so i am second guessing bringing in live bait - would be my first time (only been up 3 other times though) - leech lockers, slip bobbers, etc...take up valuable room in my pack...space that could be used for booze :)

so...are leeches worth the extra effort, room? targeting smallies and walleye in the grace/pheobe region...

Are you fishing or relaxing? I would imagine your doing both so bring both.

I would leave something else and bring the leeches and booze. 100+ proof won't take up much room.

BWCA Long Islands....ice tea mix and 100 proof rum.

MagicStik

I agree with griswold nothing like waking up wander down to lake to fill coffee pot throw out a bobber and leech, smell the coffee watch the bobber with luck fish for breakfast.

Leave the tent and sleeping pad at home so you have plenty of room for leeches and booze:)

Go to the Quetico and leave both the leaches & booze behind. You can still have a great trip, and not miss a thing;-)

quote fishguts: "Go to the Quetico and leave both the leaches & booze behind. You can still have a great trip, and not miss a thing;-)"

Get some serious counseling for making an outlandish statement like that!! :)

My booze goes in a Nalgene that is clipped ONTO the pack, so it takes no room IN the pack. Leeches are the same way. Seriously, bring leeches. And seriously, you'll want the booze. I wouldn't go to the BW without both those items. Well, I still would, but those items are deemed necessities.

Oh I forgot the baileys in the coffee,and watching the fire after a fresh walleye supper beverage in hand sleeping bag whispering to you, I'm out of here for there in a week, got my booze getting leeches

hahaha - great posts, and I agree with TGO - Fishguts, you may need to seek help :)

alright, booze AND leeches it is!!!

Yukon Jack and Mr. Twisters make for a delightful evening.

The Great Outdoors,
I did get some serious counseling (Take Note) ..Don't Drink! Go to meetings, work the steps.

If you really dont want to make the choice....you could buck up and pack the leeches in the booze. Bottoms up!

without leaches you can still catch fish. without booze you are just without booze.

quote cowdoc: "If you really dont want to make the choice....you could buck up and pack the leeches in the booze. Bottoms up!"

We know of the "tequila worm" (actually a caterpillar). The Boundary Waters could become the place where the "Everclear leech" has its origins in a rise to a future popularity.

Fishguts is kinda right. I like to drink but when I'm in the B-DUB it doesn't seem to important. To much stuff to see and do. Still I do take a small jug of something to sip on at night by the fire. Maybe I should seek help also.

I think that I may be on to something. Stick the leeches to the outside of the booze bottle.

Rez I think I emailed you some info about catching fat walleyes on Alton Lake a while back. The info I gave you was accurate and credible but requires slip bobbers, leeches, and or night crawlers :) You really don't need much tackle; hooks, sinkers, bobbers, lindy rigs, jigs, maybe 2 crankbaits, maybe 2 spoons, and LEECHES!!! However, if it comes down to one or the other I know I can have a drink on my deck anytime but I can't catch fish from the deck (I could fish for stray cats but prefer to use a live trap). Sometimes it's good to trip without alcohol or tobacco.

But most of the time, it's not. Each to their own. You can always bring a small trap net for minnows,, likely not going to bring in a still for booze,,, thou our group did find a full beer in the water on Thomas for opener of 08'. Gotta love that when the B-dub provides you with a cold beer!!!

quote Jeriatric: "

quote cowdoc: "If you really dont want to make the choice....you could buck up and pack the leeches in the booze. Bottoms up!"

We know of the "tequila worm" (actually a caterpillar). The Boundary Waters could become the place where the "Everclear leech" has its origins in a rise to a future popularity.
"

You could put a handful of leeches in the Everclear and describe the result as "stout."

Berkley "Gulp" artificial leeches are small and compact. Moonshine will pack the lightest.

We brought both but had 4 people to carry everything, at end of trip we still had leaches left, but no booze! Thx for leeches TGO! Fishing was great too.

Glad that fishing was good.
Walleyes, bass, pike?????

Both, no question!

We are bringing a .5liter water bottle full of Rumple Mintz(100proof) each. Remember alcohol is lighter than water ;> Should do the trick for a night or two.

Last year was our first time bringing in leaches. I'll never go without them again. So easy to maintain and they last through a 10 day trip, unless you run out. We separate our leaches per person and put them in a 32oz powerade bottle. Change the water at least twice per day, more often if its hot outside or you see ammonia "snot" floating in the water. Dump out 2/3 of the water before portaging and refill with fresh water on the other side of the portage to save weight and to keep your leaches happy.

I could do without them and catch tons of fish from the canoe, I have. Where they are worth their weight in gold is under a slip bobber at camp. Getting 2 smallies over 20", 2 23" walleyes and some nice pike as well as eater walleyes from camp while cooking or just enjoying the company of others while sipping your booze is awesome.

Good luck,
Adam

Just got back from quetico and the fishing was amazing! You most certainly do not need live bait to catch fish. Fish were eating whatever we threw at 'em. It wouldn't have been asmuch fun if we didn't have cocktails around the campfire at night . I recommend going to Wisconsin and getting the real everclear (190 proof), mix that with some kool-aid and lemonade and enjoy. It also works as a great fire starter if you're in a pinch.

I do agree.

Never use live bait. Catch plenty enough fish without it, and the associated hassle.

Booze!