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TC110
member (6)member
  
07/16/2021 10:10AM  
First let me say I have been doing a lot of research and you folks on here are great. The best research I have found comes from reading posts and replies.
I am bringing my son up for a six day venture with entry site in Sag. We definitely will be fishing quite a bit but we also plan on doing some exploring and hiking. So my debate is taking tow to Red Rock or American Point. Thinking of doing 2 or 3 different base camps working our way back to Seagull Outfitters. We live right near Lake Erie so we are focused on catching some nice fish - not just seeking walleye. Esther Falls and KeK trail are on the list of to-do’s. Looking for ideas, suggestions, and maybe a hint for my son to catch a gator pike before he heads off to college. Thanks!
I should mention we are heading on last full week of August
 
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07/16/2021 11:35AM  
Taking the tow will save time which will give you more time to fish! Also allows you to get your permit sooner as your outfitters open sooner the the feds.
papalambeau
distinguished member (296)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
07/16/2021 12:48PM  
Took a tow this year for the first time in 30 years. We all said it was like getting an extra full day in camp and was a great way to start a week long trip. Definitely worth the money for our crew. Go with the tow and have a great trip.
mmrocker13
distinguished member (137)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
07/16/2021 01:39PM  
I haven't taken this tow in particular, but we started doing tows across basswood a few years back, and it is 100% worth it! So go for the tow--more time doing other stuff :-)
Bjfinnegan
senior member (74)senior membersenior member
  
07/16/2021 03:16PM  
Definitely do the tow, but get on it quickly as it's a scheduled thing. Sag is a monster of a lake in the BWCA. Get across it and onto the smaller non-motor lakes to spend your nights. Also worth talking to an outfitter, as I'd be curious how bad the Sag Corridor water levels are for them right now. We were scraping and paddling through last July.

Keep your options open for route. When we were dropped at American Point the winds had become sustained with white caps and we couldn't even paddle to the first campsite West of AP. Waited a little for it to calm down but more groups were getting dropped off each hour. Ended up hugging the shore to an island South of AP. Would've probably opted to go to Red Rock had we known before the drop.
TC110
member (6)member
  
07/16/2021 08:43PM  
Tow is booked and Seagull will allow me to change to Red Rock if needed. Wondering if it is worth hitting some of those lakes like Ester, Hansen, Cherry etc or if we should work Alpine, Red Rock and Ogish areas more.
07/17/2021 08:17PM  
Can't go wrong with any of those IMO.
Bjfinnegan
senior member (74)senior membersenior member
  
07/17/2021 09:47PM  
Cherry is supposed to be great, but I've heard the portage in from Hanson is a doozy. Plus only 2 sites on Cherry if you're trying to post up there. Avoid the site on the East side of Hanson. It's doable for a night, but if there is any rain it runs down the outcropping into the few small tent pads and the damp forest around it gives no firewood options (likely not an issue with the burn ban though). Landings are a little slippery and tricky too.

Hanson doesn't have walleye, but we trolled deep for lakers in July and landed 3 last year (2 back to back just north of the PMA portage in that little bay with deep ledges). Otherwise smallies off the shore.

The little passage between the 4 sites on Ester is like a huge sand bar and the sites on the island looked nice.

If you're on an early start you can make it to Hanson by noon-1p from American Point under normal conditions (about 4 hours).
cyclones30
distinguished member(4163)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberpower member
  
07/17/2021 09:53PM  
I'd agree with cowdoc. I usually think of Ester/Hanson/Cherry as more laker spots and those will be very hard to find in August. So I'd lean towards your other options but not to say any of them are bad. If you do go to those, do the extra portage to the south arm of knife to fish and check out Eddy Falls.
TC110
member (6)member
  
07/17/2021 09:58PM  
Thanks! I think that’s what we will do. Eddy falls is definitely on the list and we will fish S Knife. Is Eddy lake worth fishing much or should we portage through and move on?
07/18/2021 08:22PM  
Be sure to take advantage of your outfitter's experience and advice before you shove off. Deb has a lifetime of knowledge and will share current info as well.
TC110
member (6)member
  
07/18/2021 11:08PM  
bobbernumber3: "Be sure to take advantage of your outfitter's experience and advice before you shove off. Deb has a lifetime of knowledge and will share current info as well."


Thank you - I will certainly do so
 
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