After hearing lots of great advice on this board, I went in via Mudro and made tracks for Jackfish Bay. The first couple of days out there were overcast and grey with occasional light rain, and needless to say the fishing was great. I've never had such consistently good fly fishing for smallmouth as I had those two days! The pike were biting too. Happy camper!

Trip Photos

Original plan was to go up into Crooked Lake, but I ended up not going that way. The area near Basswood river was well populated with large groups of the kind that I starting thinking of as "floating dog shows" (often with a floating dog in the boat). Remembering the joys of carrying all my gear over from Mudro to Sandpit, I figured a) I didn't come here to paddle around in crowds, and b) if the smallmouth fishing in Crooked Lake is really better than it is in Basswood, I don't think my wrist and arm could have handled it.

No problem, because that northern arm of Basswood is just beautiful. I started picking up some decent-sized walleyes, and ate well. The routine was to fish from 5:00 to 9:30 or so, but otherwise sleep in and enjoy nice lazy days (or, as lazy as camp chores allow).

There was a fantastic electrical storm on July 4th with really powerful winds, and then a couple days later, the day before my exit, a real drencher with hail and torrential rain. Two hours after the hail, the sun was out. Gotta love it.

I had to wonder how the motorboaters get to Jackfish Bay. Do they go in through Fall Lake, wheeling their boats along for a spell, or is there a ramp somewhere with Basswood Lake access? Do they need permits, just like a canoeist? It was irritating to have them around in the morning, chatterering and spreading gas and cigarette fumes as they backtrolled around, but I didn't notice that the fishing was hurting from the pressure.

Long story short, it was a terrific trip, and I'm really looking forward to getting back to the area next year, probably earlier in June. Thanks for helping me figure out the plan!

sounds like you had a great trip , maybe time to venture to non motorized lakes ;)

Love Basswood.......spent 9 days on the Canadian non-motorized side but the topo maps of Pipestone bay look mighty interesting, plus a guy can use live bait. I went in a kayak of sorts myself.

The plan is to have Basswood in my back pocket when I'm no longer able to do the harder trips. I have a good start on where to fish.

Liked your trip report. Glad to hear you had a stellar trip.

Cool trip. Was one of those photos taken from the island campsite at the south end of Jackfish? Also, what kayak did you use?

The plan is to have Basswood in my back pocket when I'm no longer able to do the harder trips.....(quote) i hear ya MT , always good to have a back up plan ,,,,hurt my L5-S1 on my last trip (and it was an easy trip) haven't worked since mid may. :(

:) . Hotdog --

Actually, none of the pictures is from there, though I did spend my last two days there. I should post my video of the hailstorm running through that camp -- the most prime-looking tent spot turned into a giant puddle.

I think the pic you are thinking of is from Hanson Island, further up in the no-motor zone.

Nice report! Thanks for sharing. I sent you an email on suggestions for next year's trip.

quote shock: "


The plan is to have Basswood in my back pocket when I'm no longer able to do the harder trips.....(quote) i hear ya MT , always good to have a back up plan ,,,,hurt my L5-S1 on my last trip (and it was an easy trip) haven't worked since mid may. :("

Shock I hear you loud and clear. I have just returned from my chiropractor and have spent the last 2 weeks trying to rehab a lumbar herniated disc. I am optimistic about my recovery and has prompted a "lifestyle" change lest I am unable to make a living and do the things I love. When your back goes it's over, your done. Sort of like the mast of a ship. But don't despair, although discs can be slow to heal there is much you can do to help the process and protective measures to keep it from reinjury.

If you would like me to share what I have learned (I went through a similar injury, compounded by a pulled back muscle, 2 years ago > enough, never again!) I would be glad to........after all, just how many National Geographic and BBC nature documentaries can you watch in 2 weeks (I think I have watched ALL of them > the music, visuals and narration is quite soothing and engaging making the day pass quickly). Feel free to shoot me an e-mail at claybygibson@comcast.net and I will shoot you some links you may find helpful.

quote Luckee: ":) . Hotdog --

Actually, none of the pictures is from there, though I did spend my last two days there. I should post my video of the hailstorm running through that camp -- the most prime-looking tent spot turned into a giant puddle.


I think the pic you are thinking of is from Hanson Island, further up in the no-motor zone."

Okay, I think I know the one. I've only stayed on Jackfish twice, but have been in many of it's campsites (more than once to take a rest from the crazy levels wind I always seem to run into on Jackfish).

I might try my first kayak trip to the BWCA this fall, and was thinking of a trip with few/short portages and big water like Saganaga. But, if a portage like the one into Sandpit is doable with a kayak, then maybe I should expand my parameters. Is your kayak composite or poly, Luckee?

Hotdog, my yak is a special beast that makes it lighter than the norm: a foldable.

That also means it is completely hollow, and can be loaded with two large backpacks worth of gear -- more than enough space to bring way too much stuff :)

The one I took to BWCA is Feathercraft Kahuna, and I also have a Feathercraft Wisper XP which is a little longer, faster, and more rigid. Picked the lighter one for BWCA! If I had done the Basswood river thing, I'd have broken it down into its backpack (which has a hip belt), walked the whole way, and then reassembled it on the other end.

http://feathercraft.com/kayaks/kahuna-big-kahuna/

Sadly, Feathercraft went out of business last year. Nautiraid also makes good boats I hear.

Big fish!

That's really cool, Luckee. I like the combination of traditional design with modern materials. I bet your boat is like a feather compared to my plastic Necky (which is now over 50lbs with fishing accessories etc).