wade through but those who are piscatorially minded might find some interesting nuggets to come away with.

-now I gotta look up' piscatoraly'.