High Adventure 2004 Fly in Fishing/Canoeing

 

An opportunity to experience action like no other, for those who love the excitement of having a fish on the line.  Smallmouth Bass fight pound for pound as fiercely as any fish around and in early June in the Northwoods, the smallies are hungry and defiant.  It’s spawning season, and we’ll find them lurking in the shallows.

 

We will have guides who will share their knowledge of different rods, flies, topwater and diving baits, water, and of course, the smallmouth during our week of exploring wilderness waters.  You are encouraged to bring your favorite fly, spinning and baitcasting rods.

 

Your first and last nights lodging is included in the trip and you’ll need to get a good night’s sleep in preparation for our early departure.

 

Our fly-in destination will take us into Quetico Park, Canada where fishing pressure is light throughout the year and just wetting a line can get you thinking about the 10 lbs 14 oz world record smallmouth bass.  The lakes that we are headed for have provided some equally as exciting catches so be prepared for fun!

 

We’ll fly into Lac La Croix and be on the water early morning as we head out for adventure.  Our plans will be to base camp in the area, perhaps moving camp a couple of different times depending largely on where we find the fishing to be the best.  From Lac La Croix, we can cover McAree, Wicksteed and Darky Lake just to name a few.  We’ll fly back to Ely at the end of the week.

 

The lakes on our route are remote, so catch and release is common practice and it leads to more fun for everyone!  This area is also less fished than some other parts of Quetico Park and that will be evident as the first lures touch down.

 

Due to the remoteness of our destination and the very nature of our trip, we are limiting the number of participants to seven.  We’ll supply all the food, canoes and canoe camping gear, along with an experienced fishing guide.  You just bring your clothing, rods, lures and tackle.

 

          

 

Group size:  8 scouts and Scouters (Dads) with a minimum of 2 groups and possibly 3 or 4.

Dates: June 12-18

Trip: 6 days 5 nights days on the Canadian boundary water, Quetico park

Lodging: Lodging in transit will be necessary in Minneapolis on June 11th and provided by outfitter in Ely on June 12th and 18.

 

Full Outfitting Package: Piragis Northwoods Company-   www.piragis.com

 

q  Ultra Light Wenonah Kevlar canoes

q  Bending Branches Wood Bentshaft paddles, Granite Gear Packs, Marmot tents, Tarps, Cook stoves, and cook kits, all necessary camping gear, food

q  essentially, you bring your own clothes, personal toiletries, rain gear, and fishing equipment, the rest is provided.

q  Professional Guide

q  All permits and overnight camping fees

q  All Shuttles and tows to and from the entry points.

q  Flights from Ely to our Base on Lac La Croix and back again to Ely. Flight either on a De Haviland Beaver or Otter.

q  Fishing Licenses for the entire group.

          

 

Costs:  $1115 per person ($105 est. is included for transit)

q  Outfitting cost of $995

q  Meals night of 11th, full day 12, night of 18, and full day 19= $45

q  Room in Transit= $20

q  Transportation=  $40

q  Guide Gratuity= $15

 

Requirements:

q  Lifesaving merit badge (see Mr. Weidling)

q  Canoeing merit badge (will be offered before trip)

q  14 years or 12 years with Dad

q  Adults: Youth Protection, outdoor experience, BSA trained strongly encouraged

 

What you need to do now:

Talk to Mr. Wells to sign up, if you qualify promptly pay $100 deposit to Mr. D’Adamo by Dec. 15, make final payment no later than May 24th at the Troop Court of Honor (the last meeting of the year).

 

 

 

You need to know:

q  The nature of High Adventure requires small groups. We will require permits to travel into the Canadian Wilderness and the maximum group size allowed is 9.

 

q  The groups will be separated during the wilderness travel. If we see another group it will only be in passing since we are not allowed to camp together due to the size restriction. Since we will have a guide with each group, we will be limited to 8 Troop 10 scouts and scouters in each group. This is an exceptional Father/Son experience.  We will need 2 qualified adults for each 4 to 6 scouts who sign up.

 

q  Participants will be expected to help with camp chores (setting up camp, cooking, clean up, water treatment, etc.)

 

q  There will be some portaging. We have obtained the lightest equipment available and the canoes will be Kevlar, less than 60 lbs. Each group will have it’s own route and plan. You must be in condition to portage (backpack) as the trip route requires. We cannot predict the length of portage required but would generally expect less than 1/2 mile at a time with no more than a few a day. Since the general idea is to establish a couple of bases during the trip, fully loaded portages will not be a daily expectation.

 

q  Fishing is expected to be world class for small mouth bass. We are trying to hit the spawning season, which is the height of their aggressiveness. Obviously the season is in tune with nature and not our calendar so the peak may be a little before or after depending on the nature of the winter. Our time selected is the prime window over history. Other fish include Lake Trout, Walleye, and Northern Pike. All are abundant in this area.

 

 

 

Suggested Equipment List


Sturdy long pants (quick drying is a benefit)

Heavy long sleeve shirt

Underwear

Shorts and t-shirts

Wet shoes (can get soaked during travel)

Dry shoes (tennis shoes/camp shoes for evening)

Multiple pairs socks- no cotton

Rain gear

Hat

Critical toiletries Sunscreen, lip balm, bug spray

Routine toiletries, i.e. toothpaste, etc.

Pack Towel

Personal light with extra batteries and bulbs

Pocketknife or multi tool

Personal First Aid kit

Personal Sewing/Repair kit

Water Filter (only two per group required so we will coordinate)

 

Optional-

Sunglasses

Camera and Film

Reading material and cards

 

Fishing Gear:

Rods: Spinning and casting rods, if you are a fly fisherman, you will

want to bring your fly rod for the small mouth.

Lines: 8-10 lbs. for spinning and casting, 5-7 for fly fishing spinners and casters should bring extra line.

Lures: Each person should have a minimum of the following lures: two spoons, three rapalas, two surface lures for bass, several plastic or hair jigs, four wire leaders, split shot, hooks. Fly fisherman should include small poppers and streamers.

 

Everything should be in a small tackle box. It is important not to overload. Remember, you will have to carry this so get it organized so that it is convenient.

 

 

 

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