Wilderness Smallmouth

[John H]

These are some stills from the canoe trip I did in June. Mostly these are in the video but they go by pretty fast in the video and not everyone wants to watch a video anyway. Here is a little info on a trip like this in case you think it might be for you -

Canoe Country is what they call it in the Midwest and it is sister wilderness areas on both sides of the border in northern Minnesota and southern Ontario. Access on the US side is typically from Ely, Minnesota and access on the Canadian side is from Atikokan, Ontario. Visitation on the US side is much higher and fishing is said to be better on the Canadian side. The easiest way to get there is to fly to Minneapolis, rent a car and drive five hours to Atikokan or Ely. Outfitters will rent you a canoe and any additional gear you need. Some will provide food, give you a good route to follow and some fishing advice and shuttle you to the put in and take out. After that you are on your own but if you can carry a 45 pound canoe on your shoulders over a rough trail for about a third of a mile it is doable.

Most of the people you run into there are from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Chicago, etc. Most of them are fishing but not that much and generally they are trolling or jigging for walleye and throwing lures for bass. I have not seen another fly rodder up there. I often get the question "are you getting anything on that fly rod?". There are smallmouth, walleye, pike and lake trout. All can be caught and in fact can all be caught on the same lake on the same day if you change gear and work at it a little. The main thing for the fly rodder is the bass, especially the top water bass. It takes some time to figure them out but it can be very good. Wind is generally not your friend and can ruin some days but that is all part of the program.

If you have backpacked the Sierra searching for the lakes with the best trout fishing or you are just looking for some DIY adventure this is probably your kind of trip. There is a magazine called Boundary Waters Journal that has a lot of great info including lots of fishing articles. If you are really serious about it PM me and I can give you all the info you need.


Check out the video if you have not -

https://vimeo.com/225173081

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Thanks John...

When would you go?

What would be a practical number for a small group?

[John H]

The first half of June is the best bass fishing but also your best opportunity to battle mosquitos and black flies. Of my four trips in June they were only bad on one. I went once in late August into early September and the conditions were very pleasant. Not great bass but still caught some and spent some time on the other species. Two people is the best number but if you can find four that is great. Generally the more the merrier because there is plenty of water for everyone.

[JayDubP]

The first half of June is the best bass fishing but also your best opportunity to battle mosquitos and black flies. Of my four trips in June they were only bad on one. I went once in late August into early September and the conditions were very pleasant. Not great bass but still caught some and spent some time on the other species. Two people is the best number but if you can find four that is great. Generally the more the merrier because there is plenty of water for everyone.

Great pictures. Bass look like they were a load. I have never been there just after Ice Out, but family says the bass are hungry and mean.

Boundary Waters is a special place and one of the greatest outdoor areas we have. I think there are 2 million acres and 3,000 lakes between the two national areas- Boundary Waters Canoe Area (US) and Quetico Provincial Park (Canada). Most of the area is wilderness, but there are areas where you can use a motor on a boat. Some outfitters offer fly-ins to fixed base camps and then either DYI or guided fishing in motorized boats.

I have family in MN and this has been their favorite area for 7several generations. I have gone once on an 8 day fly-in paddle out from Clay Lake through Quetico and BWCA. Caught lots of bass, walleye, and lake trout.

Highly recommend it for anyone.... plus you fly into Hibbing, MN and can go on the Bob Dylan Walking Tour & see where he hung out as a youth.

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Here is some video footage

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6vea32x7QU

[WLLLC]

What weight rod, and what size tippet do you recommend for the small mouth?

[John H]

WLLLC -

A 7 or 8 weight is about right. I have the Sage Smallmouth rod. They call it a Bass II now but the earlier version was called the Smallmouth. You need a bass taper line because the flies are heavy and hard to throw without a very weight forward line. I use a 7.5’ leader that is about 15 pound tippet and add a piece of Rio wire bite tippet on the end of that so the pike don’t steal my flies. If you don’t have pike around a 9’ 15 pound leader is probably about right.

I just bought a the new Smallmouth book by Dave Karczynski. It has info on fishing in Minnesota and Wisconsin which is not far from Iowa.

My mom’s family was from northwest Iowa. About 15 miles to both South Dakota and Minnesota. They used to fish for bullhead. My grandpa speared a big carp with a pitchfork in the ditch in front of the farm once. That was probably good eating for a poor farming family with a bunch of kids back in the depression. Broke up their steady diet of eggs, potatoes and milk. Good luck to you.

[winxp_man]

Awesome content John!!!!! ��������

[Ard]

Another beautiful place!

Thank you for that,

Ard

[IanHollins]

I just love these scenic shots. Great catch as well!