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       Sawbill to ?
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Date/Time: 03/28/2024 02:45PM
Sawbill to ?

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Previous Messages:
Author Message Text
boonie 08/05/2021 04:42PM
It will.
midwesterner 08/05/2021 01:16PM
a permit came available for Baker so i took that one. Hoping that should save a good amount of time
straighthairedcurly 08/03/2021 05:58PM
I would plan to take the first available campsite you come across on Smoke, Burnt, Kelly, Jack, or Weird rather than hope something will be open on S. Temperance or N. Temperance. Those 2 lakes fill up really fast with people from Brule. We dropped down from Cherokee and N. Temperance was already filled before noon. We got the last site on S. Temperance just after noon and ended up sharing it with a pair who had come up from Baker and went to N. Temperance because someone recommended it, never thinking what to do if it was full.

You could also go west and end up on Ella (quietest), Beth, or Grace.

August still has warm enough water that I just wear my normal hiking boots and wet foot it.
salukiguy 08/03/2021 05:07PM
For the type of trip you are planning I think Sawbill to Grace or Phoebe would be a better choice. Just as good fishing and less worry about open campsites.
mjmkjun 07/28/2021 11:14AM
I did a counterclockwise loop from Sawbill 3 1/2 years ago (at 68 yrs) to a N. Temperance campsite with an early start from Sawbill landing. I was a bit sore the next morning but took on the N. Temperance>>>>Cherokee portage in spirited mode. Note: I didn't fish nor linger at portages.
jillpine 07/28/2021 07:34AM
Go for it - beautiful route, but maybe instead of making a firm plan to end up at either s or n temperance, you could still choose that route and take an available site along the way, then day trip from that location.
midwesterner 07/28/2021 07:10AM
It was because of permit availability that we got our permit for sawbill
lindylair 07/28/2021 06:20AM
If South Temperance is the goal, why wouldn't you get a Baker Lake permit - is it a lack of availability? This would be an easier and shorter trip to S. Temp and you would be looking for a campsite earlier in the day. A nice paddle.
midwesterner 07/27/2021 10:24PM
We are open to other ideas. Always heard great things about fishing on south temperance is the reason for this route but if there are any other suggestions I’d love to hear them. We leave on a Monday and come out Thursday to give you an idea of the time line. We want to only make camp once and are willing to put in work on the day in to reach a good destination.
jillpine 07/27/2021 10:03PM
Also, is there a reason for this route? The great thing about Sawbill
Is many options. Have you considered others? Like cowdoc said, the temperence lakes get pressured from multiple ep’s.
jillpine 07/27/2021 09:43PM
Easily done. Just be prepared to to paddle it back (same day) because no sites are open. Not being snide. This is a popular route. If you’re doing an overnight, take first spot you find and consider yourself lucky. Otherwise, begin the day early and end late, and have a wonderful paddle, through wonderful land.
Water levels are quite low. Plan on slower going through the lily pads and very rocky landings in this stated area. Wet portaging is a must if you care about the canoe. Wear footwear that holds well to your foot. Whether sandal, tennis shoe or boot is your choice. My personal choice is Astral tennies because of their uncompromising grip on submerged slippery rocks. I love them.
boonie 07/27/2021 07:50PM
I imagine you could get there. Two or three years ago I went in Baker with another solo and we made it in 4 1/2 - 5 hours. But you're half my age and probably haven't had a heart attack . . .


Get an early start and if it seems busy and there's an open site before the final push to S. Temperance consider taking it.


As far as footwear, it's not going to be cold. My preference is for a good ankle-high portage boot that ties securely on the foot. That's a useful thing in deeper mud, which is more of a probability with the current low water levels.
cowdoc 07/27/2021 06:13PM
Getting there in a day should be no problem. Finding an open campsite then on S. Temp may be a problem. People entering from Baker Lake, or Brule or dropping down from Cherokee. Options then are N. Temp, Brule, take the goat path to Cherokee, or take a site, if open, while traveling through Burnt, Kelly, Jack or Weird.
midwesterner 07/27/2021 05:10PM
My wife and I are thinking about a last minute trip in late August. How feasible is it for two people in decent shape in our thirties to go from Sawbill through Smoke and Burnt, then up to South Temperance in a day? We have been to the BWCA prior, but are far from experts. Also, any pointers on footwear in late August? We’re hoping to get away and catch some fish for a few nights.