My wife and I had an AirBnB booked for the foothills of the blue ridge mountains in SC for Feb and March. My son lives about 20 miles from there and we were going to use this time to explore the area for a possible move. He says it is unseasonably cold there (27) right now, but it does not last long. I had to cancel our trip today as my wife is having some medical issue. I know 27 is not as warm as way south, but we like that area as it does not get as hot in the summer also with the mountains being close.
Hopefully we can get her taken care of and travel there some other time.

Would have been nice to have all those tackle boxes opened up so a person could see what was inside them instead of just “assorted fishing…..”

I have owed kenitico for many years. They are spendy to start with but make up for it in the long run. They are not electric and only recharge when needed. You can have them set up for the amount of softning you need for you area. I think I have owed one for over 30 years and have not had much repair work on the two houses I had them in. I would buy again. Great deal if you can afford the investment from the start.

I have switched my cooking methods in the past 2 months. My blood sugar was running a bit high so I stopped as much carbs and sugar as I can and doing more protein. Started eating eggs every other day cooked in bacon grease ( not much). Using avacado oil for any oil frying. I don’t use salt any more on things. I have lost about 12 lbs the last two months and feel like I have more energy now. Very hard to keep that up if you ever go out to eat, just so much processed stuff out there. I eat raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries every day. Was hard to give my pineapple and oranges, but too much sugar. I am heading to Hawaii in a week, so guessing I will give in to the the pineapple, mango etc that is so good there.

I rode bikes while still young and enjoyed them. When my son was born (45 years ago) we moved to another town and I rode my bike to our new town and about got hit 3 times along the way. I told my wife that was it, I am a new father and could not take the chance. I sold it right away, but I still have a license to ride and I have ridden a few around the block a few time, but don’t want to go out on the road ever again. Good luck

about anywhere in IOWA !!!

I have used the Thermacell device for over 10 years now. First had experience on a canoe trip in the BWCWA. Someone brought one along and I thought it would never work, but it DID. Bought my own as soon as I got home. They have made several updates as the years went along. First model was a bit hard to get lite, but I don’t have that trouble now. I always carry two in my vehicle and us them turkey hunting, deer hunting, and anytime I am just sitting around outside. I have used my in my boat, but like stated above, if moving around much it is not as affective. LOVE this device and my son now has two regular ones, and the lantern style for bigger areas.

For the last few years the Boundary Waters Journal has had some great articles about fishing for lake trout. Some brothers have modified some large lipless crankbaits to include bottom spinners and feathers. The are producing some great results and the editor of the magazine now says after 3 years of fishing these lures he would not go without them. Klos Bros lipless trout lures. I am sure you can google them and find them. Pretty costly at $75 for 3 lures.

I bought my outdoor card and license on line

I have an xi5 and that works well with my lowrance fishfinder.

I had one and I had some leaks, but I think that was “operator error” because I could not really get enough angle on it from the inside to get it really tight.

Interesting that you are thinking of being done. I did trip 30 last year with my brother and another friend. All but one of my trips have been with my brother and 22 with this other friend. We all pretty much decided that last year would be our last one also. For me it was simply NOT sleeping well anymore. I sleep with a CPAC at home and when I don’t have it I can really tell the difference. I have a great Thermarest pad and great tent, but the lack of the CPAC is the gamebreaker for me. Not saying I would never go again, but it would have to be something special for me to go.

I also love my ShadyRay glasses. I bought my first pair 5 years ago for $55 and have either broken, scratched, or lost 3 pair already and they just keep sending me new ones. Pretty good deal on great glasses.

We have used the JetBoil also and love it. We still have a BIG pot for lots of water and big meal prep.

Glad you have a nice trip

jimmysiewert wrote:

Best thing we have ever done for fishing in the BWCA is to cut some decent branches down ((8′ – 10′) and lash them onto the carry yokes of two canoes. Basically make a catamaran with 4′ – 6′ of space between two canoes. So easy to do and if casting, jigging, slip bobbing you cannot go wrong. SOOOO much more stability!

We have done this on windy days and made a sail out of our tarp. Amazing how fast you can go with the wind at your back. I wouldn’t try this with just one canoe though. Harder to control.

I think early June might be a bit early for that far north. Of course it all depends on the spring of that year. With all my trips to the Boundary Waters and Quetico we have had our best smallmouth fishing around the 2nd week of June so if you are further north I think a bit later in June would be best. It will depend on the lakes you are fishing as those big lakes up there take much longer to warm up than the smaller ones.

Been up there too many times to count. I take an med/light and med/heavy break down rods for my trips. Haven’t found anything I could not catch on those two set ups. I have landed 40″ northern and some screaming lake trout. I do admit with the big northern I just let them pull the boat around a bit and if possible my partner will paddle over to the shore where I can get out to land the fish. As topshotta said landing big fish in a canoe can be a challenge and you have to be pretty careful in order to do it safely. It is a great place to go and fish. Have a good trip.

I have a lowrance 9 on the front of my boat that is hooked directly to the xi5 motor. Works great for spot lock and “go to” feature.

We moved into our home 17 years ago and had it tested right away as we know radon is a big problem in Iowa. We lived in several OLD homes before that had “cellar” so we hardly ever went down there. With this new home it had a finished basement that would be our family room. The testing revealed very high levels of radon so we installed the mitigation system. Others are suggesting you can do it yourself, which I guess its true, but again how much value do you place on your health. Also with the professional instal, we got a warranty so they came and replaced the fan motor after 10 years when it go very noisy.

On a related note my wife has gotten lung cancer twice in the past 7 years. Never around smokers in any way and when talking to the drs she said that she grew up living in a basement for a few years while her father built the up levels of her house. Also she spent lots of time in that basement. They all said that the radon she took in in that time, plus just the radon in our old houses most likely contributed to her cancer. So …… don’t mess around and NO I DONT THINK IT WAS A HOAX.

I did the Alaskan cruise from Seattle last June. I was not really wanting to go on a cruise, but it was with 6 GREAT friends and some special music on the ship with a recording artist that I really like so I went along. Stopped in Juneau and went to see a glacier which was pretty cool. I wanted to take kayaks closer, but the others in my group where not up for that kind of adventure. Also stopped in Skagway and did an old bus tour which was cool also. Also stopped in Victoria BC and did some tours. One of things I did not like was that everything we did was so crowded that kind of turned me off. Other than that it was fun, but I don’t think I would do it again. Next trip to Alaska will be more time on land

I was there Feb 10-14 and the ice was down to 18″ and we traveled by SxS and the fishing was pretty slow. One of the guys I went with then is there right now and he said the ice is back to 30″ but they are careful about ramps etc and their guides have been taking them to out of the way approaches. They are KILLING the fishing out there this week. He send photos of limits of walleye and enough perch to make it interesting. He said he was thinking of not going back when we were there in Feb but so glad he came back. Same guide service just better fishing.

I make jerky out of the deer I shoot. Everything except the loins go into jerky as my family just loves it. I have a son in SC that won’t let me come see him unless I bring jerky. Now all his friends in SC keep asking for it too. With my local grandkids that is the treat we take when fishing (ice or regular) and we have a tradition that you can’t have jerky until you catch a fish. Believe me, they barely get the fish in before they are into the jerky. We have our own went recipe that we have developed over the years. Just this year I was told by my Dr to cut back on salt — well that jerky has so much salty stuff in it that I have cut back on my intake – UGH. The grandkids think that is OK as they get more that way. Maybe a good project for today.

I was out Feb 10-14. We traveled in SxS with tracks and basically had not problems getting on the lake or traveling around. As stated the fishing was really slow because of the cold front that went through on the 8th. Our best day was the last day because of the steady weather for the few days we were there. Perch were no where to be found (7 guys, 3 days fishing, 3 perch). We did manage to bang out enough fish to eat on the first day because we caught some nice norther. I think the first day was only 5 walleye

Lake one entry is the most used entry point in that area. It is a great trip from there to Insula, but I have noticed over the years how busy that area has gotten. Very easy area to get into and base camp, just be prepared for lots of people to share the lakes with. Insula is a good walleye lake, I also have caught lots of fish bellow all the rapids at the portages.

I sure hope people will take a bit of a better attitude with them during this “boom”. With the livescope option I am sure finding them will be a bit easier than the past. Remember you DON”T have to take out your limit everyday. Catch what you need and release the others. The people last boom really raped and pillaged those big crappies and then later complained when the numbers dropped off.

I have done MANY MANY trips up there. Are you going through an outfitter or own you own. I have used Canoe Country Outfitters as a base to stay going in and and coming out. They have helped us with permits and some planning ideas. I have always stayed on the Western side out of Ely. What side are you going to? Again checking with an outfitter and telling them your group size, what side you want to paddle, skill level, how many portages you want would be helpful. YES, you better get going on this as the park has been very busy and full since covid. Permits go very fast. Many outfitters buy up BUNCHES and can help out. That would be my best advice

I think I had better clarify my statement. NOT in the INNER ear, but down in the ear canal a ways. When I look in those guys ears I can still see the piercing, but meant – not on the lobe almost like piercing the little nub that sticks out of your ear. Good luck

I do NOT have it, but I know many others in my entire family that have it bad. Both my wife and BIL have it bad. Many of use (including me) have earing aids due to hearing loss. Family members say the hearing aids have “helped” but again, the night time is bad. Wife sleeps with noise machine going and that helps her. Now hear comes some “snake oil” stuff. I personally know 5 people that have gotten the ear piercing thing and that has actually worked. It is piercing a bit deeper in the ear on an acupuncture point. One younger guy I know is a roofer and his tinnitus was so bad that it was also starting to give him vertigo (not good for a roofer). He did the piercing thing about 10 years ago and he swears by it. I admit this is a small sample and I am guessing there are others that have done it and it did not work. Might want to do some research on that and give it a try before the expensive hearing aids. Now on the hearing aid note. For all of you out there with bad hearing, get some hearing aids and stick with them. I got my first pair when I was 52(shooting and playing in a band) and over the years the aids have gotten so much better. I went by the theory that WHY go through life not being able to hear. I did not stop getting glasses when I could not see. Plus hearing loss is a big cause of dementia so just DO IT.

We still don’t have any ice in northern Iowa so I have NOTHING to report

I am really into NEWER versions of some old classics. There are just so many. Right now this is my favorite version of Go Tell It – think “Blues Bothers/James Brown”. The whole Zach Williams Christmas album is ROCKIN

Where I fish in Iowa I feel I am always scouting for ice fishing. The places I fish contain many man made fish structures so when I come across one during summer fishing I always mark that spot for later which includes ice fishing. I just feel that is the way to do in the area I fish.

Thanks for all your replies. We fished with two boats and 6 people for Sat and Sunday. Fished pretty hard all day on Sat, but had to contend with the recreational boating and some gusting winds which made some of the mid lake areas hard to fish. Sunday was tougher has a cold front went through Sat night and we only got to fish until noon has more rain was headed our way. I think between the two boats we landed about 19 bass and some small northern. I did manage to catch my first muskie which was fun even though it was small. I won the bass pool with a 18.5 and my nephews daughter won the northern pot with a 27″. Fun lake though.

Thanks so much for the help. I see there looks to be a very good drop off around most of the lake so the deep weed edges look to be a good starting area. I will report back with what we find after the weekend.