Minnesota Fly Fishing Guides – Boundary Waters
Come fish Ely Minnesota, the Boundary Waters and Quetico and experience some of the best fly-fishing in the world for trophy Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike and Largemouth Bass. Northern Minnesota and Ontario Canada is world renowned for its abundance of trophy sized fish, this area is quickly gaining a reputation as the world’s best fishery for Smallmouth Bass and Pike. In the July/August 2008 issue of American Angler Brian O’Keefe said “A fly-fishing trip into the Boundary Waters Area Wilderness gets you away from the crowds…and into the fish.” Moose Track Adventures has been in numerous publications including Fish and Fly, American Angler, Mid-West Living, Cabela’s Outfitter Journal, and Los Angeles Time, just to list a few and we welcome anyone interested in a personalized trip with one of our guides.
Trip Includes: Guide, Boat (or canoe) & Gas
FULL DAY : Rate (1-2 people): $550.00 per trip
Additional people – $100.00 per person
6 hour : Rate (1-2 people): $475.00 per trip
Additional people – $75.00 per person
HALF DAY – 4 hours: Rate (1-2 people): $400.00 per trip
Additional people – $50.00 per person
*3-4 people would require a second boat/guide.
*Permit fee of $10 may apply
Want a second guide for the following boat? Call for info!
DOES NOT include BWCA permit, MN fishing license, Forest Service Tax or guide gratuity.
Deposits, Cancellations, etc:
Deposits: A 50% deposit is required to hold a reservation. We will email an invoice in Quickbooks, which then you click through and pay with a bank transfer with in 3 days.
Cancellation Policy: In the event of a cancellation of reservation, deposit fees are nonrefundable.
Final Payment: Payment in full is required prior to start of guided trip. We accept MasterCard, Visa, personal checks, money orders, travelers checks and cash. ***Please note that if a credit card is used at the time of paying the balance, a 3.5% credit card fee will be added to the total
Guided Boundary Water Fly Fishing Trips
Boundary Water Smallmouth Bass Fly Fishing Guided Trips – Are you looking to test your fishing abilities? Fly Fishing for a tenacious Smallmouth Bass will definitely do the trick. Smallmouth Bass fishing is best when the water is warm and you’re ready for frenzy on both sides of the fishing pole. Though not native to the Boundary Waters or Quetico Park, Small Mouth Bass have been described as the a treasured ‘Boundary Water Beauty’ due to their powerful fighting ability, which often leads to a deceivingly sized fish, but nonetheless, an amazing experience. These predominant and hard-hitting fish are just one of the many reasons boundary water fly fishing is the finest.
Ely, Minnesota, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, and Quetico are home to world class Smallmouth Bass Fishing and Smallmouth Bass on a fly rod are absolutely dyn-o-mite!! When the water begins to warm you can find one of our favorite targets–Smallmouth Bass. If you haven’t fished for Smallies, you’ve got to try it! These fish fight harder pound-for-pound than any other freshwater fish. Unlike Largemouth Bass that give up after a few short bursts Smallies never quit fighting.
Boundary Water Northern Pike Fly Fishing Guided Trips – Unlike the Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike gravitate to areas near deeper, cooler water temperatures in the heat of the summer and only seek out shallows in the spring for spawning and fall for hardy meals before the lake ices over. Our Boundary Waters Fly Fishing Guides can direct you to many prime spots around Ely, the Boundary Waters and Quetico, so you have the best chance of catching something ‘brag worthy’.
The Boundary Waters, Ely, and Quetico receive lots of attention for its bass fishing, but many people overlook its potential as an excellent northern pike fishery. Pike up to 35-40″ are common and readily take a fly. Moose Track Adventures Guides now have specific areas that we take customers to that produce excellent fly-fishing for pike all season long. Peak times for pike are May-June and September-November. And while casting for northern pike there is always a good chance of tangling with a huge smallmouth bass.
Boundary Water Wilderness Fishing at its finest!
Guided Fishing Trips FAQs
Q: What is provided on a guided day fishing trip?
A: Your Guide will be supplying in addition to the boat or canoe:
Bait
Tackle
Gas
Life Jackets
Rods and Reels (advanced notice requested)
Q: What should you bring on a guided day fishing or canoe trip?
A: Here are some essentials that you should bring with you for a more enjoyable day trip:
Rod and Reel – if you have a favorite you would like to bring, otherwise call and request to use our gear
Good Raingear
Warm Layers
Sunglasses
Hat
Camera
Sunscreen
Fishing Licenses
Beverages & Snacks
Q: What time does your guided day trip start & where do you meet your guide?
A: After reserving a trip, we will discuss with you the start time and to either meet at the resort or an Ely lake. Full or half day morning trips generally start at 6:30-7:30am. Full days are 8 hours on the water, half days are 4 hours.
Q: When is the fishing opener?
A: The walleye, bass and lake trout fishing season opens two weekends prior to the “observed” Memorial Day.
Q: When is ice-out on the White Iron Chain of Lakes?
A: Ice-out usually occurs between the middle to end of April. (In 2008, ice out on Farm Lake was 3 days before fishing opener…so May 7th!)
Q: Are motors allowed on any of the area lakes?
A: There are no motor restrictions on any of the lakes outside of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. We are located on Farm Lake, part of the White Iron Chain of Lakes – where 3 of the 4 lakes are ‘No Motor Restrictions’. South Farm Lake is in the BWCA, has a 25hp motor restriction and a Day Use BWCAW Motor Permit is required.
Q: What is the suggest rod/reel/fishing tackle for the Ely Area?
A:
Fishing Rod and Reel
Medium Light or Medium 2 piece spinning rod
6-8 LB test line
10 LB test line on extra spool
Surface Lures
Rapala minnow: 3 inch black and silver
Bass Oreno
Pop-R
Henndon Zara Spook
Henndon Zara Pup
Tiny torpedo
Crank Baits
Repala Deep Runner: 3 and four inch in various colors. I like Perch Colored
Repala shallow runners: Same as Above
Wally Diver
Crayfish imitations
Rattletraps
Jigs
Lead headed jigs are by far the “best-all-around” fishing lures. And you should be equipped with lots of them. Our favorites are 1/8-1/4 oz in various colors, such as black, chartreuse, orange, pink and green.
Bring some ¾-1 oz for jigging Lake Trout
Spoons
Doctor Spoons ½-3/4 oz, one oz is good if you have a rod with good backbone
Kastmaster ½-3/4 oz silver and gold
Daredevil: good old stand by. Red and white
Plastics
Twister tails in various colors such as black, yellow, chartreuse
Sassy Shads: Silver and Perch
Power Grubs: 3 inch in various colors such as crayfish and black
Various Stuff
Slip Bobbers
Hooks: size 6 and 4
Split shots
Swivels
Hook remover (for catch and release)
Filet Knife
Stringer
Spinners
Roaster Tails
Mepps
Q: What are the fish species of Northern Minnesota?
A: Muskie, Northern Pike, Walleye, Trout, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Catfish, Crappie & Sunfish.
Q: Where/How do I buy a MN fishing license?
A: You can wait till you get to Ely and stop in at Holiday Gas station or any bait shop or go to Minnesota DNR Online License Sales