Hopefulley some one out there can help me with a trip I am planning.

Two years ago I took a canoe trip with my 13 year old son into the BWCA. Unfortunately my son was not all that interested at the time and on top of that I hadn't thought everything through - especially I didn't give ourselves enough time.

Now my son is excited about going back (we've done quite a bit of fishing here since) and I want to do it right. I am interested mostly in the smallmouth, and thought that we might go into Quetico this time, something I have always wanted to do.

I'm planning for mid-July of this summer, but I could do it later if that would be better for the fishing. And I can spend anywhere from 3 to 5 or 6 days.

Just wanted some advice concerning outfitters, what the trade off is to fly in versus some other means, etc. Also suggestions for lure types would be helpful. And just anything that might make our trip more comfortable, enjoyable and successful. I've done a fair amount of fishing here for bass - both large and small mouth - but local tips are always good. Thanks everyone.

Since one objective is to make this a memorable trip for your son, by all means fly in. He'll be telling this story to his friends for years!

Fishing in general in Mid July has slowed and stays slower than it would be in mid May. So what.

Fishing up there is still very good, the added advantage in Mid July on is that the bug population will generally be far lower than it was a month earlier, so it's more comfortable.

Quetico is harder to get into - I think it may be hard to get a permit for July... however check with your fly-in outfitter, they probably have an angle I'm not aware of. And as I mentioned earlier, this aspect will be pretty exciting for most 15 year olds... and far that matter most dads!

There are several threads here on lures, check these out for the wisdom of the collective mind on the board. For Bass of both types I like trolling noisy buzzbaits, you get bigger fish and a lot of hits... and you get to see the shoreline as you paddle around the perimeter of the lakes. This also is a great way to stave off restless ADD boys - it keeps them occupied better that jigging off the bottom.

Final note - I'd suggest a loop where you keep moving and set up a new camp every night. Kids get bored and you'll find that by the end of the trip you and your son will have developed techniques for setting up the tent, hanging the bear bag and the tarp. He'll surprise you.


My son at 7 or 8 - a novice


My son at 18 - a seasoned Quetico traveler

jojo91,
We took a fly-in type trip last summer in Quetico, you might check out our "Trip Report" on this site...it's listed under "Fishguts Incredibable Quetico Adventure" We didn't fly, but were driven to Crane Lake then towed across Lac Lacroix......just like a fly-in trip without the plane.
For fishing I would think earlier in July is better...our trip was July 6 thru July 17......caught many smallmouth. Early and at dusk, on topwater stickbates and rubber frogs and poppers....the rest of the time on whatever we were fishing for walleyes with....Rapalas, twistertail jigs, etc.
As for outfitters, we used Doug Jordan's....did a great job for us, second chioces for us were Wilderness Outfitters, Voyager North Outfitters, Canoe Country Outfitters........all out of Ely. I don't think you could go wrong with any of these experienced outfitters.
Here's a picture of my 25 year old son and I last summer.

I agree with the fly in. The area is beatiful to see from the air and it is very quick to get there and start fishing. We went mid-June and bugs were not bad except at one portage. Fishing was amazing on Roland Lake. We did 200 smallmouth in one day plus caught walleye and a big lake trout. Rapalas, tiny torpedos, pop-r's during the day, black jitter bugs at night. Best trip of my life. Went three days without seeing a person. Also got to see some pictographs.

One thing to remember about flying is that you are at the mercy of the weather......if there is fog or smoke or heavy rain, you wait and wait and wait. I have a friend who took the same LacLacroix trip we did last summer and we drove and got the tow and he flew. We were at our Entry #43 McAree about 10 AM....he didn't get there until 3 PM because of smoke and fog.