I'm planning on going into the Timber Frear loop this Tuesday May 28th (Day after Memorial Day). for 2-3 nites.

1. Curious how many people would be in that area?
2. Any info on nice campsites? (Most of them are not rated)
3. Any fishing info. Species and what lakes?
4. What are any general thoughts on that loop?

I went there about 10 years ago. Frankly, I wasn't impressed. Partly our fault for getting a late start on a Friday (I had heard that "no one goes there") but almost all of the campsites were taken and we had to paddle the whole loop to Frear Lake to find a one star site, which was basically a little area cut out of a patch of very thick hazel brush on a gently sloping gravel shoreline.

The people using the lakes were a different crowd than the BWCA. Met this large, jolly party from Wisconsin on one of the portages, taking their motorboats over on wheels, beers in hand. Friendly folks who couldn't believe I could carry my canoe alone. Kept wanting to help me. I believe the boats can get in there on Finger lake. Also ran into some locals on Frear lake, also in boats. There's a road to that one too, though the fact that locals would bother to haul a boat in there probably means there's fish too. Not that I really mind boats that much, it just wasn't what I expected.

I do remember that the campsite on Elbow Lake near the creek to Finger looked nice, though it was taken. I remember some pretty elaborate camp setups meaning people were staying awhile. I think people who don't like the rules of the BWCA are attracted to this place.

I know some of the lakes have pretty good numbers of small walleyes. The Wisconsin party had a stringer of small walleyes.

So that was my experience. Might be a totally different experience mid week.

Hey Linden been in there many times in the winter and a couple of times in the summer. Both times in the summer I flew in. I think you and I flew over the area last year. As far as amount of people it is hard to say. I was at the north campsite Frear last summer and it was like marsonite described. No other people on the loop last year when I was there. I was at the campsite on Timber 2 years ago. Cut into the thick woods with a gravel beach. I would say a ok to nice site. One site on Elbow was the only other site taken that time. I know people catch fish back there but I have never fished it. The sites on Elbow look pretty nice.

Another lake you might want to check out sometime is Hog Lake. About 5 miles to the north-north east of Elbow Lake. Many big old pines and one big island. You can drive into a logged area on the nw side of the lake. You would have to bushwhack your way in . Less than a 1000 ft. But it could be wet this year getting in with all the rain. No designated campsites but you could find a place for a small tent. I have never fished it and don't know if it has fish. I flew in there about 3 years ago. I used to snowmobile into there from the south side, that was 30 years ago and has grown over so bad it would be hard to get in from the south side anymore.

PS I heard there was a tornado touch down by Waubun.

Marsonite,

I googled the subject before I posted this and saw your thoughts about the loop.
I hope by going in on Tuesday the traffic will be slim to nill. I'm hoping for a site on Elbow Lake, the one you mention or one on the East side. Wife and I are going up the shore on Monday and goof around, we will take seperate cars since she is still working in Duluth. I may camp at the campground on Whitefish Lake or go into Elbow if there is enough time Monday nite. I'm taking my 12 YO dog, she cannot portage much anymore so this is another reason for going into this area.

One time on the Island River (part outside of the BWCA) I came across a huge group who set up camp right on the portage. They had everything incluing a kitchen sink, you literally had to walk right through their camp to portage the canoe, this was on memorial weekend 2015.

Jim,
Correct, you and I flew over that loop last year. That was memorial weekend and it was very hot. The wife cried that she could not go, she stated that we had no where to put the dogs and leaving them in the car was not an option.

I Saw the tornado reports around Waubun, sounds like it is not confirmed yet but it was 4 miles north of town.

LindenTree: "Marsonite,


I googled the subject before I posted this and saw your thoughts about the loop.
I hope by going in on Tuesday the traffic will be slim to nill. I'm hoping for a site on Elbow Lake, the one you mention or one on the East side. Wife and I are going up the shore on Monday and goof around, we will take seperate cars since she is still working in Duluth. I may camp at the campground on Whitefish Lake or go into Elbow if there is enough time Monday nite. I'm taking my 12 YO dog, she cannot portage much anymore so this is another reason for going into this area.


One time on the Island River (part outside of the BWCA) I came across a huge group who set up camp right on the portage. They had everything incluing a kitchen sink, you literally had to walk right through their camp to portage the canoe, this was on memorial weekend 2015.

"

Well let us know how it is. A lot of your impression of a place is colored by expectations. I was naively expecting a BWCA-like experience except "no one goes there" and it sure wasn't that. But mid week you might have it to yourself. Have a good trip!

I will do that Marsonite,

I don't mind if I see a few people, just hoping for available campsites with a couple of choices.

Jim, I may even make it to the Trestle Inn.
I'll make sure I tell the owners you said hello :-) :-)

Linden my friends that built the Trestle Lee and his son Kurt both died in recent years. They also owned and ran the resort. They sold the Trestle a number of years ago. I never saw eye to eye with Sue the new owner. Long story short you won't being do yourself any favors by bringing up my name. Kurts widow and her new boyfriend run the resort now. Lee and Kurt were the reasons myself and my friends stayed there. I think my first visit to Crooked lake was in the mid 70s. Sad to say I haven't been there in several years, it's not the same to me. Enjoy your trip! JIM

Bushpilot: "Linden my friends that built the Trestle Lee and his son Kurt both died in recent years. They also owned and ran the resort. They sold the Trestle a number of years ago. I never saw eye to eye with Sue the new owner. Long story short you won't being do yourself any favors by bringing up my name. Kurts widow and her new boyfriend run the resort now. Lee and Kurt were the reasons myself and my friends stayed there. I think my first visit to Crooked lake was in the mid 70s. Sad to say I haven't been there in several years, it's not the same to me. Enjoy your trip! JIM"

I remember you telling me that story while we were flying.
I was not going to mention your name, just pulling your leg.

PS, that was a confirmed tornado north of Waubun.