News from Williams & Hall Outfitters

In This Issue

THE FISHING CORNER

Once in a While....

...We're able to get out and do a little fishing ourselves. Late summer and fall gives us the extra time to do just that. Here's Buck with a couple nice smallmouth bass he caught right on Moose Lake

Adam, who worked for us a couple summers ago got these nice walleyes a couple weeks ago.
Adam

Here's Blayne & Charlene's son-in-law Paul with a real nice pike.
Paul

...and here I am with a healthy smallmouth bass from a nearby lake.

Hope you all enjoyed the fishing as much as I do. Until next season...Take Care!

Dave

We'd love to share your picture through our newsletter...fishing or otherwise. Just e-mail in a small format.

Thanks!

REMINDER

This winter's permit lottery for certain Boundary Waters permit will be on the 21st of January with the application period beginning on December 19th.

These permits include all Moose Lake and Fall Lake permits, canoe or motor, day use and overnight.

All other Boundary Waters permits become available on January 30th (first come first serve).

Quetico Park permits will still be available 5 months in advance by phone or on-line.

see links below for permit reservation or information.

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.

With the Falling Leaves...Comes the End of Another Canoe Season

Well it's been a little while since our last newsletter and it seems like we were just putting the docks out after ice out. The next thing you know, the maples in front of the Outfitting Building are in full gold, trying to hold on against the cold autumn nights and the brisk winds of season's change.

fall

As we look ahead, it's hard not to look back and think about the season just past. After a record early ice out in March, we received very good rain in spring and early summer. Lake levels were very good and the woods were green. All seemed good until late July/early August and much like last year, the moisture seemed to shut off. In the coming weeks as the woods got drier, several small forest fires popped up, prompting the US Forest Service to take action. Unlike last year, these fire were met with full suppression efforts. With the exception of a fire just over the border in Quetico (the Emerald Lake Fire of about 800 acres), none of the fires got very big, however several closures were put in place, creating travel difficulties for some. In hind sight, the Forest Service probably didn't want anything like Pagami Creek again and visitor safety was paramount in their efforts.

Sun Pillar Over Moose Lake

Over the off season we will to return to a more regular e-mail newsletter and continue to keep you up to date regarding news of the Boundary Waters and Quetico Park.

All of us at Williams and Hall Outfitters would like to thank you for a fun and successful season and look forward to maybe seeing you in the off season, perhaps at a sports show or at a Customer Appreciation Night. Otherwise we'll look for you next season.

To all our canoeing friends...safe traveling!

Dave

Around the Base

Here are a couple of the locals that made it interesting around the base this season.

It seemed like this summer was a summer of extremes. It seemed that way with all the extraordinary moths and butterflies (as mention in an earlier newsletter) and also with the tree frogs! On some mornings it wasn't unusual to see these little guys sitting on top of every porch light.

If you were lucky, you might have caught a glimpse of one of our other regulars at the base...our local pine marten. There was a pretty good chance of seeing this guy on a quiet afternoon as he (she) scurried between buildings and under decks in search of mice, chipmunks and squirrels.
marten

Oh... as for those decks. Except for a small continuation of the porch roof wrapped around, the major deck project came to a close. We certainly want to thank everyone for their patience and for putting up with the saw dust and detour.

Before

After

Pagami Creek Fire- One Year Later:

http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/superior/landmanagement/?cid=stelprdb5341928

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/

Purchasing Ontario fishing licenses on-line proved to be an easy alternative to attemtping a purchase at Prairie Portage this summer. We'll continue to advise Quetico fishermen and women to purchase on-line for next year.

Ontario Parks permits (including Quetico Park) will continue to be available on-line for the 2013 season: 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

Lake One to Insula Lake closures and campsite information:

Closures: http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5365815.pdf

Campsites: http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5366273.pdf

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

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