What's Going on in the North Woods
This newsletter 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.
Come to a Boundary Waters Night Or Sport Show Near You
Please join us for a fun and informative night - a Boundary Waters Night. Learn about the Boundary Waters and Quetico Canoe Country. Slide show and refreshments included. You might even win a door prize. Also, please visit our booth at an upcoming sport show.
It's Time to Secure Your 2016 Permits
We're back to our preseason format on permit reservations. That means Quetico Park permits are available no sooner than 5 months, to the day, ahead of the actual start date and Boundary Waters permits are available for application now. All BWCA permits become available first-come, first-serve in late January.
Remember...We are happy to secure your permits at no extra charge!
Around The Base
So, winter got off to a slow start, this time around but the usual suspects always seem to show up at some point or another. One of...or in this case two of our favorite Northwoods neighbors have been entertaining us for a few weeks, now.
What is always fascinating about all the critters that visit around the base is how tame and tolerant of us they seem to become when there is a source of food (in this case, suet) and water. The other amazing thing is by simply "feeding birds", we have attracted everything from whitetail deer to lynx! Other creatures we have seen include these pine martens, weasels, coyotes, and even raccoons...which are actually pretty rare around here. On some days it can be a really good show. Other than a couple of bird feeders, we're not trying to attract the other animals on purpose, but can't deny enjoying the ones that pay us a visit now and then. We don't feed the birds in the summer because of the other critters that will visit....black bears!
The Fishing Corner
Making the Most of Little Ice
If we actually had snow for the whole month of December, we may have another 30" on the ground right now. We didn't...because of the way above normal warm weather we, and just about everyone else had. Though not the warmest...or the wettest ever, we did have well in excess of 3" of rain in many places through December.
Combined with the warm weather, many lakes didn't "ice up" until Christmas! Our good friends and neighbors at Custom Cabins even had to cancel their annual New Year's Eve fishing trip to Knife Lake because of open water.
Anyway, finding good ice meant going to small, shallow lakes that we're able to freeze up earlier. Caution was and is still needed in getting to these lakes. With the abundance of runoff and groundwater, there are many "iffy" places along sloughs and creeks that still haven't frozen rock solid. So, safe ice and a safe route to it was found last week...which provided for some nice camping conditions and a little walleye and perch action.
Maybe next week...a little trout fishing is at hand!
The Scouter's Scene
Want a Williams and Hall Reference?
One of the most important experiences for a Boy Scout is a high adventure trip. And the Boundary Waters offers the perfect venue for your troop to experience nature at its finest. But, you aren't sure who to use as your outfitter.
We would be happy to put you in contact with a troop who has used Williams and Hall in the past if you want to check us out. Just ask us for a reference.
Here's To a Great 2016!
We wish you a very happy new year and look forward to helping you plan your 2016 Boundary Waters Paddling Adventure!
From your friends at Williams and Hall,
Charlene, Blayne, Dave, and Kevin
Williams and Hall Outfitters and Canoe Adventures
williamsandhall.com
(218) 365-5837
canoe@williamsandhall.com