News from Ely and the Boundary Waters

Piragis Northwoods Company

Outfitting Enews, May 16, 2012

Greetings!

Well, we've got fishing opener under our belts here in Ely, with mixed results as usual, depending on where you chose to wet a line. Inside the Boundary Waters, results were good, even though the beautiful, sun-filled day made it hard to keep the walleyes interested.

Monday we climbed up towards 80 degrees believe it or not and then yesterday and today, it has been crisp and cool outside. We're approaching the time of the year when we used to hold our Sunsplash event and that traditionally always met with at least a day of snow and one of rain before the end of May.

After having a very successful Canoe and Kayak Sale and meeting a lot of new paddlers on the phone and in person here in Ely and delivery lots of new canoes, we're hoping to avoid the snow part :)

What we're really looking forward to is seeing all of you return to Ely or come and visit for your first time. Seeing old friends and making new ones is always the best part of Summer in Ely!

Canoe Camping

Frog peepers whistling through dusk.
The warm sun set swiftly on our backs,
bringing the day to close; a brusque
finish to portaging our packs.

We crack the twigs and stoke the fire,
joining rhythm with the amphibious song.
Orange flames draw us close and conspire,
whispering, then crackling that we belong.

Sitting on logs more comfortable than La-Z-Boys,
enjoying a primitive meal, the solitude ideal;
sleeping on the ground, one of nature's joys.
Waiting for the Loons' chorus of wilderness appeal.

Perhaps, as we dream of tomorrow's catch,
the sense that we've accomplished something
together is the best feeling, the great detach.
Reaching, tandem, through the water, hearts smiling.

©Timothy James Stouffer, 2012

Sincerely,

Tim Stouffer

Piragis Northwoods Company

Never Worry About Packing Fuel Again!

Never Worry About Fuel Again

How any fuel canisters does it take to cook food on a 3-day trip? What happens if an o-ring leaks? And white gas? What does that do to the surface water when it sloshes onto the ground? How about the cost-saving, environmentally conscious option of carrying NO FUEL?

I have been using a 180 Stove for more than two years now and find it liberating. This is a compact, light-weight cook stove with a stable, generous 6"x7" cooking surface. It only uses a handful of twigs to cook dinner. I don't have to sweat how much fuel to buy and, at the end of the trip, I don't have canisters for the landfill. The stove packs down to a 3"x7"x5/8"self-forming case that keeps smoky parts away from my gear. It is as light as the tiny micro stoves with a single fuel canister.

To be fair, cooking with twigs is not a push-button fire. But it only takes a little common sense to get a hot fire that rivals any toxic-gas stove. After all, the cooking is done with the tiny twigs one might use as kindling for a larger fire. Even on the rainy days, I find dry twigs sheltered under trees. I have used the stove in the rain, in the snow, and in fair weather, of course. It has not let me down yet.

I went camping with some buddies this spring and due to lack of time and close fishing, we went to a campground. The provided fire grate looked handy, but ten large chunks of firewood and 30 minutes later, I abandoned the grate for my trusty 180 Stove. A few twigs was all it took and I had my food cooked and several cups of tea down. The 180 Stove keeps the flame close to the pan, and the stainless steel reflects the heat right where it is needed. The big fire grate could not compete.

Another thing I like about my 180 Stove is that I know I am cooking naturally; the way people did for thousands of years before our modern conveniences were dreamed up. I like working with nature rather than hiding from it. I like leaving the fuel behind. My fuel does not depend on oil wells, tanker ships, trucks, refineries, more trucks, packaging, or canisters. I am in nature, after all. It feels good to leave that stuff behind. When I cook, I push a little soil to the side first. Then when done cooking, I cover the ashes. There is very little ash anyway, but once covered, there is no sign I cooked there. I also use an optional ash pan for cooking on snow.

Click the link to buy the 180 Tack Stove. Go to http://www.boundarywaterscatalog.com/browse.cfm/4,9605.html.

Get out there! Curt Linville

Canoe Camping Gear ON SALE

THE NORTH FACE Allegheny 40 Sleeping Bag
Was $79.00 now $63.20 While Supplies Last Click Here

Flip N' Drip Coffee Maker
Was $54.00 now $37.80 While Supplies Last Click Here

Camp Fillet Cutting Board
Was $27.99 now $19.59 While Supplies Last Click Here

MSR Whisperlite International Stove
Was $99.95 now $69.97 While Supplies Last Click Here

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 - Buying Bent?

I resisted the temptation to buy a bent-shaft paddle long after they were in vogue. For one thing, I thought they looked goofy; for another, they lacked control when maneuvering. And in whitewater, you couldn't brace on the off side. Then, friends and I canoed the Steel River in Ontario with our solo canoes. I trudged along with a 54 inch straight paddle, switching to a 58-incher in the rapids. By day four I had developed some serious problems with my upper hand. Continuous "C-stroking" had numbed the nerves so that I couldn't paddle. A day of rest helped enough to keep me going-that is, if I abandoned the "C" and switched sides to keep the course. When I got home I tried a bent shaft paddle. I've been hooked ever since. Now, the only time I use a straight paddle is when I paddle rapids; for this, a straight-shaft has no peer.

To continue reading click HERE

NEWS FROM THE OUTFITTING DESK

We are starting to get busy out in the outfitting barn these days. We are replenishing our shelves with all new equipment and gear. You know what that means -- you are getting the best gear for your trip and you won't have to worry about it at all as you travel through the wilderness. NEW Granite Gear packs, NEW cooking equipment, NEW paddles and canoes, NEW lifevests, NEW tarps, and the list goes on and on. Give us a try. You will not be disappointed!

PERMITS
There are still permits available for the Boundary Waters and Quetico. You are not too late if that was what you have been thinking. Give Adam or Drew a call and we'll help you plan a great route. Always remember, the sooner the better to reserve a permit. Some dates are filling up fast.

SPRING TRIP
Last week, I did the Lake One to Snowbank loop canoe trip. I wanted to get in and see what the Pagami Creek fire left behind. I will probably write about the trip in more detail soon, but I have attached some photos for your enjoyment at this time.

We want you to know that this area is just fine for travel. It's very interesting to see the results of a "fresh" fire. Some plants are already coming back as you can see by a few photos. This whole area was NOT totally torched, just so you know. The heaviest burn was on Lake Four, Hudson, and the southern part of Insula. Walking the portage from Hudson to Insula is right through a burned area and is amazing. Travel is safe and I hope you take advantage of this entry point sometime. I completely recommend the Lake One to Snowbank (or reverse) loop this summer. You will see the burned area and a lot of the forest that is just as you would imagine. - tall green trees and stunning beauty.

Burnt Tree Trunk

Portage from Hudson to Insula

New growth on portage

Portage down to Insula

Fishdance Lake pictograph site

North part of Hudson where the fire ends

Burned area on Hudson

GUIDED GROUP TRIPS
There are still spaces on some of our trips that we are offering this summer. The Cliff/Steve Trip is now full, but we will take names for a waiting list. Call us up to find out more about them or to sign up for a great paddling experience with Piragis Northwoods.

OTHER TIDBITS
·         Water levels seem fine at this time
·         The warblers are arriving so the forest is singing these days. Besides them, the winter wrens and white-throated sparrows are filling the air with their songs.
·         The fishing season has started for the BWCA. Grab your tackle box and come on up!
·         We offer fly-in trips to Quetico. If you want to quickly get far away, let us help you with this fantastic option for a trip.
·         The outfitting hours are now 6am - 9pm through mid-September.

The Outfitting Department is here to take care of anything you need. We do partial and full outfitting. We do whatever is necessary to make sure your trip is great.

We hope to hear from you soon and see you in Ely!!!

Drew
Outfitting Manager - Piragis Northwoods Company

DETOUR THIS SUMMER ON HIGHWAY ONE To Ely

Click Here for Map

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.