News from Williams & Hall Outfitters

In This Issue

THE FISHING CORNER

Well, sure enough, the chill eased a bit, the lake went flat calm and the afternoon sun...though low on the horizon now...shown in spectacular fashion. We had to sneak out just one more time. Though the boat was indeed covered and the motor was "winterized", that was quickly remedied. While many of the creeks and shallow bays had already started to ice up, the main part of Moose Lake was still open. The DNR had long since pulled the public dock for the season. However, with perseverance and enthusiasm (and a snowstorm in forecast) we would not be denied. So we launched the boat shortly after 1pm and in short order, we were at our spot. The tiny bit of wind we had upon arrival soon went glass calm. We dropped our jig & minnow rigs into the cold darkness and within minutes we BOTH had a nice smallmouth bass! In the short time we were out, we went on to catch several smallmouth bass, a largemouth bass, a northern pike and yes, a walleye!

Perhaps though, the most amazing thing that brief afternoon was that other than talking with Don, the ONLY sounds we heard while fishing were a pack of wolves off in the distance and arguably the last loon left in the Boundary Waters.

November 20th became the latest I've ever fished open water "Up North".
It was a wonderful end to a great open water season. Now...bring on the ice!

Dave

We'd love to share your picture through our newsletter...fishing or otherwise. Just e-mail in a small format.

Thanks!

Upcoming
Dates
to
Remember

This winter's permit lottery for certain Boundary Waters permit will be on the 21st of January with the application period beginning on December 19th.

These permits include all Moose Lake and Fall Lake permits, canoe or motor, day use and overnight.

All other Boundary Waters permits become available on January 30th (first come first serve).

Quetico Park permits will still be available 5 months in advance by phone or on-line.

see links to the right for permit reservation or information.

Sportshows

Kansas City
Jan. 10-13
Nashville
Jan. 10-13
Cincinnati
Jan. 18-27
Chicago
Jan. 23-27
Madison
Mar. 8-10

Customer Nights

Indianapolis
Jan. 14
Cincinnati
Jan. 22
Chicago (Park Ridge)
Jan. 28
Milwaukee
Jan. 29

Stay tuned for times and locations.

We hope you can join us at one of these events this winter. We'd love to see you and talk about the Canoe Country.

Williams and Hall Newsletter

What's Going On in the North Woods.

This news letter is designed to help keep you current on the issues of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area and Quetico Provincial Park, to give you information on Williams and Hall Outfitters, and to share some of our knowledge and love of the outdoors and the wilderness around us. We hope you enjoy these articles and share them with your friends.

FRIENDS & FAMILY

The Holiday Season is upon us and that often means getting together with friends & family. It's just too bad that these days, getting together, for many reasons can be difficult. There's a line in an old rock & roll song that really says it all though; "and then one day you find, ten years have got behind you".
winter scene

It's amazing how true that line rings in our lives in the outfitting business. We've had the opportunity to meet and know many people over the years. Often, we'll get a call from an old guest or talk with an old friend at a sports show somewhere only to realize it's been ten, twenty or even more years since they'd been canoeing in the Boundary Waters! It's also amazing that some of the folks we talk with, remember those old trips like they were yesterday.

I guess the point here is what better time of the year to call an old friend, get together with the gang, or gather with family to share some of those fond old canoe trip memories! Better yet, how about getting together and planning some new memories! It's never too late to start an "old tradition".
Before you know it, the Holidays will be behind us, the decorations will be back in storage and the New Year will be upon us. We hope that you will have had a chance to share those memories and perhaps, look forward to the new ones in the coming year(s).
friends/family

Blayne, Charlene and I would like to take this opportunity to wish You and Your Family a Very Merry Christmas! And to One and All a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year !

Dave

Around the Base

Though we have had kind of a slow start to our snow, we have had more to date than last year at this time. We had a brief period of time with that "skating quality" ice I mentioned in our last newsletter but Moose Lake was quickly covered with snow not long after it iced over.
chickadee

All the regulars are at the feeders and we're starting to gear up for some sports show traveling. In a little more than a week, we will start the Boundary Waters permit applications going. (The application period goes until the 20th of January). Let us know if we can help you get the ball rolling with your canoe trip plans!

Dave

Important
Links and Updates

Quetico Park- The Ontario MNR has now made fishing licenses available on-line! To purchase Ontario fishing licenses you can click on the following link: http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/LetsFish/2ColumnSubPage/STDPROD_091032.html/

Purchasing Ontario fishing licenses on-line proved to be an easy alternative to attemtping a purchase at Prairie Portage this summer. We'll continue to advise Quetico fishermen and women to purchase on-line for next year.

Ontario Parks permits (including Quetico Park) will continue to be available on-line for the 2013 season: https://reservations.ontarioparks.com/Quetico/Backcountry?Map

Boundary Waters- While Minnesota fishing licenses are still available here at Williams and Hall, they can also be purchased on-line at: https://jc.activeoutdoorsolutions.com/mn_customer/app/goHome.do

As in the past few years, Boundary Waters permits are also available on-line at: http://www.recreation.gov/unifSearchResults.do?topTabIndex=Search

Lake One to Insula Lake closures and campsite information:

Closures: http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5365815.pdf

Campsites: http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5366273.pdf

Copy and paste any of the links above to your browser if the link doesn't work.

Remember...We're happy to secure your camping permits at no extra charge!

Canadian trips...don't forget your CanPass (Remote Area Border Crossing Pass) http://www.williamsandhall.com/ftpgetfile.php?id=19

To Make Your Reservation On-Line:

http://www.williamsandhall.com/form1

Thanks for taking time to join us and we would like to wish You and Your Family a Happy and Safe Holiday Season!

Sincerely, bells

Charlene, Blayne & Dave

PO Box 358 Ely, MN 55731
(800) 322-5837
canoe@williamsandhall.com

Canoe Trip Specialists
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness / Quetico Park Outfitter
Williams and Hall Wilderness Guides and Outfitters
Located on Moose Lake in Ely, Minnesota