The same two friends and I have been traveling around the western side the last three years (Stuart, Agnes, Oyster, LLC, Nina Moose, Big Moose).

This year, two of us are bringing our oldest sons with (15yr & 14yr) for their first trip to the BW. We will also have one additional friend this year, also first time to the BW, but an experienced backpacker/camper. So a 6 person group this year as opposed to 3 before.

We are looking to stay on this west, northwest side to continue using the same outfitter and some familiarity. However, we would be interested in seeing some new area around there as well. Typically focus on good fishing areas as that is what we spend the most of our time doing. Looking to base camp this year and take day trips to nearby lakes.

Couple thoughts:
1. Head up through EP14 to Shell for base camp and branch off to the surrounding lakes for day trips, or...
2. Take familiar route in on EP16 to Oyster and day trip out of there. Open to suggestions on lakes, routes, and fishing areas.

Very excited to take my son along this year and show him all the things I love about this beautiful place. Hoping to start that fire inside that burns in anticipation for the next trip, TIA!!!

I should add that we are planning 7nights/8days in early June for this years trip.

You didn't list Iron on your lakes already visited. If you are familiar with EP 16 which it sounds like you are, head up there and spend night one on Agnes or Boulder Bay. Day 2 is a short trip to Iron. Good fishing and curtain falls which is one of my favorite spots in all of the park.

+1 Great lake, gorgeous area along the border.

cyclones30: "You didn't list Iron on your lakes already visited. If you are familiar with EP 16 which it sounds like you are, head up there and spend night one on Agnes or Boulder Bay. Day 2 is a short trip to Iron. Good fishing and curtain falls which is one of my favorite spots in all of the park. "

cyclones30: "You didn't list Iron on your lakes already visited. If you are familiar with EP 16 which it sounds like you are, head up there and spend night one on Agnes or Boulder Bay. Day 2 is a short trip to Iron. Good fishing and curtain falls which is one of my favorite spots in all of the park. "

+2 for this route. From EP16 you can get to Tiger/Boulder Bay on LLC on day 1...then base camp with day trips into Iron (Curtain Falls, get your RABC and visit Rebecca Falls, too) and also around LLC to Warrior Hill, Pictos, etc.

As Cyclone says you can easily move to Iron on day 2 where you will see less people and hopefully more fish.

Thanks everyone for the advice! I will look into Iron, take it back to the group and see what they think, it has been a lake I have wanted to visit for some time now. Is it a busy lake, using Agnes as a reference, more or less?

cyclones30: "You didn't list Iron on your lakes already visited. If you are familiar with EP 16 which it sounds like you are, head up there and spend night one on Agnes or Boulder Bay. Day 2 is a short trip to Iron. Good fishing and curtain falls which is one of my favorite spots in all of the park. "

+1 some of my favorite - Agnes, Boulder Bay and Curtain! = don't miss the pictographs on LLC - Irving Island westerly wall-Canadian.

CampSnkRpr: "Thanks everyone for the advice! I will look into Iron, take it back to the group and see what they think, it has been a lake I have wanted to visit for some time now. Is it a busy lake, using Agnes as a reference, more or less?"

Less busy than Agnes. It's >1 day journey to Iron from any EP (generally speaking) plus the Bottle Portage probably scares people off. There is still traffic going along the border so its not pure isolation, plus Curtain Falls and Rebecca Falls are destinations for day trippers. But certainly not the main first day in / last day out lake that Agnes is.

soundguy0918: "

CampSnkRpr: "Thanks everyone for the advice! I will look into Iron, take it back to the group and see what they think, it has been a lake I have wanted to visit for some time now. Is it a busy lake, using Agnes as a reference, more or less?"

Less busy than Agnes. It's >1 day journey to Iron from any EP (generally speaking) plus the Bottle Portage probably scares people off. There is still traffic going along the border so its not pure isolation, plus Curtain Falls and Rebecca Falls are destinations for day trippers. But certainly not the main first day in / last day out lake that Agnes is."

+1