Piragis Northwoods Boundary Waters News
April 1, 2014
Greetings!

    The next ten days in Ely are supposed to usher in weather that resembles Spring in Ely.  We're talkin' forties.  Oh, and sunshine.  Today it peaked out from behind the snow-laden clouds, but not for long.  Last night we experienced sleet, rain and snow, not to mention a 3-hour blackout that took out a fair share of our small town.
    It is time for change.  We can't wait to be honest.  As Adam says below, there are some things that we can almost taste about the paddling season.  We're anxious to be able to leave work and jump in a canoe, to wet a line, to cook up some good camp vittles.
    These are some of the most fun days of the year when anticipation is at an all-time high, when the phone is ringing all day long with trip questions, permit requests, fly-in plans and group trip reservations.  We're pouring over Boundary Waters and Quetico Maps on our end of the phone and you are doing the same everywhere across the country.
    Our canoes are being reserved, each seat waiting for its paddler as they hang on racks and count the days when the icicles melt off their gunwales and they are set free in open water.  Call us with any questions you might have.  We're here to help, if you've never been on a trip or if you're a veteran paddler and want to visit a new part of the wilderness you've never been to before.  This is what we live for and what makes our jobs a joy.

From the End of the Road,
The Staff at Piragis Northwoods Company.



The Portage

Walking through the March snow drifts
towards Spring.
Snowflakes falling fast, but not
full enough to block the
glimmer of blue up ahead.
Portaging towards the Spring sun
and open water.
I'm thankful my load is light
because it has been a long walk.

The reward and warmth
will be great.  Mud between my
toes and a refreshing swim.
Sun on my hammock,
fire underneath my flapjacks,
bobber sneaking below the
surface down into the weeds.

�Timothy James Stouffer
March 26, 2014  All Rights Reserved

The NEW Piragis Windshirt
We teamed up with Cliff Jacobson again to design a lightweight windshirt for canoe tripping--a versatile piece of clothing for any weather condition.  Use it on sunny days as protection against a headwind, layer over baselayer in cooler conditions or wear under your raingear as added defense against the elements.

 

Piragis Windshirt: $59.95

 

Click HERE to see what Cliff Jacobson has to say about it.

What are you looking forward to this paddling season?
By Adam Macht
A Boundary Waters trip means different things to different people. Some people come up here to get back to the basics, to travel light, challenge themselves, and explore. Other groups like to set up a comfortable base camp and spend their time relaxing and fishing. Pictographs, waterfalls, fishing, wildlife, solitude, relaxation, self-reliance; these are just some of the reasons people come to paddle these waters. From explorers to anglers, from solo solitude seekers to groups of friends and family, the Boundary Waters is holding lifelong memories that will touch your soul--all you need to do is come and take them.

That in mind, I thought I would share some of the things I am looking forward to this paddling season (in no particular order):

1. Fishing. I can't wait to get deep into the woods, to a lake that sees only a handful of people every year, and catch my dinner. (Pulling in a few hogs sounds pretty good too.)



2. I can't wait for campfire food.



3. I can't wait to really challenge myself this year. Sometimes, I like to take very aggressive trips and do lots of miles over some tougher terrain. Not only do I look at it as great exercise, but I enjoy the idea of traveling to areas that don't get too many visitors. I know it sounds kind of crazy, but I can't wait to literally paddle and portage all day. 

4. I can't wait to get to some new territory this summer.

5. I can't wait to take my Quetico canoe trip with the guys. It's always an adventure; it's always fun. The fishing, the stories, the food, the scenery, there are a million reasons I am looking forward to this trip.

 
Click HERE to continue reading and share what you looking forward to this paddling season.

 

NEMO BugOut Tarps
For Sale and For Rent
The BugOut series is a new category of shelters. These simple shelters consist of a well designed tarp with mesh walls that can either be stowed or easily dropped to offer instant no-see-um protection. String the tarp between two trees, paddles or trekking poles to create an escape from rain, bugs, or sun whether you are in the yard or the Boundary Waters. The larger BugOut fits over campsite tables and provides a haven from the elements without cumbersome poles or tricky setup. A specially developed mesh with high water repellency protects against side blown rain and effortlessly sheds moisture when it's time to pack up. The no-see-um mesh keeps you safe inside from all the bugs of the Northwoods. The design of the tarp creates a comfortable area to cook, eat, and socialize. This is a must have for anyone who has fought the stinging, and biting insects of the border country.
 


New Price: $199.95      Rental: $14/day

New Price: $249.95     Rental: $14/day  

"Like" Us on Facebook
For those of you who don't already follow us on Facebook, don't forget to sign up.  We will keep you up to date on all of the latest news out of Ely including ice and fire conditions.

 
2013 Rental Minnesota 3's $100 off
We still have a few of our 2013 rental canoes available for pick up immediately.  For a limited time, our 2013 Rental Minnesota 3's are $100 off!  For a complete list of used boats available, click HERE.



**It is not too early to reserve your boat from our 2014 fleet.  Call Steve Schon at 800-223-6565 to get your canoe today!
 
Guided Group Trip: Stargazing in the BWCA
September 20-26
$1195
Join us this fall for our 6-day, 5-night Stargazing in the BWCA trip, guided by Steve Johnson.  See the night sky in all its wonder, unhindered by light pollution.  We've planned this trip around the New Moon for optimum darkness.  Hotel rooms in Ely for the nights of 9/20 and 9/26, the guide, canoes, gear, and food during your canoe trip are all included in the price.  Bring your kids, bring your friends, sign up today! 



 Call Drew or Adam at 800-223-6565 to sign up.
 Trip Advisor
2013 Certificate of Excellence
We are very happy to report that we received a Certificate of Excellence from tripadvisor.com in 2013.  Here is what the latest reviewer had to say:

"Best Bonding Trip EVER"

I took my 13 year old daughter on a 7-day guided trip with Steve and Cliff as an intro to the Boundary Waters for her. I wanted to share my experiences there when I was a teenager. I was beyond happy to find that she LOVED every aspect of the trip; even portaging which is hard work when all the packs weighed at least half as much as my 13-year old! I was proud of how hard she worked and overjoyed that she displayed a true passion for the great outdoors. She also caught nine fish during our journey which kept the whole group well fed during the week. Kudos to Piragis for such great outfitting and stellar guides. I could not dream of a better experience for both of us!


Visited August 2013
By Sarah A

Click HERE to see what others had to say and to write a review of your own.  We appreciate your help sharing the Boundary Waters experience with others.  There really is no place like it! 

Your Friends in the
Great Northwoods
105 North Central Avenue
Ely, MN  55731
1-800-223-6565
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Wenonah Canoes sponsors Piragis Northwoods Company ENEWS

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