I know the portages will be tough, but a) I really want to get back to the BWCA and b) for the actual paddling and fishing, the kayak is so natural now it's like an extra arm and hand.

Must be about 20 years ago I went in with three buddies in canoes. We had a blast and caught some fish, but we were a bunch of goofs. Now that I'm 50 I want to go in there solo in my yak and focus on fishing and peaceful days in the woods :)

Anyway, if anyone has any thoughts or advice, I am all ears! I have a Mudro entry permit, and a plan to get to Basswood via Mudro/Sandpit/Range River, and then to Crooked up the Basswood river; then turn around and go back when the time comes.

Is there any route with fewer or shorter portages? Any tips on spots to fish? I'll be bringing 7 and 8 wt fly rods and looking around for bass and pike.

Thanks!

Please make sure you will is complete. That will be tough route carrying a kayak.

Just so you're not too surprised you'll be going down the Basswood River not up it. Some long carries for a kayak but it will be a sweet boat to have on Basswood and Crooked.

I've taken the kayak out of Mudro before. A little modification to a "universal" portage yoke and the kayak was no more difficult to portage than a canoe. The difficulty is the storage and portaging of gear for the trip. Go minimalist with a hammock, wood cook stove, and dehydrated food and plan on single portaging.

Keep these items in individual water proof bags stored in the hatches and behind the seat. At each portage, you pull them from the hatches, load them in a backpack and off you go. The packing and unpacking will slow you down a little bit but your route doesn't have a lot of portages, so it shouldn't be an issue.

Once you're on Crooked you could paddle for days without having to portage again.

I envy you; it will be an unforgettable trip. Be sure to post a trip report.

What time of the year are you going? A Summer trip will help you minimize clothes and sleeping bag bulk.

This July 3, coming out the Friday following. I'm psyched!

I was already thinking hammock instead of tent. I've got a twig stove I use in the Sierras here -- but won't things likely be pretty wet up in MN?

For that matter, would you recommend taking a drysuit if there's a lot of rain in the forecast? I'm thinking not, but it is great to have in Alaska when the rain won't stop.

Great advice, and I thank you. I'll be using my FC Kahuna, which is 35 pounds when dry but completely hollow inside, encouraging overpacking. I'll be careful.

Totally, the concern for me is that I'll be slow as moses . . . but what are kayakers and canoeists but tortoises surrounded by hares? :D

Per the plan, I'd do the Basswood river both directions. Is there enough current that it would be a concern going against it?

There's the Horse River option, but I have a no-Horse Lake permit and it looks like more portaging . . .

Definitely going to step careful on the portages around the waterfalls. It may make the most sense to pack up my kayak (it's a foldable) and carry it as far as the trails allow near the falls.

Hey, I might see you there. I will be in that area starting on the 7th. If I see a dude in a kayak, I will say "hi."

You won't have any problem finding dry wood for the stove. It rains but it's nothing like Alaska. The average rainfall for the month of July is like 3.8" No need for a dry suit but decent light weight rain gear is a good idea. If it rains hard, it typically won't last long.

I would advise staying with your original plan of Basswood Lake to Basswood River to Crooked Lake vs going the Horse River route. If water levels are low, you will find the number of portages through the Horse River will double.

Paddling against the current in the Basswood River will not be a problem. People do it all the time. The portages are well used and marked well on the map.

As far as speed goes, your kayak will likely be much faster than most of the canoes you encounter. I traveled with a couple of guys in a canoe when I was in a kayak (and it wasn't a speed kayak by any means) and one of the guys said "are you going to be able to keep up?" I chuckled and said "I guess we'll see won't we?" It wasn't even close; I had to wait for them the whole trip.

Sound good Jiimaan! The yellow kayak and "mango" PFD should make me easy to ID, if we cross paths.

No doubt the boat will glide and help make up for my longer portage times. I've got a little routine honed over the years, which hopefully will be reduced if I can manage to take less gear: rod cases and sleeping pad in the tip of the bow; fuel can and cords/tarps in the tip of the stern; a clothes bag and a gear bag in front of the rudder pedals; cooking stuff bag, boot bag and "damp bag" (hammock, rain gear, etc) in mid stern; and then the bear can and yak bag behind the seat. As you can see I'm slightly OCD about loading the boat :)

A few years ago I paddled four miles or so up American Creek in Katmai, and that was a workout. Got to where the riffles were really starting to gain force before giving up, which was fine, because that's where the fishing started! The banks were basically a swamp with a few trees, so it was hammock country. The Hennesey hammock has to be Canada's greatest invention!

I have a Hennessey myself. I went to hammocks 5 years ago. I'll never go back to tents. No more concerns about rocks, roots or pooling water and it's much easier on my back.