Piragis Northwoods Company
105 North Central Avenue
Ely, Minnesota 55731
1-800-223-6565
www.piragis.com
April 24, 2009
Your Friends in the Great Northwoods

News from Piragis Northwoods Company and the BoundaryWatersCatalog.com:

"Still round the corner there may wait
A new road or a secret gate,
And though I oft have passed them by,
A day will come at last when I
Shall take the hidden paths that run
West of the Moon, East of the Sun."
[J.R.R. Tolkien]




Not so Common Trail Sense

Tradition
By Tim Stouffer

There are two pictures that hang in the store at Piragis Northwoods Company. Century old pictures. They are shots taken in 1905 of what was then the Bloomenson Store.

The first is an exterior shot that shows vintage awnings and the purveyor outdoors in front of the building with guess what? hanging outside. Coats. Not our staple of windblocker fleece, but two staples of the time, wool and beaver. Nature's answer to synthetic technology. The sidewalk in front of the store isn't a sidewalk, it is a boardwalk. The other falsefront buildings across the street can be seen reflected in the window.

Original Ely. With a look of determination on its face. Promise of a bright future. Open for business and proud to stock what is needed and wanted by the people.

The second picture is an interior shot complete with gas lights and the original tin ceilings and walls. There are wool pants stacked high on sturdy oak tables. Suspenders hanging from circular displays from the ceilings. The stovepipe rises to the decorative tin covered chimney from the essential woodstove in the back. The long glass displays showcase quality men's shirts while the shelves behind are complete with rows and rows of hat boxes stacked up to the tall ceilings. Men's wool driving caps stretch out in a long row across the hat boxes, displayed just at arms reach. There are cases that hold ties, gloves and shoes.

Pride and promise are evident. You can find them both in our store today. Residual benefits of a long history of service commitment to customers. The tin walls are still in place today. The looks on the three clerks faces are recognizable too. You can see the same looks of determination and commitment on the faces of our staff today.

Piragis Northwoods Company still believes that the advantages of high quality goods and services far outweigh the short term value of "a great deal." You can tell the old Ely store owners felt the same way. They are sharply dressed and waiting to help you.

At Piragis Northwoods Company we want you to be at home, to feel comfortable and at ease while you shop. We trust that you can find most things you need here, and hope that you know that you can ask us any question you like about our canoes, kayaks, camping gear, accessories, men's and women's clothing, books and gifts. No question will be considered too small, too odd or too silly. Our staff is on hand to serve your needs, to help you in any way possible.

Our merchandise speaks for itself, our reputation stands on our ability to serve the customer above and beyond the norm. We stay open to serve the local population year round with clothing, equipment and a full service bookstore that rivals any other in Minnesota. In the summer our doors open at 6 a.m and don't close until 10 p.m. Giving you time and opportunity to shop on your schedule. We go the extra mile because many people travel far and wide to reach Ely and all of you deserve our best. Each and every one who comes through our door deserves old fashioned, honest to goodness service with a smile. If you have a destination in Ely besides the Boundary Waters we hope that it is Piragis Northwoods Company, Your Friends in the Great Northwoods.

We know that many of you will never get the opportunity to visit us here in Ely, and that is one of the reasons that we uphold the same commitment to customer service and great items in our online catalog. Please call us with questions or customer service concerns at 1-800-223-6565



Guided Group Trips are a great deal on a packaged vacation:

"This was on our Fall Color trip with Steve Johnson. Steve made the trip very enjoyable!" Best Regards, Brian Mattson

Guided Trips Spotlight:
This summer we've created two new canoe country guided group trips. 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.

Trip Costs
2-4 Clients....$1195 plus tax
5-7 Clients....$995 plus tax

Star Gazing Trip September 19 - 25, 2009



Loon Trip June 20 - 26, 2009



Piragis Guided Group Trips (6 days each):
Fully Outfitted, Fully stocked with great food and our Best Guides. Includes first and last night's hotel room in Ely. Please feel free to call Bert Heep or Drew Brockett 1-800-223-6565 at your convenience.

Smallmouth Bass Fishing: June 13 - 19

Loon Trip: June 20 - 26

Women Exploring Wilderness: July 11 - 17

Howling with Wolves: August 22 - 28

Star Gazing/Astronomy: September 19 - 25

Autumn Colors: September 26 - October 2

Call Bert or Drew today to reserve your spot on one of these trips today or for help planning your next wilderness canoe camping trip.
1-800-223-6565 to reserve your permits, canoes and gear today.




Special Sale on Blemished (cosmetic only) Canoes from Wenonah Canoe!
All canoes are structurally sound and fully warranted.

Contact us about arranging delivery for $75 to $300 depending on distance from here.


MORE BLEMS NOW ON SALE
These are selling quickly, call 1-800-223-6565 to get yours today.
SOLO Canoe Model
Length
Layup
Weight
Reg. Price
Sale Price
Wenonah Sandpiper
13'6"
Kev/Core
27 lbs
$1195
$949
Bell Yellowstone Solo
14'
Kevlight
29 lbs
$2075
$1660
Wenonah Vagabond
14'6"
Royalex
43 lbs
$999
$799
Wenonah Wilderness
15'4"
Royalex
47 lbs
$1199
$899
Wenonah Prism w/wood
16'6"
Kev/Core
36 lbs
$2499
$1949
Wenonah Advantage
16'6"
Kev/Core
32 lbs
$2399
$1799
Wenonah Encounter Solo
17'
Kev/Core
38 lbs
$2299
SOLD
Tandem Canoe Model
Length
Layup
Weight
Reg. Price
Sale Price
Wenonah Heron
15'
Kev/Core
36 lbs
$2199
$1759
Wenonah 15 Prospector
15'
Royalex
59 lbs
$1299
$949
Bell Yellowstone
15'6"
Royalex
59 lbs
$1315
$1052
Wenonah Kingfisher
16'
Royalex
65 lbs
$1329
$1063
Wenonah Adirondack
16'
Kev/Core
37 lbs
$2349
$1649
Wenonah Escapade w/solo seat
16'6"
Kev/Core
43 lbs
$2439
$1951
Wenonah Escape
17'6"
Kev/Core
41 lbs
$2499
$1799
Wenonah Champlain
18'
Royalex
73 lbs
$1399
$1119
Wenonah Aurora
16'
Kev/UL Core
39 lbs
$2349
SOLD
Wenonah Escape
17'6"
Kev/Core
41 lbs
$2499
SOLD
Wenonah Fisherman
14'
Kev/Core
36 lbs
$2099
SOLD


Call Steve Schon save on your dramatically-reduced-brand-new-canoe today!
1-800-223-6565






Nimblewill Nomad stops in Ely on his Hiking Odyssey 2009

 
Long distance Hiker and Trekker M. J. Eberhart, The Nimblewill Nomad, stopped in to say hi and we snapped a quick photo with Steve Piragis. Eb was happy to have gotten the opportunity to visit Listening Point and see where Sig Olson spent some great time in thought and writing.



From the Nomad's website:

"Odyssey 2009 began on March 22, in North Dakota on the banks of the Missouri River at the Knife River Indian Villages NHS, one of the most significant of sites along the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail in North Dakota. From there he’ll hike the short distance north to Lake Sakakawea State Park, the official beginning/terminus of the NCT.

And why would Nimblewill want to trek the NCT you might ask? Well, seems Nomad’s ultimate quest, before heading on up that final treadway in the sky, is to hike all eight NSTs.

Of the eight, he’s hiked all but two, those being the NCT and the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. So he’s decided that 2009 is the year to take on the NCT, good Lord willin’ the old fellow is now 70.

The NCT will present great challenges for Nimblewill. Being such a very long trail as it is, around 4,600 miles, and being primarily latitude-oriented along the northern tier of states, successfully thru-hiking the NCT will require both great endurance, as to continual long-mileage days, and in addition, the likely need to withstand harsh, winter-like conditions, no doubt on both ends of the journey."

For more information and some fun stuff about distance hiking, visit:
http://nimblewillnomad.com/index.html



Would you like to contribute?

If you have Trip experiences and/or observations you'd like to share with other newsletter subscribers, email them to our webmaster.

We would love to get your help with our e-newsletter.  Please send a picture or two from your trips from the past and this year's trips after they happen, too.  We will probably feature them in upcoming e-newsletters.  Write a story about your entire trip, about a specific event, your favorite lake or route, how your kids enjoyed their first journey, how the wilderness makes you feel, what you like to cook in camp, or any number of things that make you want to share with other fellow paddlers.  Send pictures of wildlife, scenery and big fish! Keep ‘em coming!  Everyone likes to see pictures and read about other’s adventures up here.  It will only fuel your fire to get back up here and take another canoe trip. 
 
The 2009 season is coming quickly.  Call Bert or Drew at 1-800-223-6565 to help you plan a trip, reserve a canoe or two, and get the permit for your journey.  Remember the earlier the better so you have a better chance of getting the entry point you desire.


Plan your next canoe camping vacation now. Call us today to rent canoes, gear and reserve permits.
1-800-223-6565



Wild and Scenic Environmental Film Festival in Ely, May 8 at 7 p.m.

Looking for something to do in Ely the night before the fishing opener? Come to the Wild and Scenic Environmental Film Festival, presented by the Friends and Piragis Northwoods Company.

The event will feature award-winning films about environmental issues from all over the world, but many that connect directly to issues affecting the BWCAW and Minnesota’s natural resources.

When: May 8, 7 p.m. (doors open at 6:30)
Where: Vermilion Community College Theater
Tickets are $8 and can be purchased at the door or in advance at Piragis Northwoods Company



SUNSPLASH Try Out Days and SALE coming May 15, 16 and 17



This year at SunSplash Canoe and Kayak Tryout days on the water in Ely, we're going to feature our standard 10% off on New Canoes, New Kayaks and New Paddling Gear. We're also going to feature special deals on Wenonah Blem Canoes and Kayaks and as a special bonus we're going to mark down our "sale fleet" even more. It will be a fantastic weekend to save like never before on your choice of canoes and kayaks. It is always the best time of the year to try out, to test drive, test paddle for FREE any canoe and any kayak you like. Three days of free paddling usually finds you with a variety of weather conditions and lots of opportunity for FUN. To get paddling experience in a variety of canoes and be able to compare designs and functions, this is essential!

Our no-nonsense approach to sales and service this weekend gives you one on one opportunities to "talk turkey" with our canoe sales people and reps from the manufacturers. We're on hand to answer any questions you might have, to teach basic paddling techniques and to, above all, make sure you fit the right canoe or kayak to your needs.

In today's economy, more than ever, it is wonderful to be able to take advantage of super savings. We guarantee that SAVINGS is an integral part of the weekend!

If you need help with lodging for Sunsplash Weekend in Ely, contact Drew Brockett at 1-800-223-6565 and if you have questions about canoes or kayaks, contact Steve Schon.


Thanks to our Newsletter Sponsors Below!