I was thinking about taking my 12 yo to the BWCA. I want to get some information on it and was thinking about buying this book.
Boundary Waters Canoe Area: The Western Region (Boundary Waters Canoe Area)
by Robert Beymer
Actually there are 2 books one for the western region and one for the eastern. If I was leaving from around ELY would I be in the eastern or western region?
Are these good books and are there others the you would recomend?
Ely would be the western area. More crowded, more tourists than any other area in the Boundary Waters.
A trip to the bwca sounds like a great way to spend some time with your twelve year old. I have been going up most years for a long time. Ely is in the center. And is by far the point that most partys enter from. When I say enter, that is what every one must do. Their are only somany entry points, and entry permits allowed on any given day. I would
sugest using a Outfitter’s service the first time. Also I would stay away from the Ely Area, as this area has the most entry points and outfitters using the points.
The outfitters have most of the entry permints locked up.
We have all our own gear but we still use a outfitter to get our permits ETC. 90% of the time. We enter most of the time, from the west end. We use ZUPS on Crain lake. They pick us up at the landing they have at Crain Lake. They take you by boat portage to the lodge. This is in Canadian Waters, so you will stop on a Island and see the CA. Customs. Then you will go on to the lodge. When you get to the lodge you will see Mark or Cathy Zup and get your permits Lic. ETC. If you outfit your gear from them They will have it ready for you and go over it with you. We take a Boat portage all the way to the last spot they can boat on LacLacroix to the bottle portage or up the Maligne River. This boat ride all the way from the first time you get on at the landing till you get off at your first portage is a blast. The boat drivers have been doing this for years, and know were the reefs are and go 60 MPH zig zag to your drop off points.
The west end gets the fewest BIG GROUPS as its the most dificult to get into. the boat portage cost a bit more but It saves you on the first day. and gets you in to the area and saves a day in or out. All areas of the BWCA have boat portages. Mark Zup has a most of his groups going for fishing. and he will put you on some great spots any time of the year.
I could go on for hour’s On this 
Also pick up a copy of the MAG. the Boundsry Waters Journal
on the website you can order books, mag’s ETC. also look up old issue’s http://www.boundarywatersjournal.com
also Mark Zups web site is http://www.zupsresorts.com
You can PM me if you have any questions
Garth Merrick
sorry for the long post above
to answer your question yes the books are good and you can order them from yhe boundary waters site.
Remember Support the ones that support your habit’s FISHING
Garth
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