I just ordered 3 books from Amazon.com concerning the BWCA. The books are Canoeing and Camping Beyond the Basics, by Clif Jacobson, The Western BWCA, by Beymer, and Fishing in the BWCA by Furtner. First books I have ordered about the BWCA. Have any of you read this books? I have read articles by Jacobson and enjoyed them... I was able to preview the table of contents before I bought them and they looked interesting. I guess I was just bored... so I did some on-line shopping, also bought a bracket to hold my GPS on my canoe rail, and a 10 gallon open ended barrel to carry food in this year on my trip... oh well... it will all be worth it... where are those fishing lures on sale????

I have read Beymers books (east, west and Quetico) and they give good advice on trips in the BWCAW both east and west side and Quetico. Gives you ideas about the lakes, portages and scenery you will see. A good book to help with planning. Beymer likes to travel hard and fast so keep that in mind when you see how far he travels in a day. If you single portage and are an experienced paddler who can keep up a good 3-4 mph all day, then his routes are accurate. If you like to double poratge and take your time travelling taking pictures, fishing, sightseeing, then use his suggestions as aguide and be careful how much you bite off-you may find a trip he suggests takes 4 days actually you need 5 or 6. Once you know your travel style you can gauge better how his route suggestions would fit your style.

I have also read the Jacobson book and I learned some, but not as much as I had hoped. Cliff is an interesting guy with interesting ideas. Not all of which I agree with. With that said I enjoyed reading it. Just make sure you don't treat it as a bible on the way canoe camping should be done. Use it as a guide and use the ideas and suggestions that make sense for you. It is worth the price you apid for it.

I have not read Furtmans fishing book but have read other books by him including Magic on the Rocks and A day in the Wilderness. They were both well written adn enjoyable. I am sure the fishing book will be also.

Sorry the other Furtman book was "A Season of Wilderness"

Mike's BWCA Fishing Guide book is very good and specifically deals with northern Minnesota fishing.

I have carried this book for years and it sells well. I always keep one with me when John & I do sport shows, just for reference and to show people some ideas.