I found myself a Rapala Deep Tail Dancer #9 in Purpledescent! I feel like my BWCA tackle box is now complete! I like to have a variety of presentations to go to. I like them to be those in which I have confidence. Lastly, I like to keep it limited to one plano box. Below is the list of contents of my BWCA tacklebox:

Whopper Plopper (x2)
Ned Rig jig heads (1/16 - 1/10 oz)
Finesse TRDs (Coppertreuse)
Brightly-colored jig heads (1/8 - 1/4 oz)
Slip Bobbers w/knots and beads
Twister Tails (white and black)
Crankbaits (varying depths and colors)
Jigging Rap
Blue and Silver spoon (3/8 oz)

I intend to buy some live leeches and keep them in a Nalgene.

Looks like a great assortment.

I know others here will likely disagree, but I've carried leeches in with both a leech locker and a nalgene, and I have sworn off ever doing it again. It's just such a pain worrying about them when portaging and then changing out the water...then even with that, their mortality was not great (not sure if that was my fault or not)... and I had only modest success actually fishing with them.

I should note that our trips look very different than many others -- we are ultralight gear junkies, we single portage and like to move quickly and nimbly, and we try to get deep into the park and cover some territory rather than doing the "one portage and basecamp for a week" thing. We also prefer to troll and cover ground when fishing vs. the slip bobber method, so that's another reason why leeches aren't great for us.

Thanks for the input, SummerSkin.

Like you, I'm a lightweight backpacker (not quite ultralight technically). I think it's great to approach a BWCA adventure with those lightweight concepts and equipment in mind. From there, I feel free to add more luxuries.

I've used a leech locker, and I won't do it again. I am, however, willing to give the Nalgene a try this time. I enjoy having an option for very lazy fishing from camp. I also love to troll crankbaits. Almost no effort added to the paddling you're already doing.

Tight lines and tailwinds, my friend!

wanderingfromkansas: "I've used a leech locker, and I won't do it again. I am, however, willing to give the Nalgene a try this time."

That's exactly where I was when I gave the Nalgene a shot. Hope you have better results than I. ;)

wanderingfromkansas: "...I've used a leech locker, and I won't do it again..."

We've had a lot of escapees from leech tamers, but still use them. At night and on portages, they go in a ziplock bag. Also Nalgene bottles work fine.

I think I take half as many crank baits now.

I don’t have that many crank baits. Still, it looks like we have some similar concepts.

Good lure lineup. And I've had nothing but success with leeches in the nalgene. Good luck and good plan

Leeches work fantastic on a jig or with a slip bobber. I use a leech locker and put an eye bolt in it with a bungy to keep the lid from unscrewing accidently. I won't go without them unless I'm in Quetico of course. When fishing I put the somme of the leaches in a baggy.

AmarilloJim: "
I think I take half as many crank baits now."

That's a nice assortment all the same. If I'm fishing for lakers, I'll throw in a couple yellowbird dr. spoons but other than that, my lure assortment looks similar.

I keep trying the purpledescent tail dancers every time I go up there for lake trout but I just can't seem to connect with them. It must just be an unlucky color for me. I will have to give it a try next month when I go back up there.

Tony

Tony: "I keep trying the purpledescent tail dancers every time I go up there for lake trout but I just can't seem to connect with them. It must just be an unlucky color for me. I will have to give it a try next month when I go back up there.


Tony"

Maybe it's time of year and depth? I expect lake trout to be fairly shallow before Memorial Day. Tail Dancer may not be deep enough for Summer months. I plan on cheating with a Garmin to see where they be.

If you're hitting them with something else, stick with it!

wanderingfromkansas: "If you're hitting them with something else, stick with it! "

It's usually a bait in the other guy's box that works the best. Comes with a comment like "What? You don't have this?"