Good evening everyone. I'm planning my first trip to the bwca and it sounds so amazing! Can't wait! I am a die hard fly fisherman...don't even own any conventional rods except surf rods. The bwca options are endless and a bit overwhelming honestly. Any advice for a flyfisherman? I know alot of fish are deep and out of my range but any suggestions for shallower lakes? Never fished cold water, but I understand typically deep fish can be found shallow in may or june?

I can go anytime and anywhere and open to any suggestions. I'm born and raised fishing the mangroves and flats of Florida so lord knows I need some help with these fish. Lol. Any suggestions of entry point or entry date or suggested lakes would be greatly appreciated. Species don't matter to me. I'll drive all the way and portage miles just for brim....long as there are fish to catch! Lol. Thanks. Also want to add, this message board is the most informative I've come across! Hope after my trip, I can contribute something. A trip report is at the least.

P.s. not looking for anyone's honey holes. But I wouldn't divulge critical info if I were to recieve any. Just looking for general location or tips for a first time bwca flyfisherman. I don't want to portage 5 miles to a lake 100' deep with steep shores. Lol. Thanks again......Doug

I'm not a fly fisherman, so I have no advice on that. As a walleye fisherman and Q tripper, I'd recommend a good spinning rod. Now is a great time to start reading the board and researching new fishing skills to match the territory. My best advice... slip bobber and leech.

Welcome to the board, Doug!

It would help to know what kind of fly fishing you prefer. For example, I grew up in north Idaho flyfishing small mountain streams with size 16-20 dry flies. I have brought my fly rod to the bwca and caught fish doing it the same way I did as a kid - mostly smaller smallmouth bass. I've also tried new techniques and variations from suggestions on this board. Mouse patterns were a blast in mid-summer on the Kawishiwi River! Several larger smallmouth bass and a couple of pike. I have done fine flyfishing from camp in the evening for smallies with bass plugs too. If you are looking to go below the surface I have done well with leech and crayfish patterns. I'll post some pics of the flies later this afternoon.

The flyfishing forum has lots of threads you can read for more information.

Thanks. Didn't know about the flyfishing forum! I mostly fish saltwater now. Slinging giant closers on 10wt. I've traveled the world fishing for stream trout just never fished for walleye, pike, lake trout, perch, or smallmouth. Thanks again.

The fish in the pic below was caught on a 7 wt rod with 9 wt floating line using a clouser minnow...



On the fly rod I've used clouser minnows, or other streamers, and poppers for both Northern and Bass with success in the BWCA/Q in late May. I've occasionally used a frog or mouse , and those seem work as well. I've had much less success with dry flies/terrestrials. With the fly rod, mostly I fish the shoreline, casting to water less than 5 ft deep, same as what I do when using the spinning rod. I often bring a 6 wt or 7 wt rod w/floating line and pull it out when the spinning rods aren't productive - which isn't often.

Never saw a pike spotted quite like that. It's coloring looks more like a trout. Nice pike.

I agree, that’s a really odd looking pike.

Get some stabilizers floats for the canoe.

Rockriver: "Never saw a pike spotted quite like that. It's coloring looks more like a trout. Nice pike."

Sometimes Tiger muskies are spotted. Hmmm.

If going in May and chasing trout - make sure to use the MN DNR page to find lakes that hold trout. The fish will be shallower that time of year, both lake and brook trout. I would use streamers and get them as deep as you can. I still wouldn't imagine the fish would be coming up for drys. If you can find yourself on a brookie lake during the mayfly hatch - dry fly fishing can be fantastic as well as nymph.

June - early sept, you can likely catch Smallmouth and pike with various large dry or streamer patterns by casting the shoreline.

I have no idea on walleye on the fly. Good Luck and have fun!

I go in the first week of June for Smallmouth Bass. Nothing better than topwater action on a fly rod. Deer hair poppers and bunny fur leech imitations work great.