News from Ely and the Boundary Waters

Piragis Northwoods Company

Outfitting Enews

February 15, 2012

Greetings!

The cold temperatures have descended upon Ely just in time to preserve the wonderful snow sculptures in Whiteside Park. It sure seems like winter as you venture outside here. The snow in town on the sidewalks and streets has long ago turned into ice that is hard, brown and somewhat treacherous. It is definitely time for the sure-footed, slip-on traction that Get-A-Grips provide with their little carbide spikes. If you've never used this product, stop in when you visit Ely, and we'll set you up. Falling on hard ice and concrete is not fun! Usually we don't have to deal with this hazard until late March and April, but it is here now.

We are excited about the number of winter campers that have come through our store, borrowing and setting up camp with our winter rental canvas wall tents, lightweight portable woodstoves, cozy sleeping bags, pulks and skis. With the warmer temperatures this Winter we've seen a big increase in folks willing to camp in the Boundary Waters during lake walking weather! We're concerned, like everyone else, with the lack of moisture, but remember folks we've got two of the biggest precipitation producing months to go yet. Warmer temps in March and April produce high volume, fast melting snowfalls and we're hoping that 2012 brings plenty of those.

We have just completed the finishing touches on our 2012 catalog, adding 50 or more (you'll have to wait and see) new products and working hard to improve your sourcebook for all things canoe camping! New highlights include a new lightweight, fully collapsible grill for Quetico and car-camping plus a sleeping bag that you can leave the tent with, walk around in, take a trip to the latrine with and still remain nice and cozy warm (we know - hard to believe). We've formed new partnerships with A.G. Russell to bring you a fantastic new safety axe and with Gerber Knives to provide an all purpose camping/survival knife that you won't believe. Many of you over the years have asked us for a reflector oven and that will be on the newly printed pages as well.

The rest will have to remain secret until it arrives in the mail. If you're not on the mailing list, you'll be missing out, so call us today and let us know you'd like to get a new catalog in the mail. They'll be delivered the first week of March.

From the End of the Road, we remain, Your Friends in the Great Northwoods!

Sincerely,
Tim Stouffer
Piragis Northwoods Company

Ely Winter Festival

The 2012 Ely Winter Festival is in the books. Just in case you didn't get a chance to come up and visit, we wanted to share a few of the sculptures with you. The artists did an incredible job!

Paddling the Waters of Quetico Provincial Park in Ontario, Canada by Steve Priest

Our friend Steve Priest, aka Outdoor Steve, was kind enough to let us share his adventure with you. In addition to the video, he has a great blog detailing his trip. Be sure to check it out!

Six Days Paddling in Quetico Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada

Visit Outdoor Steve's Blog HERE

Outfitting Notes

Upcoming Shows:

Canoecopia is coming up from March 9 - 11. If you are in the Madison area and thinking of attending, be sure to stop by our booth and say hello. Drew and Adam will be there to answer any questions you might have. We would love to talk routing and help you get all set for your next Boundary Waters trip. Let us know if you are thinking of coming and we will make sure we are ready to talk about the specifics of your trip or just drop by. Not booked yet? No problem. Come see us at the show and we can get you all set up for your next adventure.

If you can't make Canoecopia we will be at the Outdoor Adventure Expo in Minneapolis from April 27 - 29. We would love to see you there.

Full Outfitting:

Thinking of a canoe trip, but don't have the necessary gear? Or, maybe you have some gear but want the newest, lightest canoe camping equipment available. Take a look at our full outfitting package. It includes all of the best gear, ultra-light canoes, and provisions you will need for a successful Boundary Waters trip. All you need to bring are your personal items. Click here for more details about our Full Outfitting.

Food Outfitting:

If you have all the gear you need, but don't want to worry about the hassle of packing and bringing your food up to Ely, let us do it for you. We have a wide selection of the most delicious camp foods for you to choose from and will have it ready for you when you get here. It's a great time saver.

Custom Outfitting:

Don't need the full outfitting package, no worries. We can rent you whatever gear you need piece by piece. From packs, to tents, to sleeping bags, and cook kits, we will have you covered. For a complete list of the gear we offer and our rates, click HERE.

Stand Up Paddle Boards:

If you are coming to Ely for a nice relaxing weekend at your special spot on the lake, don't forget that we have SUP boards for rent. If you haven't tried them yet, you don't know what you are missing. They have been getting fantastic reviews and are perfect for playing on the lake on a beautiful summer day. Great fun for the whole family! Give us a call to try one out on your next trip up to Ely.

Scout and Church Groups:
We offer special rates to Scout and Church Groups. If you are part of a Scout or Church group and thinking of a Boundary Waters trip, give us a call. We are excited to help you get your trip all set up. And remember, we have used gear for sale. If your Group has been thinking about stocking up on some camping gear be sure to let us know. We have lots of gear to choose from and it is in great shape. There is no better time to buy our PFD's. The MTI Cruiser Pro retails for $75, but we are selling them for only $25! Give us a call soon. Offer only valid while supplies last.

Go to our Outfitting Page for more info about all our services.

Guided Smallmouth Bass Fishing Trip

June 2 - 8

For those who love fishing, or would like to learn more, join us for a fishing opportunity like no other! Smallies fight pound-for-pound as fiercely as any fish around, and in early June in the Northwoods, they are hungry and defiant. It's spawning season and we will find them lurking in the shallows. You will also have a chance to catch some Northwoods walleyes, lake trout, and pike. Our guides will share their knowledge of different rods, flies, topwater and diving baits, and of course the best fishing spots. It is sure to be a trip you won't forget!

Click HERE for more info

Ely Wildlife - Northern Hawk Owl

Ely in winter is subject to periodic "owl invasions." These are when northern owls travel south to Ely (and points further south) from their northern breeding grounds, in search of food. The species involved are Snowy, Great Gray, Boreal, and Northern Hawk Owl. In most years, these species occur in small numbers scattered across northern Minnesota. Some years are lean, and some years there are "invasions," when literally hundreds are sighted. Although this isn't an invasion year, a few Northern Hawk Owls have been spotted in northern Minnesota. If you visit us this winter, keep an eye out for these beautiful hunters while snow shoeing, cross-country skiing, hiking, or fishing. I've included a couple of pics I took of a Northern Hawk Owl observed near Isabella, southeast of Ely, a couple of winters ago.

Steve Schon

Eureka Tundraline 3-Person Tent $295

We were able to get our hands on one Eureka Tundraline 3-person tent. We only have one so call today!

"This is an evolved version of the wonderful but long discontinued Aroostook tent. This tent is AWESOME. Susie and I used a prototype on our upper Missouri River trip earlier this year. The first night we were hit with 40 mph winds that blew all night. This baby barely moved. It goes up much faster than the original Aroostook; its better ventilated and has more interior room." Cliff Jacobson

Summer Retail Opportunites

Spend the summer on the edge of the Boundary Waters! We are currently seeking applicants for seasonal summer positions in our retail store. Please send a letter of application and your resume to our retail store manager, Michelle via email.