BWCA 2019 Father/Son Trip Boundary Waters Trip Planning Forum
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WhiskeyCreek
member (16)member
  
03/21/2018 03:08PM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
My dad has always hinted that he wants to see the Boundary Waters, but every year I get roped into a trip with buddies instead of family, including this year. Next year is the year I take my dad and maybe two siblings for their first taste of the BWCA or Quetico. They would have experience camping/canoeing so they are not new at the trait. Would look at doing an early June trip to find the best fishing (even at the expense of flies/mosquito's) for a full week. Seclusion would be nice even though it is hard to come by in June. Most likely base camping but would like options to day trip. Would probably go out of Ely, but Grand Marais is still an option. Portaging would be no problem. We would target every species except Lake Trout.

My main question for you BWCA readers is this: if you had a week to take your dad into the vast wilderness, would you take him into the Boundary Waters? Or, head into Quetico? What routes are your favorite in both areas?

I love the idea of Quetico but know nothing about the permits or extra cost to do that trip. If we go out of Ely, and do decide on Quetico, PP would probably be our entry.

So what would you advise I do for my dad's first trip? Ready and go!
 
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03/21/2018 04:54PM  
Poohbah in Quetico would be my recommendation. I can help you as far as logistics and fishing. Been all over Quetico and BWCA and in my opinion it is the best fishing lake In all of the boundary waters. I did a trip report on my last trip there, it might be a helpful read for you if you are interested.
JLencke
  
03/21/2018 08:14PM  
Depends on age and overall health- both areas have so much to offer. Much less cost, prep and travel to go into Moose chain lake area on American side. Much further north - tighter trails and more rustic camping on Canadian/Quetico side
GraniteCliffs
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03/21/2018 10:08PM  
As the post above suggests where you might take your father is very dependent on your ages and physical fitness. I have always thought that one of the worst mistakes folks make when starting out is bringing too much stuff. The other mistake is thinking "farther is better." Often it isn't. Instead, it is worse for the folks who have not experienced paddling and portaging all day.
I would not even contemplate a long Quetico trip if it is all new to you and your father. Perhaps it would be wiser to do a simple and short distance trip in the BW. Or if you can navigate the complexities of a Canadian entry at PP there are certainly some shorter options that would work well.
But again, the ages and ability levels would be helpful to know. And, of course, it would be useful for you to know what your father would want out of a trip. My guess is nothing too strenuous the first trip.
Just my two cents.
carmike
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03/22/2018 07:49AM  
If you want more isolation and better fishing, and the extra expense isn't a problem, go to Quetico.

If you want very little portaging, just get on the Canadian side of Basswood, far away from those incessant motorboats, and catch fish until you can't catch them anymore. A few relatively easy portages out of Prairie Portage will get you to Sunday Lake or into North Bay or up into Shade. Lots of water, good fishing. And not any more difficult than a "normal" BWCA trip.

Of course, if any of y'all have DWI's within the last decade, it's BWCA.
WhiskeyCreek
member (16)member
  
03/22/2018 09:13AM  
I am in my late 20's and my dad is in his late 50's with good health. We should have no problem with portaging. I would like to get to our base camp lake within the first day at an average pace. No DWI's either lol. We have most of our own gear, I like to rent some from the outfitters to help support their businesses.

How much of a difference in price is Quetico vs BWCA on average for a week long trip?

I appreciate the insight on Poohbah, I read your report Walllee and that looks like a heck of a trip!

My dad loves to explore so if we did stay in the BWCA I would really consider a route through Basswood Falls and Curtain Falls. I think he would enjoy the scenery, history, and the fishing in that area. I'll do some research on the travels through these areas. I also am thinking about a tow and head over to Knife Lake for a week long fishing trip.

jeremylynn21
member (49)member
  
03/22/2018 03:53PM  
I have no input on the fishing but I like the fact that you are taking your dad instead of going with buddies. I wish I had had more time with my dad. Life is too short. Buddies will come and go. family is family. So enjoy your time spent with him no matter where you end up going. Im sure he will treasure this trip.
Have fun and be safe.
GraniteCliffs
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03/22/2018 05:18PM  
The price swing between the Q and BW is significant: Roughly 20 bucks per person per day in the Q for the permit vs 16 bucks person for the entire trip. The exchange rate varies so costs are approximate. Then you would need a Remote Border Crossing permit, adding about 30 bucks per person. Then you would need a fishing license in Ontario, roughly 30 bucks for the week per person. And you need a passport to enter the US on your return. Other than that it is simple!

If cost or the hassle factor is not an issue I would choose the Q in a heartbeat. With that said I suspect either place would be great for this father/son trip. The time together canoeing is what is most important. Let us know BW vs Q and folks will chime in with ideas
mgraber
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03/22/2018 07:40PM  
As others have stated, Quetico has what you want with much higher cost. For a party of 4 for 7 nights your talking close to 600 dollars for Quetico ( if you are all adults). It is 21.50 per person per night if adult and 9.00 if child, plus the 11.50 reservation fee and tax plus cost of RABC, Outdoors cards, Ontario fishing license and passports as mentioned earlier.. BWCA cost is 6.00 reservation fee, 16.00 per adult and 8.00 per child for as long as you want to stay. So that totals 70.00 for a week stay for 4 adults. Quite a difference, but Quetico is worth it if money is not an issue. I wouldn't do PoohBah on a first trip but second the recommendation for probably the best fishing lake and plenty of seclusion. Find out what everyone's abilities and tolerance is first. If fishing is high priority, do a loop through LLC, Iron, and Crooked (moose river north #16 is a good starting and/or stopping place). They are all amazing fisheries if lakers are not a priority. MUCH better than Knife, except for lakers.This will take you past Curtain falls, but to also do Basswood falls you would have to extend the loop, and to do all the Basswood river and its falls you would probably need more than a week if fishing much. Basswood is great too ,but most of it has motor boats on US side, the Canadian side is excellent as previously stated. If you want to do it all, do Fall lake #24 to Moose rvr North#16 or reverse. Take 10 or more days and fish your way through. If you want to base camp go in at 16 and stay on Iron or Crooked and go out the same way or #23 Mudro.
WhiskeyCreek
member (16)member
  
03/23/2018 06:26AM  
I appreciate all of your input and honesty! I will need to look at budgets for everyone on the trip to decide if Quetico is an option. But it sounds like a route through to Curtain Falls is what we may target for. Maybe camp the first half of our week on Iron and the second half on Crooked. I know my dad would love seeing those falls. I'm assuming they should still be roaring in the first week or two of June?
 
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