I'll be grabbing my leeches and crawlers locally here since they keep so easily, but would like to grab some minnows in or near Ely this weekend. Is TGO still the spot to stop for a scoop of minnows? I was up in Ely about a month ago and saw a big red RAPALA banner plastered on the outside of the building. That made me chuckle knowing how Jim felt about crankbaits.

I visited the shop's website and found it kind of interesting how they are marketing almost exclusively toward the Vermillion crowd. As in, there is almost no mention of BWCA anywhere on the site. The "things to do" link takes you to a website about Vermillion restaurants and stuff, no mention of anything in Ely. Just seems kind of weird?

The Great Outdoors is still open? Jim always had a healthy supply of Rapalas to sell for us “fools” who liked to use them.

T

timatkn: "The Great Outdoors is still open? Jim always had a healthy supply of Rapalas to sell for us “fools” who liked to use them.

T"

Yep, my understanding is that he sold the shop and retired before he passed away. The more I look at the site, it looks like TGO is probably owned by the same folks who own The Landing and Moosebirds on Vermillion.

thegildedgopher: "I'll be grabbing my leeches and crawlers locally here since they keep so easily, but would like to grab some minnows in or near Ely this weekend."

Hey Gopher, maybe consider buying your live bait, etc. in Ely. Sounds like you're going to stop for minnows anyway. Several places in town would love your business. Just a thought...

Jackfish: "

thegildedgopher: "I'll be grabbing my leeches and crawlers locally here since they keep so easily, but would like to grab some minnows in or near Ely this weekend."

Hey Gopher, maybe consider buying your live bait, etc. in Ely. Sounds like you're going to stop for minnows anyway. Several places in town would love your business. Just a thought..."

I'll stimulate the local outfitting/beer/pizza economy. I can always use more maps and I need rain pants so I'll swing into Piragis for sure. I just like to have as many of my fishing-related needs taken care of in advance because once you're up there the options are limited.

June. Could you resend your last email
I breezed thru it and lost it somehow

yogi59weedr: "June. Could you resend your last email
I breezed thru it and lost it somehow"

Sent

I recommend Lucky 7 gas station in Ely for minnows. You scoop your own. Somehow a few rainbows make it in the bucket somehow. Best in town.

I'll personally buy my gas from a gas station and my bait from a bait store.

I wonder if Russ at Babe's is gonna open up this year. First bait shop on the left coming into town.

You can personally buy your minnows wherever you want. My buddy is a guide in Ely and he buys his at the Lucky 7. Don’t knock it till you’ve tried it. Best minnows in town.

Arrowhead outfitters has a nice shop. Their minnows work great, although I had mine salted. Who knows how well they work when they are alive!

yogi59weedr: "I wonder if Russ at Babe's is gonna open up this year. First bait shop on the left coming into town."

I would usually top at Babe's. They are good to my boys. Sometimes they will give them a couple free jigs which I think is classy. Also love the wood stove in the winter.

Arrowhead Outdoors is my favorite bait shop in town (used to be Skube's Bait), on the way out of town down Sheridan. Spirit of the Wilderness, Voyageur North Outfitters and Lucky Gas station are also good options.

Thanks everyone! Sounds like plenty of options. I’m thinking I might give arrowhead a try this time around.

Eric I’ll probably be in Piragis at some point over the weekend. I’ll say hi if I recognize you from your videos. Masks are tough for that.

I must have been away too long I didn’t know Jim had passed, sad to hear this !

Basspro69: "I must have been away too long I didn’t know Jim had passed, sad to hear this !"

From what I read he fished til the end and passed on his dock on burntside. Not a bad way to go if your time has come.

yogi59weedr: "I'll personally buy my gas from a gas station and my bait from a bait store."

Reminds me of Bill Bryson's book on his travels in Australia. He went into a shop in a small town that sold pet supplies and pornography.

...went into a shop in a small town that sold pet supplies and pornography."

I saw a sign for a shop in GA that offered two services: hair salon in the front, chainsaw repair in the back. Not kidding.

thegildedgopher: "

Basspro69: "I must have been away too long I didn’t know Jim had passed, sad to hear this !"

From what I read he fished til the end and passed on his dock on burntside. Not a bad way to go if your time has come."

Respect!!!