Looks COLD up there still.

Going into to Little Gabbro next week with a bunch of newbies.

Hoping it warms up.

I've been watching the weather in the Ely area the last month. Besides the late snow and some clouds which slowed down ice out by a week or so behind average, the temps have looked reasonably warm for this time of year. Looks like another string of warm (for May) days leading up to your trip. The water will still be very cold, so wear your life jackets. Enjoy your trip, and take it easy on the newbies!

What do you mean the temps are looking prime up there right now?

OMGitsKa: "What do you mean the temps are looking prime up there right now? "

Yeah I just checked a minute ago and it says 70s and 80s next week, which is awesome since I just cancelled a Sawbill permit on Thursday in favor of a Tuesday permit at Kawishiwi, in hopes of getting ahead of the Memorial day paddlers as I make my way inward.

Pretty stoked, hope it stays that way because my last 2 trips I got rained on almost every day and it was in the 40s all but 2 days.

Water temps in the Kawishiwi River near Lake One are reading around 50F right now, having risen from 42F a week ago. I'd expect temps around 55-60F next week with the warmer weather. I am not sure if rivers are usually colder than lakes in the area (I'd think so because the water is moving so it doesn't have time to warm up) but either way, we're moving in the right direction. That said - wear your PFD at all times.

That is all encouraging news!

Two of the newbies coming are my daughter's friends and she went with me a week earlier than this a few years ago. She knows how cold the water is and is already an advocate of the PFD rule.

Hopefully the fishing will be lively by then. A few years ago it didn't get going until the end of the trip so...if we are a week later, I could run into the same situation.

But air temp equals quality of camp life so I am happy those skinny girls won't freeze to death on land.

The warmer temperatures Monday and yesterday brought Mosquitoes and blackflies out on The Gunflint Trail. The cooler weather today kept them away.

Zulu: "The warmer temperatures Monday and yesterday brought Mosquitoes and blackflies out on The Gunflint Trail. The cooler weather today kept them away.
"

I'm trying out the sticky patches that go on your hat this year, hoping they are at least a little bit effective. Guessing with the temps next week (all week), the bugs will be less than ideal.