Q and A
FAQ Q: Do you provide lodging? Bunk houses? Showers? A: No, but there are a number of resorts and lodging accommodations in the area. We also have a hostel at our local grade school (min. group size and reservations required). Showers are available for $7 at Lamb's resort. Q: Are there any campgrounds close by? A: There are two campgrounds within a couple of miles; Temperance State Park and Lamb's Resort. Both have showers. Q: Do you issue permits for the BWCAW? A: Yes, we are a cooperater with the U.S. Forest Service. Q: How can I reserve a permit for the BWCAW? A: You can go to: Recreation.gov or call 1-877-550-6777 to make your own reservation or we can make it for you for a fee. If you are renting equipment from us, we will be happy to make a reservation for you at no additional charge. Q: When is the best time to visit the BWCAW? A: It really depends on what kind of experience you are looking for: Early season (ice-out to end of May) is a less busy time and tends to be cool with high water conditions, minimal bugs and excellent fishing. One can watch the Boundary Waters come alive with the arrival of the migratory birds and other animals enjoying the transition into summer. Early to mid summer (June-mid July) warmer temps bring in lots of vegetation, good fishing, blooming plants and the sights and sounds of new life all around. Unfortunately this includes biting insects. Picking a breezy campsite and employing good repelling methods can make this season easily manageable. Mid to late summer (mid July- Sept) is a time to enjoy warmer air/water temps and is usually drier. Swimming is enjoyable in July/Aug and wild berries are ripe for the picking. This is also the most popular time to visit the wilderness, so reserve your permits early and expect some competition for the best campsites. September's cooler temps brings fall colors, minimal bugs and fewer people. Although the weather can be unpredictable late in the season, it can be a nice time to enjoy some solitude, good fishing and your choice of prime campsites.. Q: What do you charge for a deposit on advanced reservations? A: We require a deposit of 25% of the total rental. Q: What is your cancellation and early return policy? A: Return and Cancellation Policy:
Cancellations and Late Returns significantly affect other customers and our business.
So there are no misunderstandings, please check your dates carefully. Our rental fees
are based on a calendar day not a 24 hour period. You will be charged for an extra day if the equipment is brought back on the day following an established return date. If notice is given 14 days prior to arrival date, your deposit will be refunded minus a $20.00 processing fee which may be applied to a future reservation. If 14 days notice is not given you will lose your deposit. Please let us know of any changes before you arrive otherwise you may be charged for items originally reserved.
Early Returns: We understand that Mother Nature can be unpredictable and at times quite
nasty to wilderness travelers. We wish we could guarantee great weather, minimal
bugs etc… If requested, early returns will be given a (one day only) credit
towards your future trip. Q: Do you issue fishing licenses or xc ski passes? A: No, but you can get them at the Holiday station just down the road. Q: Do you have live bait or fishing tackle? A: We have tackle but no live bait. Live bait is available at the Holiday station. Q: Can I pick up equipment the evening before at no additional charge? A: Yes, we can usually accommodate that request unless the equipment is not available due to a late rental return. Q: How many canoes can you put on a vehicle? A: We've put as many as 3 canoes on a vehicle and provide a simple system to do so. Q: Is there a grocery or convenience store near by to pick up any last minute food items? A: Yes, the North Shore Market and Holiday station are just down the road. Q: Do you provide a guide service? A: Only 1/2 day and full day trips for kayaking/canoeing. No fishing guides. Q: What kind of outdoor gear do you sell in your store? A: A wide variety of camping equipment, dehydrated food, clothing, footwear and topo maps. Q: Do you sell fuel for camp stoves? A: Yes, we have white gas and an assortment of canister fuels. Q: Are there restaurants in the area? A: Yes, we have two restaurants in town that can serve anything from early breakfast before you leave on your trip - to steaks, burgers, pasta or pizza when you get back. <Back to top> General Info / Advice Don't limit your paddling trip options by assuming you can't put canoes or kayaks on a vehicle. Many people think it's too difficult or not possible with their particular vehicle, which is rarely the case. We have everything needed to make the process easy, simple and secure. The days of thinking you are restricted to paddling from an onsite or on-entry point outfitter are long gone. Let us help you achieve the flexibility to go where ever you want in the BWCAW or the millions of acres of National Forest. Wilderness Travel Tips Always use caution and common sense when traveling in the wilderness. (Especially in cold water conditions) Expect the unexpected. The trip may not go as planned, so be prepared to deal with a challenging situation and use your head when making critical decisions. Don’t attempt big water crossings during strong winds and/or large waves unless you are fully confident in your paddling abilities. Sometimes even the strongest paddlers will decide to wait for winds to subside. Place your gear as low as possible in the canoe to reduce wind drag and lower your center of gravity. (Don’t forget to lash all of your gear to the canoe in case of a capsize). Always load a canoe while it is floating in the water. “Wet foot” loading, launching and landing works best for stability and is easier on your back and the canoe hull. (Waterproof footwear is important in cold water conditions) When landing, don’t approach the shore at ramming speed. Place the paddle blade perpendicular to the hull and use as a brake to ease the canoe in. Make sure you secure your canoe well when on shore, the wind can pick up at anytime. Swimming or hiking through thick brush for a canoe is not a good option. Never leave a canoe tied up in the water when wind and waves are present. When looking for a tent site, try to pick one that will be safe from potential blow down (dead trees and branches) during a strong wind or thunderstorm. Reserve a permit to enter the BWCAW at "off peak" times to avoid having a difficult time finding a campsite. Sundays thru Wednesdays are good. The middle of weekends and holiday weekends are not so good. Don't overload your canoe with everything including the kitchen sink. Traveling light and compact will make for a more enjoyable trip if you are venturing very far into the wilderness. In other words: Leave the poker table at home. Don't forget the duct tape. Duct tape can be used for a variety of repairs on a wilderness canoe trip. Hull repair and paddle mending are two common uses. We've had customers use melted rubber worms to plug a hole in a canoe but I'll bet they wished they had duct tape. LANDING YOUR CANOE (Courtesy of Joe at Red Rock Outfitters)
When approaching shore, both paddlers drag their paddles (blades perpendicular to the sides of the canoe) on opposite sides of the canoe essentially putting on the brakes. Then the bow paddler reaches out and touches the shore (or lake bottom in shallow waters) with the paddle to break the final impact to the bow. For the bow paddler, the idea is to NOT let the canoe hit the shore hard. Absorb the shock with your arms and paddle. Don't worry about the tip of the paddle. If it's a modern paddle and not a complete cheapie, then it will have a nice tip guard made just for this. Don't use the handle of your paddle even if you learned that in scouts. All it does is chew up the place where you'll be putting your hand for the next 7 days and you don't need that.
From the now stationary canoe, the bow paddler gets out and holds down the bow while the canoe remains resting completely on the water. DO NOT help out your partner by lifting the front end of the canoe and dragging him into shore. When you lift up the front of the canoe, your partner is now riding on the stem or skinny stern of the canoe which is like standing on a tightrope. This is where 80% of all canoe rollovers occur and from this instance many people try to declare that the canoe is tippy. In reality, there are no tippy canoes, only tippy people. Tipping at the portage unexpectedly could result in your partner hitting a rock with his head. That's not good when you're way out in the woods, so learn the proper way to do it.
With the big guy in the back, the canoe will want to "pop a wheelie". Holding down the bow increases the wetted surface of the canoe which means that the stabilty of the canoe will remain high because there's a lot of water supporting it throughout its length and width. Sitting on the bow and bracing with your knees is easier than just pushing the bow down with your hands and provides better support for the live load (the guy in back). Repeat the same steps in photos above as the stern paddler moves forward hands sliding on the gunwales and everyone is on shore with DRY FEET.
One note: Wearing footwear that CAN get wet is always helpful especially when approaching precarious landings and beaver dams. The ability to get out of the canoe in the water gives you more options for a safe and stabil landing in these situations. Jeff <Back to top> |
