Interesting thread (hat tip db)........

I had always been a backpacker.......always hiking to some hard to get to fishing spot. Rewards were good but the price of admission pretty steep. At Isle Royale, for example, there are no places to shore fish, very rugged, so in the water you go. At Glacier you had better have waders or you'll freeze your hiney off......etc.

Growing up we fished out of a Grumman square stern 16' with a 4hp mercury. Later I snagged a plastic coleman canoe off a gal at a state park in Maryland when I offered to buy it from her right off the lake. Tough boat to handle in the wind while solo.

Can't quite remember how it came to pass that an interest in BWCA came into being. Suffice to say I convinced a good friend that he needed to purchase a Bell kev 18' Northwoods so we could go canoe camping. Some obscure rationale was in play but it worked. Away we went. Our first trip was disaster, sort of. We went in August and picked a route that involved lots of little lakes and a pile of fishing equipment. Trouble was by the time all the portages were completed there was precious little time to fish. I developed some dandy blisters which cut things short.......good learning experience. We went twice more to BWCA and did a little better each time.......the last time however, we waited at portage landings for the crowds to clear and I knew this wasn't for me.

Enter the Quetico......I did my research and when my pal couldn't go that year I went out and picked up a Bell solo (Merlin). Over the previous winter I kept researching a route from the Quetico book. Slowly but surely I kept being drawn to the Hunters Island route. The author said "it has it all". Little by little I rationalized that I could accomplish it. The boat sat all summer while I stayed busy working. The next thing I knew it was time to depart. Crazytown I know.......First time in the boat and the first time in the Q.........That was my best trip to date.

My pal with the Northwoods picked up the identical bell solo and so did our new partners after a couple of trips in the Northwoods. So if you see 4 merlin solos stop and say hi 

(long winded I know)........then the interest in WCPP which was mostly KF's fault. A single line pushed my button and off I went hoping to recreate the magic that was the long solo several years back. After my helicopter/floatplane ride I developed an interest in tripping in the glades  . A single post on another site solved my boat problem.......a decked craft on the open ocean is a must................. But to busy so far even though I am already packed.

So, in summary........BWCA to crowded, Quetico fine and dandy, WCPP is the new girl........   

One of my earliest memories(8 years old) is almost going over Minnehaha Falls in the brand new 1969 Alumacraft my Father had just purchased. Everything in the boat went over except my dad and my brother and I. The only reason the canoe did not go over is some folks on shore helped grab it. The next few years we paddled most of the canoeable rivers in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Then in August 74 we went to Duncan lake in the BWCA and had great fishing. In 1976 I went on a 3 week trip with a church group, traveling from International falls to Grand Marais along the border the whole way except on the big lake at the end. After that all I wanted to do was go back any chance I got. By 1980 I was intrigued by the Quetico and in 1981 we went to Mackenzie bay of Kawnipi via Cullen, Mack and the Wawiag river. I was now fanatical about the Quetico and took as many as 4 trips a year in the 1980's including a 23 day honeymoon trip. But by 1992 with 3 young children, a Victorian house to restore and a growing business, I just quit going. By 2009 I had become a physical fitness fanatic and decided I might be able to go back to Quetico. My now college age daughters were very interested and in 2011 we did an epic trip from Beaverhouse to Saganga via Veron and Delahey and now I am planning all my vacations to the Quetico again.
Jon

What an awesome thread!! 
Grew up in St. Louis fishing sw missouri ozark streams when the opportunity presented itself.  But my mom grew up on a dairy farm located on a 10 mile long lake in NW MN.  As a family we spent a week or so up there every summer and sometimes winters visiting my grandparents and I learned to fish the northern species.  I fell in love with north country lakes.  Fast forward 20 years. The farm is sold, and I miss the area tremendously.  At age 25, living in Chicago, I randomly link up with a coworker and we both quickly learn that we share a love for fishing.  He invites me to join him and a few others on a trip to the BWCA.  Man I was hooked!  My then coworker and I gave the BWCA one more chance and after that made the switch to the Q.  I missed only one year due to a wedding...my own.   Ever since that trip 8 years ago I think about the upcoming year's trip at least once a day, everyday.  My close friends, most of whom don't share my love for the outdoors, roll their eyes when I mention the topic because I talk about it so much. 

This year I plan to expand to 2 trips, one in June (guys trip) and one in September (to introduce sisters and dad).  I'd like a few more Q trips under my belt and then I'd like to give WCPP a try.  To say that I'm thankful for discovering BWCA/Q is a huge understatement! This site has provided loads of information and enjoyment.  Much appreciated!

First I need to agree with Calvin and Hobbs- any time you are awake and outside is great. At a young age I enjoyed spending nights at an old slough on the farm. Fishing was not the draw and still isn't.

In the 90's I criss-crossed BWCA numerous times and did a few trips in the Q. I loved every minute but then I went to WCPP. I am drawn back to WCPP every year because it fits me so well. When I had covered most of the mapped routes I started heading where there were no portages on the map. This stirred my blood so much that I asked Claire if she knew of any areas that might be of special interest. She suggested I look into finding a way to access Irvine Lake, adding that the park was interested in the area and would really appreciate a report on what I found. Well, I found that I really had a passion for exploring like that. Knowing that others would take advantage of my reports added to the desire. I was ready to move on to other waters but this new dimension has kept me enthralled with the solitude and quietness of WCPP.

I have been fortunate and have seen places across the oceans but my heart yearns for the northwoods.

Marten,

I love Calvin and Hobbs....easily my favorite cartoon.  His depictions of snowmen crack me up even today.  I met you a couple years ago at Canoecopia at the QJ dinner.  I remember returning home to Ohio and telling my wife about it.  Your desire to explore new territory was truly inspiring....and still is.  I hope to one day be as fortunate as you and experience some of the areas in WCPP you blazed....