Thank you! I'll never forget this one. That area is definitely worth building a trip around. I always hear reports of good fishing from Insula/Alice/Thomas
I really enjoy watching your videos! I am bringing my nephew for our first ever trip to the Boundary Waters next week. 9/22-9/29. We put in on Snowbank and take out on Lake One. I planned to base camp on Insula and day trip to Alice and Fishdance. Do you have any advice on where to locate fish /techniques since we won’t have any electronics? Any other lakes on that route that you really like? Thank you!
@@ryanfarrar9863 thank you for watching! Right now, I would look for weedlines and moving water for fish. Wherever you can find green weeds, fish will be nearby. Insula and Alice are both fantastic multi-species lakes worth fishing. The water temps will likely be dropping in the next week or so, so trolling deep diving rapalas (15-20’) should be effective, too. Good luck!
We didn't start hunting until day 4 of this trip because the fishing was just too good. We switched over once we ran out of our minnows! It is a lot of fun, but it is more difficult than you'd think. Hard to sneak up on them, hard to find them in concentrations because of the crazy amounts of water. Nowhere near as productive as field or slough hunting down south where I come from, but much more fun.
Got any tips/pointers for getting started with waterfowl in the BWCA? Ive always wanted to try that, always figured decoys would be too much a hassle, so I'm very interested to see how you did with that setup.
Yea, decoys are bulky, but luckily they are very light. We brought an extra big pack for the decoys, fishing net and blind and we did have to double portage, but it was worth it. Duck hunting the BWCA is definitely challenging because of all the water out there - so much room for ducks to spread out. It is about the experience, not necessarily the numbers. If you want numbers, you're better off hunting southern or western MN near a cornfield. In the BW, I look for three things, depending on my strategy. #1 is wild rice if you want to set up a blind and still-hunt. #2 is pinch-points/rivers that might be used as a flyway between larger bodies of water. #3 is areas you can sneak up on bedded/feeding ducks if you are trying to stalk/jump shoot them. This is super challenging, but I have had success on super windy rivers where you can quietly stalk around every corner and sneak up on them. The best areas are windy rivers, but shallow protected bays are also a possibility. Ducks will rarely fly over wooded areas, so if you can corner them in a small bay they may fly right over you to escape, giving you a decent shot. It is super hard to shoot out of a canoe, even the most stable, so I would probably suggest setting up a blind near wild rice pre-dawn for your best chance of success.
I used to anchor all the time but rarely do anymore. I’ve gone to a drift sock, which is far easier to use and is more effective. Early in the spring, right after the spawn when they are up shallow I’ll bring the anchor so we can focus on shallow bays, moving water, etc but I’ve found anchors are far too much work and often end up spooking the fish or murkying the water.
@@DRazz86 Good question. I like to drift perpendicular to the direction of the wind, because I want to be jigging perpendicular to the boat (casting into the wind). Jigging at a 90 degree angle to the boat (and a 45 degree angle to the water) allows for the best bait action, hookset, control, etc. You have to be careful not to hook the sock because it will be on the same side you’re fishing. Put a short leash on it and that should keep it under the boat and away from hooks. If it’s windy, however, I would not suggest the side of the boat. Having it off the rear will be much more stable. Having it off the side in winds over 15mph is pretty precarious/dangerous, especially in a solo boat. If you master the drift with a sock, you can be lethal with the right winds. If you can drift between .8 and 1.5mph you can really get into a lot of fish quickly, like we did in the Thomas video.
Fishing can be really good on lakes One through Four, but in my opinion, if you want unpressured fish, ample campsites and to get away from the crowds, Insula/Alice is worth the trek...Most of it is paddling anyways, only super easy and mostly short portages along that route
@@therealfarwater I just got back from Ely, my son and I fished Pipestone Bay, I tried to get a permit for entry point 30 but none were available that week, we did great but paddled a ton for our fish. 10 years ago I took a group up, the guys didn't like the portages so we got to lake 2, set up camp and stayed the rest of the week. I'll see Insula in the spring...have a good one!!
ruclips.net/video/_e5RpiVbqQo/видео.html here’s the video I made for it. Also, check out my blog post about it: chasingfarwater.com/humminbird-helix-5-sonar-gps-the-perfect-backcountry-canoe-fishing-system/
Man, im tellin ya, its hard to beat a trippin partner thats willing to blow his shoulders out with ya to do the fast and deep entry on day one. Nuthin worse than wasting fishing time ooozing along with heavy haulers.
@@therealfarwater absolutely buddy. Hard work is a trait many have long since forgotten about. Good to see some people still not afraid of power humping it for a couple days. Always better fishing way far away from ppl
I relish the hard work! After our travel days, we basically fish from sunup to sundown only taking bathroom breaks and enough time for two hot meals a day - that's the only way to do it - savor every moment in the wilderness. I can sleep when I get back home
@@therealfarwater absolutely. Many have never dug deep enough in a day to see what capacity their reserve tank of energy holds. Its a true shame that more people do not experience this place. Its a readily accessible place that still exists where it truly is still man existing with nature, not against it, a place where men(and women) can test themselves against adverse conditions in a dynamic, everchanging place that still remains largely unchanged since the beginning of time.ive spent hundreds of nights in the park, i was raised by cook, and im forever thankful for the lessons it has taught me. Theres no telling what a piece of s*it id personally be had i grown up without this place i now bring my 4 sons to. I hope this place infects them as much as it did me.
I want to do a cast and blast so bad! First thing's first, I need to buy a shotgun. I am a rifle man, never owned a shotgun. I do 'fins and feathers' for grouse with the .22 or .17. I do see a lot of geese while fall fishing. Cheers!
It is a lot of fun but also a lot of work. Duck hunting is tough around here with all the water they have to hide/spread out. I think a 20 gauge is a great investment because you can use it for grouse, duck and deer
![[4K] BWCA - Fishing, Underwater Camera, and More! Snowbank to Thomas](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/sP6M9GCl_KU/mqdefault.jpg)
Looked like an awesome trip with great fishing and weather. Sweet combo
Yup! We certainly got some rain, but it was pretty warm for mid October and the fish were on fire! It’s nice when a plan comes together
Excellent fun 😃!
So much fun!!
what a great trip. you are definitely inspiring a future trip to the BWCA
Thank you! I'll never forget this one. That area is definitely worth building a trip around. I always hear reports of good fishing from Insula/Alice/Thomas
That bass was a tank!
It was super fat! Probably not the longest I’ve ever caught but likely the heaviest
Did this exact same trim in September of 2019, except the "blast" part and now I am jealous of that and will be doing that next time.
It was definitely worth the work! Hunting is even better in October!
Nice smallie - north of 20, those pigs will pull the canoe around.
Yes! Catching one over 20” is truly something special! That is a powerful fish
I really enjoy watching your videos! I am bringing my nephew for our first ever trip to the Boundary Waters next week. 9/22-9/29. We put in on Snowbank and take out on Lake One. I planned to base camp on Insula and day trip to Alice and Fishdance. Do you have any advice on where to locate fish /techniques since we won’t have any electronics? Any other lakes on that route that you really like? Thank you!
@@ryanfarrar9863 thank you for watching! Right now, I would look for weedlines and moving water for fish. Wherever you can find green weeds, fish will be nearby. Insula and Alice are both fantastic multi-species lakes worth fishing. The water temps will likely be dropping in the next week or so, so trolling deep diving rapalas (15-20’) should be effective, too. Good luck!
Could you please tell me what brand/model fish finder you are using in your canoe?
Its a Humminbird Helix 5 - here's a link to the full setup video: ruclips.net/video/_e5RpiVbqQo/видео.html
That would be fun to hunt fowl up there. Dang dogs take up all my time!
We didn't start hunting until day 4 of this trip because the fishing was just too good. We switched over once we ran out of our minnows! It is a lot of fun, but it is more difficult than you'd think. Hard to sneak up on them, hard to find them in concentrations because of the crazy amounts of water. Nowhere near as productive as field or slough hunting down south where I come from, but much more fun.
Got any tips/pointers for getting started with waterfowl in the BWCA? Ive always wanted to try that, always figured decoys would be too much a hassle, so I'm very interested to see how you did with that setup.
Yea, decoys are bulky, but luckily they are very light. We brought an extra big pack for the decoys, fishing net and blind and we did have to double portage, but it was worth it. Duck hunting the BWCA is definitely challenging because of all the water out there - so much room for ducks to spread out. It is about the experience, not necessarily the numbers. If you want numbers, you're better off hunting southern or western MN near a cornfield. In the BW, I look for three things, depending on my strategy. #1 is wild rice if you want to set up a blind and still-hunt. #2 is pinch-points/rivers that might be used as a flyway between larger bodies of water. #3 is areas you can sneak up on bedded/feeding ducks if you are trying to stalk/jump shoot them. This is super challenging, but I have had success on super windy rivers where you can quietly stalk around every corner and sneak up on them. The best areas are windy rivers, but shallow protected bays are also a possibility. Ducks will rarely fly over wooded areas, so if you can corner them in a small bay they may fly right over you to escape, giving you a decent shot. It is super hard to shoot out of a canoe, even the most stable, so I would probably suggest setting up a blind near wild rice pre-dawn for your best chance of success.
What was your setup for the helix? Batteries etc?
ruclips.net/video/_e5RpiVbqQo/видео.htmlsi=pdnkc_ZlzGiAPCWG
When you fish on the canoe do you anchor your self or what’s your best tips as far as fishing on the canoe?
I used to anchor all the time but rarely do anymore. I’ve gone to a drift sock, which is far easier to use and is more effective. Early in the spring, right after the spawn when they are up shallow I’ll bring the anchor so we can focus on shallow bays, moving water, etc but I’ve found anchors are far too much work and often end up spooking the fish or murkying the water.
@@therealfarwater thanks. I’ll give that a try.
@@therealfarwater one more thing. What works best, hanging the drift sock on the side or the tip of the canoe?
@@DRazz86 Good question. I like to drift perpendicular to the direction of the wind, because I want to be jigging perpendicular to the boat (casting into the wind). Jigging at a 90 degree angle to the boat (and a 45 degree angle to the water) allows for the best bait action, hookset, control, etc. You have to be careful not to hook the sock because it will be on the same side you’re fishing. Put a short leash on it and that should keep it under the boat and away from hooks. If it’s windy, however, I would not suggest the side of the boat. Having it off the rear will be much more stable. Having it off the side in winds over 15mph is pretty precarious/dangerous, especially in a solo boat. If you master the drift with a sock, you can be lethal with the right winds. If you can drift between .8 and 1.5mph you can really get into a lot of fish quickly, like we did in the Thomas video.
@@DRazz86 Drifting for Walleyes on Thomas : ruclips.net/video/wDysH6PpIV4/видео.html
I have stayed in the cabin behind you in the intro of your video, Kawishawi lodge?
Yup, they are right on the narrows of Lake One
@@therealfarwater fished that area 3 times, still haven't made it to Insula, heading there in the spring.
Fishing can be really good on lakes One through Four, but in my opinion, if you want unpressured fish, ample campsites and to get away from the crowds, Insula/Alice is worth the trek...Most of it is paddling anyways, only super easy and mostly short portages along that route
@@therealfarwater I just got back from Ely, my son and I fished Pipestone Bay, I tried to get a permit for entry point 30 but none were available that week, we did great but paddled a ton for our fish. 10 years ago I took a group up, the guys didn't like the portages so we got to lake 2, set up camp and stayed the rest of the week. I'll see Insula in the spring...have a good one!!
@@odelldaniel7868 I love pipestone! Great fishing and campsites! Hope you had a good trip
I have been online this am checkout Ram and Humminbird but cannot find that awesome mount setup you have. Can you help me out please?
ruclips.net/video/_e5RpiVbqQo/видео.html here’s the video I made for it. Also, check out my blog post about it: chasingfarwater.com/humminbird-helix-5-sonar-gps-the-perfect-backcountry-canoe-fishing-system/
I like that black paddle is it carbon fiber?
You betcha! Wenonah Black Lite Elbow. Darn near perfection
@@therealfarwater sweet
Man, im tellin ya, its hard to beat a trippin partner thats willing to blow his shoulders out with ya to do the fast and deep entry on day one. Nuthin worse than wasting fishing time ooozing along with heavy haulers.
Couldn’t agree more! Bust it day one, get in deep and enjoy better fishing than most will ever see!
@@therealfarwater absolutely buddy. Hard work is a trait many have long since forgotten about. Good to see some people still not afraid of power humping it for a couple days. Always better fishing way far away from ppl
I relish the hard work! After our travel days, we basically fish from sunup to sundown only taking bathroom breaks and enough time for two hot meals a day - that's the only way to do it - savor every moment in the wilderness. I can sleep when I get back home
@@therealfarwater absolutely. Many have never dug deep enough in a day to see what capacity their reserve tank of energy holds. Its a true shame that more people do not experience this place. Its a readily accessible place that still exists where it truly is still man existing with nature, not against it, a place where men(and women) can test themselves against adverse conditions in a dynamic, everchanging place that still remains largely unchanged since the beginning of time.ive spent hundreds of nights in the park, i was raised by cook, and im forever thankful for the lessons it has taught me. Theres no telling what a piece of s*it id personally be had i grown up without this place i now bring my 4 sons to. I hope this place infects them as much as it did me.
@@eduffy4937 awesome…well said! I couldn’t agree more
I want to do a cast and blast so bad! First thing's first, I need to buy a shotgun. I am a rifle man, never owned a shotgun. I do 'fins and feathers' for grouse with the .22 or .17. I do see a lot of geese while fall fishing. Cheers!
It is a lot of fun but also a lot of work. Duck hunting is tough around here with all the water they have to hide/spread out. I think a 20 gauge is a great investment because you can use it for grouse, duck and deer