Greetings BWCA forum! This will be my first time visiting the Boundary Waters. I'm an experienced fly fisher, but mostly in western rivers. We'll be staying around Ely and I have access to a canoe and inflatable paddleboard. I know absolutely nothing about fly fishing the boundary waters. Where should I go? What lakes/rivers around Ely are best for fly fishing? What flies should I purchase at the local fly shops? Thanks!

Welcome to the forums.

I recommend that you visit the Fly Fishing BWCA sub-forum

There aren't any fly shops in the Ely area that I know about. However, for expert advice, you might try contacting Moose Track Adventures or Boundary Waters Outfitters .

Thanks! Didn't realize there was a fly fishing sub-forum. Appreciate it.

What time of year are you going?

Spring (Fishing opener to Memorial) - Brookies on the brookie lakes can be fun.

Summer - Smallmouth and Northern can be caught on the fly

Fall (Late Spet-Oct) - Brookies can again be caught on the fly.

I'll be there next week. I'm hoping for smallies. I have an 8WT rod and reel, but have no idea what flies to toss. I was hoping to hop into a local fly shop and purchase whatever they recommend/folks recommend here. I'd do a guided trip to learn, but it's just my wife and me on the trip, and I've been instructed not to leave her alone for a guided trip. Thanks!

I believe the closest local fly shop is in Minneapolis. The BWCA is typically not thought of as a fly fishing destination, but it is does get some as the sub-forum suggests.

I’ve flyfished and tied for 40 years, and usually leave my rods at home. But when I’ve brought them, I’ve tried either large streamer or mouse patterns for northern pike (little success), or any large popper or attractor pattern for smallies which I typically fish below some rapids.

I have even in July and August seen plenty of fish rise to the surface to take insects (I think mostly walleye but am not sure) especially around sunrise or set. For these a large attractor with plenty of floatant, a thin tippet, and lots of patience might work.

https://www.superiorflyangler.com/

WillVan56: "https://www.superiorflyangler.com/"

I stand corrected!
Superior Fly Shop

nateoftheozarks: "I'll be there next week. I'm hoping for smallies. I have an 8WT rod and reel, but have no idea what flies to toss. I was hoping to hop into a local fly shop and purchase whatever they recommend/folks recommend here. I'd do a guided trip to learn, but it's just my wife and me on the trip, and I've been instructed not to leave her alone for a guided trip. Thanks!"

Do a youtube search for fly fishing in the boundary waters. There are a few out there that might be worth watching.

Fish a deer hair diver for smallmouth on the shoreline in the evening in a lake with stained water. Bass are much more willing to come to the shoreline to feed in the evening in lakes with stained water that have maybe 3 or 4 feet of visibility. The dirtier the better. In clear water lakes the bass do not like to come into the shallows and are pretty hard to find and catch on a fly. In June they are on the shoreline in most of the lakes and can be caught on the fly but in the summer it is much tougher but can be done at the right time and place.


Canoe country is not on the fly fishing industry’s radar. They don’t know how to make money there but they could start marketing the Canadian resorts someday. They could sell resort fishing trips for smallmouth but a DIY canoe trip is not going to catch on with the fly guys. My hope is they leave it all alone.

Good luck to you.

You could stop at Voyageurs North Outfitter in Ely. They have some flies and can direct you where to fish. Ask for Regan, he's a fly fisherman. As mentioned, Smallmouth near shore structure in the evening. Also, pike along the weed edges are a blast. A sink tip or intermediate line will get the fly down a few feet. Any large streamer will do, (3"-7"). I like perch colored gamechangers. You'll want to use wire tippet, i like AFW 7x7 tieable wire in 13lb.