Piragis Northwoods Company
105 North Central Avenue
Ely, Minnesota 55731
1-800-223-6565
www.piragis.com
December 4, 2008
News from Piragis Northwoods Company and the BoundaryWatersCatalog.com:
Greetings from Ely, Minnesota and the Boundary Waters!
Canoe Outfitting Trip News and Catalog Specials
plus how you can save big on Shipping this Holiday Season
Canoe Trips and the State of the Economy by Bert Heep
There is probably not a person among us who has not been affected by the recent economic crisis that our country is experiencing. I am sure that all of us have done some soul-searching and belt-tightening and tried not to look at our 401k's.
So, what does this mean about next year's canoe trip to the Boundary Waters or Quetico Park? Of course, because this is our business, we hope to see you again next summer and hope that your new streamlined budget will still have room for that trip to Ely. If it does not, we understand and respect your decision.
However, allow me to give you something to think about. It is my opinion that we need wilderness and what it does for us more now than ever before. In the midst of the stress of our 21st century lives we need that time apart. We need wilderness to restore our spirits and clear our perspectives. We need wilderness to help us refocus on what is really important in our lives and how we use our time and resources. We need wilderness to remind us that our world is worth saving.
Feel the canoe surge as your stroke is strong and sure, smell that campfire, hear the cry of a loon, fall asleep to the sound of wind whispering in the pines, feel the tug of that walleye, rejoice over the sight of blue water at the end of a hard portage, sit on a rock with a fresh cup of coffee and watch the sun come up, and remind yourself, yes, we need wilderness!
So, don't give up that canoe trip - whatever it takes. We are here for you. We are your Friends in the Great Northwoods!
Perhaps Sig Olson says it best:
"Wilderness to the people of America is a spiritual necessity, an antidote to the high pressure of modern life, a means of regaining serenity and equilibrium. I have found that people go to the wilderness for many things, but the most important of these is perspective." National Parks Magazine, 1946
Guided Group Trips for 2009. Give the Gift of a Fantastic Guided Trip -- Call Bert Heep to Reserve a spot on our 2009 Guided Group Trips Today.
Each year we offer several Guided Group Canoe Trips throughout the paddling season. These trips are Guided and Fully Outfitted. This means all you have to bring is your clothing, personal toiletries, fishing gear, and we do the rest. We provide lodging in Ely at the beginning and the end of the trip, permits, shuttles, guides, and all of your equipment.
We get great people from all over the country and it makes for a great group dynamic. Here is a list of dates and theme for each trip.
Smallmouth Fishing June 13-19
This is a great trip. We try to time this trip to be there when the Smallmouth spawn and are very aggressive. We set up a base camp in the South Arm of Knife Lake and fish several different areas and surrounding smaller lakes. Of course we always catch enough Walleye for the evening fish fry. Spin cast or fly fishing. Fly fishing for some big northern pike in the shallows is great fun.
Loon Trip June 20-26
This is a new trip for 2009. We wanted to time this trip to be able to see the baby chicks that hang pretty close to mom. There will be great photo ops. Our guide on this trip really knows his loons - and he will share his knowledge for free!
Women in the Wilderness July 11-17
This historically has been our most popular trip. This is a totally "Women's" trip - even the guides. We get emails from women who have gone on this trip and they can't stop talking about what a great time they had and how they have made friendships that continue long after the trip. Sign up early - this trip fills quickly.
Howl with the Wolves August 22-28
This has been the longest running trip that we have done...it was our first. We spend the first day at the International Wolf Center here in Ely. We also go out to "Howl" for wolves the first night in Ely. This is a 5 day canoe trip where we try to go to an area where we can see some sign, howl at night, and if we are really lucky - see wolves in their natural habitat.
Star Gazing/Astronomy September 19-25
This is also a new trip for 2009. By late September we have shorter days and we have timed this trip for a new moon to maximize the darkness. Learn to identify constellations and expand your knowledge of the heavens. Maybe we'll even see some Northern Lights. During the day you can fish, paddle and explore or just lay around camp with a good book.
Autumn Colors September 26- October 2
This trip has become so popular that we often have to run two of them. Warm days, cool nights, not many people, no bugs...and a splash of color. Sounds like a recipe for a great canoe trip. Without a doubt, this is the best time to be in canoe country.
Trip Costs
2-4 Clients....$1195 plus tax
5-7 Clients....$995 plus tax
If one of these trips sounds right for you...give Bert or Drew a call at 800-223-6565 to get more details and to sign up.
You can also email them at Bert@piragis.com or Drew@piragis.com.
Now through December 11 Get Standard Shipping for just $3 when you buy three different in-stock items!
Permits and Passport Requirements for 2009 in the Boundary Waters and Quetico Provincial Park, Canada
PERMITS FOR THE 2009 PADDLING SEASON
I know is hard to believe, but it time to think of getting that permit for next year's canoe trip. Here is the scoop.
The Lottery for BWCAW permits opens on December 1st and closes on January 15th. This means that any applications submitted during that timeframe all have a equal chance in the Lottery. The actual Lottery run will take place on January 16th, so we should know the results on the 17th or 18th. If you miss the Lottery, we can get permits live beginning on January 20th. There is no change in the fee structure from last year. Non refundable reservation fee is $12, user fees for adults $16 per person, and youth (17 years and under) $8 per person.
Quetico Permits can be obtained exactly 5 months prior to your beginning trip date. So, for those May trips, we can start getting them for you in December. Remember, Quetico takes a $100 deposit at the time of the reservation and this deposit is applied to your overnight fees when you pick up your permit. We have not heard if Quetico is planning any changes on their fee structure for the coming season, but my guess is that it will stay the same as 2008. We will keep you posted as we get that information.
Call Bert or Drew to get started on your permit application process. 800-223-6565
Bert@piragis.com or Drew@piragis.com.
PASSPORT REQUIREMENTS FOR TRAVEL TO AND FROM CANADA
For the past several years there has been lots of confusion about requirements for travel to and from Canada (i.e. Quetico Park). US passport legislation history since 2004 has been interesting, and Department of Homeland Security and Department of State efforts to enforce new passport rules have resulted in many changes, cancellations of deadlines, and even legislation as Congress stepped in to fix things. RESULT = CONFUSION. We will try and clarify if for you.
Recommendations made by the Department of Homeland Security's Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative caused passport rules to change in 2007: travelers now need passports if returning to the US by air from Canada and Mexico. DHS will be requiring passports from US citizens crossing Mexican and Canadian borders by land or sea as of June 1, 2009, and will give 60 days notice before that requirement goes into effect.
So, at this point, beginning in June of 2009 you will need a passport to get back into the US whether you fly in or paddle in. The 60 day notice requirement means that a final ruling will be made no later that the first of April.
My recommendation is that if you do not have a passport you begin to work on getting one now if you want to do a Quetico canoe trip in 2009. The DHS may delay implementation of this again, but you will need one sooner or later, so why not get it now and be done with it.
At this point you do not need a passport to get into Quetico. You do however, still need to have a Remote Area Border Crossing permit (RABC). Sometimes this is referred to as a CAN PASS. This is essentially a way of clearing Canadian Customs via the mail. So you will need an RABC to get into Quetico and, starting June 1st 2009, a US PASSPORT to get back into the US.
Youth under the age of 16, traveling with their parents can be on their parents RABC and they will also need a copy of their Birth Certificate.
Summary:
Paddle into Quetico - You will need an RABC
Paddle from Quetico back into the US before June 1st - You will need a Driver's License and copy of Birth Certificate
Paddle from Quetico back into the US starting June 1st - You will need a US Passport
Fly into Quetico and Fly back into the US - You will need a US Passport
Fly into Quetico and paddle back to the US before June 1st - You will need a Driver's License and copy of Birth Certificate
Fly into Quetico and paddle back to the US starting June 1st - You will need a US Passport
Sorry if that is confusing but that is as simple as I can make it. Keep in mind - this may all change, but this is current information.
Bottom line - if you want to do any paddling in the Quetico, get a US Passport as soon as you are able.
If all of this is too confusing, call Bert or Drew at 800-223-6565 and we will explain what applies to your situation.
Here is a link for you if you want to go to the Department of State Passport page. http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html
FISHING UPDATES
Minnesota Opening Dates 2009:
Walleye and Northern Pike - May 9th
Lake Trout (Summer) - May 9th
Smallmouth - May 23rd (North and East of HWY 53 May 9th)
Quetico Park Opening Dates:
Walleye and Northern Pike - May 16th
Smallmouth - May 16th
Lake Trout - January 1st
NO LIVE BAIT AND BARBLESS HOOKS - IN QUETICO
A reminder that last year there were new fishing regulations for Quetico park that will continue to be enforced this coming season. Only artificial bait and barbless hooks may be used in Quetico. This means that no live or dead organic bait can be used in the park, including, but not limited to leeches, worms, and salted minnows. You may have barbed hooks in your tackle box but not on your line. Barbed hooks may be pinched to conform to the new regulation.
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