A group of four, (two fathers and two teenage sons (15 & 14)), heading into East Bearskin and planning to base camp on Pierz, hope to latch on to some Splake. We are also planning side trips to Johnson Falls, the Spaulding mine, and Bench Lake.

Knowing August is the prime time of trout fishing (sarcasm), we have been reviewing the MN DNR surveys of the area, seeking alternatives. A couple lakes like Paddle (circa 1974) and Canoe (circa 1999) seem to be illogical. According to the surveys, Paddle was teaming with game fish, pike, eyes, smb, and pan fish, but Canoe was severally deficient. The two are connect by navigable water. Is this what you found when you were in the area? I would like the boys to be able to have some fishing action. Both boys have been up to the BW once before, but fishing has always been poor to fair. We all have been on more rigorous BW trips previously but would like to have more of a down time trip this time around. So rerouting is not what we want.

We would appreciate any insight to the area fishing. The boys also want to know if swimming below the falls is deep enough for jumping (not off the falls) or is it a wade in the only affair.  I am confident August is not too much of a worrisome time for too much water coming over the falls for a swim below.

Thank you,

May your boots dry quickly,

Ryeman

Yes, we didn't have much luck fishing.  I think it was mostly a poor timing issue.  (At least that's what I keep telling myself)

I also would not recommend jumping at Jphnson Falls.

We didn't try it, but Paddle lake could be seen from Canoe Lake & didn'tlook like too much work to get back to.  No idea about what fish might be there, but presumably the same as are in Canoe Lake.

Have a great trip!  It is an awesome area - even if fishing was dreadfully poor (for our trip).

Overloaded,

Thank you I look forward to getting in there, and turning the kids on to some fishing. The boys do not need quality but quanity of action. A good varitey of opportunity will help.

Peace

Ryeman

Thanks, I expect in August they would move deeper. No we do not have a depth finder, just a good map. I may through my buddy overboard and see how far he sinks though

We had a  good and wet time. Put in on Monday a.m. 6:00 a.m. paddles wet. Setup camp on Canoe, the center site opened as we were checking out the west site. Most of Monday was setup day with a little fishing, a couple snakes for fun, boys caught a couple sunfish, smallish smallies, and a perch right from camp. Beautiful day.  Fish Paddle on Tuesday bunch of small smallies. It started to rain Tuesday evening and did not fully break until Thursday evening. Look at the weather sites we closed in on 2" of rain. Wednesday was spent mostly in camp under the tarp. Spent Thursday afternoon exploring Johnson Falls, this was defiantly the highlight. Friday spent drying out and fishing Canoe, we caught three keeper smallies as an appetizer. Left early Saturday.

A side note: I noticed black splotches on  the outside of a couple of the bass and when we filet them we found black spots about the size of sand . It appears to be a parasite http://maine.gov/ifw/fishing/health/vol2issue9.htm and http://www.seagrant.umn.edu/fisheries/parasites.. We ate them with no noticeable taste affect. and the Fish other than being on a stringer looked healthy. I have seen them before in other fisheries but not in the BWCA.

Despite the poor fishing, and wet weather I know my son and I will be back in hopes of better fishing and more exploration of the area.

Thanks everyone for their insights.

Peace and May your Boots Dry Quickly

Ryeman