Boundary Waters

**CloneIce** · 07-27-2011, 10:16 PM

Originally Posted by cyflier

Anyone ever been? I'm going next weekend and was wondering if anyone had any tips on what to take and what to leave at home since we will be portaging in. We are going in on Moose Lake and working our way up to Ensign Lake. I was told smallmouth is the to easiest catch, but hopefully the walleye are biting.

I've been through those lakes before... don't remember much of them specifically but I know we caught a Northern on Moose Lake. Smallmouth are easier to catch than the walleye, they will be pretty deep this time of year, we had the most success for them vertical jigging from the canoe. Seemed to do our best when we went futher north up into the Canadian part.

**CycloneChris** · 07-27-2011, 11:49 PM

I've done the same route you are doing. We base camped on Ensign near the portage to Vera. Walleye were great but it was earlier in the year. Did day trips from our base camp, and only fished in the mornings and evenings. Bring 2-3 pairs of pants. Lightweight cargos are the best. I alway avoid jeans when camping. 3-4 lightweight tops, and one mid weight top. Ditto on what the others say about bug spray. Make sure your shoes are broken in. 1 pair of socks for each day, plus 2 backup pairs. Invest in a good and efficient water purifier/pump so you don't have to boil water, and some collapsible water bags so you can pump water for the day in the morning when its cooler.

A good hat, sunglasses, a book and/or journal, and a camera. A head net isn't a bad idea either.

**CydeKick** · 07-27-2011, 11:54 PM

They're kind of hard to find these days, but I recommend buying some of those pants that zip off into shorts. That gives you double the options with half the space. If you're not having your food provided, don't pack too much and pack wisely. If you're food comes in boxes, take the food out, cut the instructions out and put it in a baggie. I put everything I need for food that day in one baggie, that makes it easy to dig through the food pack. I would take up some powdered crystal light or kool aid to put into your neutralized water to make it taste better (it doesn't really taste bad). It's really great up there, one of my favorite places to go.

**cyflier** · 07-28-2011, 10:15 AM

Thanks for all the advice. I am really looking forward to the trip. Hopefully the weather is nice and the fish are biting.

**CloneIce** · 07-28-2011, 10:51 AM

Originally Posted by cyflier

Thanks for all the advice. I am really looking forward to the trip. Hopefully the weather is nice and the fish are biting.

If you get far enough north, you can just drink water out of some of the deeper lakes, its safe and tastes way better than if you use purification tablets. Just paddle out to the middle, cover your bottle, reach your arm underwater, and let it fill up. We basecamped at Lake Agnes last time I was up there and we just draink straight from the lake. Good fishing there too.

**intrepid27** · 07-28-2011, 11:04 AM

I've done 3 trips up there and it is fantastic. I cannot stress the importance of packing well. Find a book or website that has a checklist.

Also unless you have all your own equipment I'd suggest hooking up with an outfitter. They can help you plan. I've seen people up there who were poorly equipped and they were miserable.
Make sure you have a reliable fire starting system, compass, recent maps, water purification tablets, and Deet.

Also don't overpack on tackle. Jigs,slip bobbers, tiwster tails, and a few of your favorite topwater and crankbaits. we usually bring in some leeches as they will catch everyting and are easy to keep alive.

**cyflier** · 07-29-2011, 09:21 AM

Originally Posted by GMackey32

Pack light, don't wear cotton, and don't wear any cologne or shave right before you go in otherwise the blackflies will kill you...

I am curious as to why I shouldnt wear cotton?

**HawkFanISUalum** · 07-29-2011, 09:51 AM

I went there with Boy Scouts when I was in high school. I'm sure the most common stuff has already been covered. Here's my one not-so-common suggestion:

Bring an extra oar and a king-sized pillowcase in your canoe. If you get a good tail-wind, the person in front can stop paddling, take their oar and the extra oar, put the pillowcase over them both, and make a nice sail out of it. We did this when we canoed across Cache Bay. All the person in back had to do was steer. I would guess the tailwind was about 20mph, as we were hauling *** across the water. :)

**Iastfan112** · 07-29-2011, 10:15 AM

Originally Posted by cyflier

I am curious as to why I shouldnt wear cotton?

Cotton doesn't dry particularly quickly. Want to go with clothing that is predominantly polyester, nylon or other synthetics that dry much quicker.

**cycloneML** · 07-30-2011, 11:24 AM

better take plenty of girly magazines.

**GMackey32** · 07-30-2011, 11:38 AM

Originally Posted by cyflier

I am curious as to why I shouldnt wear cotton?

Cotton doesn't try very well at all and when it gets wet, you'll be miserable and cold. Take wool socks (they are life savers), polyester type material (underarmour or cheaper varieties), and take hiking pants that will zip off (you should be able to find them at Jax, Sportsman's Wearhouse, or Scheel's for cheap).

CyBer · 07-30-2011, 11:52 AM

You guys realize that it is almost August right? I don't think it will be snowing in 90 degree heat lol. But the cotten thing is a good idea anyways.

**GMackey32** · 07-30-2011, 11:57 AM

Originally Posted by CyBer

You guys realize that it is almost August right? I don't think it will be snowing in 90 degree heat lol. But the cotten thing is a good idea anyways.

Correct, but you have to get about knee deep in the water to get into and out of the canoe at portages. Also, the average low is 51 degrees at night in August (remember, you're in a tent), with the average high only being around 75 degrees during the day. Not to mention it averages over 3 inches of rain over the summer months (the most precipitation for any season).

**Iastfan112** · 07-30-2011, 12:03 PM

Originally Posted by CyBer

You guys realize that it is almost August right? I don't think it will be snowing in 90 degree heat lol. But the cotten thing is a good idea anyways.

That far north you can have some sucky cool weather even in August, had highs in the upper 50's/low 60's with rain and cooling down well into the 40's at night. Was pretty cool heading back home though, between Duluth and Minneapolis we ran into one hell of the cold front, temps rose almost 20 degrees in the Span of a mile. Actually had to pull to the side because the windshield fogged over on both sides of the glass.

CyBer · 07-30-2011, 12:03 PM

Ha ha, yeah I forgot about the freezing water. Anyways it's a beautiful trip, I remember going as a kid. It's super fun if you like the outdoors. Don't listen to the people who tell you otherwise. Try to find wild blueberries if they are in season and make blueberry pancakes (best tasting pancake ever). Have fun!