This summer I am in one crew going (hopefully) to EP 16 another crew is (hopefully) going to EP 14. Both in early July.

The EP14 crew (3 dads and 3 sons) is more or less a bunch of newbies with not much fishing experience. It is unlikely that they will do extensive research. In the end, it will not be a tragedy if their crew does not catch much fish, but I would like to see the boys catch something.

Can you think of a spoon feeding source that will teach the basics for someone going into the bwca. Videos would be good. These guys are coming from Ohio, so not one knows how to handle a pike. I will help all I can, but I am a mediocre to poor fisherman. I am willing to do the research.

Thanks

Lindner family from Brainerd has a weekly free newsletter that covers the basics well. Just sign up for it. Just google it.

Troll one of these in the DHJ 10 just outside of the weed line and they will catch fish. When grabbing a fish fully commit so the fish doesn't slip and hook the fisherman as well.

Put a leech on a bare hook then up about a foot squeeze a split shot weight, then finish off with a Thrill slip bobber, done! If you want to fish at night just tie a Thrill lighted slip bobber on the same rig. Use a basketball net filled with a rock for an anchor.

It's so easy to think you need 50# of fishing lures so you have every lure for every application. Keep it to the basics and you'll catch fish.

Slip bobber fishing is as easy as it comes and it's a great way for anyone, newbie or otherwise, to fish for walleyes. Leeches especially, but crawlers (or minnows) on a bare hook, split shot up the line from the hook maybe 12-18", then a slip bobber... find a rocky hump or reef and fish around it. Adjust the depth as necessary until you find fish.

The Lindners are about as well-renowned as anyone in the fishing industry. Check out The Angling Edge TV show and website. Lots of great information and videos there.

There is also a ton of fishing information on You Tube.

Since you are packing in your gear, keep the fishing simple. Spinning reel with 8# test monofilament line is versatile. It is strong enough for most fish and can be trolled.

I do most of my fishing with an 1/8 or 1/4 ounce jig with a leech. Night crawlers and minnows are hard to keep alive. A portable depth finder is a must and is in the $100 range. Fish near rock piles or drop offs from 10 to 25 feet very slowly for walleyes during EARLY morning, sunrise, or before sunset. I usually start shallow and slowly go deeper. I pick up smallies in the shallows on the way out.

Leech King or Bait King are good for storing leeches. Buy a pound of leeches and travel with them bagged the first day. Put a steel leader on and troll crankbaits for Northern. A net and needle nosed pliers and you are set.

I wrote an article called Grand Slam Lures ( for the BW and Quetico ). If you would like to read it, send me an email at - queticomike@yahoo.com - and request the Grand Slam article. This will give you a basic idea on what lures to use. Another good resource for beginners is to get a copy of Michael Furtman's " A Boundary Waters Fishing Guide ". Just google it and you will find it.

The basics have been well-covered. You are wise to fear pike and be especially cautious with the little ones, which are flippy and will drive hooks into you in a flash. When targeting pike, I like spinnerbaits because they're pretty weedless and have single hooks. Then I unhook in the water all pike that I don't want to keep, grabbing the shaft of the hook with pliers. Many times, the pike will shake themselves free.

I also carry, from my years of fishing muskies, a little bolt cutter in case I get hooked.

If you want to take a depth/fish finder, that's great, I've nothing against them.

I've never used one in the BWCA, probably because I don't own a canoe and have to rent one, so I don't want to bother with a mount, batteries, etc...

I do take a 50 foot piece of paracord with a weight tied to one end, and put a knot in it every 5 feet. I can get a pretty accurate depth at any time, which is especially helpful if you're slip-bobber fishing.

johndku: "If you want to take a depth/fish finder, that's great, I've nothing against them.


I've never used one in the BWCA, probably because I don't own a canoe and have to rent one, so I don't want to bother with a mount, batteries, etc...


I do take a 50 foot piece of paracord with a weight tied to one end, and put a knot in it every 5 feet. I can get a pretty accurate depth at any time, which is especially helpful if you're slip-bobber fishing."

That's a good idea.

QueticoMike: "

johndku: "If you want to take a depth/fish finder, that's great, I've nothing against them.



I've never used one in the BWCA, probably because I don't own a canoe and have to rent one, so I don't want to bother with a mount, batteries, etc...



I do take a 50 foot piece of paracord with a weight tied to one end, and put a knot in it every 5 feet. I can get a pretty accurate depth at any time, which is especially helpful if you're slip-bobber fishing."

That's a good idea."

+1

Also, I catch lots of northern by trolling an old school floating rapala, green, while paddling, usually about 20 to 40 feet off the shore.