Sunday, August 23, 2026 We woke up on our last morning in the BWCA. My father-in-law had decided earlier on that he wasn’t interested in fishing, so the last person who hadn’t caught a fish was my fiancée.

We packed our canoes for the last time. I set her up with the flicker minnow, which had a perfect record so far. I’d bought it on the advice of the fishing forum on this site, during my customary pre-trip Scheel’s run. Sure enough, at the north end of Lake One, the lure defended its title. Another northern hit the lure, my lady had her fish, and I’d successfully guided my group to tight lines. Just in the nick of time, too, since she caught her fish about 20 minutes before we reached the entry point.

As much as I love being in the BWCA, I love getting out of them. My group loved my post-trip treats pulled from the still-icy cooler: cold water, carbonated energy drinks, and a mid-morning chocolate bar for yours truly. We loaded the cars, headed into Ely, and recounted our highlights over coffee and breakfast burritos at Northern Grounds.

The fires had cast doubt over the trip before it even happened, and as we enjoyed our post-return coffee, we were all grateful it had worked out. From PackSack Outfitter’s flexibility securing our canoes, to my fiancée’s hard work organizing gear for the crew, to my mother and father-in-laws’ willingness to get out of their comfort zones, I was thankful for everything that had come together to make the trip possible.