looking for any info based on personal experience to go to the boundary waters and do a camp and fish trip. I'm not too interested in trying to cover the most ground - More interested in a decent fishing trip that includes camping in a remote beautiful location. Interested in good experiences as well as bad. It would be myself and three of my son's age range 20-27

thanks fellas

Do a search for BWCA

Do it, you will not regret it! Plenty of places that will rent out all you need. Do your research and pack as light as possible. It pays to be in shape for the trip also. Like most things in life, the harder you work, the greater the reward. I have found that to be very much the case up there in “God’s country”! Work hard enough and you won’t see a soul the whole time your up there, if that is what you are looking for.

What time of year? Black flies are bad in August...You'll wish for mosquitos in comparison if you go then.

Been dry this year but the mosquitos can be bad as late as Sept. Bring a headnet just in case. They are cheap and take up almost no space....but invaluable if you need them.

I am familiar with the Ely Mn area. Spent 10 yrs. I hunted fished and trapped the Echo and Fernburg trail. If you want to do a portage. Go to the end of the Fernburg head up to Basswood. Great fishing. If you want to do short portages with a good river chain. Go up the Echo trail. Dump at the Moose River. Go all the way to Aggasie Not sure on the spelling. Get yourself some good maps. And bring Deete Don’t mess with any other repellent Make sure you have a good tight bug proof tent. You will regret it if you don’t You will have all the solitude you want. Great fishing as well. Good luck

If bugs are bad bring a bug net for sleeping-they work great.Fine mesh also keeps out the sand flys.

Had an outfitter rent us a canoe, very nice and light canoe, pack us the four days meals and map out us a trip. We portaged about 5 times untill we hit South lake which was great for smallies and portage into North Lake for Walleye. Travel lite, ty your food up high from bears and bring raingear.

Rain gear, rain gear and more rain gear. Wettest week I can ever recall

There is a great book titled Day 29 about a group on the Boundary Waters. Don't want to give it away, but you can expect a grizzly is involved.

If you are referring to the book: The twenty ninth day by Alex Messenger, That took place in northern Canada. Good book,interesting read.

I agree with the above recommendations for the trip. You might want to put some hard paddling in the first day or two to get farther back in to avoid some crowding .
My boy and I went in last Sept.and the canoe rental employee stated this was the most people has seen entering the BWCA.

Yes, Another Boot camp run by my Daughter!!! 10 portages and Dozen lakes , fishing sucked compared to last year because of A may fly hatch.

We brought bug spray 2 bottles each but only used a small amount. We're blessed again.

Rainwear was needed Twice, but boy was it nice to have when we needed it.

Also worth the weight was a 20 cup aluminum coffee pot 2#s of coffee and filters. For over the fire.

A Tarp for over the new tent provided, zero rain inside the tent.