Piragis Northwoods Company

September 18, 2012 Email Newsletter   

Greetings! 

Ely won't get above 60 degrees this week and that is a cool fact that, although won't be repeated next week, has the leaves in crisp attention.  The yellows, fuschias, reds and oranges are out in force as well as some browns.  It has been windy here the past week and we are in real need of some rain.  The waters are low as evidenced by this picture of Mudro entry.

The good news is that the small wildfires blossoming up as a result of lightening and dry weather are all at containment or controlled levels except for the fire near Knife Lake and the Canadian border.  For more information and the Final Update from the U.S. Forest service scroll down later in this newsletter.
 

 



 

 

It is a great time to get out.  The bugs are absent, and so are the usual number of travelers this time of year.  The nights are cool, but the stars are bright and the scenery is fantastic.  Wildlife is on the move, and people have been seeing moose and wolves.

 

Fire restrictions remain in effect in the entire Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Campfires are allowed only between 7 p.m. and midnight.  

  

We hope to see you soon in beautiful Ely, Minnesota!

 

From the End of the Road,

 

Tim Stouffer, Marketing Director and Webmaster

Piragis Northwoods Company  

 

Final Update on Boundary Waters Fires, September 18, 2012
Special Notifications:  This is a Final Update.  Future updates will only be provided in the event of any new fires occurring or if there is a change in closures or restrictions.
Fire restrictions remain in effect in the entire Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Campfires are allowed only between 7 p.m. and midnight. Lake and portage closures related to the Hoist Bay Fire and the Parley Fire were lifted on 9/17/12.

Current Fire Activity:  

Parley Lake Fire, 35 acres, T66 R12 S18, within the BWCAW along the Beartrap River, was discovered Sept 12.  100% containment was reached by early evening on 9/16/12.  Fire crews are making good progress mopping up and taking care of hazard trees. Closures are lifted. Campfire restrictions remain in effect.

Fort Frances #53, also known as the Norway Point Fire, 52 acres, remains on Canadian soil and is being monitored by Quetico and U.S. personnel.

Fort Frances #59/Emerald Lake Fire
between Knife Lake and Emerald Lake. The fire remains on the Quetico side and is currently smoldering and has a few pockets of fire.  Due to Canadian mapping, this fire is at 720 acres.  Forest Service crews are monitoring this fire and are prepared to actively support Canadian fire crews as needed. A closure has been put in place on the U.S. side to ensure visitor safety.  Closure:  From the US/Canadian border heading south along the section lines of T65N, R7 W, sections 21 and 28, including all campsites on islands and peninsulas on adjacent lands, the following lakes, portages, and campsites are closed:  from the US/Canadian border on Knife Lake to the east end of Swamp Lake, South Arm of Knife Lake, Little Knife Lake, Amoeber Lake, Topaz Lake, Cherry Lake, Hanson Lake, Clam Lake, Lunar Lake, Lake of the Clouds, Rivalry Lake,  Gijikiki Lake, Ester Lake, Ottertrack Lake, Rabbit Lake, Ashdick Lake, and Swamp Lake.  Portages from South Arm of Knife Lake to Bonnie Lake, South Arm of Knife Lake to Sema Lake, South Arm of Knife Lake to Eddy Lake, Swamp Lake to Saganaga Lake are closed.  Northbound travel from Bonnie Lake, across the Bonnie Lake to South Arm Knife Lake portage, and west bound transit through the South Arm Knife Lake to Knife Lake and out of the closure area is allowed.  Closure signs will be posted.

Resources Available: A total of 170 people are assigned or available on stand-by.  Forest Service and contract fire engines, Forest Service Beaver float planes, one Type 2 and one Type 3 helicopters are assigned to fire operations.  CL215s and more helicopters are available if needed.

Polly Lake Fire, T63N R6E S34 on the East Zone, estimated at one to two tenths of an acre is a new fire detected 9/16/12.  It remains in patrol status.

Mora Lake Fire on the east side of the forest, detected on 9/12, size revised to 3 acres.  The fire is 100% contained.  Aircraft will continue to patrol the fire.

Controlled Fires:
Cummings Lake Fire, located at T64 R14 Section 28, BWCAW, was declared 'controlled' on 9/12/12.  The control line is holding and no reported smoke has been observed on this fire since 9/12/12.  The fire will be patrolled until declared out.  Colby Lake Fire, a half-acre fire near Hoyt Lakes, was detected and controlled on 9/13/12 and remains in patrol status.   Little Devil Fire, at T61N R1E S12, a 1/10 -acre fire outside the BWCAW near Grand Marais, was detected 9/15/12, quickly controlled, contained, and remains in patrol status. Peterson Lake Fire on the east side of the forest near Horn Lake: T 62 R4 S14, SW of the NW, detected 9/12.  Size is one quarter acre. This fire is contained and controlled.   Patrols will continue by aircraft. Windy Lake Fire, was a new fire detected 9/15/12 on the east side of Windy Lake, T61N, R6W, S26.  Crews immediately responded and controlled the fire at 1/10 acres.
 
Fires that are out:
Hoist Bay Fire, 2 1/2 acres within the BWCAW, T64 R10 S17, between Hoist and Back Bay of Basswood Lake was declared out 9/17/12 afternoon. Closures are lifted.  Campfire restrictions remain in effect.

Season Summary:
In addition to the active fires listed above, crews have put out 11 fires since the beginning of September. Of a total of 54 fires during 2012, 32 were human caused and 22 were caused by lightning. The total acreage burned by wildfire as of 9/17/12 is 315.
 
Trip testimonial in Pictures:
There are some things that words can't improve on.  Very often a great Boundary Waters or Quetico canoe trip is one of those things.  These pictures tell a beautiful story of a memorable trip.  Thanks Rachel Epstein for these shots! (The American Bald Eagle above was from her trip as well.)






Please send us your trip Pictures, comments and journal entries or blog posts.

Email to our webmaster, Tim.

From the Outfitting Desk
�         For the rest of September, outfitting hours are 7am - 6pm.

�         Starting October 1st, outfitting hours are 9am - 5pm

�         The magnificent Autumn colors are starting so come on up and take one more canoe trip.  Drew and Adam can help you with a permit, canoe rental, etc.

�         Look for our Used Gear Price List next week.  We'll post it on our website and in our newsletter.  If you know you want a specific item, please call or email Drew or Adam so we can make note of and reserve it for you.

�         Water levels continue to be low in certain areas.

You can email [email protected] or [email protected] for all your outfitting needs!!!!

�         Become our Facebook friend (Piragis Northwoods Company) and see a wonderful photo each day, news from Piragis Northwoods, and up-to-date info about fires, restrictions, road closures from the Forest Service, and lots more.  It's the quickest way for us to let you know if the Forest Service puts on a fire ban, for instance.  Stay up to date with us.
 
We would like to thank all of you who have used our outfitting services this summer and we look forward to helping the paddlers who are still coming up here for their trip.  Adam and I are here all year and ready to help you with anything you need so please don't hesitate to call or email us for a trip this year or next.  But, remember, this year is not over.  September and a bit later are wonderful times to be in the wilderness.  Try to get out one more time if you can.  Contact us soon!
 
Paddle On!!
 
Drew Brockett
Outfitting Manager
Piragis Northwoods Company
800-223-6565 or 218-365-6745
[email protected]
 

Send us your trip pictures: I LOVE THE BWCA 
Gear Spotlight:  Two new additions.
The World's Finest Camp Knife gets an upgrade:  Is that even possible? 
 
What could beat such a stellar recommendation by Cliff Jacobson?  "Very impressive knife, Steve. I can't believe the beautifully thin cutting edge. It takes real skill to grind a knife that fine. Bradley is a fantastic bladesmith. The steel is a high end alloy and it is the very best. The balance is superb. The blade length is just right, and the sheath is top notch."  Try John's new Damascus version of our best-selling knife.
 



 The Damascus Camp Knife is made of damascus (pattern welded) steel containing three layers of 52100, 4 layers of 5160, 3 layers of 203E and 3 layers of 15N20, which are forged welded and folded to 416 layers. This steel is made by Alabama Damascus. It is shaped, flat ground, etched, heat treated and tempered, handled and finished by John Bradley. It is guaranteed for life as are all of his knives. Your Price $450.00.  We only have 3 of these.  If you are looking for the ultimate Christmas Gift, look no further, and don't delay :)

The Calendar you've all been waiting for The Boundary Waters and Quetico 2013 Calendar:

  

Full color wall calendar with photographs that will bring the Canoe Country into any room. Twelve images by photographers who live and travel in the area. Permit information, moon phasees, hunting and fishing season dates, emergency contacts, and many other resources for trip and vacation planning.

Your Price: $13.95

Canoe & Kayak Warehouse Clearance SALE!  

These boats are priced to move.  Pick them up in Ely or call Steve Schon today to find out prices for a ride to your door.  1-800-223-6565 get's your discounted canoe or kayak today -- first call, first serve.

  

Tandem Canoes:

 

Wen. 17' Sundowner Royalex Spruce 67 lbs $1499 SALE $1125
Wen. 16' Adirondack Royalex Burg. 65 lbs $1399 SALE $1099
Wen. 15' Backwater Kevlar UL Core Skin 52 lbs $2459 SALE $1899

Kayaks:
CD Solstice GT fiberglass red/smoke 54 lbs $2999 SALE $2249
CD Gulfstream fiberglass blue/smoke 51 lbs $3249 SALE $2449
CD Double Vision hybrid smoke/smoke 60 lbs $2999 SALE $2349
CD Vision 150 hybrid smokesmoke 45 lbs $2499 SALE $1849
CD Vision 135 poly yellow 50 lbs $1099 SALE $799
CD Vision 130 hybrid lg/smoke 33 lbs $2099 SALE $1599
CD Vision 120 hybrid red/smoke 28 lbs $1999 SALE $1549
CD Kestrel 140 w/rudder poly orange 58 lbs $1199 SALE $899
CD Kestrel 120 hybrid yellow/smoke 38 lbs $1999 SALE $1599


This is special email only newsletter sale, share with your friends (after you get the boat you want :))  Email   Steve Schon.

The Piragis Northwoods Company Boundary Waters Blog - Favorite Walleye Rig?
Tell us your favorite Walleye Rig

What is your favorite bait and fishing rig to use for walleye? I like using a floating spinner rig that is made here locally. The weight sits on the bottom and the float with small spinner keeps your bait up. My favorite is a nightcrawler, even when they're hitting on rainbow minnows or leeches.

To read the rest of the blog and to comment click HERE Comments will be published tomorrow.



Gear SALE plus
Save $10 - $20 on Piragis pants and shirts:
Aleutian 1S 55 degree SLEEPING BAG
List Price     $69.00 
Your Price:     $48.30

*************************************************

1.9oz 15x15 Silnylon Tarp 
List Price     $204.00
Your Price:     $163.20

************************************************* 

GCI PACK SEAT STOOL

List Price     $25.00 
Your Price:     $17.50

*************************************************
 

  

Men's Canoe Camping Pant was $69 now $59

Men's Zip-Off Canoe Pant was $79
now $59


Piragis Cotton/Nylon Camp Shirt
was $69 now $49


Women's Convertible Pant
was $49 now $29



DETOUR THIS SUMMER ON HIGHWAY ONE To Ely

Click Here for Map

 

Your Friends in the
 Great Northwoods


105 North Central Avenue
Ely, MN 55731
1-800-223-6565
 

Quick Links
 






Click HERE For USED CANOES &
Kayaks on SALE

or email Steve Schon for info on all our used canoes
 
Thanks to our Sponsors:

Wenonah Canoes sponsors Piragis Northwoods Company ENEWS

Ely Echo Sponsors the Piragis ENEWS