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       Trip Report - Saganaga to Ester Basecamp-A Rookie’s Tale
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Date/Time: 03/28/2024 11:19AM
Trip Report - Saganaga to Ester Basecamp-A Rookie’s Tale

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Previous Messages:
Author Message Text
YardstickAngler 06/30/2022 11:00PM
Thank you all so much. My wife isn’t much of a camper but I eagerly await showing the BWCA to my sons as they “age in” to it. Scouting the area and figuring out what works for their future trips is a big motivator for me.


My paddle partner was totally fired up to catch a Laker and I told him that if I actually caught one, I’d do a backflip. For all our fishing struggles, that fish just blew my mind.


So blessed. There’ll never be another first trip, but I can’t wait for the second!
YardstickAngler 06/30/2022 10:59PM
30 years! I look forward to reading your report!
CFarrow 06/30/2022 12:18PM
Thank you for sharing! Good to know the water is still high. We are heading up next week - I haven't been to Boundary Waters in 30 years, so I'm a newbie. I forgot about the loons! Looking forward to hearing them again!


I'm also driving up from Kansas but luckily get to overnight in Des Moines before making the big drive. Hope to provide a good trip report when I get back.
Ioway 06/26/2022 09:35AM
Great report, thank you for sharing your first trip prospective. Paddling out on a flat calm Sag. is your BW first timer door prize and a Laker on your first trip, truly blessed.
Freeleo1 06/20/2022 09:33AM
Thanks for sharing your first trip. It is always fun to see it through a first-timer's perspective. Plan on bringing the wife and kids when the kids are old enough. It is a great experience for them to get away from technology for a while.
TuscaroraBorealis 06/18/2022 07:58AM
Ester Lake is such a great destination (especially if you can get one of the 'fab 4' sites nearest the channel to Hanson) Enjoyed hearing of your experiences and seeing the big smile on your face in the pictures. Thanks for taking the time to share your story and photos- it is much appreciated.
Here's to many more.
paddlefamily 06/15/2022 12:11PM
Great report! Here's the beginning of more adventures. We started going to the BW 22 years ago and I'll never forget the first trip. So many incredible experiences and lots of opportunity to grow and learn. Thanks for sharing.
SaganagaJoe 06/15/2022 10:37AM
Lots of good memories from that area including my first trip (my report is posted here if you'd like to read it sometime). Your rookie day was very similar to mine in the sense that we both got lost navigating Saganaga and were shocked to find out we were paddling in the opposite direction from American Point. You had much better weather than we did on that trip. Glad you could get out there. Joe
YardstickAngler 06/13/2022 02:50PM
Thank you! I will certainly keep this in mind for the day I make my maiden voyage into Quetico.
gravelroad 06/13/2022 09:47AM
I have just two words for you: Kawnipi Lake.











You already know how to deal with Sag, especially the navigational issues. :-) In addition to some great fishing, here's a taste of what you might see:

Lynx canadensis aquaticus










And your friends at Tuscarora can give you expert advice as well:



Falls Chain to Kawnipi
missmolly 06/11/2022 10:07PM
Big smiles and big memories!
YardstickAngler 06/11/2022 09:27PM
Thank you! I can’t tell you how long I looked forward to this, and yet how it still surpassed my expectations!


And that log had us completely pooped out!
straighthairedcurly 06/11/2022 09:18PM
Loved the log "anchor"...gave me good chuckle. Thanks for a great report about a first-time experience. Your smile in each photo really showed the joy you felt! Congrats on a great 1st trip.
YardstickAngler 06/11/2022 08:50PM
The tent! Oh wow…now that’s a really good story!
CanoeGuru 06/11/2022 07:47PM
Once I forgot my tent at home and didn't realize it until we were 10 miles into the park. I'm proud to say that we laughed it off and continued on with the trip. Just more stories to remember like your phone and leeches!
YardstickAngler 06/11/2022 04:59PM
Oh I will be back! I’ve been spending a lot of time with the maps lately…dreaming, pondering.
YetiJedi 06/11/2022 04:28PM
Nice trip report, Yardstick! Glad you caught that laker, found your phone, and successfully adjusted the tarp and tent. Sounds like an all-around great experience...hopefully you're hooked and will return for more. :)
YardstickAngler 06/11/2022 01:40PM
New Trip Report posted by YardstickAngler

Trip Name: Saganaga to Ester Basecamp-A Rookie’s Tale.

Entry Point: 55A

Click Here to View Trip Report