The 2010 BWCAW Lottery is Curently Ongoing - Ely MN

The lottery for Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness Permits with entry dates between May 01, 2010 and Sep 30, 2010 is opened to the public until Jan 15, 2010 (midnight central time). After the Jan. 15 date, permits are on a first come/first serve basis.

What is the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness? The BWCAW is a unique area located in the northern third of the Superior National Forest in northeastern Minnesota. It is approximately 1.3 million acres in size, it extends nearly 150 miles along the International Boundary adjacent to Canada's Quetico Provincial Park and bordered on the west by Voyageurs National Park. Also the BWCAW contains over 1200 miles of canoe routes, 15 hiking trails and approximately 2000 designated campsites.***

Now is the perfect time to plan your 2010 Boundary Waters canoe trip. We are happy to assist in all your canoe trip planning - from obtaining the permits, reserving the gear (whether it be Complete Deluxe Kevlar Outfitting Packages or if you are just in need of a canoe), trip routing to pointing out the best camping/fishing spots during your trip. Give us a call at 800-777-7091 to start the process and we can help you pick the perfect Entry Point depending on your groups abilities & interests.

Moose Track Adventures Canoe Outfitters is located just 7 miles southeast of Ely MN - Canoe Capital of the World! We only deal with kevlar canoes and the best in camping gear - Marmot/North Face tents & sleeping bags, Kondos canoe packs & tasty camping food!

***info from recreation.gov

Winter has arrived in Ely MN & the BWCA!

Flurries that turned into 6" of snow and temperatures in the teens during the day with the thermometer dipping down to -10 at night means that winter has finally arrived in Ely Minnesota! We still haven't seen Farm Lake, part of the White Iron Chain of Lakes freeze over yet (which usually happens around Thanksgiving). Most likely after a week of these low temps at night we will finally see 'hard water'.

"How to" Videos posted to YouTube & FaceBook

Moose Track Adventures has uploaded "How to" videos on YouTube & FaceBook. These videos will show How to Portage a Canoe in the Boundary Waters & Quetico Wilderness , Fishing Tips for Smallmouth Bass in the Boundary Waters & Northern MN , 'Technology used in fishing the Boundary Waters Canoe Area' and much more.
Take a moment and check them out!

Remote Ely MN Lakeside Cabins available this winter - just outside the BWCA

If you are looking for a remote northern Minnesota getaway with incredible views to enjoy the beauty that nature has to offer - then either of these cabins are the place to be!

The North Kawishiwi River Cabin & Kempton Cabin are available to rent during our 'hard water' season. The lakes freeze over on our Ely MN lakes between end of November and beginning of December. Both cabins offer solitude, undisturbed serenity and the perfect place to enjoy a relaxing escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life!

Curl up with a book in the living room or relax and look out your window at the winter wonderland just outside your window. Are the the adventurous type? Grab your cross country skiis or snowshoes and go exploring. Whether you stay inside or head outside - you might catch a glimpse of deer, winter birds, pine martins, fishers, weasels, wolves and snowshoe hares.

Kempton Lake Cabin does have a traditional Finnish sauna for bathing and relaxation.

You are escorted across the frozen lake from the parking lot to your cabin and provided with assistance in getting your personal luggage/food both in and out.

Don't you deserve a retreat from the rest of the world? Call for availability - 800-777-7091. Check it out at Moose Track Adventures.

Fall Colors & Snow in Northern MN!

Yellow aspens, red maples and orange Tamaracks - they all are coming into peak color this week here in Ely MN!

Keep in mind - we do have two 2-bedroom lakeside cabins opened till Sunday, October 18 - MEA Weekend. So one more week to enjoy northern MN & Ely at Moose Track Adventures with no bugs, hand full of tourist and soft water (before it turns to ice)!

Today we had our first snow showers! This morning the snow was collecting on the decks of the cabins and canoes on the canoe rack. Very strange to watch considering it's the 9th of October - but just a reminder that we need to continue forward with closing things down here for the winter. Boats and motors are being put to 'bed' for the winter along with fall cleaning of the cabins and grounds.

We also want to take a moment after our busy spring/summer/fall months and say thanks to all our 2009 guests - both return and new! We had a great year considering the economic times and met some fantastic people that we hope to meet up again with in the near future. To all of our July guests that endured the second coldest July in Minnesota history during your stay, our 'summer' came in September - sunny and high 70's for pretty much all of September!

As you can see from our website - as of early 2009 all the original lakeside cabins built in the late 60's were remodeled inside throughout - all new window, doors, cabinets, laminate flooring, furniture. Return guests have appreciated the updating and new guests have enjoyed the clean, fresh look of the newly remodeled lakeside cabins.

Also, our fleet of new 16' Lund boats w/25hp motors is growing - we added another 2 this year. Perfect size boats to get you around on the White Iron Chain of Lakes and can also be used on South Farm Lake - which is a lake within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area with a 25hp limit or less restriction (BWCA permits are required for this lake).

We've been taking 2010 reservations since the start of our season in May 2009 - both with return guest reserving their cabin before the end of their 2009 stay and we've received lots of phone calls & emails from new guests already planning their 2010 vacation. Just give us a call or shoot us an email to check 2010 availability.

Happy Fall!

Hot temperatures in Ely MN - but BIG fish being caught in the BWCA

Father & son from NJ came for a short stay in our newly remodeled lakeside cabins and 3 days of guided fishing in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Even with the temperatures in the high 80's and 90's, the fish size and numbers made for a trip of a lifetime.

One day they concentrated on smallmouth on the Basswood Chain of Lakes - 21" 5.5 lb smallmouth was the prize of the day caught by dad. Lots of other action that day included 16", 18" & 20" smallies.

Another day was spent casting for northern pike. Tyler battled with a 41" toothy pike while dad reeling in a 38" and Professional Fishing Guide Jim Blauch rounding out large fish of the day with a 37".

N Kawishiwi River Day Paddle in the BWCA - Ely MN

Here is the actual picture of the 'moose spotting' from a canoe day trip up the N Kawishiwi River this week. Thanks to Michelle & Family - Awesome shot!

Moose spotting on day canoe trip in the BWCA

A family of 4 staying at the resort this week chose today for their wilderness adventure in the BWCA. They rented one of our kevlar canoes and headed across Farm Lake with Entry Point 31 - N Kawishiwi River as their destination into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. They were fortunate to have great weather - sunny & 70 degrees, caught a nice 24" northern pike on their one fishing rod they brought with AND they saw a mama moose with her baby! They took this video from a canoe and it's a bit fuzzy and shaky, but you can see both moose. I'll post the pictures as soon as she emails them to us.

Guided Day Eco-Tourism Canoe Trip in the BWCA

Going out on a Guided Day Eco-Tourism Canoe Trip with Moose Track Adventures Guide Service in the Boundary Waters is always an adventure. Canoe Country is the home to a vast array of mammals and birds and just spending one day out in the 'woods' can be awe-inspiring. Animals that are native to our northern region include moose, wolves, bears, beavers, bobcats, bald eagles and loons to name a few. Traveling by canoe in the BWCA lets you travel silently and allows you the best possibilities of seeing wildlife up close. Here are a few snapshots of what we saw on our trip today.

Beavers are active woodcutter and dam builders. They spend a lot of time in the water, using their tails as rudders and propellers when swimming. They can weigh from 28-75 lbs.

Bald Eagles can be seen perched in trees spying on their next prey or in flight catching food with it's sharp talons. Their length is usually 3 1/2 ft long.

The Great Blue Heron stands almost 4 feet tall. They choose the highest treetops for their nests. They feed mostly on small non-game fish, aquatic insects, crayfish, frogs and small mammals such as mice along with an occasional walleye, nothern pike or other game fish.

The Common Loon is Minnesota's state bird. Minnesota has roughly 12,000 loons (more than any other state except Alaska). The red in the loon's eye helps it to see under water for food.

The Painted Turtle is the most common turtle in the state of Minnesota. The legs and head of the painted turtle are black with yellow stripes. Females grow to 10" in lengths, while males only grow to 7" long.

Mammal/bird facts & information come from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources website.

Arkansas Fly-Fishing Club visits our Ely MN Resort

A Little Rock Arkansas Fly-Fishing group just went home after their second visit at Moose Track Adventures Resort. They fished on various lakes around the Ely area and caught numerous smallmouth bass and a few northern pike on the fly.

They have already booked 2 weeks for 4 cabins next year! See you guys next year!

How to choose a Professional Fishing Guide

Life is way too short and fishing is too much fun to put up with a middle-of-the-road guide for even an hour. Here is a quick guide for helping you through the process:

First, ask friends who fish and guides you know to recommend a guide for a specific water or general area that you want to fish. This is the best way to get accurate, unbiased information.

Next, log on to the internet. It is always best to fish with a guide that you are referred to, but the internet is a good place to look for a guide. Once you find one, Google the name to see what has been written about him. Guides with better reputations might have been written about by magazine writers.

Also, the guide will likely maintain a web site. Keeping in mind the type of fishing you prefer, when you want to go and what species you'd like to catch, read the information carefully.

Look on the web site for sponsors and recommendations of the guide you are considering.

The BIG step - you are ready to talk to the guide.

What questions to ask -

• Ask how long the guide has been in the area, how many days a year he spends in the area you wish to fish and flat out ask if he is a specialist in the style you wish to fish.
• How many years in the business?
• What is the guide's safety record and medical training?
• Ask what form of liability insurance the guide has. If he does not have a commerical policy, then you might run into issues if there is a problem
• What kind of rods/reels/tackle should you bring or what is provided?
• What kind of fishing are you looking to accomplish? Make sure you communicate either you are looking to find that one trophy fish or just looking catching/releasing all day and having some fun with your kid fishing in the boat

During the conversation and question asking - keep in mind to look for a guide who loves his job.

And what if the fish aren't biting? Sharing the boat with the wrong guide can make for a long, long day. The more educated the guide, the longer the conversation stays interesting. Look for guides with knowledge of not only fishing, but also the human and natural history of the surrounding environment. Look for guides who are commited to deliverying the same high level of service both on and off the water. That service could be teaching a technique or how to read the water.

One last thing to keep in mind...as you are researching, questioning and considering, keep in mind that guides also can choose their clients. Guides understand that you are paying money to be shown where the fish are, but they also enjoy clients that realize there is much more to the experience than casting a rod and hooking a fish.

Northern Minnesota and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area has amazing beauty in just about any season - there is so much more to a fishing trip than just fishing!

Guided Smallmouth Bass Fly-Fishing Day Trip in BWCA

Father & son from Florida went out in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area with Jim Blauch for a Guided Day Fly-Fishing Trip. Although a bit windy, all 3 managed to catch some bass on the fly. Four 19 inch and a 20 inch smallmouth bass topped of a steller day on the water.

FFF Fly-Fishing Instructor Workshop held at Moose Track Adventures

Certified as a fly-fishing instructor by the Federation of Fly-Fishers, Jim Blauch of Moose Track Adventures in Ely, MN conducted a weekend workshop in Federation of Fly-Fishers Casting Instructor Certification Program.

The 3-day program started Friday late afternoon with checking in at Moose Track Adventures Resort. The group of men & women consisted of partipants from Wisconsin, Illinois and Minnesota.

During the short casting evaluation of the particpants, a short rain shower blew in. They had the chance to witness not only one rainbow, but a double rainbow that evening.





Participants, 14 in all, spent the morning of Saturday, May 30th at Whiteside Park.






They split into two groups for a performance exam run-through of each candidate.







Registered students must attend workshops such as this and, before certification, must pass written and performance exams.









After lunch, they had a discussion of teaching skills tasks and each had time to practice the teaching skills tasks.





John Breslin & Dave Barron, both FFF Certified Master Casting Instructors headed up the workshop. Powerpoint presentations during the evening consisted of Casting Analysis, Principles of Adult Learning, Rollcasting Theory just to name a few.





Jim Blauch & Dave Leger - each FFF Certified Casting Instructors also covered topics and lead discussions. "We have excellent fly-fishing opportunities right here in our backyard and ever since I started guiding, one of my goals was to introduce the fly-fishing opportunities that northern Minnesota and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area has to offer," says Jim Blauch. In addition to teaching the instructor course, he also gives private and group lessons in fly fishing.

For more information, call Jim Blauch at 365-4106 or check out the website: http://www.fedflyfishers.org/


Claire was not a 'registered participant' during the workshop, but she did get a chance to try her hand with a fly-fishing yarn rod that is used in fly-casting instruction.

New lodging offered by Moose Track Adventures - Remote Log Cabins in Ely MN

Moose Track Adventures welcomes a new Ely MN Lodging choice to our line-up of cabins - 2 remote cabins within close proximity to Ely, Minnesota and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area.

Kempton Remote Cabin is located just a short paddle across Kempton Lake and happens to be the only cabin on the lake. Just a short portage into Pickerel Lake will get you into some great northern pike and smallmouth bass fishing.

Kawishiwi River Remote Cabin is located across from Moose Track Adventures and Farm Lake (part of the White Iron Chain of Lakes) and just a short paddle to Entry Point 31 (N Kawishiwi River). A 3-bedroom cabin (queen size bed in 2 bedrooms, 3 sets of twin bunk beds in the 3rd bedroom), just 75' from the waters edge and your private dock. Walleyes, northern pike, crappies and smallmouth are the species of fish you will find in the Chain of Lakes.

Either cabin rents for $1000 a week or $200 a night (up to 4 people, plus taxes). Click here for additional Ely MN Remote Log Cabins information.

Moose Track Adventures can arrange either a guided day fishing trip , guided day fly-fishing trip or a guided day eco-tourism trip to start your vacation off in northern MN.

Guided Eco-Tourism Trips in the BWCA & the fishing continues...

Happy Memorial Day to everyone. After a beautiful day yesterday in Ely, MN today is a bit cloudy and cool with t-storms in the forecast. Jim spent the day yesterday with customers on a Guided Eco-Tourism Day Trip to the Hegaman Lake Pictographs.

Here we are portaging our canoes from the parking lot to Hegman Lake.

Now that the vegetation is finally greening up they were able to sample some delicious 'cucumber like' Clintonia. Clintonia is an excellent substitute for cucumbers and add excellent flavor to salads...especially when you are in the Wilderness on a canoe trip.

Fishing was a bit more challenging this week which was primarily due to the constant change in weather patterns. Walleyes are still going pretty strong on jigs and minnows as well as Lindy Rigs and are being caught in 10-20 feet of water.


As always evening slip bobber fishing off the dock has made for some great entertainment and memories. We see that Claire is blossoming into quite the 'fishing chick' as she is always asking Jim to take her fishing (whether it be in a boat or just on the dock). She just loves playing with the minnows until her bobber goes down and then she dashes over to her rod that dad was holding onto and reels in her fish.

Customers have been catching some nice crappies as well as quality northern pike.

Spring Fishing in Ely, MN off to a great start!

Spring fishing off our main dock is something we look forward to each year. No need to hop in a boat with the kids, just cast off the dock with a bobber and the fish will come.


Walleyes, northern pike, perch, and crappie is what we've reeled in so far. Some evenings the action doesn't even let us sit down on the bench - put a minnow on the hook, cast out, bobber down, reel it in and then repeat!



We've had a few fish dinners, the rest just get returned to the water to perhaps catch another day.












Our guests staying here have had some great days on the water too! Ryan and Andy, return guests from Minneapolis, came up to enjoy the spring fishing for a 3rd year in a row. They reeled in 71 walleyes in the 2 1/2 days they spent on the water.






They still use the 'honey hole' that Jim put them on 3 years ago!

MN Fishing Opener - snow of course!

Saturday, May 9 was Minnesota's Fishing Opener - we had snow, rain and wind! It sounds like if you could have withstanded Mother Nature that she did reward you with fish. We heard that people were limiting out with walleyes on Basswood & White Iron Chain of Lakes.

We decided to just fish off our dock Sunday afternoon with the kids. Claire reeled in this 23" Northern Pike! Gavin and I each hooked large Northern's too - we only got a glimpse of each before they broke free. Jim said Gavin's was definitely in the 36" range. We also caught numerous walleyes, with Jim reeling in a 25" walleye that he released. Got to love spring fishing off the dock!

Olympics Coming to Ely!

OLYMPIC SPIRIT SOARS FOR ELY 2016:
LAST-MINUTE OLYMPIC BID BY MINNESOTA CITY ANNOUNCED TODAY

ELY, MINNESOTA — April 1, 2009 — Ely, Minn., the gateway to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, has today announced it is offering a late-entry bid to host the summer Olympic Games in 2016. Watch the press conference at www. ely.org or http://www.ely2016.com/.

Though Chicago is formally nominated as the United States Candidate City for the 2016 Games, Ely plans to submit its paperwork immediately to the International Olympic Committee, finalizing its bid for the 2016 Olympics.

“We missed the first deadline for the bid by a couple of years, but we are optimistic,” says Roger Skraba, Ely’s mayor. “Our 1.3 million acres of untouched wilderness is beyond compare, so there’s plenty of room for Ely to host thousands of athletes and more than a million visitors, and we have lots of space for the facilities.”

Plans are already moving forward for Ely 2016. “We’re draining Miners Lake to create the first in-ground Olympic Stadium, carving seats into the rock,” says Mayor Skraba. “Olympic Village? Yep. Aquatic facility? Absolutely. Rhythmic gymnastics? Badminton? Judo? No problem.”

“We won’t have any trouble pulling this event together,” adds the mayor. “Peter Ueberroth says the time is right for the Games to come back to America in 2016, well, why not Ely?”

The International Olympic Committee has so far offered no comment to Ely’s announcement. “We look forward to working with those guys,” adds Mayor Skraba. “And we’ll extend a hand of friendship to Chicago too so they don’t feel too bad about losing. Ely would be more than happy to let the Windy City host an event or two, if they feel up for it. But they’ve got political problems of their own now, they might just be relieved to hand things over to us.”

For more information, and to book a trip to Ely before the Olympic crush of 2016, please visit ely.org or call 1-800-777-7281.

Boundary Waters Guided Canoe Trip ~ Ely, MN

Moose Track Adventures Guided Boundary Waters Canoe Trips can include guided fishing, fly-fishing, eco-tourism and historical trips. Whether you are looking for an arm tiring day of fishing a remote Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness lake or a picturesque week of paddling in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area , Moose Track Adventures Guide Service & Outfitter has a variety of different options to choose from. Our guides have extensive knowledge about the area flora, fauna, natural history, ecology and not to mention years of experience fishing these waters. Let Moose Track Adventures plan an unforgettable guided canoe trip for you!

Book your next Ely MN adventure at the 77th Annual Northwest Sportshow - Minneapolis, MN ~ March 12-15, 2009

Whether you’re an avid outdoorsman or are just looking for a way to escape winter for the day, the 77th Northwest Sportshow is YOUR show! This annual 4-day event turns the Minneapolis Convention Center into a one-stop marketplace for your outdoor adventures!

Moose Track Adventures a lakeside Resort, Outfitter & Guide Service will have a booth again at the 77th Annual Northwest Sportshow held in the Minneapolis Convention Center - Thursday, March 12 - Sunday, March 15. You will find Professional Guide - Jim Blauch sitting at Booth #1507. He will be there the 4 days and available to take your reservations for one of our newly remodeled lake side cabins in Ely, help plan a fully outfitted canoe trip for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area or reserve a date for a guided fishing trip for walleyes, smallmouths, northern pike or muskies.

We will see you there!

LOCATION:
Minneapolis Convention Center
1301 2nd Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55403

SHOW HOURS:
Thursday, March 12 1pm-9pm
Friday, March 13 11am-9pm
Saturday, March 14 10am-9pm
Sunday, March 15 10am-5pm

ADMISSION:
Adults (16 and older) $10
Senior Day, (Thursday, March 12th only, 62+) $7
Youth (13-15) $5
Children (12 and younger) FREE

Convenient parking options are located all around the Minneapolis Convention Center. The skyway system makes it easy for you to get from your car to the show.

Great Waters Fly-Fishing Expo ~ Minneapolis, MN ~ March 6-8, 2009

Moose Track Adventures will have a vendor booth again at the Great Waters Fly-Fishing Expo in Minneapolis, MN from March 6-8. Jim Blauch will be there to answer questions, book trips and just spread the news about the abundant fishing opportunities in northern MN.

The Minneapolis show will feature regional and national fly anglers and tiers who will help you take your fly-fishing to a new level.

Regional presenters and fly tiers will include Tim Holschlag, Wayne Bartz, Tim Landwehr, Kevin Feenstra, Carl Haensel, Lake Superior steelhead guide Damian Wilmot, Wendy Williamson and Larry Mann, muskie hunter Brad Bohen, Dave Barron, Nate Sipple, Andy Roth, Jim Kojis, Jim Blauch ~ Moose Track Adventures - Ely, MN, and an assortment of talented tiers, including Midwest Fly Fishing™ magazine fly tying columnist Dennis Potter.

FLY CASTING: Free one-on-one fly-casting instruction with expert casters and teachers organized by the Federation of Fly Fishers. These lessons will be offered from the start to the end of the Expo at the hotel’s Garden Court on the First Floor. Male or female, young or old, these lessons will help you improve your skills.

LEARNING STATIONS: Brush up on your knot tying, learn how to select rods, reels and lines for your fishing, identify the various species of game fish we catch on a fly in the Midwest, ask questions about waders, vests and layering at Learning Stations at both expos in the Exhibit Hall.

FLY TYING DEMOS: Learn from many of the best fly tiers in the Midwest on Fly Tiers’ Row and at our unique Fly Tying Theater in the Veranda Room.

FLY TYING FOR KIDS: At both expos, youngsters can learn how to tie flies from experienced fly tying instructors. Veranda Room

SHOP AND GET THE SKINNY on the latest fly fishing rods, reels, fly lines, flies, outdoors wear and watercraft at vendor booths staffed by knowledgeable and helpful industry professionals. Fly tying materials and tools. Wildlife and sporting art and artists.

BOOK A TRiP Lodges and outfitters from the Midwest, Alaska, Canada, the West and saltwater destinations will help you plan your next great adventure.

STEWARDSHIP AND CONSERVATION: The Great Waters Expos are the first major fly fishing shows anywhere to emphasize the vital connection between the sport of fly fishing and environmental stewardship and conservation. We believe that it is no longer enough simply to be an angler; one must adopt an active conservation ethic to preserve and protect our fly fishing waters. Programs on the Great Lakes, updates on TU’s Driftless Area stream restoration (TUDARE) and an evaluation of smallmouth bass opportunities and habitat in our home waters. Spokespersons for local, national and international conservation and fly fishing clubs — Trout Unlimited, the Smallmouth Alliance and the Federation of Fly Fishers among them — will be on hand.

LIVING RIVER BUG EXHIBIT. Entomologist and award-winning photographer Dean Hansen will be featured in an expanded setting. His live bug show and living stream exhibit are flat-out remarkable.

BEGINNERS. The Great Waters Expo will feature Fly Fishing Classes for Beginners. Newcomers to fly fishing can learn fly fishing basics from veteran anglers. All Expo programming will be beginner-friendly and free. No pre-registration.

www.greatwatersflyfishingexpo.com

Fly Fishing in the Boundary Water with Jim Blauch on AskAboutFlyFishing.com tonight at 8:00 pm Central Time

The LIVE show tonight on AskAboutFlyFishing.com is on Fly Fishing the Boundary Waters with Jim Blauch from Moose Track Adventures - Resort, Outfitter & Guide Service from Ely, Minnesota.

Jim Blauch has guided the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in northern Minnesota for the past 20 years. If you want solitude and crazy smallmouth bass fly fishing listen in and Jim will spill the beans on this great destination.

To qualify for the drawings you need to register. Use the link below to visit the registration page, complete the form, then send them your information and you'll be included in the drawing.

http://www.askaboutflyfishing.com/survey.cfm

Go to his 'ASK' page using the link below and ask him a question...

http://www.askaboutflyfishing.com/speakers/jim_blauch/

Tune in, Wednesday February 18th to hear his answers...

6:00 PM Pacific
7:00 PM Mountain
8:00 PM Central
9:00 PM Eastern

To access the show using the Internet just visit AskAboutFlyFishing.com home page at the time of the show and you'll see the red link 'Listen to the LIVE Show',just click on this link to launch Windows Media Player and listen to the broadcast.

http://www.askaboutflyfishing.com

One click and you're listening in LIVE.

Thanks, we hope you enjoy the show!

Bear Paw Cabin - the final lakeside cabin remodel

Cabin #1 or what is now known as 'Bear Paw Cabin' was the first cabin built at the resort in 1968. The original owners actually lived in this cabin while the main lodge/house was being built in 1969.

The original inside had wood paneling typical of the early 70's era. During our cabin remodels we use pine tongue & groove wood throughout the entire cabin - walls/ceiling and new pine 6 panel doors. To keep it light and bright inside the cabin, we use a natural stain with a gloss on the wood as one of the final steps in the cabin remodel.

Here is one of our remodelers. He is 'helping' dad out and saving his money for a new Star Wars lego set.

During this phase, we hired an electrician to change out the 'fuse box' to a 'circuit breaker box' just like in the other cabin remodels.

All the paneling and ceiling tiles come down and then Jim changes out all the electrical receptacles and switches (the original ones are black/brown) to 'almond' to go with the new lighter wood that will be used throughout the cabin.

We will keep you posted on the progress. It's 25 degrees and snowing today.

Jim and Gavin did go trout fishing on Saturday and caught this nice one which we had for dinner last night.