News from Piragis Northwoods Company and the BoundaryWatersCatalog.com:

"I can't wait for our canoe trip!"


Campsite on the north end of Agnes

I am a fortunate man! I can give you many reasons to support this statement. My wife and favorite paddling partner are one and the same person. I have my health (when you are 63 years old this is a big blessing). I have three very special grandchildren. I live in Ely, Minnesota and have a cabin in the woods . I work at Piragis Northwoods and get paid to talk (just about every day) about canoeing in the Boundary Waters and Quetico Park. But, because I get to talk about canoe trips all the time it is harder for me to be patient about waiting for the spring trip that Diane and I take every year. There is hardly a day that goes by that I don't say to Diane...I can't wait for our canoe trip! Needless to say...she can't wait for the trip either, just so that I will stop talking about it.

Some of you have the wonderful option to paddle year round, but here in Minnesota the water gets a bit hard and the temps get a bit low for that. I am ready to put the snowshoes away. I am ready to clean out the wood stove and not think about building a fire when I get home from work. I am ready to head outside without having to put on several layers of clothes. I AM READY TO TAKE A CANOE TRIP!

Smallmouth bass on Dack Lake

There are signs that my time is coming. Daylight Savings Time is here. It is already March!!! Shoot, that means that winter is almost over and ice-out is only 6 weeks away. There is more strength in that sun everyday and on the warmer days, the snow is starting to melt. The Income Tax filing deadline is just around the corner; and for you basketball fanatics, March Madness is soon upon us.
So paddling season in Minnesota is just around the corner.

I have an E-15 Fisher map that shows most of the BW and Quetico. Years ago I started coloring in the lakes that Diane and I have paddled. It is fun to pull that map out and look at all of the "red" and know that we have been there. It brings back great memories and it is like re-reading a favorite book. We will sit down and look at that map and all of a sudden we are reliving the beauty of special campsites, recalling portages that were grueling and seemed to never end, remembering where we caught some great fish, where we hunkered down to wait out a storm, or where a tree fell on our tent in the middle of the night. Uff da.

Dinner anyone?

Our goal, of course, is to have the entire map colored in some day. When we plan trips our eyes automatically go to the lakes that are not colored in yet and we start to think about how we can incorporate those lakes into a trip. To do this we have to pass through areas that we have already done, but that is fine too. It amazing that no matter how many times we have been to certain lakes that there is always something new to see or experience.

Here is the goal for our trip this spring. We will enter at Black Robe portage to enter McAree Lake. We have started trips here before, but we have always headed east into Pond Lake on the way to Wicksteed and Darky. There is a lot of McAree that we have never seen, so we'll paddle down to the southern end of the lake and see Rebecca Falls from the other side. While we are down on that end of the lake we will want to check out Pulling and Dahlin...two small lakes just to the east. Get out the Red Pencil...lakes we have never paddled before!

Nice Laker on Williams Lake

From there we will head back north again and head for Pond Lake. Boy, I can't wait to SLIDE down eastern end of the portage that leaves Pond heading toward Wicksteed. For those of you who have done this portage, I think you will agree that climbing up this very steep portage is easier and safer than going down hill. In the past Diane and I have carried the canoe together. I actually recall sliding down on my butt in a few spots.

On the way into Wicksteed there is a lake called Gratton (to the south) that we plan to check out.
Get out the Red Pencil! By the way...word has it that Gratton has some very nice Smallmouth Bass.
I'll let you know what I find out.

Winter blowdown on the portage between Hurlburt and Woodside

We have paddled through Wicksteed many times but have not actually checked out the lake, so we plan to get a bit more familiar with that gem. Then we will portage south into Ballard Lake (Red Pencil time again) and head into Darky that way. Of course, no trip to Darky, or Darkwater Lake as some maps now indicate, is complete without seeing the wonderful pictographs.

We will leave Darky by heading down the Darky River. Where is that Red Pencil? Yep, we have not paddled this section of the Darky River yet. I am really looking forward to this well known stretch of river. We are hoping to find some place to camp where the river starts heading west because I want to paddle up the creek to try and find the portage into Tanner Lake and walk the portage. The Chrismar map calls this portage the "Eat 'em up Portage". Well...I wonder what that name suggests?
If any of you reading this article know anything about this area, drop me a note, I would love to hear from you.

From the logging days on Crooked Lake

We will continue on and spend some time on Minn Lake...another one of those lakes that we have paddled through but not gotten to know. From there we will head north and paddle into Lac La Croix through Martin Bay ( Red Pencil time again...boy this if fun).

Well there you go folks. A relatively short trip distance-wise, but we plan to paddle a lot of shoreline and take lots of side trips. After we get back from the trip I will send you all a report on our findings and experiences. Man...I CAN'T WAIT FOR OUR CANOE TRIP!

Campsite on Gardner Bay

Let me know about your trip plans. I would love to hear from you.

Think "Soft Water"...

Bert

Don't mess with this Bow Paddler

Featured Trip: Smallmouth Bass Guided Group Trip
June 14-20, 2008.

Join us for a great adventure in the Northwoods at what is one of the best fishing weeks of the season. Catch smallmouth bass, one of the best pound per pound fighting species around, northern pike, walleye and lake trout during a 6 day - 5 night journey in the Boundary Waters. This trip includes a guide, our top of the line Full Outfitting package, and a motel room before and after the adventure. We make everything easy for you so you can arrive in Ely and start thinking about what lure you are going to use for your first cast.

Enjoy your time up here in magnificent waters where you are sure to make memories of the many fish you caught. Bring your camera to prove that your memories are as big as you say they are!! J Knife Lake is the destination this year, but exploring the lakes in that entire area of the BWCA is also part of the plan. This amazing lake has great fishing, is part of the historic border route and was home to the Boundary Waters’ last resident, Dorothy Molter, also known as “The Rootbeer Lady”. Paddle, fish, relax, eat, and watch the sun set among the pines. It’s going to be a week that you’ll want to be a part of. Call Bert or Drew today to reserve your spot. There are only 5 openings left. Hope you can join us!!!

Call Bert or Drew today, 1-800-223-6565 to reserve your spot today.
Trip Cost: with 2 - 4 guests $1095 (+ tax), with 5 - 7 guests: $895 (+ tax)

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A Winter Walk in the Morning

While I’m the first to admit that I am not even close to being a major skier and don’t get out like many of the Piragis Northwood’s family, it is a lot of fun and very enjoyable. This morning I headed out to Blueberry Lake for a morning ski before I had to get ready to come to work. It was beautiful and here are a few shots that bring the Northwoods to your home.

Drew

The paddling season in the Boundary Waters is fast approaching.

Please remember that a trip starts with getting a permit reserved on the date that you want to start your adventure. Bert and Drew can help plan a route that will fit the kind of trip you are looking for as well as reserve the permit. We’ll make it easy for you. The sooner the better to get your plans firmed up, though. The longer you wait, the more permits get taken and you might not get the entry point you really want. Quetico permits are reserved 5 months in advance. We are now starting to reserve permits for mid-August. If you are thinking about a Quetico trip in August or September, give us a call so we can arrange to help you get a permit.

We have many different choices of canoes in our rental fleet. Call early to make sure you reserve the canoe you’ve always wanted to trip in. Have you been thinking about paddling a Bell Seliga Tripper or a Northwoods? How about a Wenonah Spirit II, Prism or a graphite Minnesota II? These canoes are just a start to the variety we offer. And remember, our entire fleet is new every year. Please go to www.piragis.com and head into the outfitting pages to see the canoes we have in the rental fleet this season.

Call Bert or Drew today, 1-800-223-6565 to reserve your permits, canoes and gear today.

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2008 Catalogs are in the Mail

Many New Items Available.


We're happy to announce the arrival of our 2008 catalog. Our canoeing and camping core products are all present as you come to expect along with some fabulous new additions. We're very pleased to announce the arrival of the long-anticipated Piragis Boundary Waters Canoeing Pant. We're now also the exclusive supplier for the dependable Chota Quetico Trekker. Speaking of exclusive offerings, many of you have heard of Cliff Jacobson's favorite tent, and after many years of trying to get our hands on some for you, we've finally found a reliable manufacturer. 2008 marks a new relationship with MTI Lifevests for our family of paddlers here at Piragis Northwoods Company. Check out their website when you read the article about Steve and adventure paddling below. One item you won't want to leave out of your pack is the new Voyageur Maps! There are many more items you'll find in our website. Some of our newest book titles don't have pictures up yet, but they will soon!

NEW ITEMS FROM PIRAGIS
http://www.boundarywaterscatalog.com/new.htm