BWCA Entry Point, Route, and Trip Report Blog
June 01 2024
Entry Point 55 - Saganaga Lake
Number of Permits per Day: 15
Elevation: 1184 feet
Latitude: 48.1716
Longitude: -90.8868
Saganaga Lake - 55
Early Laker Fly Fishing
Entry Date:
May 09, 2024
Entry Point:
Saganaga Lake Only
Number of Days:
4
Group Size:
2
The second day we portaged two more times from Cherry to get into the laker lakes we cherish. I will keep them unnamed to protect the fishery and quality of these lakes.
I purchased a Maxxon rod and had it customized by officials at Maxxon and Fin and Featherss in Iowa City so it was the perfect set up for my solo 15’ wenonah solitude. In addition Gunnar Brammer of Duluth who is an accomplished fly fisher for lakers that provided invaluable info to me related to Lamson Reels, correct fly line, leaders and streamers to use. I had the perfect, customized set up for fishing ice out lakers when they are shallow.
I landed two beautiful lakers that day and am happy to say they were both landed with an outstanding net made by Dave Hoskins in the Quad Cities, Iowa. After trying 4 different streamers the answer was a 2 O orange and gold twitter streamer on the RIO fast sinking outbound line.
Based on the paddle in time of 7 hours we decided to paddle back out to Sag on Sunday to make our tow time of 4 pm on Monday. In the past when I was in good health we could do the paddle in, in 5 1/2 hours. On our paddle out the winds were from the north and gusting to 30 mph. No way we could tackle Sag in those winds with 40 degree water temps, so we camped Sunday night at the campsite near the main open water on the west end of Sag. Rose early at 6 am on Monday and paddled the final 3 miles to American Point. Rested in sun and gorgeous weather for six hours until our tow arrived. Returned to Voyeugers and headed back to Iowa on Monday.
This was an outstanding trip with one day solid fishing in gorgeous weather and fulfilling a dream of catching lakers on a fly rod. NOTHING WAS POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE HELP OF MY BOY AND WIFE IN PREPARING MY MEDS FOR THE TRIP. MY WIFE STAYED IN A CABIN AT VOYEUGERS AND SPENT A COUPLE DAYS IN GRAND MARAIS GETTING A MASSAGE FOR MOTHERS DAY.
My message to all potential appreciators of the BWCA and Quetico is to take full advantage when your in good health and can experience this outstanding and precious country. 
