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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum

Trip Planning Forum

8/6-8/12, first time BWCA'ers

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Date/Time: 04/29/2024 03:50AM

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8/6-8/12, first time BWCA'ers

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Author	Message Text
cyclones30	07/15/2019 01:18PM I agree with everything that's been said. I'm not sure why at Gun you need to head north. You'll have had plenty of long portages behind you....no reason to add another! Good fishing in Gull area and lakes around there all the way back out to Mudro. I've never been on the Hegman/Angleworm/Home area so not comment there. It's not an easy route by any means but it sounds like you're prepared.
jillpine	07/15/2019 05:52AM Welcome! Prevent the portage yard sale with a few bungee dealee bobs. These help keep things stowed and fastened, and are made and sold by a nice person who paddles and uses them. High quality, locally produced. Best wishes for a great trip, hopefully the first of many for you and your family. Paddle it and protect it! ~jp Bungee dealee bobs
boonie	07/14/2019 05:02PM If you look at the map, Fairy and Boot are directly S of Gun on your exit route. I was just wondering about the detour N through Wagosh, Niki, and Chippewa to Papoose and then back to Gun to exit via Fairy, Boot, and Fourtown to Mudro. You can't camp on Papoose since there is no designated campsite there. Those lakes going N through Papoose are generally a route to Crooked Lake, but you don't seem to be going there. Is it just a little addition or a day trip to add mileage to the route? I'm assuming your outfitter routed you after asking a series of questions; I'd hesitate to re-route without knowing more. I'd suggest reading TB's excellent trip report while following along on your map and imagining your trip. Then call the outfitter if anything isn't clear.
bobbernumber3	07/14/2019 02:55PM Your boss suggested a couples canoe trip? Great place to work!
ecampbell	07/14/2019 12:42PM (apologies for auto correct to bonnie, not boonie)
ecampbell	07/14/2019 12:39PM boonie: "Bugs - long-sleeved shirts, long pants, in lightweight, tightly-woven nylon treated with permethrin (Insect Shield), repellent, Insect Shield buff, headnet. I don't fish, so can't help there. Portages - backpacking with a canoe. I assume you'll be packed light as backpackers; the best way to make your portages great is to carry less weight. The second best way is to be packed properly (# of loads) to do it whatever way you are planning - single, double, one and a half, or other. As others have mentioned, not having multiple loose items to deal with - secure, repack, etc. - makes it more organized and more efficient. A lot of time can be wasted at portage landings just getting organized and started. Some people spend more time at the ends than they do walking it. It's faster/easier to do a 1-mile portage than 4 quarter-mile ones, all other things being equal. I am confused about your route. Why are you going to Papoose (no campsites) then turning around and going back to Fairy via Chippewa, Niki, and Wagosh . . . ? Something is missing . . ." bonnie, than you for the advice and for bringing up our route. It was sort of suggested by a route planner but we're totally open for re routing as long as our entry and exit points stay the same. Do you have suggestions for places to try to go instead? --would be very grateful for any help.
boonie	07/14/2019 10:50AM Bugs - long-sleeved shirts, long pants, in lightweight, tightly-woven nylon treated with permethrin (Insect Shield), repellent, Insect Shield buff, headnet. I don't fish, so can't help there. Portages - backpacking with a canoe. I assume you'll be packed light as backpackers; the best way to make your portages great is to carry less weight. The second best way is to be packed properly (# of loads) to do it whatever way you are planning - single, double, one and a half, or other. As others have mentioned, not having multiple loose items to deal with - secure, repack, etc. - makes it more organized and more efficient. A lot of time can be wasted at portage landings just getting organized and started. Some people spend more time at the ends than they do walking it. It's faster/easier to do a 1-mile portage than 4 quarter-mile ones, all other things being equal. I am confused about your route. Why are you going to Papoose (no campsites) then turning around and going back to Fairy via Chippewa, Niki, and Wagosh . . . ? Something is missing . . .
TuscaroraBorealis	07/14/2019 09:04AM South Hegman trip info
OldTripper	07/14/2019 08:35AM johndku: Portages - Don't overpack, review your gear one more time to eliminate what you really don't need. Everything should either go into a pack or be strapped to the canoe. (rods, paddles, etc.) None or as few loose items as possible. Get into the habit of each person carries the same items every time lessens the chance of leaving something behind. You'll get into a rhythm on unloading, portaging and loading. Solid advice here. It's easy to overpack. Really evaluate your pack list. Everything we take IS in a pack or strapped to the canoe. The paddles and leeches are the only exception. I echo johndku's advice. Have a good trip!
johndku	07/14/2019 07:14AM Can't comment on your route, I'm more of a Gunflint side tripper. I can tell you in early-mid August, bugs shouldn't be too bad. Prepare for them anyhow, (Deet, Permethrin on clothing), but you shouldn't have many bug problems. You may, however, have excellent blueberry opportunities. Fishing - that time of year I'd concentrate on early morning and later evening fishing, even after dark if reasonable. Are you concentrating on any species? You'll get varying opinions here, but we always take leeches, and have never been disappointed. Portages - there's really no secret trick. Don't overpack, review your gear one more time to eliminate what you really don't need. Don't think you absolutely have to single portage. First trip I took with my "too young to carry anything substantial" son we triple portaged, now I'm happy as heck just to get it down to double portaging. Consider them part of your trip and enjoy them, look around and appreciate the scenery, you never know what you'll see. Everything should either go into a pack or be strapped to the canoe. (rods, paddles, etc.) None or as few loose items as possible. Get into the habit of each person carries the same items every time lessens the chance of leaving something behind. You'll get into a rhythm on unloading, portaging and loading. I'm sure others will give you some good advice on your route and fishing specific lakes. Good luck, have a great trip.
ecampbell	07/13/2019 04:53PM Hey All, doing a couples trip after my boss recommended we make it happen and I'm pretty excited. We're both experienced kayakers, campers, backpackers, fishermen, but I still feel a bit of nerves going somewhere far from where we typically explore and have never been. We used Ely Outfitters to rent our canoe from and to drop and pick us up. My main concerns are bugs and making our portages great! Also hoping to gather any helpful information regarding our route and any insight for catching fish :) Entry Point: 77 – S. Hegman Lake Exit Point: 23 – Mudro Lake Significant Waterbodies on the Route: S. Hegman, N. Hegman, Angleworm, Home, Gull, Gun, Wagash, Niki, Chippewa, Papoose, Fairy, Boot, Fourtown, Mudro Thanks!