This past week has put a huge damper to my spring/summer/year. On Monday, I was playing a routine game of volleyball when I suddenly felt a pop and the weight of someone coming down on the back of my leg. Baffled, I turned around to find nobody close to me followed by a sudden tingling sensation in the back of my leg. At that moment, I knew what I had done... I had ruptured my Achilles tendon. With a quick trip to the ER, it was confirmed.

This year, I had three trips for a total of 19 days planned out over the next month in the Boundary Waters. Unfortunately these trips will all have to wait until next year. I am very distraught and still want to make the best of the most enjoyable months living in Minnesota.

Every year in June (this year June 9th-17th), my wife and I have a week off to enjoy a 9-day trip in the BWCA (this year was supposed to be Alice Lake and also my 40th trip).

With any BWCA trip being completely out, my question is, does anyone know of any pontoon rentals in the Ely or Gunflint area? I would want everything ready to go... minus fishing equipment which I have plenty of. Just an accessible dock onto a pontoon where I could fish comfortably with my wife. By this time, I will be on crutches, in a cast, and non weight bearing.

DJ

Voyagaires on Crane Lake rents pontoons as well as nice house boats.

gqualls: "Voyagaires on Crane Lake rents pontoons as well as nice house boats. "

Wow........certainly a bummer. At least it happened where you could easily get evacuated.

I have always wanted to do the whole Houseboat / mother ship type idea. Drag a fishing boat, canoe or kayak along as well. It just sounds like fun to me.

Whats the prognosis on recovery?

I have thought about the houseboat rental but that might be a little out of my budget. I'm really only looking for 2-3 days out on the water and then possibly staying at a hotel or resort for a few nights.

The recovery time is 6 months or a little longer (full activity) .

LadyBug Lodge three miles from Ely on Shagawa. Check their website.

Hungry Jack has pontoon rental. Good idea. Word on the street is that a fellow can do OK from the dock there after hours as well. Loon Lake Lodge has a pontoon as well.

LaTourelle's has motorized trips to pre-set-up campsites on Basswood. Check out the website.

That sucks about your Achilles. BOOO! You'll get to fish, though.

lundojam: "Hungry Jack has pontoon rental. Good idea. Word on the street is that a fellow can do OK from the dock there after hours as well. Loon Lake Lodge has a pontoon as well.


LaTourelle's has motorized trips to pre-set-up campsites on Basswood. Check out the website.


That sucks about your Achilles. BOOO! You'll get to fish, though."

I stayed at Hungry Jack in the camp grounds and we had good fishing. Lots of small mouth. We were catching mini small mouth of the dock like sunfish. Caught several 3-4 lb over 2 days.
I would go back there. The people there are nice too. Had a bear cause some trouble at night but that is a different story:) Hope you heal well and be nice to your self for the entire rehab, dont re-injure it. Peace

It's not nearly as pretty, but the WestWind on Upper Red Lake rents pontoons. At least you could catch some Walleyes... and maybe a big pike.

I like the cabins at the Rockwood Lodge. I don't think they have a pontoon, but the cabins are nice, and you would be on an entry lake.

We're going to car camp on crescent lake in July. It's across the street from the bwca, but very similar. No pontoons though.

Good luck with your recovery. I can only imagine how painful that must be.

Pre-set motorized trips on Basswood???

How do they do that?

yogi59weedr: "Pre-setup motorized trips on basswood???

How do they do that?"

Not sure how pre-setup it is. They take you out to Basswood, set up your camp and then leave you there with your own boat. A few days later they come and take everything down for you and you're on you way home.

Deluxe Boat Tent Camps

Either way, it might be a bit much for the OP as he is looking for a dock/pontoon.

I am sure there are a couple of resorts on Shagawa or Burntside Lakes in Ely. Look nice, but not sure about pontoons as opposed to more of a fishing outfit.

Sorry to hear about your injury, speedy recovery and good luck in your search!!

overthehill: " LadyBug Lodge three miles from Ely on Shagawa. Check their website."

Thumbs up on Ladybug Lodge for a pontoon and lodging plan. You can fish Shagawa Lake which is normally decent for Walleye, Bass, and Pike. You are also 10-15 minutes from Ely by vehicle.

I guess it says they set them up when you get there; ones I saw looked like they were waiting for someone. Anywho...

Thanks you all for your input and help. This morning I had surgery and everything went well. I am trying to stay very optimistic and a little fishing in about 3 weeks will be the perfect remedy for my mental health.

DJ

I am glad the surgery went well. How's the pain level?

Glad to hear that surgery went well. Good luck with recovery Make sure and do everything you physical therapist says. No fun at the beginning, but you come out better for doing PT. Also a nice way to reset your routine without having a choice. :)

Did that playing basketball two years ago end of March and had a trip for June set up in the BWCA. Do rehab hard and well and you will be back next year. Sucks sitting the bench a year. For me, standing caused so much swelling that even in a boat with my leg down would have been bad. Wait for a late Fall trip maybe, but don't overdue early. For me I couldn't have fished in a boat 2-3 months after surgery for any amount of time. Sorry-but that was my findings.

If you've ever been in the armed services check out Veterans on the Lake. They are on the South end of Fall lake, have pretty basic cabins for rent and also rent pontoons.

dpreiner21: "This past week has put a huge damper to my spring/summer/year. On Monday, I was playing a routine game of volleyball when I suddenly felt a pop and the weight of someone coming down on the back of my leg. Baffled, I turned around to find nobody close to me followed by a sudden tingling sensation in the back of my leg. At that moment, I knew what I had done... I had ruptured my Achilles tendon. With a quick trip to the ER, it was confirmed.

This year, I had three trips for a total of 19 days planned out over the next month in the Boundary Waters. Unfortunately these trips will all have to wait until next year. I am very distraught and still want to make the best of the most enjoyable months living in Minnesota.

Every year in June (this year June 9th-17th), my wife and I have a week off to enjoy a 9-day trip in the BWCA (this year was supposed to be Alice Lake and also my 40th trip).

With any BWCA trip being completely out, my question is, does anyone know of any pontoon rentals in the Ely or Gunflint area? I would want everything ready to go... minus fishing equipment which I have plenty of. Just an accessible dock onto a pontoon where I could fish comfortably with my wife. By this time, I will be on crutches, in a cast, and non weight bearing.

DJ
"

Hungryjack lake