In This Issue

THE FISHING CORNER

When you start thinking about your next canoe trip, make sure you keep mid to late summer in mind. It's a great time of the year for a lot of reasons...one being it's a good time for multi-species opportunities.

The canoe trip I took with my son...also named Dave (so I don't forget:) was just such a trip. Dave caught what we refer to as the "Grand Slam". That is, at least one each of all the main species (lake trout, walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass and largemouth bass).

I think there are a few reasons for the variety. One, the water temperature is cooling enough to start bringing the lake trout up from deep water but still warm enough to keep the other species, like bass, actively feeding in shallower water. The other thing is there's less guessing about what period the fish are in, like spring...pre spawn, spawn or post spawn. Typically, weather patterns are usually more stable later in the summer and early fall. Consistently stable weather is always easier to catch fish in than frequent weather changes more common of spring. Of course this is fishing and it can be slow any time.

I can tell you from experience though, it's easier to go swimming in August than it is in May...if the fish aren't biting.

Dave

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

Thanks!

Upcoming
Dates
and helpful links

Minnesota Fishing License Update!

At this point, we do not anticipate any changes to the Minnesota fishing regulations for 2014, so we will leave the current link posted. License pricing did change in 2013. Interestingly enough, while the cost of a non-resident license went up, the State of Minnesota now offers a non-resident license for youth (age 16 & 17) that entitles them their own limit and exempts them from a trout stamp, for just $6.
regs 2013

Follow this link for all the 2013 Minnesota Fishing Regulations and License pricing.

Ontario Fishing Licenses

After a recent conversation with the Quetico Park office, we can tell you that Prairie Portage has been able to sell fishing licenses this year without issue...so far. In order to save time at the Ranger Station, we would still highly recommend buying your Ontario Fishing Licenses on-line. Follow the appropriate link to the right of this section.

We'll keep you posted of any regulation changes when and if they occur.

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.

Season Reflections

The packs are put away, the canoes are securely tied down and the water has been drained. The season once again, has come to a close. It's only human nature to look back and reflect on the season past. For all who were kind enough to join us this past season...we sincerely thank you. As always, we hope that we met your expectations. We also hope that you will let us know where and how we can improve.

Reflecting also includes looking back at those magical moments of a season past. Maybe it was a fish of a lifetime or the rewarding feeling of coming to the end of that tough portage. Maybe it was being with a good friend, a scene that was indescribable by pictures alone or maybe it was when the sun finally came out and warmed you to the core.

Amazingly for me, reflections include something that has eluded me all these years...until late last August. I was able to get out on a father/son canoe trip for the first time! Now don't get me wrong, my son and I had been on many trips together, with family and friends but for whatever reasons, we had never been on a trip that was just the two of us. Needless to say, our 5 day trip to Kawnipi Lake and back was wonderful! It was what anyone would hope for on a canoe trip. We caught fish, we swam, we saw beautiful places and shared good conversation. We hunkered down when it rained and absorbed the sun when it stopped. Mostly we recharged the batteries for when the short wilderness respite would end.

For me, reflecting will fire me up for the next opportunity. Hopefully you too, will have the fire, looking forward to your next canoe trip. We hope the "off" season will be good to you and remember...keep those maps handy, 'cause planning is half the fun!

Dave

Around the Base

Signs of the Season

This time of the year can be pretty lonely looking around the base. The towboats are all out of the lake, the docks turned in, the leaves are mostly down and the parking lot is occupied only by the occasional flock of snow buntings.

At any point now, we could wake up to a blanket of white....white, like in many seasons past, that could be with us for the next six months.

Warm will return and spring will bring with it, another canoe season. Until then we'll throw a log on and enjoy
what winter will bring.

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 attempting a purchase at Prairie Portage last summer. We'll continue to advise Quetico fishermen and women to purchase on-line for this 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

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 remember, we look forward to assisting you in your future canoe trip plans.

Sincerely,

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