News from Williams & Hall Outfitters

In This Issue

Coming Back From Quetico...

Coming back from a Quetico Park canoe trip has required some form of Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative identification for a few years now. Unfortunately, there has been some confusion as to what exactly, was required and by who. The State Department has made good clarification on these requirement at their WHTI website. Youth groups going into Quetico should pay particular attention to this information, as the requirements for youth groups are less stringent and easier to find than originally laid out back in 2008.

Taking care of this matter early in your canoe trip planning will alleviate any last minute anxiety with this issue.

Dave

THE FISHING CORNER

Tough Spring Walleye Fishing?

Each year, thousands of folks make the annual pilgrimage up north...for the walleye opener. Many of those people come here to the Boundary Waters and Quetico Park. Often, our fickle spring weather can make for some challenging conditions in the pursuit of 'ol marble eyes. Warm weather and early ice out this year will pretty much guarantee the walleye spawning ritual will be long finished before anyone is wetting their lines. Because of this, there should be a bit more consistency with the gradual warming of the water. Fishing for walleyes during or near the spawning time can be a gamble. Severe weather changes (cold fronts) can adversely affect the spawning activity or more importantly, the recovery time after the spawn. A sharp drop in water temperature can shut down feeding activity for sometimes several days. Early walleye spawning means there should be a little less guess work in finding a little shore lunch! In walleye circles, this time period falls between post spawn and pre-summer or water temperature between about 48 and 60 degrees. Generally this time period occurs from mid-May through mid-June, but this year, it could happen several weeks early. For a simple explanation of walleye patterns, check out seasonal walleye patterns. Carol's fish

Dave

Williams and Hall Newsletter

What's Going On in the North Woods.

This news letter is designed to help keep you current on the issues of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area and Quetico Provincial Park, to give you information on Williams and Hall Outfitters, and to share some of our knowledge and love of the outdoors and the wilderness around us. We hope you enjoy these articles and share them with your friends.

Open Water!

That's right! Moose Lake became ice free the day before our newsletter went out last Monday (Sunday, March 25th). For those of you that keep track of this kind of stuff, that is the earliest ice out ever! That, of course, since records have been kept. That means we have to look at open water for SEVEN WEEKS before the fishing season opens! By the way, our average ice out on Moose Lake is about April 28th. Check out this link to Historical Ice Out Dates.

The intention is to be up and running some time during the first full week of May (just prior to the Minnesota fishing opener). For the heartiest of you, we may have towboat service before that, but no other services will be available (in particular, the ones that require plumbing). Give us a call if you're considering something earlier.
spring

Our challenge now is to resist the temptation to get the water running in the seasonal building. Even though we've had plenty of warm temperatures, the calendar still says early April. Since we have exposed water lines, we try not to "jump the gun" for fear of a really late shot of winter cold and run the risk of freezing pipes.

RW blackbird

So, for now, we'll worry about the things we can't get in trouble with, like yard work, docks and general organizing. Unfortunately, that won't keep us from gawking at the lake and the spring wildlife.

Dave

Remember...No Child Left Inside!

This package was so popular that we are still offering it for the upcoming canoe season. We are continuing this campaign to get families out of the house, away from the computer games, and into the woods, enjoying nature. In order to help you out, the "NO CHILD LEFT INSIDE" package is available again for the 2012 season! This package includes all of the gear that your family will need for an excellent adventure into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. This package also includes lodging before your trip with dinner and breakfast in our dining room, transportation to your entry point, route/trip planning including maps, fishing information and valuable canoe trip advice and orientation. For every child that brings an adult, the adult will get 20% off of this completely outfitted package. Each youth ages 10-18 will get 25% off the package, and each youth 9 and under will receive the outfitting in this package for free! Alex and dinner

To take advantage of the "No Child Left Inside" special, contact Williams and Hall Outfitters Today!

(outfitting discount taken off of regular outfitting base rates)

Important
Links and Updates

Quetico Park- The Ontario MNR has now made fishing licenses available on-line! To purchase Ontario fishing licenses you can click on the following link: http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/LetsFish/2ColumnSubPage/STDPROD_091032.html/

Due to some technical issues, Ontario fishing licenses may not be available at Prairie Portage! At this point, the Park is encouraging patrons to buy their licenses on-line through the link above.

Also new for 2012 is the on-line availability of Quetico Park entry permits. Even if we still reserve your permit, you now have the ability to check for open permits: https://reservations.ontarioparks.com/Quetico/Backcountry?Map

Boundary Waters- While Minnesota fishing licenses are still available here at Williams and Hall, they can also be purchased on-line at: https://jc.activeoutdoorsolutions.com/mn_customer/app/goHome.do

As in the past few years, Boundary Waters permits are also available on-line at: http://www.recreation.gov/unifSearchResults.do?topTabIndex=Search

Copy and paste any of the links above to your browser if the link doesn't work.

Remember...We're happy to secure your camping permits at no extra charge!

Canadian trips...don't forget your CanPass (Remote Area Border Crossing Pass) http://www.williamsandhall.com/ftpgetfile.php?id=19

To Make Your Reservation On-Line:

http://www.williamsandhall.com/form1

reflection

Thanks for taking time to join us!

Sincerely,

Charlene, Blayne & Dave

PO Box 358 Ely, MN 55731
(800) 322-5837
canoe@williamsandhall.com

Canoe Trip Specialists
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness / Quetico Park Outfitter
Williams and Hall Wilderness Guides and Outfitters
Located on Moose Lake in Ely, Minnesota