Spirit of the Wilderness News

Happy New Year

2012-01-01T13:12:00.003-06:00

Happy New Year!

We are excited to be looking forward to the 2012 canoe season. This is the time of year we start booking permits and trips for our guests.

This year there are some changes to the BWCA permit lottery system. The BWCA permit lottery is the first chance at booking permits for Moose Lake and Fall Lake entry points only. This is a big change from the past when you could enter the lottery for all entry points. The Moose Lake and Fall Lake entry points have a few different type of permits that can be reserved. You can book a overnight paddle, Day Use Motor of Over night Motor permit. The motor permits are in high demand so they kept the lottery to help spread the permits out among those that are interested in them. To enter the lottery an application must submitted between Dec 19th and Jan. 19th. Spirit of the Wilderness is here to help you with all your permit booking needs.

All other permits can be reserved starting January 25th, 2012 at 9 am. If you would like Spirit of the Wilderness ot book your permit, please call us sooner than later so we can make sure to get the entry point and date you are requesting. Some entry points are in high demand and we want to be able to help you with getting these booked.

We are currently getting a little snow this afternoon. What a nice way to start the new year. Soon we will have enough snow for the cross country skiing, snowshoeing, ice fishing and dog sledding. There is almost enough snow for snowmobiling, for those that like to enjoy the area outside the BWCA.

Hope 2012 is good for you.

Pagami Creek Fire Update Sept 11, 2011

2011-09-11T17:19:00.001-05:00

TODAY’S MESSAGE: Yesterday’s dry air and north winds pushed the Pagami Creek Fire farther south yesterday. In consideration of today’s high fire indices, fire managers began a proactive movement of campers from Lakes Two through Hudson, nearby routes, and the Isabella River within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). Specific closures are listed below. Most of the BWCAW remains safe and open to visitors eager to enjoy the fall season.

ACTIVITIES TODAY:
Public Safety crews are sweeping the areas to be closed, assisting campers into other lakes.
Airplanes and helicopters are being used to drop water, keeping the fire within the wilderness and south and east of the Kawishiwi River.

CLOSURES: The vast majority of the BWCAW remains safe and open to visitors. To insure public safety the following waterways and portages are temporarily closed: Lakes One through Hudson, Fire, Bridge, Rifle, the Wilders, Horseshoe, Pagami, Clearwater, Turtle, Camdre, Pietro, Gull, Quadga, Rice, Isabella Lake, and the Isabella River. The southern campsites on Bald Eagle are closed. The Pow Wow Trail is closed. Sites, routes and portages will be re-opened as soon as it is safe to do so. The following entry points are closed: #30 Lake One, #84 Snake River, #75 Little Isabella River, #67 Bog Lake, #86 Pow Wow Trail, #35 Isabella Lake, and #34 Island River. Campers already in the BWCAW will be able to travel through these routes to exit the wilderness but visitors will not be allowed to enter at these points until further notice.

SAFETY: Campfire restrictions are in place. Wilderness wide, campfires are allowed only between 6 p.m. and midnight. Be sure that campfires are doused thoroughly until cold to the touch.

DATE OF DETECTION: August 18, 2011

CAUSE: Lightning

CURRENT SIZE: approximately 4500 acres burned. Acreage is expected to increase today due to weather conditions.

LOCATION: Township 63 N, Range 9 W, Sections 30, 31, 32: approximately 14 miles east of Ely (within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness) in the Pagami Creek area between the South Kawishiwi River, Clearwater Lake, and Lake One.

AGENCY: Superior National Forest, Kawishiwi Ranger District

SMOKE CONDITIONS: Smoke may be heavy and wide spread depending on wind direction.

RESOURCES: The fire is now under the management of Type 2 Incident Management Team Hinds.

Canoecopia Paddle Show

2011-03-08T12:33:00.003-06:00

We will be heading to the Canoecopia Paddle show in Madison, WI this weekend. The show runs March 11-13, 2011. We will have show specials for those that book their trips during the show. Stop by the booth to talk about your summer canoe trip into the BWCA or Quetico.

Need help with picking a new route? We will have maps to look at route options.

Need to reserve your trip? Stop by the booth to talk with Steve or Kathy Nelson and set up your 2011 trip.

Just have questions about how to get started planning? Once again we can help you.

We look forward to seeing past customers and meeting new ones.

Maplewood Camping & Outdoor Expo

2011-02-16T18:05:00.003-06:00

We will have a show booth at this Saturday, Feb. 19th, 2011 at the Maplewood Camping & Outdoor Expo. The Expo will be at the Maplewood Community Center in Maplewood, MN.

Stop by and say hi. Get your BWCA and Quetico canoe trip questions answered. You can book your trip in person with us and talk about route ideas you have.

Not sure where you want to go this summer? We can help you pick an entry point or trip route and get you started with your plans.

We hope to see you there. Can't make it to the show? You can always call or email us to set up your trip. You can reach us at 800-950-2709 or 218-365-3149. Send your email to info@elycanoetrips.com.

We are looking forward to a great summer.

Rochester Sport Show

2011-01-31T14:43:00.001-06:00

We exhibited at the Rochester, MN Sport Show over the past weekend. It was a good turnout. Thank you to all of our previous customers that stopped by. It is always good to hear stories about your wilderness adventures. We met many people that are interested in experiencing the BWCA or Quetico Park and invite you to visit our website at www.elycanoetrips .com for more details and to start planning your adventure.

On Saturday and Sunday we offered a seminar on “Fishing the BWCA.” Attendance was good and showed us that interest in the BWCA reaches across all ages. Our seminar covered what tackle to use, where to fish, doing C.P.R. (catch-photograph-release) with the big fish and more. And of course some BWCA stories that cause all of us to laugh and enjoy.

Be sure to visit us at the following shows:

February 19 – Camping & Outdoor Expo, Maplewood MN Community Center

March 11-13 – Canoecopia, Allina Convention Center, Madison WI

March 30-April 3 – NW Sport Show, Minneapolis Convention Center**

** Watch for an announcement of our seminar times

Good paddling,

Steve

Spirit of the Wilderness in the Winter

2011-01-05T12:17:00.002-06:00

Spirit of the Wilderness is open May through October. The summer months look a little different than Ely, Minnesota in the winter. Here's a little peak into what you miss by coming up in the summer. Note the snow is almost deep enough to cover the van wheels and deep enough to cover the bottom canoes on the rack.

Happy New Year!

2011-01-03T08:52:00.005-06:00

2011 is officially here. With a busy holiday season of visiting friends and family the time has sure gone by fast. We hope the holidays have been good to you and your loved ones. If you family is like ours, we talk about the fun things we did over the past year. Many of the stories are of the canoe trips we have taken and the fun we have had. Here's to you and 2011 being full of more fun adventures.

Ely, Minnesota has gotten a number of recent snowfalls. It's beautiful to see all the trees covered with snow. A few more months the snow will start to melt and we will be back into the canoeing season. Until then we will be enjoying the snow and ice. This is a great time to do a little cross country skiing or snowshoeing. There are many great places to sneak into the Boundary Waters across the frozen lakes. This is a time of year when you definitely have peace and quiet. Compared to the summer months, not many people venture into the BWCA during the winter. Speaking of winter, you can't forget about ice fishing. The Walleyes and Northern Pike are the fish of choice currently.

Happy New Year.

BWCA Permit lottery starts today

2010-12-01T10:25:00.002-06:00

Don't forget to give us a call to enter you into the 2011 BWCA permit lottery. This is the first chance of getting a permit for 2011. If you want a permit for a specific entry point or date this is the time we want to get you a permit. Also, if you are looking at getting a day use or overnight motor permit, this is your best chance.

The lottery runs from December 1, 2010 to January 15, 2011. After January 15th permits will be opened up for first come first served booking.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

2010-11-25T10:17:00.003-06:00

Happy Thanksgiving!

We are thankful for all our great clients. Many have turned into friends over the past 10 years of running Spirit of the Wilderness Outfitters. There have been many great Bounday Waters and Quetico canoe trips memories made during this time.

We hope you and your families have an enjoyable Thanksgiving.

From our family to yours,
-Steve, Kathy & Ginny Nelson

Thanksgiving is almost here

2010-11-20T09:42:00.003-06:00

With Thanksgiving around the corner don't forget to talk to your friends and family about your next BWCA or Quetico canoe trip in Ely, Minnesota this coming summer.

Many agree that a Boundary Waters canoe trip is a great way to reconnect to nature and recharge your batteries. There's something about getting into the wilderness and leaving behind the busy world of cell phones and computers.

Sometimes, it's good to disconnect from the technology. We spend a lot of time worried about what email we have to return and what text message was just received. A canoe trip really gets you back to basics. You worry about where to fish for the afternoon, what's for lunch or dinner and if you can get a great photo of the sunset.

Taking a canoe trip brings enjoyment to many. Time and time again we hear how someone took a trip in their youth and hasn't been able to make it back since. Make 2011 be your year to rediscover what it means to explore the wilderness. Maybe you have been to the Boundary Waters every year for the past 15 years. Then tell someone about your trip or bring someone new. As our lives get busier it good to remember there are still places where life moves a little slower and we can reconnect to nature.

BWCA in the Fall

2010-10-07T13:45:00.003-05:00

What a great time to visit the Boundary Waters! This October has been great so far. Sure, you can get a rainy and cold day in the fall, but the beautiful warm sunny days really help make up for the chance of rain. The weekends are the busy time of the fall. Pick a start date mid-week and you may not see many people.

We have had some great color change in the leaves. It's a little past peak, but still looking pretty good. The next few days the forecast is calling for sunny and 70 to 77 degrees. There is nothing better than walking through the wood and hearing the crunch of leaves on the ground and smelling the pine trees. A warm fall day is something to cherish.

More fish pictures

2010-08-18T08:38:00.001-05:00

And once again more great fish pictures

2010-08-17T08:41:00.004-05:00

We would like to thank everyone that has been registering thier catches with Spirit of the Wilderness of the Ely Echo Angler Contest this summer. Just a few more weeks for the contest then it's over until 2011.

Fish Photos. What a catch!

2010-08-17T08:33:00.002-05:00

We have been having a number of great fish entered into the fishing contest. Many of these fish were released back into the lakes to live to be caught another day.

Live Bait in the BWCA....Still OK.

2010-07-07T23:07:00.004-05:00

As we work our way into July we keep getting questions about if live bait can be used in the Boundary Waters. The answer is yes, you can bring in Minnows, leeches and crawlers to name a few of the most popular types of bait. There are no rules stating you have to only use artificial baits. You do want to make sure that any left over bait is packed out of the wilderness and thrown in the trash.

The question for your group and your trip is what kind of bait do we want to pack in and fish with?

Night Crawlers are a pretty basic bait the will entice a number of types of fish. They are easy to put in your canoe pack or canoe. They just need to be kept in the shade and they will make it for most or all of your trip. The key is to make sure you have enough. The middle part of the summer is when night crawlers are most popular with the fish. This typically means mid-June to mid-August.

Leeches are another great mid-summer live bait option. Leeches take a little more care, but are hardy and loved by the Walleyes, Smallmouth Bass and a few other fun fish to catch. Leeches like to have fresh water a number of time a day. It is best to not get them too warm in the container. Leeches are best when the lake water has warmed a bit. Too cold, such as early spring, and you may not have as much luck with leeches. The warmer summer lake water allows the leeches to be a bit more active. Too cold of water and they tend to keep balled up on the hook. To take leeches on your BWCA canoe trip you should plan on having some sort of leech tote that has very small holes. Minnow buckets have hole much too large to keep the leeches confined. You want a container that allows you to easily change water to keep your bait happy.

Minnows are a great spring and fall a bit. The cooler weather makes it easier to keep healthy minnows. The typical types of minnows used in the Ely, MN are are fathead chubs, rainbows, shiners, and a variety of sizes of sucker minnows. You can use minnows year round. They get a little harder to keep when the weather turns hot. So most turn to leeches or crawlers for their mid-summer canoe trips.

Now a quick note to those of you headed into the Quetico Provincial Park in Canada. There is no organic bait allowed into this wilderness area. You also need to make sure you are using barbless hooks when fishing the Quetico.

If you have any questions please give us a call here at Spirit of the Wilderness 800-90-2709. We do stock minnows, leeches and crawlers all summer long. Just give us a quick call if you would like to pre-order your bait for your upcoming BWCA canoe trip. Need suggestions on what bait to take or what lures to pack or buy? Just stop in and ask. We talk fishing!

Happy 4 of July!

2010-07-04T08:32:00.001-05:00

Hope everyone has a safe and happy July 4th.

More fish pictures from Ely area lakes

2010-06-28T08:10:00.002-05:00

New Boundary Waters Fish Pictures

2010-06-28T08:06:00.001-05:00

Happy June!

2010-06-01T13:58:00.003-05:00

Well June is here and we are happy to say the fish seem to be biting. We have received some rain over the weekend to help the water levels a bit. It looks like this week we will be getting a little more rain. Any rain helps keep the fire restrictions away.

This past weekend was a very busy due to Memorial day. There were many campers that used the long weekend to enjoy some time in the north woods of Ely, Minnesota.

Here's to all that have service in the US Military....Thank you.

Today is Walleye Opener

2010-05-15T07:09:00.003-05:00

Today is the day we have been waiting for. This is the start of the fishing season here in Minnesota. it will be interesting to hear the fishing reports. We had very early ice out this year, which means the water has had a chance to warm a bit more then normal. Th current water temps. are in the low 50 degrees.

We will try and post a few fish pictures from the weekend.

Happy Fishing!

Fire Restrictions lifted !!!

2010-05-14T12:15:00.003-05:00

The US Forest Service has lifted the complete fire ban as of noon today, May 14, 2010. We got a slow stead soaking rain yesterday that must have given us enough moisture.

As always, when canoeing and camping in the BWCA, please be careful with your fires and keep them in the fire grates. When you are not attending the fire, make sure it is out cold.

Fishing Opener!!!

2010-05-13T09:02:00.003-05:00

The Minnesota Fishing Opener is just days away. May 15, 2010 we will be joining many other anxious anglers to get out in the canoe or boat to kick off our 2010 fishing season. It is almost a holiday in Minnesota.

At Spirit of the Wilderness we take this day very serious. We make sure to be stocked up on all the popular lures, rods, reels and of course we have bait. Since we are closed for the winter this is always an exciting time. We measure time in when we will be getting the bait in to start the 2010 fishing season. We always carry all sorts of minnows, leeched and crawlers.

The most popular minnows in the spring depends on who you ask. Many will tell you it's all about the shiners. Others swear by the rainbow or fathead chub. We like to think of ourselves as an equal opportunity minnow employer. You know, we do train our minnows to catch fish or die trying!

No matter what bait you choose or what lure is on the end of your line we hope you have a great Fishing Opener!

P.S. Don't forget to bring in your catch or a photo of it and we will sign you up for the local fishing contest and put you on the bragging board.

Fire Restrictions

2010-05-11T10:30:00.004-05:00

As of today, May 11, 2010 the US Forest Service still has the Boundary Waters Canoe Area under complete fire restrictions. If you are headed up to canoe and camp in the BWCA plan on having a camp stove and fuel to cook on.

The forecast is calling for some rain this week. We will have to wait and see if it is enough for the fire restrictions to change. It has been a very dry spring and moisture is still in great need. The US Forest Service keeps telling us that we will need more than just a day of rain to make any restriction changes.

Check with us here at Spirit of the Wilderness outfitters for updates. You can email us at info@elycanoetrips.com or call us at 800-950-2709 or 218-365-3149.

Minnesota Fishing License

2010-05-11T09:24:00.002-05:00

Don't forget to pick up your Minnesota Fishing License for the Walleye Fishing opener this Saturday, May 15, 2010. The state of Minnesota has give out new touch screen computers to issue hunting and fishing licenses this year.

You must have your State Issued ID with you to purchase your license. If you have never had a license before you will also need your Social Security Number. Those of you who have had a MN license in the past will have already given your SSN.

Spring

2010-04-18T10:36:00.004-05:00

We are starting to see the tree bud and the early spring flowers are getting close to blooming. It is still quite early for the growing season. With a little rain we should see everything get more green with each day.

We are also starting to see another sign of spring that is unique to the canoe country of Northern Minnesota...canoes on top of vehicles. We know that summer is starting when we see the canoes around town. A few people are taking advantage of the early ice out.

The Ice is out.

2010-04-07T16:07:00.003-05:00

We have been enjoying a very early spring up here in Ely, Minnesota. The snow has been gone for a few weeks now. The ice has been out since early this week. There were a few bays that still had some ice as of Monday. After the continuation of our warmer than normal weather I'm sure that most of the ice that was around Monday is gone.

This is the earliest most of us can remember the ice going out in at least a decade. Last year we were hoping for a little warm weather to melt the ice for the fishing opener that was in mid May. We have been getting a few calls from those eager to get out paddling already this year. This is close to a month before last year.

With less snowfall this winter and early melting we are hoping for a little rain. The rain and the great sunshine we have been getting will help the early spring flowers. We are already seeing a few tulips poking through. It shouldn't be long before the trees begin to green up and the summer is in full swing.

Thanks for attending!

2010-03-30T09:54:00.002-05:00

Thank you for stopping by the Spirit of the Wilderness booth at the Northwest Sport show this last week and weekend. We met and talked to a lot of great people.

Thank you to all of you that attended the Fishing in the Boundary Waters seminar Friday, March 26, 2010.

Keep in mind there is still time to book your BWCA or Quetico canoe trip for this summer. There are still permits open. Give us a call and we can set up your 2010 summer trip.

Fishing in the BWCA Seminar

2010-03-24T09:48:00.003-05:00

Don't forget we will be giving a Fishing in the Boundary Waters seminar this Friday, 2 PM, March 26, 2010. We will be in one of the seminar rooms at the Northwest Sport Show.

Steve will talk about fishing tips, techniques and whatever he can to entertain you.

Can't make the fishing seminar? Stop by the Spirit of the Wilderness Outfitter's booth, #537, anytime during the show and we would love to talk to you about fishing and canoe trips.

Don't forget about the show specials. These specials are only offered when you book your trip at the show. So bring your BWCA/Quetico canoe trip dates.

Northwest Sport Show

2010-03-15T09:38:00.003-05:00

Visit with Spirit of the Wilderness at the Northwest Sport Show March 24-28, 2010. The Northwest Sport Show is at the Minneapolis Convention Center. We will be in booth #537. Stop by and say hello.

We would be happy to spend some time with you discussing your 2010 Boundary Waters or Quetico canoe trip. Bring your questions and trip dates and book your trip at the show.

There will be Outfitting Show Specials that can be taken advantage of if you reserve your canoe trips while at the show.

Don't forget! Owner, Steve Nelson, will be giving a seminar 2 PM March 26, 2010 at the show. Come listen to the Fishing in the Boundary Waters seminar. This is a great opportunity to learn fishing tips and techniques for your BWCA canoe trip.

Canoecopia

2010-03-14T22:00:00.004-05:00

Thank you for stopping by the booth at Canoecopia to talk about the Boundary Waters canoe trips we offer. Once again it was a fun show to have a booth at. We enjoyed seeing and talking with familiar faces as well as so many new faces. It's fun to connect with you all more than just once a year at the Spirit of the Wilderness store. We always enjoy the stories and laughter.

We are looking forward to this summer.

Watch for a blog update about the next sport show. We will be at the Northwest Sport Show in Minneapolis. March 24-28, 2010, booth #537.

Canoe season is around the corner

2010-03-05T10:19:00.004-06:00

The canoe are just waiting for you here at Spirit of the Wilderness! OK, maybe it will still be a few more months until we have open water and the snow melts. We just get excited, here at Spirit of the Wilderness Outfitters, for the coming canoe season. This is about the time we get a little anxious to see some of that warmer spring weather.

We have been taking to many of you about your upcoming canoe and fishing trips. It's won't be long until we are open for the season. We are looking to be open around May 6, 2010.

Hope to see you this summer. Don't forget we will be at a couple of sport shows soon. If you are around to visit with us at the show we would love to see you. We would love to spend some time reminiscing about old trips or talking about new ones.

March 12-14 we will be at Canoecopia in Madison, WI.

March 24-28 we will be at the Northwest Sport Show in Minneapolis, MN.

Follow us on Facebook

2010-03-03T09:42:00.003-06:00

Follow Spirit of the Wilderness Outfitters on Facebook. It's a great way to connect with others that love the BWCA and Quetico.

The Beauty of the BWCA

2010-02-28T21:36:00.001-06:00

Canoecopia Paddle & Sport Show

2010-02-28T21:13:00.003-06:00

It's that time of year again! Spirit of the Wilderness will be at Canoecopia Paddle & Sport Show in Madison, WI March 12-14, 2010.

Stop by booth N126. We will have Outfitting Specials for those that book at the show. Bring your trip dates and we can book your 2010 Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA) or Quetico canoe trips.

This is a great time to pick an entry point, plan your route and get your pre-trip questions answered face to face.

Welcome 2010 !

2010-01-11T19:22:00.003-06:00

Welcome to the new year of 2010.

It's hard to believe that we are part way through the winter and making our way towards another canoe season. How time flies when you are having fun! As some of you know, the Nelson's purchased Spirit of the Wilderness Canoe Outfitters, then Hill's Wilderness Trips, back in 1999. We had, and still have, a love for traveling the BWCA. Our mission has been to introduce people to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and the outdoors through a fun, helpful, educational and friendly experience.

This is the time of year that we at Spirit of the Wilderness start getting excited for the upcoming canoe season. We start to hear from previous guests and new guests about the trips they hope to take in the summer. It makes it a bit easier to get through the -20 below zero days. Soon we will be heading out to a few sport shows and then before you know it the spring will be here and we will be watching for the ice to come off the lakes.

We hope that the new year is good to you and your family & friends. We look forward to 2010 and all the canoeing and fishing it brings!

BWCAW Permit Lottery

2009-12-01T12:07:00.004-06:00

Hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving. We have had some warmer than normal temperatures around the Ely, Minnesota area lately. Yesterday we did get a little snow. It's finally feeling more like winter.

Quick reminder that the BWCAW permit lottery is underway. December 1 through January 15, 2010 you can apply for a BWCAW permit. It is the first chance to get a permit for the up coming canoe season. If you have specific dates or a specific entry point in mind it might be a good idea to apply for a permit now. After January 1, 2010 BWCAW permits are first come first serve. We are happy to help just call Spirit of the Wilderness (800-950-2709) to answer questions or to book your canoe trip.

More Fish Photos

2009-08-11T08:30:00.000-05:00

Fish Photos

2009-08-10T14:06:00.002-05:00

Signs of Moose on Big Moose Hiking Trail

2009-07-17T12:57:00.000-05:00

I ventured out to the Big Moose Lake hiking trail, located about 28 miles North of Ely on the Echo Trail. The 2.5 mile walk to the lake starts out very smooth and easy, but eventually gets a little more rugged. There are spots that can be rather rocky and a couple of stretches in the low areas were very wet and boggy. The trail winds through multiple Aspen and Jack pine stands of trees before emerging at the lake shore, which is in a sheltered bay. To the left of the landing was a campsite on a point that looks like it would be a nice place to camp. There were big tent pads right on the shoreline and decent fishing from shore. While we rested at the lake I witnessed a fisherman trolling the bay in his canoe. He caught a number of Small Mouth Bass.

One great thing about this area is that the terrain and vegetation are prime habitat for moose. While hiking I found signs of moose everywhere I looked. There were piles of scat (poop) and tracks. One of the neatest things was looking six feet up into the Aspen and Maples and seeing all the spots the moose had been browsing (nipping tree buds off and eating them during winter). Along the trail we also found evidence of wolves, pine martins, and owls (again from scat and tracks). Some of the local flora has started to bloom such as the Large Leaf Aster with their tiny white flowers and the bright red berries on the June Berry Bushes.

It's time to start picking Blueberries!

2009-07-15T08:28:00.003-05:00

The blueberries are making their appearance in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness & Ely, Minnesota. It's just the start of the blueberry picking season. Right now you may mainly find them in the sunny warmer spots. It will still be a little bit before the shady locations will have better quantities.

Blueberries tent to like acidic soil. They tend to like to be around Jack pine trees. They are typically in partially shaded wooded areas. A blueberry picking spot is something that most will keep a secret so they can return each year with out much competition.

Happy picking!

Happy 4th of July!

2009-07-04T09:30:00.001-05:00

It is always fun to celebrate in Ely, MN. There are a number of events planned for the day. The parade and the fireworks are my favorite.

Have a Happy 4th of July!

Portaging Tips for the BWCA

2009-07-04T08:30:00.000-05:00

One of my favorite feelings when I enter the BWCA is the sense of camaraderie and courtesy. People spending time in our beautiful wilderness area are generally happy and willing to help a stranger that crosses their path. People have offered to lend me a hand, or greeted me with a smile and a wave out there more times then I can count. It's a special thing that brightens my trip. I think it's important to show people courtesy and respect in return especially when I am portaging. Here are some portaging tips that will make your trip and other paddlers' trips a little more friendly.

-Allow people portaging canoes to have the right away on the trail. They can't see as well and they may have a heavier load than people carrying packs. The quicker they can get to the end the better. If two people carrying canoes meet on a hill, the person going down hill should step off to the side and let the person going up the hill pass.

-Give people time and room to get down the portage trail. If you are paddling up to a portage and see a group, stay back until you see them walk down the trail, and give them a few minutes. Clogged portage trails are no fun, and waiting at the end of the portage trail with a canoe or heavy pack on your shoulders while someone is trying to get on the lake is tiring. Also, remember the the 9 person/4 watercraft rule. Only 9 people and 4 watercraft can be in one spot at one time in the BWCA.

-Try not to widen portage trails by walking around puddles and mud. This causes more of an impact and bigger trails.

-To minimize forgetting your favorite fishing pole or paddle on the portage trail, avoid putting your things on the ground. Your gear should go from canoe to person, and person to canoe. Another way to remember everything is to always make only one pile of gear on each side of the portage. Try not to spread out your packs, lifejackets and paddles where they can easily be forgotten.

-Watch where you place your foot when portaging. Twisting an ankle can be easy if you are walking down some of those rocky portage trails.

-Lend a hand! If you see someone struggling, offer to carry something for them if you have an extra hand. They will be so grateful. You never know when someone may return the favor to you.

-Try to wet-foot portage. This will lessen the chance of scratching, or putting a hole in your canoe by putting on the canoe while you are still in the water. Your feet will be wet while you are paddling, so make sure you sun your feet out to dry them at camp to prevent foot fungus. It's easy to prevent!

- Always load your canoe when it is completely floating in the water.

- Take one last look around before you paddle off from the portage. A quick and easy way to double check that you have all your gear. Also look around you and admire your surroundings. After all this is one of the reasons you are here.

I hope these tips will help you on your next canoe trip. Happy portage trails!!

The walleyes are biting.

2009-07-02T08:30:00.001-05:00

This 30 1/4 inch Walleye was caught Wednesday, July 1, 2009 in Fall Lake. Congratulations to Tom W. for the catch. He was using one of is father's old Rapala lures with almost all of it's paint chipped off.

The last few days have been rainy and overcast. This photo just goes to show that when the weather is less than perfect some of the nicest fish like to bite. Walleyes typically become more active when the light conditions are low. Mornings and evenings or overcast days are great times to fish for walleyes.

For more Pictures of Fish registered at Spirit of the Wilderness go to our Facebook page Spirit of the Wilderness Outfitters.

Getting ready for a brisk week in Ely.

2009-06-30T11:17:00.001-05:00

Quick Note: Wild strawberries are blooming!

If you haven't experienced putting up a tent in northern Minnesota you will soon find out that there is about two inches of top soil pretty much every where you go. This is because glaciers skidded their way across Minnesota 10,000 years ago during the last ice age making it hard for us in 2009 to stake down our tents. But it isn't all bad, because they were responsible for carving out all those wonderful lake beds, cliffs, and exposed rock that make up the BWCA and northern Minnesota. Have no fear, there is another way to prevent your tent from flying into the lake. Just tie a piece rope around your stake hole, find a good sized rock, log, or base of a tree, and tie the other end to it. Repeat this process until you have all 4 corners secure.

Happy Camping!

Hegman Lake Day Trip

2009-05-31T11:23:00.010-05:00

It was a perfect day to head out to see the Pictographs on Hegman Lake just north of Ely on the Echo trail. We strapped the canoe on the car and took off. It was a feeling of excitement and contentment to be heading out in a canoe once again.

The portage from the parking lot to the lake was peaceful. I always view it as getting prepared to experience something wonderful. The warm weather brought the comforting smell of the pines. The north woods have this smell that just brings me back to the many BWCA canoe trips that have given me so many wonderful memories. It just seems as though my stresses just melt away and the busier pace of everyday life can be left for the slower paced canoe trip. It helps to clarify my thoughts and recharge my soul.

Once at the waters edge we climbed into the canoe and start gliding away from shore. We paddled a bit, crossed the short portage into North Hegman Lake and headed towards our main destination. We arrived at the familiar rock face. We gaze up and search for the pictographs that can be a bit tricky to find the first time. It really is amazing to be able to take a day trip to see such old art work. We studied the pictographs and took a few photos to remember our day.

The next stop was bog just up the lake. It is always fun to see all the different plants that make the bog their home. As we get to the bog we can see the that pitcher plants are plentiful and red this time of year.

We spent some time exploring the portage at the northern end of Trease Lake. We were hoping to see a few Lady slipper orchids, but we are a bit early. We began our paddle back and found the perfect rock to stop at and take in some sun and a little lunch. We watched a few other groups pass. They all seem to be enjoying the trip as much as we were. After lunch we make our way back to the portage which leads to the parking lot. As we head to the car to begin our entry back into our busy lives we fall quiet reflecting on our beautiful day trip and hope it won't be too long before we can take another trip.

Trails are clear and the ticks are here!!

2009-05-13T14:10:00.003-05:00

With spring having sprung we're all getting the itch to get out and get moving! Took the dogs on a beautiful hike on the Angleworm hiking trail, north of Ely about 20 miles on the Echo Trail. Let me tell you it was a heck of a work out after hibernating all winter! The terrain is pretty hilly and rocky. So take care not to twist an ankle and wear a good set of sturdy boots. With all the rain this spring the trails are also still soggy and sloppy in some areas. After walking in about 3 miles to the old Angleworm Lookout Tower, the dogs and I settled in for a snack on the edge of a breath taking overlook of the lake.

It was so great to finally see the woods greening back up, tiny crocuses are finally starting to push their way up through the pine duff and into the warm sunshine. I think that all the north woods creatures are just as excited as the people are! On my 6 mile walk I saw deer, wood chuck, king fishers, and even a cow moose. Still a little too early for any baby moose or deer, but they'll be here soon by the looks of their mommas.

Just a reminder, on your way out of the woods be sure to double check yourself, and dogs if you brought them, for the infamous wood tick. I've already found a couple of the creepy crawlers climbing up my pants leg! Ticks or not it was still an absolutely amazing hike and would recommend it to anyone ambitious enough to get out and go!

Spirit of the Wilderness is open for the season!

2009-05-05T18:08:00.003-05:00

The time has finally come and Spirit of the Wilderness will be open for the 2009 canoe season starting Thursday, May 7, 2009. We are looking forward to getting to see all of our returning guests from the last 10 years we have been in business. We are also looking forward to meeting all of our new guests heading up for their first time this summer.

The Minnesota Fishing opener is this Saturday, May 9, 2009. This could be considered another holiday to many that love to fish. It is the kick off to the summer. Let's hope for good weather and lots of fish.

Garden at Spirit of the Wilderness

2009-04-26T10:28:00.000-05:00

I noticed this morning that some of the hardy perennials are poking their heads up from the ground...yarrow is one..a sign that we are starting to get warmer days. The daffodils and tulips are about 4 inches high. About the time the tulips and early daffodils bloom, the bass will become more active in the shallows and starting to nest.

When will the ice go out?

2009-04-25T13:54:00.000-05:00

We are just waiting to hear 5 little words this time of year ..."The ice has gone out." It's a guessing game many in Ely, Minnesota like to participate in. If you were to walk around town you would probably over hear " So, when do you think the ice will go out?" "Not sure, should be any day now."

Those of us that enjoy paddling canoes and kayaks can't wait for the open water of spring. The melting of the lake ice is a welcome sight. Sure, we might have enjoyed a little ice fishing, cross country skiing or snowmobiling on the frozen lakes, but it is an exciting time of year to know that the summer sports are just around the corner.

Some our smaller lakes have already seen the last days of ice cover until next winter. Driving around yesterday we were able to see how dark the ice is getting on many lakes. Dark ice is a sure sign that it will not be much longer before the ice is out.

Spring is in Ely, MN !

2009-04-15T16:00:00.000-05:00

Spring has finally arrived in Ely, MN this week. We are sitting at about 63 degrees today, Wednesday, April 15, 2009. The snow seems to be melting quickly, but not fast enough for those of us who are looking forward to getting in a little paddling. We still have some patches of snow in the trees and the shade. The lakes are still iced up at this point. It will be a bit longer before we see open water. Let's hope for some more warm weather.

It is time to start spring cleaning and time to get the Spirit of the Wilderness Shop and canoes ready for another great season to canoe and camp in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

It won't be much longer now and we will be unpacking new and exciting product for the shop. It is always fun to see the new camping gear, clothing, footwear and fishing tackle that arrives every spring.

Just a few more weeks and we will be open for the 2009 season. We look forward to seeing everyone and hearing your stories about your canoe & fishing trips this summer. It's not too late to book your Boundary Waters canoe trip. Give Spirit of the Wilderness a call at 800-950-2709 to reserve your trip.

2009-04-05T12:05:00.001-05:00

2009-04-05T12:03:00.000-05:00

Ely Guide Company Fishing Report

2009-04-02T12:27:00.000-05:00

Here is a fishing report from the last few days:

I made it out fishing the last few days enjoying some sunshine and warm weather at times. I was able to fish with an old buddy of mine from the twin cities Mike R.

Saturday the 28^th of March: We went out on one of my favorite pan fish lakes and found our selves fishing in our tee shirts. We managed to catch some small crappies and blue gills that we decided to let go. We were using small Northland Gipsy Jigs with wax worms and crappie minnows fishing in about 10-15 feet of water on some weed lines. There was about 20 to 24 inches of ice. Remember to use caution this time of year on the ice; there are spots that are not safe. Current areas and sun beaten shorelines are opening up.

Sunday the 29^th of March: With only a couple of days left in the trout season Mike and I decided to go after some lake trout. My friend Mike had never caught a lake trout. I explained to him that lake trout can be challenging at times and not to expect a whole lot of action. We went out on Burntside Lake and searched for some Lakers. We fished with out success in three different spots for about six hours. We were using tip ups with ciscos, and we were jigging with spoons.

Monday the 30^th of March: After spending a day out on Burntside with no success I had to go out again. I wanted to end the season on a positive note. I went out on Burntside again with a friend from town. We had some action immediately with a couple hits. I was using a big spoon with half a piece of cisco. I decided to change to something smaller, so I went with an orange Rapala Jigging Rap. As soon as I let my lure to the bottom I had a fish on. I iced one Laker about 3-4lbs and dropped my jig back down and immediately caught a second fish about the same size. This was the fastest I had caught two Lake Trout thru the Ice! We were using Rapala Jigging Raps and tip ups with ciscos. We were fishing from 35 to 50 feet of water. There was approximately 24 inches of ice. We used a snowmobile to get around. Again we enjoyed the sunshine for a few hours until the clouds came in and it cooled down a bit. We managed to catch three lake trout which were a perfect eating size!

Tuesday the 31^st of March: Decided to hit a crappie spot on the last day of March. I thought with the snow storm approaching the slab crappies would be hitting. With the high winds and colder temps I brought along my fish house to stay warm. I’m glad we did! It was challenging just to get the portable fish house from blowing away. With the lack of snow on the ice there was nothing to anchor the house. Well we managed to catch a few crappies in the morning enough for a good meal, and then call it a day. We were fishing in 25-30 feet catching the crappies about half way down. We used small jigs with crappie minnows.

Welcome to Spirit of the Wilderness News

2009-04-01T16:29:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the Spirit of the Wilderness News blog. We hope to keep you updated on what's going on in the BWCA and around Spirit of the Wilderness Outfitters. We plan to updated with fishing reports, BWCA & Quetico trip stories, and more.

We are looking forward to the arrival of spring. With a few more inches of snow the last few days it seems like it might be a bit longer before we can start paddling across open water.