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Thwarted
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12/27/2014 06:36PM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
Going back for third trip next July. I am planning to bring a buddy and his two boys this time. I gave him the choice of BWCA or the Q and figured he would go for the cheaper option but he opted for the Q. YES! I would be fine either way but I sure do prefer the Q. 8 days on the water. Thinking of Beaverhouse to Burntside and maybe BentPine. The boys are 12 and 14 with minimal paddling experience.

Any other ideas for us to consider or maybe cautions?

 
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GraniteCliffs
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12/27/2014 09:21PM  
Makes me wonder what Santa says when he sees the BWCA.com Ho Ho. Would it have to be Ho, Ho---Ho Ho Ho?
old_salt
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12/27/2014 10:06PM  
What caught my attention is that he is bringing his two sons age 12 & 14 with minimal paddling experience. How are you planning to travel and fish? That would trump the 'where to go' question.

Perhaps a shorter basecamp trip should be considered.

billconner
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12/28/2014 06:51AM  
Depends on the people but I'd think a loop - that could be shortened if they didn't become "experienced" in a day or two - so the trip could be shortened. Setting a point to point goal doesn't seem like best idea for first timers and inexperience.
jeroldharter
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12/28/2014 07:15AM  
That is a lot of paddling, especially for kids that age. FYI, the return paddle could be brutal with a wind from the West. I suggest a shorter loop or a basecamp trip for fishing.
Thwarted
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12/28/2014 08:43AM  
I have never used Beaverhouse so I am inclined to listen to those who have. Does Jean sound too ambitious? The 12 year old is a bit on the skinny, weak side. I think we can adjust from there.

I thought of going in at French but Pickeral is not an easy lake either.

Jackfish
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12/28/2014 10:16AM  
Lots of paddling with few portages to get to Jean. With Quetico Lake being 12-13 miles long, you hope for a tail wind (which is generally the case, but not always).

You can help yourself a fair amount by getting to Atikokan in the afternoon the day before your entry date, picking up your permit at the ranger station there and staying at one of the motels in town. If you're on the road by 5:00am the next morning, you'll be at the Beaverhouse parking lot by 6:00am and, in all likelihood, be paddling by 6:30ish. Beaverhouse is usually the most calm during this time and Quetico Lake would be the same.

By picking up your permit the day before, you wouldn't have to paddle to the BH ranger station - you could paddle straight to the waterfall portage that leads to Quetico Lake. It would save you a fair amount of time.
billconner
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12/28/2014 11:33AM  
I could see a Beaverhouse- Cirrus - Kasakokwog - Quetico - Beaverhouse loop. One tough portage but lots of options to adjust and cut route short. Plus all the features - falls, sandy beaches, good solitude, pictos, reported good fishing, and some terrific camp sites.

Just seems like you don't want to over plan and get on a course with no recourse with the boys, but traveling - even if only a few miles per day - still seems better than basecamping.
old_salt
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12/28/2014 12:37PM  
You could put all four of you in an SRQ 18.5' canoe. That way the boys can paddle while you and dad evaluate their abilities. Only one canoe to portage. Be sure the packs will not be too heavy for them.
Thwarted
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12/28/2014 05:00PM  
New information: buddy is an amateur bass tournament participant. Does Cirrus-kaskawog still make sense?

Also, what about North Bay from the south? Pretty sure paying for a shuttle is not going to fly.
QueticoMike
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12/29/2014 12:04PM  
Jean lake is a beautiful place, easy to get to, and great fishing if you are looking for the grand slam. Big bass, nice trout, eater walleye and nice campsites. You should be able to make it there on the first day. If they get tired, camp on Quetico lake, make it there early the next day. On the second to last day pack up and move half down Quetico lake and camp there for the last night. Makes for an easy exit. You don't see many people up that way either if you are looking for solitude. There are nice campsites on Jean. Go to the east end of the top portion of the lake. I have been there several times base camping and always did well fishing and didn't see too many people. Good luck next year!
billconner
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12/29/2014 02:19PM  
quote Thwarted: "New information: buddy is an amateur bass tournament participant. Does Cirrus-kaskawog still make sense?


Also, what about North Bay from the south? Pretty sure paying for a shuttle is not going to fly."


I think Cirrus-Quetico-Beaverhouse are all so called "Grand Slam" lakes but you'll have to ask the fisher persons that.

If by "North Bay from the south" you mean enter through Moose to PP, and paddle to North Bay - good start. My first trip was with 12 and 13 year old Scouts with limited canoeing experience - that was remedied in a couple of days - PP to North through Isabella and Side to Kahshahpiwi, and back through Yum Yum and S-chain. To North Bay may be most popular spot in the Q, which means you'll see a few groups, but up to Kahs and I'd suggest Trant lake and back S-chain would make a good trip. Going well, head into Agnes and visit Louisa Falls - the boys always love it. Feels more comfortable than a Beaverhouse to Burntside first experience.
OldGreyGoose
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12/29/2014 03:21PM  
Lots of good advice given above...

Here are my thoughts on the Jean option...the nice eastern Jean camp(G7) in the narrows above "lower" Jean MAY be doable on day 1, but I'd bet not. (it's well over 15 miles) Shoot for eastern Quetico like Mike said. Even if you have to stop short of there, AM is a nice elevated site I used last year and another time. You could fish your way down Quetico and make site AM or further on day 1.

Also, consider a more "central" location on Jean, the D4 site with sand beaches. Going all the way to Jean's AM site gives you more day trip options to little Jean or even Burntside, while site D4 gives you access to the "trout hole" or the Ivy Island area for SMB.

Finally, I'd worry more about getting BACK to Beaverhouse with two paddlers with little experience than I would making Jean. Plan on leaving Jean and heading back a day or half day earlier than what it took you to get there...West winds may slow you way down, or even make you wait until 5PM to paddle westward on Quetico. Get an early (first light)start coming back if at all possible! --Goose

OldGreyGoose
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12/29/2014 03:52PM  
Just wanted to add that I really like Bill's loop idea too. Short paddle on BH to the old road grade portage, then the neat pond and into Cirrus, fishing the way east. (Note, campsites on Cirrus are not very evenly distributed.) The nasty 980 portage to Kas will surely be enjoyed by all, then a layover to fish the next day, or two. Creek/portage back into Quetico and camp near the pictos...48 is one of my favorites in the park. Explore Quetico Lake and maybe layover again there down on the Eden Island big sandy beach...Then back out via the Quetico River and falls with the historic auto portage. Fun trip. --Goose
billconner
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12/29/2014 06:02PM  
quote OldGreyGoose: "Just wanted to add that I really like Bill's loop idea too. Short paddle on BH to the old road grade portage, then the neat pond and into Cirrus, fishing the way east. (Note, campsites on Cirrus are not very evenly distributed.) The nasty 980 portage to Kas will surely be enjoyed by all, then a layover to fish the next day, or two. Creek/portage back into Quetico and camp near the pictos...48 is one of my favorites in the park. Explore Quetico Lake and maybe layover again there down on the Eden Island big sandy beach...Then back out via the Quetico River and falls with the historic auto portage. Fun trip. --Goose"

Side trip to Sue Falls and consider planning a lunch stop on the long portage from Cirrus to Kasakokwog.

12/29/2014 07:43PM  
Every time I read this thread title, I think it's addressed to me!

Yours,
Ho Ho

PS - Quetico is where it's at.

billconner
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12/30/2014 07:20AM  
That was my thought too when I first saw it. :)
12/30/2014 07:58AM  
Is this a traveling trip, a fishing trip, or a camping trip?

Once you and your group agree, planning which lakes, routes and times becomes much easier. With young rookies, I would plan on basecamp and daytrips for sightseeing and fishing with plenty of camp relaxing time.
OldGreyGoose
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12/30/2014 10:44AM  
Bobber has it nailed. However, I think folks often just skip this very important step/planning process. Deciding that first, and without thinking "route" helps a lot of other stuff fall in place. --Goose
Thwarted
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12/30/2014 02:03PM  
quote bobbernumber3: "Is this a traveling trip, a fishing trip, or a camping trip?


Once you and your group agree, planning which lakes, routes and times becomes much easier. With young rookies, I would plan on basecamp and daytrips for sightseeing and fishing with plenty of camp relaxing time."

That is always a good question but the answers are never that simple for me. The answer is always yes within the limitations of the weather and the group. In this case I had already picked Jean/Burnside as a destination for base camping but needed some insight about travel challenges we should anticipate. I fear big lakes in even moderate winds where kids and newbies are concerned but getting into Quetico pretty much requires dealing with big water. I also have to fight my own tendency to underestimate time distance and energy expenditures. Add to the above the complexity of planning a long drive and all those logistics and this is a daunting task. Thanks to each of you for freely contributing your insight and experience. Your help is extremely important and I rely heavily on the insight I gain from each.
 
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