News from Ely and the Boundary Waters

Piragis Northwoods Company

Outfitting Enews

February 29, 2012

Greetings!

Once in a while (every four years) we gain an extra day in February. For those who ascribe to the theory that Winter just gets longer and longer, you may have a leg to stand on. For me it makes an already jam-packed-filled short month seem a tad more normal.

Today, is an extra day, a bonus, and here in Ely as the storm clouds have blown in full on the heals of heavy wind, we're looking at much needed snow for the next four days. Of course Minnesota weather never lives up to expectations, whatever they may be.

Tomorrow will be the first day of March. It will begin our annual New Canoe and Kayak Sale that replaced our Sunsplash event last year. As the Canoes begin to leave Ely for new homes, we begin a countdown to daylight savings time and the retreat of ice. For many of you around the country, and the world, March will signify new Spring beginnings and the promise of new green growth. Here in Ely, we'll still be blanketed with cold and ice throughout most of March and April.

It is a relaxing time, a time for reflection and planning for the future. We are excited for 2012. The new Boundary Waters Catalog is headed your way with some fantastically cool new products. This year it truly is designed to be a sourcebook, a one stop shop, for everything you need to canoe camp in the Boundary Waters and have fun doing it!

We hope you enjoy our newsletter. It is growing to become more of a mix of current events and trips/pictures from the past as more and more people contribute to its success. It also is our stage as we dream of the trips to come.

"Storm"

Heavy flakes spiral down,
each unique, with its own flight path;
defying gravity in the moment:
shifting simultaneous directions on the way
towards open mouths.

Stare too hard and you'll dizzy yourself
to the soft white ground,
where lying in angel outline;
the flurry of flakes descend
closer and closer
covering fallen questions.

At first touch: crystals liquefy,
like clear tears that lack the sting of salt.
Leaking Spring down into yourself,
answering something unspeakable.
©TJS 2012

Sincerely,
Tim Stouffer
Piragis Northwoods Company

Bob Cary Speaks: "The Wilderness Calls to Us"

Your next Boundary Waters Trip is just around the bend. Here's a little something to get your spirits up (not that you needed any encouragement :)

Bob Cary speaks:"The Wilderness Calls to Us"

Quetico Canoe Trip with Dave Maynard

August 4 - 10

Travel into the Canadian Wilderness and see its amazing landscape and natural history, fish its pristine waters, and learn from one of the most experience Quetico paddlers around. Our guide Dave Maynard spent 20 years as a Conservation Officer for Quetico Park, paddling and portaging his way throughout most of the wilderness. He has been to almost every lake with a portage to it, and even a few that don't. After that portion of his career, he became the Assistant Park Superintendent, learning the ins and outs of the parks operation and management, until his recent retirement a few years ago. If you want to see this special place in Ontario like few have and learn from one of the best, join Dave and fellow canoeists on a journey that will be more than memorable.

The trip will start at the Prairie Portage Ranger Station on Basswood Lake. From there you will start north into the Quetico wilderness. You will paddle and portage your way through the park, stopping at primitive campsites, without the "luxury" of a latrine or fire grate like each Boundary Waters site has. There will be time to wet a line for some Canadian Walleyes or big Northern Pike. If photography is your thing, there is no better place to get some great wilderness shots. Finally, and maybe most importantly, there will be ample time to relax and escape the everyday routine.

You will meet Dave in Ely the night before the trip to go through the gear, talk about the route, and meet your fellow trippers. This trip comes with our Full Outfitting Package so you know you are getting the best gear, ultra-light canoes, and delicious food. All you will need to bring are your personal items and fishing gear. We will also have a motel room for you before and after your time in the wilderness.

See the magnificent Quetico Park that you have been dreaming of through your own eyes, but with a retired Quetico Park Conservation Officer and Assistant Park Superintendent as your guide.

Date: August 4 - 10

Price: $1495 + tax

Call Drew or Adam at 800-2223-6565 for more info

Canoecopia coming up from March 9 - 11

Just a reminder that Canoecopia is coming up from March 9 - 11 in Madison, WI. Drew, Adam, Vidmar, and Delana will be at our booth and are looking forward to seeing all of the excited paddlers at the show. Hope to see you there!

Brazil Trip with Worldwide Paddling Adventures

Our friend Kim McCluskey is guiding new trips to Brazil that are scheduled around the local festivals in Paraty, a charming historical city south of Rio de Janeiro. The guest house in Paraty is on the beach. All around is Brazil's 700-year-old Caicara (coastal fishing) culture. Join us and and we'll eat the day's catch of shrimp, squid, crab, and fish, in addition to fresh breads and tropical fruits that have no names in English. We'll paddle in protected fjords between rain-forest-covered mountains. At night, we stay in small guesthouses. The pace is relaxed, so there's plenty of time to visit the locals. The small isolated beaches are empty because it's winter down there, with temperatures from 60 to 80. We snorkel and paddle, visit historic distilleries and plantations, and join in local festivals. The trip begins and ends in Rio de Janeiro, close to the famous beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana. We move from the sophistication of the city, with its boutiques and fresh juice bars, to the remote, exquisite beaches and isolated coastal fishing villages, with their friendly people.

Come join us on this fun-filled adventure!

Dates: May 24 - June 5

Cost: $4795

For more information: Call 218-365-4297

Email: kim@paddingadventures.net or steve@piragis.com

Hwy 1 Detour

As of February 21, Highway 1 will be closed between Forest Road 424/New Tomahawk Road and just north of Forest Road 553. Motorists will be required to follow the posted detour. The detour will be in place for at least three weeks.

Click HERE for more details

Drew's Fall Solo Trip - 2011

For those of you who have followed our e-newsletter and blog over the years, you might remember that I have taken yearly trips with my uncle from Santa Fe. Well, for the first time in years, he was unable to make it up here for our trip. While I really missed my tripping partner, I could not let it keep me from heading into the wilderness so I went out and did a solo canoe trip. Join me for another fun adventure. My choice was to travel in the Crab Lake area and just take it easy, not put tons of miles on, find solitude, and get to know the area even more than I already did. Time to paddle!

10/5/2011

Burntside (Van Vac landing) to Crab to Clark to Glimmer

It's just a wonderful day to start a trip. Actually, it's a bit warm for October with a slight breeze from the southeast. It will be good to get back to this portion of the BWCA and paddle amongst some of the very beautiful islands of Burntside Lake. After a nice paddle, I get to the long portage to Crab Lake. It's not a bad portage, just long. The first section, which was made a few years back, has a bit of up and down, but once it connects to the old portage, it's just a gentle climb to the lake. It took about 1 ½ - 2 hours to double portage it. Now that I am all set to put my paddle in the water at Crab, I make a mental note that the last person I saw was on Burnstide.

My journey would take me to all the small lakes to the south and west of Crab. Simple as that. I take the beautiful, red pine, park-like portage to Clark and once on the lake, go check out that campsite. After that, I head over to Glimmer where I plan to stay for the night. The afternoon is lazy as I take a little nap, watch a pileated woodpecker search for food and a beaver slap its tail numerous times, and just enjoy the little lake's view. It's not going to rain so I leave the rain fly off the tent.

To continue reading click HERE

New Canoes and Kayaks on Sale March 1

For the second year in a row we've extended our Spring boat sale. Buy a new canoe or kayak between March 1st and May 1st and get 10% off and free delivery within 500 miles of Ely! That's right, 10% off any new canoe or kayak and free delivery. Live farther away than 500 miles? Give us a call and we'll quote you a fair delivery price. And, as always, if you're up in Ely (anytime after ice out) stop in and take a free test paddle of any craft we have in stock. Now there's no reason to not get that new boat you've been dreaming about!

Call Steve Schon at 800-223-6565 for more information

Join our paddling community

For all you fans of Piragis Northwoods, we have a request. Go ahead and "Like" us on Facebook. We have a lot of fun with it by posting photos, asking questions, and giving you important and timely news about the Boundary Waters and the Ely area. For our outfitting friends, this is a great resource for information about fire restrictions, permit updates, and Forest Service news. Head on over to our Facebook page and join our paddling community!

Also, if you have visited us in the past, please take a second to give us a Google review. We would like to show others how happy our best customers are with our services and selection. Help us share this special wilderness areas with others by writing a Review today!

Winter Rentals

With the new fallen snow, I just wanted to shoot you a quick reminder that we have skiis, snowshoes, and all of your winter rental needs. Winter in Ely is great! Come visit if you can. Drew took a hike to Kawishiwi Falls the other day. Take a look:

Winter 2012 Kawishiwi Falls Ely, MN

Just like our Used Canoe Outfitting Gear, we sell all of our used Winter Rentals at the end of each season. Even though there is still some winter left, we are letting go of some of our winter equipment.

Call 800-223-6565 or email Josh for more details.

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.