Has anyone made a reservation yet?

Sounds like April is wide open.

No, but the June group is forming with five commitments. Only one more spot open and then its...standby. Held the first organizational meeting Nov. 30 during lunch.
I have (almost)as much fun getting ready as on the actual trip.
Right now our ages are: 75, 72, 58, 50, 19. The older guys have never been on a canoe trip of any sort but are in excellent physical condition. I am so excited for them.

quote Thwarted:
Right now our ages are: 75, 72, 58, 50, 19. The older guys have never been on a canoe trip of any sort but are in excellent physical condition. I am so excited for them."

Whew, I hope the 19 year old is a very patient person. I'm 45 and still can't stand waiting for my 55 year old buddy. He's so damn slow!

Tom

Other than that, sounds like a good time.

Who has made reservations so far?

Pickerel Lake. May 18. :)

Carp Lake, June 3rd. =) --Goose

quote tumblehome: "

quote Thwarted:
Right now our ages are: 75, 72, 58, 50, 19. The older guys have never been on a canoe trip of any sort but are in excellent physical condition. I am so excited for them."

Whew, I hope the 19 year old is a very patient person. I'm 45 and still can't stand waiting for my 55 year old buddy. He's so damn slow!

Tom

Other than that, sounds like a good time. "

Ya never know, I've encountered some groups where the 70 year olds needed patience waiting for the 19 year olds :)

T

Got mine this morning. Agnes Lake June 9.

~JOE~

Reservation made this morning. Beaverhouse / Quetico Lake entry. :)

Just made my first ever reservation; Carp Lake June 16! Will be going solo, and in August my wife and I are planning a Beaverhouse entry.

For the first time in many, many years I will not make it to Quetico until June 26th. I am always there in May but am unable to go at that time this year for a number of reasons. I may stroke out in May due to withdrawal. But I will book the 26th for a trip with the running guys from work. I love that trip.

In late July or early August I will be back for a week solo.

In mid-September the annual week long brothers trip with three of my brothers will be underway again.

I get to this time of year and just love planning the when, where, who, etc. Geez Louise, am I lucky!

We've settled on the week of August 17-24, put in on Sunday and take out on Friday, both at Lac La Croix. Going to use Andersen or Zups for a boat hop, a place to stay the night before put-in, and canoe rentals (we have 1 or 2 boats, but probably need to rent another 1 or 2).

Plan to do something like... McAree-Pond-Gratton-Wicksteed, camp on Wicksteed or Darky one night, then Darky-Brent, maybe William, to camp on Conmee or Suzanette for 3 nights (2 layover days). Back out over 2 days via Poohbah-Maligne, or maybe Darky River-Minn, not sure which. Using the layover days for 1 day lots of fishing, the other day a day trip over the "Death March" to Delahey-Veron-Camel-Roulston area. Or maybe up to Poohbah, if we aren't exiting that way.

quote GraniteCliffs: "For the first time in many, many years I will not make it to Quetico until June 26th. I am always there in May but am unable to go at that time this year for a number of reasons. I may stroke out in May due to withdrawal. But I will book the 26th for a trip with the running guys from work. I love that trip.

In late July or early August I will be back for a week solo.

In mid-September the annual week long brothers trip with three of my brothers will be underway again.

I get to this time of year and just love planning the when, where, who, etc. Geez Louise, am I lucky!"

You get to go three times a year? jealous.

Getting ready to get mine for my son and myself. What is a great trip for a little guy 7 years old. I have been in all areas of the park but lately I have been coming down from Pickerel to explore and was hoping to make it to Kawanipi this year Maybe June 5 or 6. Would that be to rough for him. I would be going down through Dore and the Deux. Thanks in Advance.

quote Moosehopper: "Getting ready to get mine for my son and myself. What is a great trip for a little guy 7 years old. I have been in all areas of the park but lately I have been coming down from Pickerel to explore and was hoping to make it to Kawanipi this year Maybe June 5 or 6. Would that be to rough for him. I would be going down through Dore and the Deux. Thanks in Advance. "

I first went to Quetico at age 10 or 11, and we did a trip from the US side - Big Sag, Cache Bay, Silver Falls, into Sagonagons. Base camped on an island in one of the bays on the south side of the lake, mid-way east to west or so. Had a great time, but as a 10 year old, the Silver Falls portage was tough stuff. For a 7 year old, will undoudtedly be challenged most by the portages. So my only suggestion would be, a route with the fewest portages.

quote Moosehopper: "Getting ready to get mine for my son and myself. What is a great trip for a little guy 7 years old. I have been in all areas of the park but lately I have been coming down from Pickerel to explore and was hoping to make it to Kawanipi this year Maybe June 5 or 6. Would that be to rough for him. I would be going down through Dore and the Deux. Thanks in Advance. "

Moose hopper, I am planning that exact trip with a June 2 entry at Stanton Bay. I am taking two older men so my criteria are close to yours. That route has relatively few portages if the Deux has water.

To answer the original post...finalized park reservation today through outfitter.

quote Moosehopper: "Getting ready to get mine for my son and myself. What is a great trip for a little guy 7 years old. I have been in all areas of the park but lately I have been coming down from Pickerel to explore and was hoping to make it to Kawanipi this year Maybe June 5 or 6. Would that be to rough for him. I would be going down through Dore and the Deux. Thanks in Advance. "

Moose hopper, I am planning that exact trip with a June 2 entry at Stanton Bay. I am taking two older men so my criteria are close to yours. That route has relatively few portages if the Deux has water.

To answer the original post...finalized park reservation today through outfitter.

Thwarted, that sounds awesome maybe we can swap some notes. I know the feedback I got from Old Grey Goose and others on the forum are suggesting BeaverHouse which seems extremely logical and will help ease in my sons new wilderness adventures. I haven't been to Beaverhouse.

Have you been down past Russell. I haven't explored Chatterton over to Kawnipi, but I have always wanted to see that area. I took my wife there last year and it was a very excessable area and we have 10 to 12 days to move around. I just don't know if he will be up for that much time in the woods. I am trying to just get him more accustomed to life without electronics, laying around, and showing him a beautiful world of our mother earth.

Bump... Any new reservations?

Yep. Have a permit for entry point 72- the Man Chain in August.

Twin Falls Maligne River July 5th

Hope to enter Cache Bay around the third week of July this year. 10-12 days on the water.

Quetico calls... and I must go.

The Quetico Call keeps getting louder.
June 28, Man Chain trip with my younger running friends from work, an annual Quetico trip. I love those guys.
August 3, Agnes to Chatterton Falls loop with my two older retired brothers and my youngest brother. What a time to reconnect each year.
August 31 week solo in the Q to points unknown. A great time except for the company I keep.
I love the anticipation that comes with Quetico planning.

quote Moosehopper: "Getting ready to get mine for my son and myself. What is a great trip for a little guy 7 years old. I have been in all areas of the park but lately I have been coming down from Pickerel to explore and was hoping to make it to Kawanipi this year Maybe June 5 or 6. Would that be to rough for him. I would be going down through Dore and the Deux. Thanks in Advance. "

That's a great route for you guys. Where are you putting in? If you're putting in at French Lake you might want to get an early start. Winds coming from the west on Pickerel can get pretty heavy. Two years ago, I was stranded at The Pines for 3 days with 50+ mph winds and 4 foot rollers on the lake.

quote Longpaddler: "

quote Moosehopper: "Getting ready to get mine for my son and myself. What is a great trip for a little guy 7 years old. I have been in all areas of the park but lately I have been coming down from Pickerel to explore and was hoping to make it to Kawanipi this year Maybe June 5 or 6. Would that be to rough for him. I would be going down through Dore and the Deux. Thanks in Advance. "

That's a great route for you guys. Where are you putting in? If you're putting in at French Lake you might want to get an early start. Winds coming from the west on Pickerel can get pretty heavy. Two years ago, I was stranded at The Pines for 3 days with 50+ mph winds and 4 foot rollers on the lake."

Don't mean to scare you off that EP, as those conditions are definitely NOT the norm. I really like camping at Dawson Creek and putting in there...good/safe place to park the car where it is patrolled by the rangers. Also, some of the greatest campsites I've seen are on the eastern side of Pickerel Lake.

June 1st for me, solo. Heading to lakes west of Kashahpiwi. skipping Sarah due to crowds.

PS. I'll never remember how to spell Kashahpiwi. Maybe that's right. Don't know.

Tom

quote tumblehome: "June 1st for me, solo. Heading to lakes west of Kashahpiwi. skipping Sarah due to crowds.

PS. I'll never remember how to spell Kashahpiwi. Maybe that's right. Don't know.

Tom "

That is why we always go with we are heading to "Piwi."

Just moved my trip back from May 31 entry to June 14 entry canceled and re-book permit. Just too worried about water temps and fishing conditions 1-2 weeks after ice out. with what is sue to be a mid May ice out. I'm not a lake trout fisherman. SMB and Walleye. Keeping my fingers crossed I made the right move.

August 19-25 with my 25 year old daughter. Out fifth trip together after my son sought more exciting adventures. Beaverhouse/Quetico entry this year and still undetermined loop of some kind. Yes, the planning is a great part of the fun.

quote Longpaddler: "

quote Moosehopper: "Getting ready to get mine for my son and myself. What is a great trip for a little guy 7 years old. I have been in all areas of the park but lately I have been coming down from Pickerel to explore and was hoping to make it to Kawanipi this year Maybe June 5 or 6. Would that be to rough for him. I would be going down through Dore and the Deux. Thanks in Advance. "

That's a great route for you guys. Where are you putting in? If you're putting in at French Lake you might want to get an early start. Winds coming from the west on Pickerel can get pretty heavy. Two years ago, I was stranded at The Pines for 3 days with 50+ mph winds and 4 foot rollers on the lake."

Is much of the Pines still standing? Didn't that area have a significant blowdown?

May 23rd entry for Beaverhouse.....and YEA, I'm a little worried.

I WILL not cancel. If the ice is not out yet, we will wait a few days....BUT I think it will be fine.

Later,

Geo

I think the ice is going fast talking close to 80 in parts of Minnesota today.

June 18 tow by andersons to black robe portage. Can't wait for great fishing action on wicksteed and Darky. Outfitter reserved permits for us.

May 24th Nym Lake. May be close to ice out!

May 25th Mack Lake

August 18th, for 6 days. Lac La Croix, boat hop to Black Robe Portage. Planning two inbound days to get to Suzanette, Conmee or Brent. Base camp two days, then two days back out. Not sure which of multiple routes in and out we'll take. Day trips from base camp, hopefully getting to Delahey and the middle of the park on one of them.

If anyone has opinions on which of those three lakes are best for base camp, I'd love to hear them. I know there is some burned area on part of Conmee. Fishing is secondary for us, though we will do some.

I always think that Comnee has limited campsite options, with perhaps one exception on the west end. Brent, esp the far west end and the "Brent Hilton" on the island on the far east end give you some good options but I have never found much along the long main throat of the lake that I have liked. Suzanette has some nice sites although part of the area has been hit by fire. My vote, however, would still be Suzanette. I have always liked that lake.

First of all thanks to Fishguts for inviting me to join this list. I have 2 Quetico trips planned this year both following the exact same route with hopefully one exception. Going up the Falls chain to Kawnipi, then south through Agnes to the falls from Louisa. North through Louisa to Glacier, McEwen and back into the Falls chain. The first trip is from June 15-23, with my hardcore tripping buddy Scott. Fishing is the number one priority but I hope to get him to bushwhack through Gamp instead of going through Fauquier. The second trip repeats the route without the bushwhack from July 28- Aug 4. Myself and a total newbie and his 18 year old daughter. The priorities on the this trip will be blueberries, swimming, pictographs and having the newbie catch a fish for the first time. Thanks again for the invite, I am looking forward to reading the older posts when I have time (next winter!).
Jon

Thanks! Primitiveman,
Welcome and I hope you enjoy our private little group.
We are looking at getting to Kawnipi in 2014, so I will be interestedn in hearing about your trips.

fishguts

Got a permit for mid-July. Cache Bay, Saganagons, Mack, Wawiag River, McKenzie, Ferguson, Cache River, Kawnipi, Agnes, Louisa, McEwen, Saganaga. Put in/take out from end of Gunflint Trail.

Thanks for the invite Fishguts.
Early August. Nym/Batch entry. I've run into more paddlers that said they were heading to Russell than any other lake, so we're making a stop on Russell for a night or 2 to see what all the fuss is about. Counting down the days. Guys in my group bought a used Spirit II in kevlar and also a new Minn II so excited to try them out in the Q cuz we've always paddled aluminum tanks in years past.
Can't wait.

gopackers12,
Welcome! we went through Russell in 92...camped just above the narrows...not a great site...but OK. I remember a great campsite sorta across from the falls....and the fishing below the falls was good.

Are you exiting north or going on down to Prairie Portage?

fishguts

Booked our reservations the 1st morning we could 5 months in advance. We'll be doing a loop from Nym. Plan to head down through Jesse, Walter, Lonely, would like to get to Fred, Russell, Antoine, then not sure which way we'll take back to Nym. Campsite database shows quite a few decent sites on Russell, but we expect some traffic on that lake.

Going on my second trip of 2013, starting at French Lake (Pickerel permit) on August 14th. Can't wait to get back to the North SIde!~ --Goose

Fishguts,

Thanks for the invite. I'm looking forward to sharing info with a savvy group of trippers with Quetico water in their blood.

Carol, my wife of 40 years, and I are headed to Kawnipi via the Falls Chain on July 16 for a two week trip. Carol's last trip to Quetico was in 2010 (Quetico-Kasakokwog-Cirrus). Since then, she has had both of her knees replaced. So this summer we will be slowwww-ly stumbling our way through the Falls Chain gauntlet in search of the blue-phase walleyes of Kawnipi. Hopefully, the water levels will drop a bit in the next 12 days.

Per past history, I will need my best game plan to keep up with Carol...the only trophy fish in our house is a 29+ inch walleye that she caught in a NW Ontario lake over 25 years ago.

Since then, we have bought into the Quetico ethic...take a photo of the big fish, release them, and keep a few small ones for shore lunch.

Our typical game plan involves casting and jigging around islands and points, and reefs, and trolling crankbaits (with and without bottom-bouncing sinkers).

We are both excited about base-camping on Kawnipi. She is really excited about seeing the Falls Chain, so I will probably cave in and spend an extra day or so camping near Silver Falls (and wetting a line in Saganagons).

I haven't posted any trip reports yet, but if we make it through the Falls Chain, I promise to do so.

Falls chain was super high on June 15 and 22. We got turned around in the current and had to make a second (successful) attempt. No high water mark visible. Going with the current was easy coming back not so much. Going back through on July 28-29.
Jon Bratt

Just reserved Quetico Lake Entry Point #32. We'll be putting-in on Beaverhouse Lake in less than two weeks!

Hans Solo

Welcome LamboSleeper,

I look forward to hearing your report, by the way where did you catch that huge lake trout in the picture? Is that you? Wow! We are planning a Kawnipi trip for next year.

fishguts

Fishguts,

I caught that laker in late July 2012 on a Beaverhouse-Quetico-Cirrus trip, trolling a big Rapala x-rap behind a bottom bouncer. The fish was almost 9 lb. and was caught near a cliff.

Fortunately, the fish was released alive.

Also was lucky enough to catch a smaller laker right from shore on our campsite on a Kastmaster spoon. Did not get any hits until I let the spoon settle all the way to the bottom, then retrieving it slowly. That laker ended up in the frying pan.

Yeah, I'm looking forward to a Falls Chain trip starting July 16. I may be triple-portaging unless I can convince my better half to leave some of the food behind.

LamboSleeper