In This Issue

THE FISHING CORNER

MIND YOUR LINE

In the world of fishing, there aren't many things more frustrating than equipment failure! Unfortunately though, .. it happens sometimes. For the things that we have control over, make sure to keep that control. The act of maintaining your fishing equipment is is cheap insurance towards preventing a disappointing end to a long awaited fishing trip. You'd be surprised how affective a drop of oil or a bit of grease in the right place can be.

Look closely at hooks and terminal tackle, too. Bent hook points and faulty snaps & swivels are cause for countless fish lost.

Use fresh fishing line and know some good knots!

(Try these knots!)

I've seen it before...a part time fisherman digs the gear out of the closet, gives the line a tug...and gives the thumbs up for continued use. Meanwhile, that line is the same line from the last trip....4 years ago! (My first clue is the yellowish tint of a line that's supposed to be clear!)

The bottom line here is that sometime bad things just happen. The more bad stuff we can eliminate with basic maintenance and simple observations, the better fishing experiences we're likely to have in the end.

Fish often...and check your gear!

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!

There are no regulation 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.

Follow this link for all the 2014 Minnesota fishing regulations.
2014 Minnesota Fishing Regulations and License Prices

Ontario Fishing Licenses

The Prairie Portage Ranger Station will continue to sell fishing licenses this year. 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.

PERMIT TIME

There are still many permit dates and entry point open for the 2014 season. Remember that Quetico Park permits are available 5 months...to the day in advance of your preferred starting date.

Boundary Waters permits are available at all entry points on a first come first serve basis.

Weekends (Sundays & Mondays) and mid summer starts (July 15th- August 15th) are prime times, so reserve your permits early for prime time dates. Again, there are still many permit openings on both sides of the border. Remember, we're happy to reserve permits or check availability for our guest.

Dave

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.

Making the Break!

Spring Break... that is! It's not hard to get fires up for Spring, especially with a winter like we've had. For us here at Williams and Hall, there is a window of opportunity between winter and the outfitting season. This window can be wide open (like a couple years ago) or very narrow (like last year and this year). There are many things that need to be done where open water is needed, but when that can't happen, we need to alter the plans to get things up and running. On a personal level, there are many things that can be done as we patiently wait for spring weather to break.

"Don't Agonize. Organize"

-Florynce Kennedy-

Get that camping gear out! It's time to go through your stuff and air things out, check for repair needs and clean up the things that slipped through last fall. Make a wish list, of sorts, for the items in need of replacement or upgrade. Spring is a great time to sell used gear, too. When on a camping budget, you might consider allowing yourself one or two upgrade a season. The upgrade doesn't always have to be something major, either. Maybe a camp cooking gadget or some type of canoe accessory would help peak the enthusiasm for the coming season.

Many accessory options

New UV colors

Perhaps your camping upgrade isn't camping gear at all. Maybe trying some new fishing tackle, a camera or camera accessories or some new food ideas will get your canoe trip excitement going. Maps and planning can be the least expensive but most effective way to shake the winter cobwebs off. Anyway you look at it, Spring is here and it's time to get moving. It's too easy to put things off until you need them, so get busy!

Dave

Around the Base

April 18th?

Still plenty of snow on the ground...lots of ice on the lake, too. On a mild sunny day (anything above 32 these days) it's nice to look up in the sky and see a seagull or a Canada goose fly by. Yep! spring will get here like it always does. It's that patience thing again. We even had a little thunder shower go by us last week. Spring can slap you in the face once in a while, though. At the risk of a sore cheek I can tell you that (after this latest cold spell) it's supposed to be back in the 50's by weeks end!

Hey, get some sunshine in here!

Was going to take the insulation off the Outfitting windows but with low teens for the next several nights, I think I'll wait until next week!

Happy Spring to All!

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

Looking forward to another season of canoeing adventures!

Sincerely,

Blayne, Charlene & 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