News from Ely and the Boundary Waters

Piragis Northwoods Company

Outfitting Enews, May 3, 2012

Greetings!

It has already rained a couple of days in May, leaving us with the sound of mowers outside. The leaves are growing on trees, it is still light out at 8:00 p.m. Orders for canoeing and camping gear are coming in fast and furious. Oh, it must be Spring in Ely.

Today the Chocolate Moose opened and I got my first cup of Moose Coffee for the year. I wasn't the first customer, but I was close. The inside of the Moose has been remodeled and it looks brighter, more spacious and friendlier than ever before inside. You'll have to stop in when you get here.

We've made some more changes to the inside of our store as you'll see later on in this letter. We're anxious to see all of you and get paddles in your hands. We hope you are enjoying your Spring!

As the misted fog lifts off

the morning lake,

The sun's first rays

burn the moisture off the trees;

etching new lines of the horizon

into our memories.

Opening new dreams like

the trays of Grandpa's tackle box.

Scented strong with yesterday.

Gliding swiftly toward tomorrow.

Hidden quietly in the moment.

�TJS 2012

Sincerely,

Tim Stouffer

Piragis Northwoods Company

Hey, call us crazy, but we know some of you put things off until the last minute and then, well, you know.

Canoe Sale EXTENDED through May 14

Until May 14, we are offering 10% off and free delivery within 500 miles of Ely on new canoes and kayaks.

That makes a few more days for you to call Steve or just enough time to make a last minute trip to Ely and take advantage of this sale :)

Call Steve Schon at 800-223-6565 to get your new boat today.

Retail Store has a few changes.

Thanks to Michelle, Kerri and Aaron and Steve Johnson for all your hard work!

Yes, it true that we like to shake it up around here, and we are usually in the middle of one to twenty projects. We like to keep things fresh and we're always on the never-ending quest to make sure our shoppers have great experiences in our store.

We got into the Spring cleaning mode early this year like everyone else and we were in the mood for some change. So, we moved the shoes over into what has been the Men's clothing area next to our new dressing rooms and we moved the Piragis Canoe Clothing to the front room where the shoes have set for the past few years.

The result opened everything up and gives the store a fresh new, well-lit and (we think) more inviting look. Here's some pictures, but they don't do it justice, you'll have to come see for yourselves!

Canoe Camping Gear ON SALE

Coleman Classic Two Mantle Gas Lantern
Was $64.99 now $45.49 While Supplies Last Click Here

10 Day Lantern gives light the whole trip!
Was $39.95 now $27.97 While Supplies Last Click Here

Floating Pliers are the perfect gift for those who fish
Was $17.95 now $12.57 While Supplies Last Click Here

Sierra Designs Zeta 4 person, 3-season tent
Was $339.95 now $237.97 While Supplies Last Click Here

Cliff's Latest Blog - THE BEAR TRUTH

Readers who are familiar with my books know that I don't recommend hanging food packs in trees to keep the food away from bears. Over the years, I've come under considerable criticism for this approach but I refuse to comply with what appears to be conventional wisdom. Click up my book, "Boundary Waters Canoe Camping, 2nd Edition" on Amazon.com and you'll find this "one star" rating and quote:

1.0 out of 5 stars This guy and his book are a joke
Typical of his book is his suggestion of hiding your food in the woods and not to hang a bear bag, since bears would not think to look in the woods for your food. The book was good for many laughs between me and my friends, if you are interested in that, then buy the book.
Published on July 12, 1999

Fact is, bears DO climb trees, and they climb very well.

To continue reading click HERE

What do you THINK? Is the Boundary Waters a great place for young people or not? We think it is and recently posed a question on Facebook.

Recently there has been some press about the aging of the average visitor to the Boundary Waters. While it is great to have folks of all ages canoe camping, it is vital that our youth participate in the beauty and wonder of our Wilderness area as those relationships (or lack thereof) could have direct impacts on its future. We love introducing kids and young adults to the BWCAW. Recently we posted a question about this on Facebook and received some great responses. We thought you'd like a chance to respond as well.

Adam and I are currently working on an article about this subject and would enjoy the opportunity to include some of your thoughts. If this subjects triggers some response on your part, just email them our way. Thanks! Enjoy the responses below:

"Did you read recently that average age of the Boundary Waters visitor was 45 in 2007? We can't forget to introduce our love of wilderness canoe trips to our children and grandchildren. Being young is no reason not to fall in love with canoe camping! How old were you when you first lifted a paddle and took the stern?"

"I was nearly 40 and I brought my 2 young boys with. We have since returned a few times, our last trip we paddled from Ely to Canada, didn't catch 1 darn fish."

"About 15 years old when I was first introduced to canoeing - still love it at 61 ! Last year I took two of my sons and two grandsons to Sawbill Lake for a week, trying to introduce them to the wilderness at an early age, we had a great time!"

"I started canoeing with my family as soon as I could walk. My older son experienced his first canoe trip at 8 months old. He didn't get to paddle much, though he had a great time anyway. A British scientist and his wife, who were going on their first canoe trip with us, also had a wonderful time."

"8 months, Sarah, that just about tie my record. I was born in late September, the next Summer my parents brought me to Minnesota. They had to sew an old life jacket onto my clothes so I wouldn't slip out of it :) No Kidding!"

"I plan on taking my grandson soon. My daughter was nine when she could paddle solo. Nice post"

"My dad first introduced me to the bwca when I was ten. For a couple years it became a family standard. I didn't go again for many years and forgot it was out there. When I moved to Madison at age 29 I asked if I could go along on his annual spring trip for "old times" sake. Now at age 40 I call this trip the time I was reborn. Not 3 months after returning I had found a job at Rutabaga and started planning my next trip. I've been every year for the past decade or so. Start them young and they will find their way back and love it forever :)"

"My last group averaged 36, including my 7-year old daughter."

"13 for me, been going at least once a year ever since, and I'm 35 now. My three children will all be introduced at young ages. My 8 year old daughter has a couple trips under her belt and loves it already. As soon as my 3yo daughter and 1yo son are a liittle more coordinated they'll learn to love it too."

"12 for the stern and 16 for the BWCA. Didn't go again until I was 31 and have been here at least once every year for the last 31 years. I guess I kind of like it, eh?"

"I've ben involved with youth programing in the Boundary Waters for 0ver 30 years. Bob Cary was right - to people who did not like to see youth groups cuz of noise etc. "I love to see kids in the woods, they are the best kind of wildlife!"

I plan on helping increase the visitor average age - as soon as I get my Kevlar canoe at Piragis Northwoods Company! But I hope I'm offset by young Voyageurs of the future; keeping up the legacy of the wilderness spirit.

"I am bring a 6, 8, and 12 year old on a BWCA trip in July. Also bringing their dads. I agree with the need to introduce the young ones to the beauty of canoeing, camping and wilderness."

"I was 39 my first trip in 1988. A friend had been trying to get me to go for three years before I decided to go. I've been kicking myself every since wishing I had accepted his first offer. I been 18 times since then and hope to go as long as I am able."

"The Singing Wilderness speaks to everyone as long as you take the time to listen; if you are lucky enough to have heard it then as they say you are lucky enough. No matter what your age!"

"I got a late start (20's); making sure my daughters get started early. Have had them both in the canoe since their toddler years. Hoping to take my oldest (12) to the BWCA soon to enjoy the beauty and quiet as I do."

Piragis Northwoods Company "Awesome, keep them coming everyone. The Boundary Waters do call to ALL AGES. :)"

"Unfortunately I was not introduced as a kid but always loved the outdoors. its never too late so My hubby and i started with our own kids when they were 2 years and they are now in their twenties. Many years of canoe camping. Can't wait to take the grandchildren when that time comes."

"16 for a PE credit. My brother desided to join the same class. He was 14. We started taking his kids when they were 14 and 12."

Howl with the Wolves Guided Canoe Trip

August 25 - 31, $1195 + tax

A Wolf Center Resident 2004

We still have a few more spots available on our "Howling with the Wolves" guided canoe trip. Our 5-day canoe trip in the wilderness puts us in intimate contact with the wolves' habitat, where signs of their presence are common. We'll paddle through wild country where man is just a visitor. We'll camp on lakes where visitors are rare and with some luck we'll hear or maybe even see a wolf. If wolves fascinate you please call and join us in wolf country. We always kick the trip off with time spent at the world famous International Wolf Center.

New wolf pups have arrived here at the International Wolf Center. They are currently only days old! Come up and see them this summer! Below are pictures of pups from 2004.

Click HERE or call Adam or Drew at 800-223-6565 for more details.

Outfitting Notes

Fishing Info:

The fishing opener is coming right up. Though there was some talk about changing the date of MN fishing opener, but the change did NOT occur. The opener will be the scheduled date of May 12.

The walleye opener in Quetico is May 19.

It is best to get your Ontario fishing license ahead of time. Follow this link to get your license: www.ontario.ca/outdoorscard

Permits:

There are still permits available, but they are filling up fast. If you haven't planned your trip yet, now is the time. Give Drew or Adam a call for help choosing a route and getting your permit.

Guided Group Trips:

Don't forget about our guided group trips. We offer a variety of trips for a variety of paddlers. Odds are we will have something that fits for you. Follow this link for more information about our Guided Group Trips.

Custom Trips:

If the group trips don't work for you, we can set you up on a custom guided trip to fit your group and the days that you are available. Give Drew or Adam a call for more details.