Seagull Outfitters News & Notes

February News from Seagull

2012-02-05T18:37:00.000-06:00

What an unusual winter in the Northwoods! We have had temperatures in the 20's, 30's and even 40's this winter. We keep thinking the big snowfall will come and hoping it will. It is really kind of nice. However, we need the snowfall and moisture as always. Maraboeuf Cabin below looks a little lonely!

The office, phones and emails have been busy as many of you are already planning for 2012. Early reports show a good season ahead.

We are happy to have 3 returning Seagull female staffers this summer. It will make my life much easier on the inside for sure. Alyssa was with us last summer in the store, transporting paddlers and working outside in the cleanup area. Danielle was with us in 2010 and was a towboat driver, transported paddlers and did some office/store work. And then there is Katelyn who will be with us for summer number 4. Many of you know her at the other end of the phone line at Seagull or helping out in the store. We are looking forward to having all 3 of them back with us. I decided I better do something special this summer as I probably won't have such talent inside again for awhile. I will keep you posted on what that something special will be!

MN fishing opener is May 12. Ontario (Quetico) fishing opener is May 19th. We expect an early ice out this spring due to the mild winter. The fish could be very active at opener for a change with some warmer water temperatures.

You may now reserve a Quetico Park Permit online at http://www.ontarioparks.com/english/reservations.html . You can also check permit availability there. It is a great resource for all of us. We have gotten word from the Quetico Park that the Cache Bay Ranger Station may not have Ontario fishing licenses this season. So, we are recommending that you purchase them in advance online at www.ontario.ca/outdoorscard or by calling 1-800-288-1155. Please allow 3 weeks to receive your license.

I am off to Vermont for a long weekend this week to meet my sister and niece Maggie. Maggie is finishing her senior year at Middlebury College and is on the ice hockey team. We will have a family weekend full of hockey along with nephew Wylie coming from DC and niece Ella coming from Aspen. It should be a lot of fun.

Deb

2012 is coming around the corner!

2011-12-28T21:15:00.000-06:00

Greetings from Seagull,

We hope you all had a wonderful Holiday and wish you an even Happier New Year!

It is time to start planning for 2012. We can begin reserving Boundary Waters Permits on January 25, 2012 both online and on the phone. If you know your trip plans and dates, please let us know and we will take care of things for you. The Quetico Permits are available 5 months in advance of your trip departure date as always. However, new this year you can also reserve your Quetico Permit online at http://www.ontarioparks.com/english/reservations.html . You can still only reserve a permit 5 months in advance of your trip departure date, but what great news to be able to finally simplify the process.

It has been a warm November/December in the woods with less than normal snowfall. However, the lakes are freezing over now and I keep reminding myself that winter is still young! We do need the snow and moisture and it will come.

Johnse has been working on getting our Seagull website mobile friendly and changed the site navigation as well. You should be able to find our site easily on any mobile device. If you have any difficulties, please let us know so that we can fix the problem.

We will be updating 2012 rates shortly online. Check back for those changes.

In addition, our 2012 cabin availability is current online. Check the cabin navigation on our website for current openings for May-September.

As always, please email or call with any questions or trip ideas. We are always here to help you and look forward to another great 2012!

Deb

The Changing Season at Seagull

2011-10-16T16:16:00.001-05:00

Our last "self serve" paddlers of the 2011 season came off the water this morning. Since we were away for the weekend, we made arrangements for them to grab the canoes off the pile and paddle away on Seagull. It worked out quite well, although I will be anxious to talk to them as I am sure it was a chilly weekend without a fire. There is still a fire ban in the Boundary Waters due to the Pagami Fire on the western side of the canoe country. While we feel the pain of the forest fire for our outfitter friends on the Ely side, we are also happy that this fire was not knocking on our door. In fact, NONE of the canoe routes we utilize experienced any fire damage. That is a good thing!

It has been drizzling rain, sleet and a bit of snow on and off all afternoon. It makes for a good day working inside near the fireplace. One of my off season joys is relaxing in front of the fireplace and watching the birds. We just put up the feeder yesterday and there are plenty of bluejays, nuthatches and chickadees around today enjoying a free lunch.

We are nearly closed up at Seagull. I am in the process this week of moving my summer office into our house. It is a relaxing time of the season for us. Dave is busy trying to finish the upstairs of the garage so that we can soon add a pool table.

The Boundary Waters Permit Lottery System has been eliminated by the Forest Service. We happily accept that change. We can begin reserving Boundary Waters Permits on January 25, 2012 for the coming season. That should allow all of you plenty of time to make your plans. In addition, you can reserve your own permit at that time online at www.recreation.gov .

We finished with a very strong 2011 season thanks to all of our loyal as well as new canoe trip and cabin customers this summer. We are thinking about 2012 and will have our online cabin availability updated before Thanksgiving at http://www.seagulloutfitters.com/cabins.htm#availability .

I am soon taking a little break to meet my sister Lindy in DC along with my nephew Wylie. Wylie works in DC and will be our tour guide. It will be a huge change of both scenery and pace for me but one that I look forward to. As much as I dearly love the Northwoods, I also love to see other parts of the US and world.

2011 Paddling Season Is Coming to a Close

2011-10-01T10:29:00.000-05:00

Dave just gave our last summer employee Jake a tow out to American Point with his Dad and brother this morning. It was foggy, clear and 25 degrees! They look kind of chilly but a warming trend is coming again with highs predicted in the 60-70 range. Jake is Dave's "right hand" man with a radio on his hip and always there to help. Dave relies heavily on him to get things done without supervision and Jake doesn't let him down! We are hoping he returns for his 3rd season in 2012.

We had a great staff of young folks this summer and we couldn't offer the service and Seagull experience without them. Most of them are back in college now and some out of college and looking for their next opportunity. We are hoping to get some of them back to Seagull for the 2012 season.

Jake gave us a cd of some of his favorite summer photos that we will share with you all.
It reminds us why the canoe country is so special to you and ourselves as well and why we feel privileged to be here.

Living with Forest Fire

2011-09-17T07:04:00.000-05:00

The Pagami Fire out of the west side of the Boundary Waters in Ely impacts us all. It has grown in size and depending on the day and the wind, we feel like it is nearing. However, it remains quite a distance from us. There is a huge crew of nearly 500 firefighters and support personnel from around the US on site working to contain the fire. We are still open and accessing many Gunflint Trail and Quetico entry points. We are praying for rain to get a handle on it. Follow this link for daily updates on the fire. www.inciweb.org .

On the brighter side, here is an article from MPR talking about the benefit of the fire to the moose population that you might enjoy.

Biologists say BWCA fire will help moose habitat

ELIZABETH DUNBAR, Minnesota Public Radio News

Published 03:00 p.m., Friday, September 16, 2011

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Count Minnesota's moose experts among those quietly celebrating the fire that has burned more than 160 square miles in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

Wildlife biologist Mike Schrage has taken many flights over the area of the Boundary Waters where the fire is burning while researching Minnesota's moose population. And he's noticed fewer moose there compared to other areas of northeastern Minnesota.

The fire— and the new forest growth that follows in the next few years — could change that, he said.

"As soon as I heard there was a fire up there, I thought — woo-hoo! I can't say that very loudly because there's people in Isabella who are quite inconvenienced by it, but I think moose will benefit from this fire," said Schrage, who works for the Fond du Lac Band's Resource Management Division.

In the coming years, it could also benefit the thousands of people visiting the Boundary Waters who hope to catch a glimpse of one.

Estimates by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources of northeastern Minnesota's moose population show a decline from about 8,000 moose during the middle of the last decade to less than 5,000 this year. Biologists are trying to figure out why. Parasites and stress from warmer temperatures are possibilities, and Schrage said a large-scale fire could kill some of the winter ticks that feed on moose and weaken them.

There has also been some concern about whether moose have adequate habitat. A group of conservation organizations have even proposed to start using money from the state's Legacy Amendment to restore moose habitat in northeastern Minnesota.

Moose like to eat new growth, such as tree saplings, so a fire clears out some of the older, woody trees and shrubs and allows new plants and trees to grow. There are even certain types of trees, including black spruce and jack pine, that need fire for their cones to open and scatter seeds.

Schrage said research across North America has indicated that moose numbers increase in areas where fires have caused new growth. And he's seen anecdotal evidence of that in the area that burned during the Ham Lake fire of 2007 and the Cavity Lake fire of 2006.

"I think slowly we're seeing some moose respond to those fires," he said.

How well suited the forest will be for moose will depend on how hot or how long a fire burned in an area. Steve Merchant, DNR wildlife programs manager, expects the land affected by the fire will be a mix of areas that don't burn and areas that burn a lot. That means that in a few years, moose will have both the new growth for food and the older areas where tall trees still stand and offer thermal cover during the winter and summer, he said.

"That interspersion is what really creates that ideal moose habitat," Merchant said.

The Boundary Waters, of which roughly 10 percent has burned in the fire, is home to a significant portion of Minnesota's moose population, Merchant said. Prescribed burns have taken place in the area over the years, but the total size of the areas burned in a given years is much less than the area burned by the Pagami Creek fire.

One thing biologists aren't worried about is losing moose in the fire. The animals are able to walk long distances and are good swimmers.

"They're going to run from the fire," said Ron Moen, a researcher at the Natural Resources Research Institute at the University of Minnesota-Duluth who monitors dozens of moose that have been fitted with radio collars and GPS units.

Moen said the closest moose he's monitoring is several miles away from the fire, and so far the research team hasn't detected any unusual movements. He said he'll be watching for moose to soon move into areas that weren't burned as severely.

"When these new trees come in, and shrubs and saplings, moose that are on the edge of that area will start moving into it. And then they'll gradually move further out as it grows and there are more moose around," he said.

___

Information from: Minnesota Public Radio News, http://www.mpr.org

Beautiful Days in the BWCA

2011-09-01T14:32:00.000-05:00

Fall is fast approaching. The colors are starting to change, the days are getting cooler and the bugs are going away. Its one of the best times to be in the BWCA. If your looking for a great get away now is the time to visit. The crowds are down and the fishing is starting to pick up again. Soon the fall colors will be in full swing giving you great morning sunrises and sunsets. Here are some amazing pictures of the sunsets on a couple different lakes. Thanks to Brian and Geoff for sending us these.

Late August on Seagull

2011-08-28T12:12:00.002-05:00

It is kids' week at Seagull. Lots of families are fitting in their last trip of the summer before school starts. Levi in the photo above was busy catching crayfish at the dock last night. One pinched his finger so he was out diligently this morning on the dock with his glove on hunting again.

The mornings have been cool and crisp. It is 70 degrees at the moment. This morning Seagull Lake was like a mirror and paddlers had a great start to their trip as a result. In addition, the starry night sky has been incredible. Think about one last journey to the Northwoods before you get too busy.

We have started our reduced fall hours now and are open from 7am to 5pm daily. Some of our summer staff has gone back to college. We will be open for rentals through the month of September so there is still time!
Deb

Lakers on Seagull

2011-08-25T11:44:00.000-05:00

Some real nice Lake Trout are being pulled out of Seagull and Saganaga. One of the best ways to find them is to troll. Use about 2oz of weight with about a 3'-6' leader and a silver spoon. They are in 80' of water suspended about 50'-60' of water. So you want to set if for 35'-50' of water because they will come up to bite it. Once you find them you can jig for them with either a spoon or a jig head with a minnow.

If your looking to catch some Walleyes you need to start going deeper now. They're sitting in about 18'-25' of water. Just like always a basic slip bobber and leech is the way to go. You can also try trolling for them with a crawler harness and a worm/night crawler. Bass have been hitting mostly when you are fishing for Walleye. This a great fish to target if you are bringing the kids or just want to have some fun catching fish. When it comes to Pike there hasn't been to much news. But I'm sure if you throw something shiny near some weeds you'll pick up a few.

Family Bonding at Seagull Outfitters

2011-08-19T16:33:00.000-05:00

The Northwoods is a great place to make everlasting memories. August is a perfect time to embark into the Boundary Waters. The waters perfect for swimming, the fishing's great, and the temperature is ideal! Many customers have been taking advantage of this by bringing their children on their 1st or 21st trip together. The Northwoods is a perfect time for you to teach your child life lessons and allow them to teach you a few things as well. Overall, the bonding is the most prominent part to parent/child trip into the Northwoods. The memories will last a lifetime and you will create a bond that cannot be broken.

Book your trip before the kids head back to school... it's never too late at Seagull Outfitters! Check out our special interest packages on our website at http://www.seagulloutfitters.com/special.htm for more details on Father/Daughter, Father/Son, Mother/Son, or Mother/Daughter packages. Let us know how we can assist you in making the trip of a lifetime with a new paddling partner.

Katelyn

August Rush

2011-08-14T15:06:00.000-05:00

August is a very busy time in the canoe country and at Seagull Outfitters. We were busy in the first few days counting canoes on our charts to make sure we had all of our parties accounted for! The busy start still continues!... We have had many large parties entering the water and coming off in the past few days. The picture below shows our parking lot in the prime time of the season... packed!! We had to use overflow parking at our main store location. This pictures shows vehicles from all over the map-- California to Texas to Maryland to Scotland!

There is still plenty of time to fit in a late August or Septemeber trip! Don't miss your chance to book a Fall Colors Trip. Follow onto our website at http://www.seagulloutfitters.com/pdf/fall.pdf for a Completely Outfitted Fall Color trip anywhere in the Boundary Waters! We hope to hear from you!!

Katelyn

A Very Berry Time!

2011-08-09T13:20:00.004-05:00

It is once again berry season in the Northwoods! The raspberries and blueberries have hit their peak. Many of our customers are finding mass amounts of berries on portage trails, behind campsites, and on hiking trails. With two recent fires in the area, the Cavity Lake fire of 2006 and the Ham Lake of 2007, the nutrients are rich and helping to blossom the bushes. Go claim your secret spot before someone steals it! Feel free to share your spot with me :)

Cherry Lake Snapping Turtle

2011-08-04T14:11:00.002-05:00

Many of our customers visit the beautiful Cherry Lake. A favored spot on the lake for many is the campsite right in the narrows. This campsite offers great tent spots, perfect swimming spots, and great fishing right from camp. However, it is not only humans favorite spot, it is also "Charlene" or "Jimmy" the snapping turtles favorite spot. Back to back days we had parties off the water saying they saw this huge snapping turtle in Cherry Lake that kept roaming the waters around the campsite. One party named the turtle "Charlene" and the other "Jimmy."

Parties that camped there before them must also have had problems with "Charlene/Jimmy" as well because they explained someone had built a big livewell for the fish they caught and the snapper would roam around it from side to side trying to figure out how to get in. One party fed the turtle some sausage and it happily came close to them and ate the whole thing.

In the cold winters the Boundary Waters endures, these snapping turtles go deep down into the leaves and mud at the bottom of a lake and let themselves get cold. Their bodies get so cold that everything slows down and they no longer need to eat. Their heart slows down to beating once every few minutes. Because their bodies are running at such a slow speed, they do not need hardly any oxygen and they stop breathing through their lungs. They get the small amount of oxygen they need through water. It sinks in through some specialized skin cells that are just inside the tail opening. Snapping turtles can live like this for months.

Katelyn

SEAGULL SUPER STARS!

2011-07-26T18:31:00.004-05:00

The Gunflint Trail Canoe Races were held this past Wednesday benefitting the Gunflint Trail Volunteer Fire Department.

The cream puff eating contest was just one of the many highlights of the event. We had two staffers compete in the eating contest, and both of them came home with the title! Here are a few pictures of the champs; Katelyn and Ben :)

The races were a great success benefitting a great cause! Thank you once again to the Gunflint Trail Volunteer Fire Department for all you do!

Everyone Can Paddle the Boundary Waters

2011-07-24T11:41:00.003-05:00

If there's a will, there's a way! If you ever doubt your abilities in the Boundary Waters, just remember anyone can do it. Slow and steady wins the race. We suggested to Pedro and his two sons that they would benefit from doing a base camp on Seagull Lake instead of portaging down into Ham Lake and Cross Bay. However, they knew they were capable and were willing to give it a try. The report we heard back post trip was that they had a great time and just took the portages nice and slow. Pedro joked when he got back about what kind of bets we were making about his family in the woods. The will power of a family bonding trip could not be broken by a broken leg. So, don't ever have doubts that you can't do a trip because of unforeseen circumstances, it can be done!

Katelyn

2011-07-17T08:23:00.005-05:00

More walleyes are being pulled out of Seagull. Even with the sunny skies and the warm weather walleyes can still be found. Once again a slip bobber and a leech have been the ticket. If you are going for walleyes and are catching bass, the general rule of thumb is to go 6' deeper. There have also been some nice bass coming out recently. A 20.5" was taken out on the 14th on a chartreuse jig head and a leech. Not to many reports of pike being caught. The ones that have been are usually caught while trolling with some kind of crank bait. Some really nice lakers are coming from Saganaga Lake. They have been suspended at 50'-60' in 80' of water. The lure of choice have been taildancers and silver spoons.

Customer Appreciation

2011-07-08T10:53:00.002-05:00

Jeff from Chicago was just up here staying in our Red House Cabin for a week. He put this card together and sent it up. This is a brief glance at the great week he had in terms of fishing, wildlife, and scenery. He was able to capture some amazing moments. He has been a customer of Seagull Outfitters for over 20 years now! We appreciate his business immensely and hope to see him for another 20 years!
This could be you! Become a frequent customer of ours by filling an opening this summer. We currently have a special package price going on in our Little Sag Cabin. This cabin is available July 16-22 for $199/Night with your choice of a 16' Lund boat with 25HP motor or canoe. It is a great time to head north and fish for walleye and smallmouth bass. Check out our Little Sag at the provided link above!

We hope to hear from you in 2011!

Katelyn

Walleyes on Seagull

2011-07-07T07:53:00.004-05:00

Some really nice walleyes are being pulled out of Seagull. This 27" and a 26" have come out in the last 3 days. Along with the bigger ones, some 15"-20" have also been pulled out. Of course these are the sizes people like for good eating. The classic slip bobber and a leech are still the ticket for catching walleyes. A few lake trout have been pulled out while trolling. They are getting a bit deeper so you will have to do a little work trying to find them. The bass are still hanging around and most people catch them while looking for walleyes. Pike are pretty much the same. Throw something shinny at them and you'll probably find one on the end of your line. Some really nice ones have been caught while trolling in deeper water.

Fishing Licenses

2011-06-28T15:44:00.002-05:00

The Minnesota state offices may close down on July 1st due to budget issues. If this occurs, it will not be possible to purchase fishing licenses for an unknown period of time. In order to avoid any issues with this, we recommend that any licenses be purchased on or before June, 30th. You can take care of this online at https://jc.activeoutdoorsolutions.com/mn_customer/app/gohome.do

We will update the blog as soon as we know more about the licensing situation.

Fishing Report

2011-06-27T11:28:00.005-05:00

The bass are just getting off of their beds but are still as aggressive as ever. They are loving the top waters right now and are giving great aerobatic shows. Pike are pike hitting anything that comes near them. Try top waters if you want to see some big pike get air. The lake trout are moving deeper and are becoming more elusive. Trolling in about 40'-50' of water with spoons has been the main focus for most. On the brighter side the walleyes are starting to pick up after the crazy weather that we've been having. Jigging with leeches and also using your standard slip bobber with a leech have been the ticket for most.

2011-06-23T08:57:00.005-05:00

The weather hasn't been exactly ideal in the Northwoods this week. Sure we could grumble, but instead of dwelling on the rainy days, we will take a moment to point out some of the positives that come with the rain. Here are the Top 10.

1. Water levels are excellent on lakes throughout the BWCAW.

2. Mosquitoes are kept at bay during rain showers.

3. If you have made your way up the Gungflint Trail this summer, you will have nocticed how green it is.

4. You will actually be able to use the raingear you always pack. No rain gear? Well, at least a lesson was learned.

5. For you blueberry lovers out there, conditions are looking great for an excellent blueberry crop in July and August.

6. Chances of getting sunburn are slim to none.

7. There is no need to take a shower during your canoe trip.

8. Due to a wet Spring and recent rains, the forest fire risk is low- definitely something to appreciate after several fires in the area in recent years.

9. The rain can be a great excuse to stay in your tent or cabin and actually relax on your vacation. Catch up on some reading, play a game of cards, or just enjoy the company of those you are with.

10. Last, but certainly not least, we wouldn't be able to truly appreciate the sunny days in the forecast for this weekend without a few rainy ones every now and then.

Last Minute Openings

2011-06-19T10:56:00.004-05:00

This week has been very busy at Seagull! We had 125 guests come through today alone! However, this much appreciated chaos slows down at the end of the week as the fourth of July approaches. There are still many available overnight paddling permits for both Seagull Lake, Saganaga Lake and many surrounding Boundary Waters entrances.

In addition to canoeing on Seagull and Saganaga, we had a complete turnover of cabins this past weekend as well as this upcoming weekend. Starting the 25th of this month we have two cabins opening up and would love to fill them. Our Alpine Cabin on Seagull is open the 25-29th and we are happy to rent this cabin out for two people with boat and motor included for $199/Night. Our Big Sag Cabin on Saganaga is available the 25-27th and we would be happy to rent this as well for $299/Night. This quote is the two person rate and also includes a 16' Lund with a 25HP motor. The fishing has been great on Sag, don't let this opportunity slip away!

The above photo was shot on a calm, cool morning on Seagull just last week. Great shot, Jeff! This is what you can wake up to in the beautiful Northwoods. We hope to hear from you!

Katelyn

They're Flocking in Packs

2011-06-15T11:54:00.005-05:00

The crowds, the fish, and the wildlife have been coming in schools! Since the school year has come to end, we've seen many families and bigger groups travelling North! We've had multiple parties entering into the Boundary Waters and Quetico. The following picture shows a party that showed up in a bus. They definitely didn't have any problems fitting all their gear in there!

Along with the crowds that have been coming through... the fish and wildlife have been flocking in large number as well. It is an ideal time to be fishing for both bass and walleye. We've had many great fishing reports from trips into Seagull, Saganaga and surrounding lakes.

The moose are also on the move. We had a couple employees that headed down to Grand Marais for groceries this morning and were fortunate enough to see six moose on the trail! Hope you have the same luck on your way up! We hope to see you this summer!

Katelyn

The Bass are Bedding

2011-06-14T18:18:00.003-05:00

Fishing is really looking good here on Seagull. The bass are sitting on their beds and are hitting anything that comes near them. If your looking for some fun fishing, now is the time. The bass are taking to top waters and giving great aerobatic shows. Walleyes are now starting to be pulled out in decent numbers. Just a simple slip bobber and a leech have been the key to finding them. Pike are still going strong but not as many reports due to people mostly targeting bass and walleyes. No real news of lakers for the same reason.

Fishing Report

2011-06-07T14:01:00.003-05:00

The bass are really starting to hit hard. They are mostly in the shallows hiding under downed trees. Panther Martins and Mepps with a small screwtail on the hook have been the lure of choice. Rapala's, Lindy rigs with a leech and top water poppers have also been doing very well for others. It's looking like the Walleyes are also starting to become more active. A simple slip bobber with a leech have been working the best a few feet of the bottom. A few have had some luck trolling with Rapala's. A couple of Lakers have been pulled out near the palisades, but no news of what they were using for bait. The Pike are still as ferocious as ever. If you have something shiny in your tackle box you will do just fine catching them.

Big Fish in Seagull Lake

2011-05-30T09:40:00.003-05:00

Big Walleyes are being caught here on Seagull. A 30.5" Walleye was pulled out by 10 year old Ben the other day off of a Lindy Rig and and leech. It weighed just over 9lbs. Others have been catching them on similar setups, along with different color Rapalas. A few full stringers came out over near where Alpine flows into Seagull. No new news of Lake trout on Seagull but some 7lbs. plus came out near Red Rock using jigs and minnows. Bass are becoming very active along shallow banks. Leech's, minnows and Rapalas should be in your tackle box if looking for them. Pike are still the norm hitting anything shinny that they see.

GOOD LUCK!!!

The Woods are Greening Up

2011-05-25T11:24:00.003-05:00

It took a while for the weather to feel like it was Spring, but by the looks of it, it is official. Everything has greened up increasingly with the warm weather and rain we had at the end of last week. There is a nice to layer of greens sprouting up. Hoping this means another great blueberry crop! As long as the bears don't find all the berries first, I think it's safe to say we'll be able to find plenty.

The wildlife are definitely on the move. There have been sightings of a few bear south of Seagull Lake about 20 minutes and of course the frequent mama moose and baby moose just north of Seagull a mile or two.

The Chik Wauk Museum reopens for the season starting this Saturday (May 28.) The museum is open daily 10-5 through Mid-October. Admission is $2 for an individual and $5 for a family. Don't miss your opportunity to browse through the history of the long lived Gunflint Trail.

The season is still early, it's not too late to call and reserve today! We look forward to hearing from you!

First fishing report of the year!

2011-05-19T13:46:00.007-05:00

Fishing on Seagull has picked up immensely after a slow start. Lake Trout have been the main target for people since they are close to the surface this time of year. There have been many lakers pulled out in the last few days. The best tackle has been a black and silver Rapala of various sizes. They have been caught between the surface and 15ft trolling slowly near shore or though the narrows on the northern part of Seagull. A few good size Walleye have been caught doing the same thing but between 3 and 30ft of water. Bass haven't been hitting due to the cold water. Northern Pike are hitting on just about everything but mainly Rapala's, buzz baits and spinners.

Good Luck!

Somewhere over the Rainbow....

2011-04-30T20:24:00.002-05:00

The ice went out of our Seagull Bay today, April 30. We had alot of wind and rain today and the lake looking south through the narrows is looking sloppy. For a moment, the sun peeked through the clouds with the beautiful rainbow above. The open water is looking very inviting.
Deb

April 29th Seagull Ice

2011-04-29T19:04:00.007-05:00

Spring is coming and the ice out contest will soon be over! Photos just taken 10 minutes ago today! Deb

April 25th at Seagull

2011-04-25T13:18:00.002-05:00

I thought I would tease you all with some open water. These shots were taken on the walk to the mailbox today. It is GREAT to see open water. It is 60 degrees here in the woods today.

This gives you a whole different perspective than the webcam shot. I suspect many of you will get excited seeing these that you are still in the photo contest!

Deb

2011-04-22T07:54:00.002-05:00

An early morning visitor at Seagull this morning. I was enjoying my morning cup of java while overlooking the bay this morning. Two wolves came through the narrows and walked over to the store, stepped on the dock and walked onto the shore. I walk over there everyday to the mailbox and think I will drive today. We are sharing these woods with many others!

The ducks are returning to the open water in the narrows and by the dock. There is open water surrounding the perimeter of the bay and things are starting to melt again. You can see by the photo what the ice looks like in the middle of the bay.

There were actually 4 wolves that were on the south side of the narrows this morning. Two of them went north to our store and the other 2 went east. Fox walking on the ice is an everyday occurrence here.

We are anxious for open water, wildflowers, customers, staff arriving and the tug of a walleye!

Deb

60 Degrees in the Woods Today

2011-04-08T21:45:00.002-05:00

The melt is coming! We had 60 degrees and sunshine on Seagull today. We had significant snowmelt and snowbanks are vanishing. The pond behind the store is looking dark and the water is moving through the culvert. This should help to get the thaw going and spring on the way! Stay tuned! Deb

Spring IS Coming

2011-03-08T20:07:00.003-06:00

I think we can imagine ourselves paddling this canoe right about now. This photo was emailed to me by Seagull customers Ann and Steve. This is a "fog" shot on Ottertrack Lake. They are currently preparing for their 101 day canoe trip. Can you imagine that? How many of you would want to spend 101 days out in the woods? Or better yet, how many could afford the time to do so.

Temperatures have moderated and maybe this long cold winter is coming to a close. It has been a tough winter for everyone around the country. Maybe it is time for you all to enter the March Photo Contest on the Discussion Forum from the home page of our website. This month the photo theme is "Wildlife". Or, think about entering the Ice Out contest on the discussion board. The winner gets a $100 credit towards canoe rental or a cabin vacation at Seagull Outfitters. You can watch the winter ice disappear from the webcam shot on the home page.

Rental cabins are filling fast. We have changed our marketing for our cabins to accommodate shorter stays. You can also come and go any day of the week. You will find our current availability online on the website under the cabin site navigation.

Canoe trips are booking well too and we think it will be a great paddling season ahead. We are enjoying a little down time fishing in south Florida waiting for the snow to melt! Please email or call with any questions about your trip this summer.

Deb

Winter at Seagull

2011-01-12T11:09:00.003-06:00

Quiet, serene, peaceful and calm! It is a great winter and summer wonderland in the canoe country. And the night sky is magnificent. Last week with the cool crisp nights, the stars were out in all their brilliance. We can star gaze from the upper level of our house on Seagull. It is spectacular. You can do the same thing if you head north this winter. The Gunflint Trail festival called Winter Tracks happens this Feb 4-13, 2011. Drive north and enjoy the Gunflint Trail winter.

Deb

January 2 at Seagull

2011-01-02T14:19:00.002-06:00

It is January 2 at Seagull and we are watching the last Vikings game of the season. The weather has turned cold and we had minus 1 degree this am. The pine grosbeaks are happily eating in the feeder on our deck. The lake photo is shot south from our deck. The sun gives the illusion of being warmer than it actually is and that is a good thing!

It is time to start thinking of hiring staff, going to gift shows and planning for 2011. With that in mind, I wanted to give you an update in regard to the permit reservations for both the Boundary Waters and Quetico. We are still submitting Boundary Waters Permits into the lottery through January 15th. We can submit BW permits online after the lottery on January 20th. The phone lines for Boundary Waters Permits open on February 1. The Quetico Park is working with a new reservation system after the fiasco last winter/summer. The Quetico Park says that the new office equipment has arrived in Atikokan, will be installed this week and then they will be trained. I would expect that we will be reserving Quetico Permits by mid January if not earlier.

Therefore, for those of you headed to the Quetico Park this summer, please try and call me this week so we can get what you need. The same is true for any Boundary Waters paddlers that have their dates already. Or, just fill out our online reservation form on our website at your leisure and we can take care of things that way.

My stepdad Gene is headed off on a 110 day world cruise this week. I would love to hop on that boat. Instead, I am here waiting for your calls!

For those solo boat/kayak paddlers, we have added the Wenonah Canak to our line this summer. It is a solo kevlar prism with the capacity of a canoe with bow and stern storage compartments yet the touring ability of a kayak. It should be a great watercraft for any solo paddler.

Happy New Year to All!

Deb

Back to work at Seagull

2010-12-26T20:43:00.003-06:00

Our vacation to South America is over and it is back to work at Seagull. We flew into Buenos Aires, Argentina and enjoyed the culture, warm weather and tango. We hopped on a ship and cruised to Uruguay, the Falkland Islands, the south tip of Argentina and back through the Glaciers and Chilean Fjords to Valparaiso, Chile. The scenery was outstanding. We loved Argentina and Chile and really enjoyed the king penguins in the Falkland Islands. We had 30 hours on the ship that make any day in Cache Bay seem quiet. We left the Falkland Islands on a very windy late afternoon headed towards Cape Horn. The hurricane force winds got the best of us and for 30 hours we endured 90 foot waves coming over the 12th deck of the ship and 110 mph winds. The captain sent us to our staterooms and it was one of the longest nights of my life. I didn't sleep a wink and really thought this was it! The ship was creaking and groaning with huge vibrations when the back or front of the ship would come out of the water and slam back into the sea. Surprisingly, my blackberry email worked throughout the whole ordeal and I was emailing my family and friends my last wishes! We couldn't see the horizon for many hours on end. Dave being a navy man, was more accustomed to this than I. I was never so happy to see land. Despite the storm, we had a great trip. We spent a couple days in Santiago, Chile at the end of the trip and enjoyed wine tasting at a Chilean winery.

Now it is back to work at Seagull. We are back in the office and happy to take your calls. I will be posting again soon with some permit/reservation info.

We hope you all had a great Christmas with Family and Friends.

Deb

Happy Winter at Seagull

2010-11-26T21:26:00.007-06:00

Winter arrived with a vengeance and I don't feel like it has let up much in the past week. I was out in Phoenix and Mpls for a week and came back the night before it all started. Since Sunday, we have had snow and blowing wind every day. Evening temperatures have ranged from 0 to 16 degrees. Dave snowplows every day and I get to shovel the deck and steps. Life in the woods that most people dream of eh? It is very beautiful for sure, but I do like the more moderate temperatures and less white stuff. There is nothing quite like a Northwoods fireplace though and we are enjoying that nightly.

Check out our Christmas Tree in the webcam photo daily. We like to bring you all a little Northwoods Cheer and Holiday Spirit.

2011 Rates have been posted to the website. Reservations are coming in good already and know that we are here to help you. Call or email with any specific questions.

Deb

November at Seagull

2010-11-08T20:38:00.002-06:00

High 50 degree temperatures in the woods on November 8th....unheard of! I like this kind of winter. Having lived on the Trail since I was a kid, I have had my fill of snow and cold. These temperatures are like May at Seagull.

I am busy working on 2011 cabin rates and changes. We will be offering published rates this year on cabin rentals of less than a week with a 3 night minimum. Johnse is working on the layout and doing a great job of it as always. We hope to have the 2011 cabin info live on the site soon. We are already getting lots of cabin interest for next summer.

Dave is busy electrifying the new garage and upstairs loft. Actually the loft will turn into some extra guest quarters with a pool table!

Our off season will take us to see the penguins in South America and the Falkland Islands. Just as you all come north to see the moose, we are headed south for penguins. It should be a good time and one of those "1,000 things to do before you die trips".

Dave and I were at UW Superior over the weekend to watch summer staffers Katelyn and Kayla play ice hockey. They play for Concordia Moorhead and we had to come watch since they were so close. (3 hour drive). Katelyn will be returning in 2011 for her 3rd summer with us at Seagull and we are very happy about that. We are hiring now for 2011.

The starry night sky has been incredible and Dave enjoys watching the stars each night. They sure do fill up the sky! Stay tuned as we update for 2011.

Deb

Time to Relax at Seagull

2010-10-10T21:41:00.003-05:00

September was one of the coolest fall months we have seen. October is making up for it and we have had really nice weather. The fish are all confused and suspended all over the place and not biting. Dave and I have been out the past 2 days with no fish. We can't even find them. However, the sunny blue skies and calm water make for a relaxing, lazy afternoon on the lake and who cares about fishing. We are closed for the season and it is just nice to not be on a clock.

The otter has returned to our quiet bay and I enjoyed watching him playfully dancing in the lake today. Bears are still around and hungry and we have seen a moose or two as well. The animals enjoy the off season too.

Dave, Nick and Jake have been busy building and finishing a garage at our house on Seagull. They did a great job and Dave installed the garage door openers today. Our staff are all back to school now and on to other jobs. We had a great staff this summer and a good season as well.

Deb

A Taste of the Gunflint

2010-09-02T11:28:00.003-05:00

With classes back in session, the Northwoods has definitely slowed down from its August rush. Families were planning last minute vacations to the Boundary Waters before their children had to head back to school. Fortunately, for those who are able to still come up in September, the fishing has been great. We've had great reports of calm waters, still nights, and fantastic fishing in both the Boundary Waters and Quetico.

The Gunflint Trail is hosting their 3rd Annual "Taste of the Gunflint Trail" on Saturday, September 11th. This event is a fundraiser for the highly visited Chik Wauk Museum and Nature Center, as well as a promotion for the Gunflint trail. Depending on the size of the "taste" you offer, please suggest a donation of $2 or $5. Chik Wauk's pie and ice cream social will have a suggested donation of $5.

We sell the "Taste of the Gunflint" cookbook here in our store, stop in and purchase yours today! Don't miss out on other great recipes from the area, and bring a favorite recipe to share with others!

Katelyn

The Change of Fall

2010-08-21T10:38:00.007-05:00

A number of things begin to change as fall approaches... staff begins to dwindle, the colors of the leaves are slowly beginning to change, and the cool weather begins to approach as time passes.

We have had three staffers leave so far and three more heading back to school in the next four days. Suddenly the staff is cut in half and we begin to realize that we have made it over the big hump of the summer. The cool, calm September weather is all we have left. With the cool weather comes a change of color in the surrounding scenery.

We have had quite a few customers off the Falls Chain in Quetico Park and reporting back with spectacular fishing. They stated to me they got to the point where they were even debating whether they wanted to go back on the water fishing again because they were catching so frequently! They gave us their little secret... Berkeley Flicker Shad Raps in Perch color and Red Tiger. Walleye and Bass are flucuating in water levels of 15'-23'. The Boundary Waters have not been as consistent but still have had good reports!

Many of our used Kevlar, Royalex, and Aluminum canoes are making their way to our For Sale pile, make sure you check out our used canoes that we have available on our website at: http://www.seagulloutfitters.com/used_canoes_for_sale.htm.

Thanks for making this another great season!

Katelyn

Portage the Metro

2010-08-17T16:38:00.002-05:00

Keep your eyes peeled for the Gunflint Trail Street Team. The following are times and locations you may be able to spot them!

Week of August 16th:

Tuesday-
If you're in the uptown Minneapolis area tomorrow (Wednesday) between 4 and 7PM look for a big red canoe being portaged by the "Send your Friends Packing" street team! They are giving away Gunflint Trail Mix, and the Gunflint Trail is giving away two amazing trips. Check out our new website, send your friend packing and get yourself a little getaway! http://www.gunflint-trail.com/.

Wednesday-
To celebrate the launch of the Gunflint Trail's new website, send your friend packing! If you know someone who deserves a trip to one of the most beautiful, most pristine places on earth, then sign them up to win a trip to the Gunflint Trail, and Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Tell us why you think they deserve it, and they could have a chance to win a fully outfitted trip, for three days, two nights. http://www.gunflint-trail.com/send-your-friend-packing/

Thursday-
Today, the Gunflint Trail Street Team will be at the Minneapolis Farmer's Market on Nicollet Mall from 10:30AM-2PM. Register a friend who deserves a trip of a lifetime to the Boundary Waters or, register yourself for a little getaway!

Do your part to get involved! Stay tuned for more!

Katelyn

Mark Your Calendars

2010-08-13T15:40:00.003-05:00

The Northwoods has been quite busy the past few weeks! With the peak of the canoe season in progress, things begin to slow down! In about a week and a half, the canoe country will quiet down dramatically as children are heading back to school and work is transitioning seasonal workers. Don't forget to try and squeeze a last minute trip in as there are still permits and cabin openings available.

Some dates to remember through Seagull Outfitters:

Last Cabin Rental-September 20

Last Bunkhouse night-September 26

Last Tow across Sag-October 1

If you have already visited Seagull for the last time this year, we hope to see you next year! If not, we look forward to your future stories and memories still to be made! All customers of Seagull, remember we just uploaded a new Trip Reports section on our web page! Tell us, fellow, and future paddler's your stories!

Katelyn

Big Parties, Big Memories

2010-08-08T08:29:00.005-05:00

August is well on its way and flying by! Many parties are trying to sneak a last trip or two in before summer comes to an abrupt end. In the past few days we've had parties come off the water with such good reports that they have booked another trip for three weeks from now.

The weather has been perfect-- mid-70's as a high and mid-40's at night. No better paddling and sleeping weather. The population that comes through Seagull must agree with that as we had 38 people in our bunkhouse last night and 89 people are either starting their trip or ending it through Seagull today.

The group have been big groups, with 6-18 people each. We have had a few Boy Scouts Troops and a big group of 18 who took out four of our catamaran canoes. A picture of all the young children is posted below.

Aside from the big groups, the berries are still ripe and the fishing is beginning to pick up once again! Walleye are being found in 12-17' of waters and being caught with crawlers and leeches.

Summer is winding down, don't let that stop you from booking a last minute trip... we'd be happy to help!

Katelyn

Oh Boy, the Bass are Bitin'

2010-08-01T15:44:00.003-05:00

The fishing has been a little hot and cold this year... as always. It has definitely picked up in the past month. The walleye definitely exist, but oh boy are the bass biting this year! Anywhere you throw a line, a bass will be there... They are averaging 5'-15' right now. You have great odds however deep you are set. Just the other week another staffer and myself went out with a five year old first time and boy was he loving it! I think we have a future fisherman on our hands. He first caught a Northern then about 8 bass in the next hour... though he lost a few of those, the smile was never wiped off his face. His Grandpa thought it would be great to be out witnessing that and that memory will definitely last with the both of them!

That is not the only time fishing has been hot. All locations... off the dock, campsites, deep water, and reefs. They have been heavy since the beginning of July and have stayed consistent throughout. These bass have been big as well. The bigger the fish, the bigger the fight. Is the fight of a bass worthwhile or are you stuck on walleye or pike? Might be time to add something new to the tackle box!

Good Luck!

Katelyn

Nothing Stands In The Way Of Getting To Seagull

2010-07-31T12:30:00.005-05:00

Watching a big UHAUL truck pull into the parking lot makes anyone nervous when they are sending them onto the water... How much equipment can a group of six people possibly have? We watch the Bennett party whip open the back end of the trailer and and start unloading like it was normal to show up in a big UHAUL. We run out there and catch them before they start unloading everything... Apparently their car broke down and nothing was standing in their way of getting up to Seagull Outfitters and entering the Boundary Waters.

They made it onto the water that afternoon. One of the group members had their parents come pick up the UHAUL that night... they wanted to keep that bill from sky rocketing having it sitting around while they were on a seven day canoe trip. They had it planned out that their parents would come pick them up on the date that they were to return to Seagull. They must have timed it perfectly because they showed up within ten minutes of eachother.

This should be one memorable trip for not only them but us as well! Not once did they complain, they had smiles on their faces the whole time. We had a good laugh with them!

Katelyn

Row, Row, Row Your Boat

2010-07-21T07:35:00.007-05:00

The past week, we had some great ladies staying in our Red House Cabin. Between the eight of them, they covered every time zone in the United States. They all had a mutual friend from Minnesota which brought these strangers together. Not to be strangers long, they were all out going and willing to meet eachother. Spending four nights together, you can really get to know someone. These ladies were a riot. We loved them. They were constantly doing activities: picking blueberries, paddling on our Catamaran (which we added a motor to for them), or cooking! They are great cooks! They were grateful enough to feed us twice during their stay. Still need those recipes, ladies!

Sateera and her crew were even willing to come with myself and a few other staff to our extra secret blueberry picking spot. I still don't think those ladies can believe what we brought them through. I think it was well worth it.

Ladies, you have been great. You had my stomach hurting from laughter. You were the talk of Seagull for the duration of your visit and beyond! Thank you for treating us as your own children, even though you were on vacation from your own! Hope to see you all again! Take care!

There are still many cabin openings available. Don't miss your chance to share the great experience they had. Follow onto our website for cabin availability, photos, and virtual tours. We'd be happy to help you any way we can. Please let us know how we can accommodate you!

Katelyn

Berry recipe of the Day

2010-07-14T16:18:00.004-05:00

Day 2:

Compliments of Teresa Marrone's "Abundantly Wild":

Old Fashioned Blueberry Malt

3/4 cup fresh blueberries
2-3 heaping scoops rich vanilla ice cream
1 1/2 cups whole milk, very cold
3 tablespoons malted milk powder
2 tablespoons blueberry jam or preserve (OPTIONAL)
4 sugar wafers (OPTIONAL)

Combine all ingredients except wafers in blender. Cover tightly and pulse on and off several times, until ingredients are beginning to mix and have filled the bottom of the blender. Blend on regular setting until desired consistency, 30-45 seconds. Divide between 2 chilled malt glasses; tuck 2 wafers into each malt and serve immediately.

Day 3:

Our fantastic Red House Cabin customers made this delicious recipe and were generoud enough to share. Do not miss out. It is fantastic!

Berry Cobbler

Approx. 2 1/2-3 cups berries
1 cup Bisquik of self rising flour
1 cup sugar
1 cup quick oatmeal
3/4 stick butter

Wash berries and put in saucepan. Add about 1 cup of water or enough to cover. Bring to boil. Pour in pyrex dish.

Mix dry ingredients. Sprinkle over top of berries. Slice butter thinly and cover top of mixture. Bake at 350 degrees until brown.

Day 4:

Blueberry Angel Cheesecake

1 sm. angel food cake
2 (8oz) pkg. cream cheese
1 sm. can evaporated milk
1 can blueberry pie filling (fresh blueberries)
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 cup sugar
1 lg. container Cool Whip

Layer as follows: Break cake into bite size pieces. Layer in large baking dish. Whip together the cream chese, milk and sugar. Pour over cake pieces.

Sprinkle nuts over the cream cheese mixture. Spread blueberry pie filling over this and then top with Cool Whip.

Chill for 2 hours or longer.

Delicious Berry Recipe

2010-07-13T10:28:00.003-05:00

For all you avid berry pickers, or even the novices that see a few berries on their portage trail. We have a recipes suited just for you. We suggest this recipe out of the "Cooking with Wild Berries and Fruits" by Teresa Marrone:

Blueberry Streusel Muffins (12 Muffins)

Streusel
1/3 Cup Sugar
1/4 Cup All-Purpose Flour
1/2 Teaspoon Cinnamon
4 Tablespoons (half of a stick) cold butter, cut into pieces

Muffin
1/2 Cup Sugar
1/2 Cup (1 Stick) butter, softened
1 Egg
1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
2 1/4 Cups All-Purpose Flour
1 Tablespoon Plus 1 Teaspoon Baking Powder
1/4 Teaspoon Salt
1 Cup Whole Milk, Divided
1-1 1/4 Cups fresh or still-frozen blueberries (4 1/2-5 1/2 ounces)

Heat oven to 375. Line 12-Cup Muffin tin with paper liners; set aside. Make the streusel: In a small bowl, stir together the sugar, flour and cinnamon. Add butter; use a fork or your fingertips to blend the butter into the sugar mixture, working then together until mixture is the texture of very coarse sand with some pea-sized particles. Set aside.

In mixing bowl, beat sugar and butter with an electric mixer until fluffy. Add egg and vanilla; beat well. Place a wire mesh strainer over a plate; add flour, baking powder and salt. Shake the strainer over the mixing bowl until just moistened. Add half of the milk; stir until combined. Add remaining flour and milk in the same manner. Add blueberries and stir very gently until incorporated. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups. Spoon streusel over batter. Bake until golden brown and springy to the touch, 25-30 minutes.

Enjoy :)

For more from Marrone, she also wrote "The Back-Country Kitchen"... Pick up both of these in our store today! Stay tuned for more great recipes.

Katelyn

It's Berry Time In The Northwoods!

2010-07-09T12:06:00.005-05:00

The berries didn't hold off at all this year. They sprung out earlier than had expected! With the amounts of rain we had at the end of June and the sunny weather we've had at the beginning of July, they are in full bloom. With the Cavity Lake Fire of '06 and the Ham Lake Fire of '07, the new nutrients are really blossoming the bushes.

I went out last night and filled a Nalgene bottle in about 20 minutes. I felt guilty stepping anywhere around me, I was squishing them! Patches are full. Examine the brush areas on the South facing rocks and portage trails.

Time to whip out the pie crust, the jam jars, or simply just your morning cereal or pancakes. Get out and start picking before someone steals your secret spot! But feel free to share your secret spot with us... It would be greatly welcomed :)

Katelyn

Chik Wauk Grand Opening

2010-07-04T10:57:00.003-05:00

Today marks a historical event for past and present visitors, travelers, owners, and friends of the Gunflint Trail. The old Chik Wauk Museum, which has been renovated, will be opening its doors to the public today. The renovation process has lasted about five years.

For more historical information on the Chik Wauk Museum and Nature Center, please follow onto their website at: http://www.gunflinttrailhistoricalsociety.org/index.html.

Doors opened at 11AM this morning and have been consistently busy since then.

$2/Person entrance fee

$5/Family entrance fee

Don't miss your chance at seeing the unique history of the Gunflint Trail.

Katelyn

The Books are Here!

2010-06-30T18:01:00.008-05:00

Over the last couple of weeks we have been receiving our book orders for the store one box at a time. This year we have brought back the favorites, stocked up on the popular, and brought in the up-in-coming.

Here are our top picks!

For Fishing...

The New Boundary Waters and Quetico Fishing Guide

Micheal Furtman did a great job at updating his 1984 fishing guide to include all of the new information to be shared, including fishing information on the Quetico. This is the best and most comprehensive writing you will find on the fishing in this area.

For Wildlife...

Wildflowers of the Boundary Waters

This was a hard choice as it could go in so many different directions. The books about plants and animals in the Boundary Waters are numerous... Anyways, this is a new book that we just got in this year. The photos are gorgeous and the text is engaging. If you ever wondered about all those flowers that you've seen on the trail, here is finally a way for you to learn about them.

For Food...

Taste of the Gunflint Trail

This book is writen by the women of the Gunflint Trail. They got together to pass down their very best local recipies. You can't beat those time-tested, hearty meals of the area. And to put a cherry on top of an already great book, our very own Deb Mark is featured on a few pages.

If you're interested in hearing more check out our website at http://www.seagulloutfitters.com/reading.htm

And don't forget we do mail order. Hope you get a chance to read some of these great books...

Danielle

With Great Weather, Comes Great Fishing

2010-06-21T11:18:00.004-05:00

With the beautiful weather, it is evident that it is the first day of summer today! The rain has finally held back for a few days and allowed the sun to shine through! With the gorgeous weather, many people are booking upcoming trips and the off the road crowd has increased as well.

The cabins have been consistently full all season and are reporting back to us with a great word on fishing in both Seagull Lake and Saganaga Lake. Customers entering into the Boundary Waters and Quetico have also reported back with good word and great pictures.

With all the rain we've had, it has definitely stirred up the bug population. The bugs haven't been too bad thus far in the season but with the beautiful weather they might start appearing more!

Cabins are still available for the Grand Opening of the new Chik Wauk Museum and Nature Center! Book now before your opportunity to be one of the first to view the museum slips away!

Katelyn

Chik Wauk Museum Grand Opening

2010-06-09T11:35:00.006-05:00

The Grand Opening of the new Chik Wauk Museum and Nature Center is arriving rapidly!

The Gunflint Trail Historical Society will house a museum, to open on July 4th in 2010. The doors are opening at 11AM. The Chik-Wauk Museum will tell the story of the people of the Gunflint Trail. On the grounds surrounding the museum, there will be interpretive trails, wildflower displays and bird watching opportunities.

The museum will include many historical artifacts, photos and stories of the Voyageurs, Native Americans, miners, and local residents.

Seagull Outfitters is offering great package deals for cabins of opening weekend!

Please check out our Chik Wauk page on our website! These available cabins will be filling up fast!

http://www.seagulloutfitters.com/chik_wauk_museum.htm

Another great reason to head up to the end of the Gunflint Trail! Please be in touch if you are interested in the Grand Opening! Chik Wauk should be a great Museum and Historical Center, don't miss your opportunity to be one of the first to view it!

Katelyn

There is More to Seagull Than Just Fishing

2010-06-08T11:56:00.009-05:00

A cabin of ours, Davene Wolfe, who is still currently here with her husband, has had quite the trip here already and she just arrived on Saturday. She wanted to share the following:

"We arrived Saturday noon for our 6th visit to Seagull Outfitters on the Gunflint Trail. The fishing on Seagull Lake is outstanding. It is now Monday noon and the fish count stand at:

-1 Walleye
-1 Lake Trout
-11 Northern Pike
-50 Small Mouth Bass

However, I am not a fisherperson. I am the bow of the boat watcher for rocks, the net/hook untangler and the ballast. Least you think that I am hopelessly bored, these are the things that I'm observed since Satuday noon, sine I was not fishing.

Bird watching was especially busy, 2 Adult Mallards, 13 Ducklings, 12 Adult Loons, 2 Chicks, 1 Adult Eagle, 2 Eaglets, 1 Immature Eagle, 1 Golden Eye, Canada Geese, 1 Blue Jay, Gulls, 3 Red Bellied Woodpeckers, 1 Pileated Woodpecker, Purple Finches, Warblers ( I can't identify them very well), many more that I could not get my binoculars on or did not recognize. The bird watching at Seagull is Limitless.

On a 45 minute stroll around the Seagull Outfitters Camp, I saw more that a dozen species of wildflowers, Spring Beauties, Anemones, Fleabane, Devil's Paint Brush, Bluebead Lilly, Bird's Foot, Columbine, Wild Rose, Buttercups, Marsh Marigolds, Purple Peas, Meadow Rue, and others that I did not know.

I am always looking for native wildlife and so far I've seen 13 Turtles, 2 Ground Squirrels, 3 Chipmunks, 1 Beaver, 1 Snake, 1 Frog, and 1 Luna Moth. Isn't that great?

Lastly I am an avid reader of Minnesota's great mystery writers, historical non-fiction and cookbooks---Bumbleberry pie anyone?

Aside from the great fishing, outstanding equipment, accommodations and natural beauty, the best part of Seagull is returning home from the last fishing run of the evening to the snug and cozy cabin, watching the vermillion/crimson sunset reflected on the water and being sung to sleep by the loons' chitter and calls.

I am not a fisherperson but I love Seagull!"

Thank you Davene for a great blog! Hopefully she is able to add to that list throughout the rest of the week! Hopefully if you aren't the fishing type you can find a different passion for being up here such as this!

Katelyn

Time For A Peaceful Getaway

2010-05-23T14:44:00.004-05:00

There is nothing better than walking down to the lake each morning to see a peaceful mirror reflection of the trees and rocks surrounding the bay. With the weather and the fish both cooperating, there is nothing better. There has also been a little black bear grazing the grasses around Seagull, just yesterday we were able to snap this picture of him eating some grass by the bunkhouse!

The warm weather is unusual at this time in May. The Seagull Lake water tempature has hit about 65 degrees! Something almost unheard of for this time of the year!

Many staff have been out swimming and fishing every night! Quite the adventurous crew, staying out until about 11PM each night fishing. The fish are biting though, so I can't blame them! Fishing has been unusual this year, the walleye, which are usually spawning in 8-12' of water and currently deep in the lakes! They are roaming around 35-50'! Many people have been making great catches trolling with Lindy Rigs, as well as the ever so simple slip bobber. Below was a walleye a cabin customer caught on Seagull just a few days ago!

Hope all is well elsewhere and that you can't wait to make your way up to the North Shore!

Katelyn

Fishing Opener

2010-05-16T11:04:00.003-05:00

The day we have all been waiting for has arrived! This weekend we've had quite a few groups out on the water all day working on catching dinner. The staff went out early in the morning to try their luck for a hour or two before work. The first day started out a litle slow but things are picking up and we are seeing the fish come in.

And to make it even better, with Opener came the beautiful weather. It has been sunny and warm here ever since and the forcast says that its going to stick aound for a while. The fire ban was also lifted thanks to the day of rain that we had before Opener. What perfect timing for all thoes who started their trips this week.

Gunflint Green Up

2010-05-11T14:50:00.013-05:00

The Gunflint Green Up was a success! A few staff, shown to the right, were thinning out the woody vegetation that had been growing around the little pine trees. By removing the woody vegetation, the little pines will be able to receive more sunshine and have their surrounding competition eliminated.

As the Gunflint Green Up festivities began Friday afternoon, so did the chilly weather! Though the light snowfall didn't cause a loss of interest in many, it was still very shocking to see snow as we arose! We received no snow on the Gunflint in March or April, but suddenly in May! Hopefully that was the last snowfall of the year, and according to the weather these past few days, I have a good feeling about that! It has been sunny and warm up here! Perfect for heading out onto the lake for an early paddle!

If you are lucky on that paddle, many moose have been on the move! A few staffers went out for a boat ride Saturday night and returned to a moose grazing the grounds in front of the store. They were able to sit and watch the moose for 15 minutes before leaving it to its peace.

Two of our paddlers embarked on the first journey of the year into Quetico just the other day! With fishing opener coming up this weekend, many parties will be on their way into the Great Lakes of the Minnesota Boundary Waters! Hopefully you are one of them, if not, we're taking reservations! Please call, we'd be happy to help you!

Katelyn

Spring Ice and Rhubarb is Popping

2010-03-22T22:14:00.004-05:00

The snow is gone and we are left with lots of ice and a feel of winter in the air. While walking yesterday, the wind was howling and very chilly. The above photo was taken looking south out of our Seagull Bay. It looks inviting doesn't it?

On the other hand, the photo below shows my rhubarb sprouting through the raised bed garden down by the red house. I have never seen the rhubarb that early. I love my Mom's strawberry rhubarb pie recipe and will be baking a pie when the first stalks are ripe for picking.

How can you figure out the weather lately. One wonders when the ice will be out this year. Will it be early or will it be normal? I guess we will let Mother Nature take its course and watch with anticipation the ice breaking from the shoreline and turning honeycombed.

I found a few pussy willows today while out for a walk. I normally don't see them this early and don't take the time to enjoy them. That is one nice thing about our spring. I picked a couple cedar boughs as well and made a nice little centerpiece on the table inside. Much of my off season work revolves around the phone and email and keeps me inside more than I like some days. Therefore, a little bit of the Northwoods inside keeps me happy.

And now it is time to get some permits reserved and reservations confirmed!

Deb

Still winter in the woods

2010-02-24T16:01:00.002-06:00

I thought you all might like to see what happens outside Seagull during the winter months. It is pretty quiet! We are planning for the summer season. Our last staffer has been hired and we now have a full crew. We are expecting a good season. I am off to a gift/apparel show in Denver this weekend. I will meet my sister and niece there and buy shirts during the day and have a little family time at night. It should be a good time. We have to fit this stuff in during our off season as it becomes a little harder in the summer.

There are still lots of permits left for both the Boundary Waters and Quetico this summer. Don't let that stop you! If we can give you ideas, quotes or help with anything please let us know.

Don't forget to get involved in the discussion forum on our website during these long winter days. You can find a link to it right on the home page of our website and get to know some of our regular customers. Before you know it, the cycle will change and open water will be all around us.

Deb

The Watson Family Enjoying the MN Winter

2010-02-09T09:46:00.004-06:00

Father/son team of Ron and Mikey hiking the winter creeks of the Northwoods. Notice the otter in the photo above. They enjoy the contrasting seasons of the Northwoods wilderness. They also paddle the Quetico in the summer and relax in a Seagull Cabin as well. Many customers as them have a special connection to the woods. Make this your summer to spend some quality bonding time with your son/daughter at Seagull Outfitters.

Trip Planning Info

2010-01-07T09:41:00.004-06:00

While sitting in front of the fireplace this bitter cold winter in the Midwest, it is a great time to start planning for the summer of 2010. We are submitting Boundary Waters Permit requests in the permit lottery until January 15th. And, we are reserving Quetico Permits 5 months in advance of your trip departure date. So, today (January 7) we are reserving Quetico Permits for June 7th entry. Hope to see you at Seagull this summer!

Deb

Happy Holidays from the Seagull Woods!

2009-12-24T09:59:00.007-06:00

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and the Happiest of New Years! We hope this Holiday Season is joyful, comforting, relaxing and safe for all of you. And, we look forward to talking with you in the New Year as you begin plans for Northwoods vacations.

We are reserving Boundary Waters Permits now in the permit lottery for the summer. The lottery ends on January 15th. At that time, we begin the regular permit reservation system. Don't be alarmed, we can get you in this summer. We are reserving Quetico Permits now for the end of May entry dates.

New in 2010 we have added the LeTigre Kevlar Souris River canoes to our rental fleet. We have added the Quetico model in the 17' and 18.5' with a third seat. They are beautiful canoes with nylon webbed seats and very durable. We think you will like them.

We are hiring staff now for the summer season. We have some great returning staff with Katelyn from 2009 and big Chris from 2008. We have a couple others that are on the fence yet and have hired some great new ones. We think it will be a good year.

Dave and I are enjoying the fireplace and view in our new house on Seagull and just relaxing. We will spend some time searching for open water, mangroves with fish and alligators and warm weather in south Florida this winter. No matter where we are, we are always available by phone or email and want to talk with you about your vacation plans.

Our Best to Everyone in the New Year,

Deb & Dave

Winter Has Come to the Woods

2009-12-01T21:25:00.004-06:00

The Seagull Bay is freezing over and the snow is here. We are enjoying fires in the fireplace and the peacefulness of the falling snow. There is open water beyond the narrows of the bay, but soon this too will be froze over.

Our off season has become more hectic than normal this year. My Mother passed away the end of October after a long struggle with cancer. We were fortunate to have spent 8 days together cruising the Sea of Cortez Oct 2-10. However, it is never easy to lose a mother and much sadness and transition comes with the loss. We are headed back to Phoenix again for a Memorial soon.

Our next focus real soon is getting the rates and brochures finalized for 2010. Don't hesitate to email or call with any questions.

Deb

November in the woods is great!

2009-11-18T12:56:00.006-06:00

The warm weather and sunshine continues in the woods. We are loving it! Since I grew up on the Trail, I have had enough MN winters to last me a lifetime. The photo above was taken this morning looking from our deck out towards the narrows on Seagull. The ice is starting to form. It is a bluebird day today though.

Deb

A break from the Northwoods

2009-10-10T13:14:00.002-05:00

Dave and I have been taking a little break and cruising with the family down in the Sea of Cortez. It has been a relaxing break from another great summer at Seagull. We have been fishing for dorado and marlin rather than walleyes and bass. It was an opportunity to spend some time with my Mom and Gene, sister Lin and niece Ella. We had great 80 degree weather and enjoyed some days off. We will be back in the office on Monday, October 12th. Dave hopes to get some work done on the new house yet, while I will move the office from the store to our house.
Deb

The Northwoods Night Sky

2009-09-29T21:59:00.000-05:00

Saturday night was a beautiful starry clear night at Seagull. We awoke at 4 am to see the northern lights dancing in the night sky. They were incredible. Dave and I put on our robes and stood out on the deck for a long time and watched them. We haven't seen a display like that in years. It was a real show. Just imagine what happens while we are all sleeping!

We are closed for the 2009 paddling season. It is time to take a break and regenerate. Stay tuned for some website changes. Check out the following 2 new pages that Johnse has added. http://www.seagulloutfitters.com/seagull_lake_weather.htm and http://www.seagulloutfitters.com/bwca_family_trips.htm . I am fortunate to have him on staff in the off season assisting with web stuff. He and his wife Lauren recently had a baby boy. Stay tuned for more changes.

Deb

Indian Summer at Seagull

2009-09-13T14:26:00.002-05:00

Today is September 13th and it feels like the middle of summer. We have had 75-85 degree days with lots of humidity. Some paddlers are happy while others are complaining of the hot weather. I am more of a 65 degree person and am ready for some fleece weather.

We are busy starting the close down process for 2009. Canoes are repaired and stored for winter, motors are checked and ready for 2010, boats are cleaned and turned over, the packing room is put to bed and the inventory begins. Most of our summer staff has left and we are down to 3 staffers, Dave and myself.

Life at Seagull slows down for us all and we are ready for a break. Stay tuned for more Seagull news as September moves along.

Deb

Seagull Oufitters Slows Down as the Fall Weather Comes Early

2009-08-21T11:38:00.005-05:00

We have been working hard to get paddlers on and off the water. The weather this summer has made this a little more eventful than normal. Our August weather has felt like the end of September with high winds and cool nights. We are still holding out hope that we will get a few more warm days before the end of summer.

We have had numerous amount of customers come off of the Falls Chain, in Quetico Park, reporting great catches of walleye and bass in about 10-15 feet of water.

Here in the BWCA, the fishing has been a little more inconsistent, but our relentless fisherman have still pulled in some great catches.

The moose have gone hidden the past few weeks and the start of the bear hunting season is right around the corner.

The wildflowers and blueberries are still out in full force, but will be winding down shortly.

We hope everyone had a great summer!

Jake

August Brings Families Together At Seagull

2009-07-31T10:19:00.008-05:00

As summer activities wind down before the start of another school year, we are beginning to see many families reunite at Seagull. August seems to draw many families for a nice relaxing get away together. It is a great time for reminiscing, teaching, and learning.

Through all the wind and the rain we've been having, smiles are still what we've been seeing when the trips sadly come to an end. The wise teach these young children that a garbage bag is just as beneficial when it comes to the week of rain that they had on their trip.

The adults may be giving the life lessons on these trips, but it looks to me as if the young ones are giving the lessons on how to catch the fish.

Hopefully the weather begins to cooperate for these families so they can enjoy their relaxing time together before the chaos of school begins once again.

Katelyn

Blueberries in Full Swing on The Gunflint Trail

2009-07-28T10:53:00.004-05:00

The blueberries are ripe in the Northwoods. In the past week or so, we have had many of our customers come off their trips talking about picking lots of blueberries and even adding them to their morning pancakes.

With the recent fires of '06 and '07, comes alot of new nutrients to the soil. We have seen more blueberries than we have seen in awhile. They can be found on many south facing rocks and portage trails.

We have also had an unusual amount of rain the past few weeks. We hope to have a warmer and sunnier August.

The fishing has been consistent with the bass and walleyes moving to the humps and rock reefs.

Below is a picture of one of Seagull's young customers enjoying the BWCA with a little nap on a rock!

Jake

Gunflint Canoe Races

2009-07-18T10:25:00.004-05:00

This past Wednesday the Gunflint Trail Volunteer Fire Department held its annual Canoe Races. It was a great event with an eating contest, food, auction, canoe raffle, and canoe races.

Our very own Katelyn Dold participated in the eating contest. She was able to eat 20 cream puffs in three minutes. She ended up finishing a distance second.

Overall, it was a fun event for the people of the trail to come together and raise money for a great group of people that help keep our trail safe from wildfires.

Jake

Cross Bay Lake Day Trip

2009-07-12T13:03:00.004-05:00

The weather was great and it was my day off. I headed to Cross Bay Lake to take in the sights and sounds of this gorgeous lake. I was traveling in a Wenonah Kevlar Solo Prism and I packed a lunch for the day.

As I entered at the Cross Bay entry point, I was greeted by chattering otters that felt threatened that I was a little to close to their home. I made it past the two small portages and was on Ham Lake. I saw where the origin of the '07 fire began. It is amazing to see the two year growth on the trees and to see how resilient the woods really are. I mad my final portage into Cross Bay Lake and took a few photos of wildflowers that are pictured below. I stopped and had lunch at one of the campsites as I took in the view. As I paddled around Cross Bay, I was greeted by a large snapping turtle and a cow moose wadding the shore.

All and all it was a great day to be on the water, and Cross Bay Lake will go down as one of my most favorite, peaceful places to visit.

Jake

Flowers in Full Bloom Along the Trail

2009-06-27T16:56:00.004-05:00

Flowers are starting to blossom along the portage trails and shorelines of the Boundary Waters. This past week we have seen high temps in the 80's with some high humidity.

The walleye bite has been really good. Our customers traveling into Quetico have had some great reports of large fish and large quanities. The topwater smallmouth bass bite has been excellent as well. We have had some customers catch them in the 22 to 23" class.

We still have cabins available for the 2009 season and we would love to have you come visit us. We are starting to update our website with cabin tours http://www.seagulloutfitters.com/cabins.htm. Please check them out!

Jake

Great Weather and Fishing Final Arrive to the BWCA

2009-06-16T13:03:00.007-05:00

Summer has finally come to Seagull Lake. This past weekend was gorgeous with low winds, sun, and temperatures in the mid 70's. We are starting to see a lot of moose venturing out into ponds eating the vegetation and cooling off from the afternoon sun. We have a cow and two calves that have been regulars to Seagull Creek almost everyday.

The lake trout are starting to move deeper and the smallies are still in the shallows waiting to spawn. The temperature off Seagull dock was around 60 degrees earlier in the week. The walleyes are starting to pick up and some decent catches are coming in from our cabin customers, staff and outfitters.

*All fish were caught, pictured, and released.

With the great weather and fishing, comes the black flies and mosquitoes. They are relatively mild yet, but as the summer moves along they will be getting worse.

Jake

Regional Forest Service Supervisor Makes Landing at Seagull

2009-06-06T14:21:00.007-05:00

On Thursday, June 4th, the Regional Forest Supervisor made special landing on Seagull Lake. The purpose of the trip was to check out the site and location of the new Chik-Wauk Museum. The museum will display information and pictures of the people of the Gunflint Trail. Along with the educational experience, there will be nature walks and bird watching opportunities. Chik-Wauk means "Jack of the Pines" in Ojibwe.

Above, is the picture of plane flying into the bay and landing at the Seagull Outfitters' dock.

Seagull Outfitters would love to help accommodate and arrange lake landings for our customers that are traveling from a long distance away. Please email us for more information seagull@seagulloutfitters.com .

The lake trout are continuing to bite good and the smallmouth reports are getting better as the water warms up.

Blustery Day on Seagull Lake

2009-05-31T11:54:00.004-05:00

It was a blustery and cold day on Seagull Lake today. We reached a high of 43 degrees today! There was on and off rain. We are hoping for some warmer and more consistent weather patterns. Below is a picture of a Seagull taking an afternoon break from the rain on the dock.

The lake trout fishing reports have been very good. The smallmouth bass are starting to move into the shallows. The water is still fairly cold at around 54 degrees taken off the Seagull dock, yesterday. With all the rain we have been receiving, the water levels are little bit above average. Below is a picture of the Burns party, with a nice stringer of lakers during their stay at one of our Seagull Lake Cabins.

Jake

Canoe the Heart of the Continent -- Centennial Canoe Voyage

2009-05-23T11:14:00.003-05:00

This summer marks the centennial aniversary of Quetico Provincial Park in Ontario, and the centennial of the Superior National Forest in Minnesota. To commerate this long standing partnership the Hearty of the Continent will be organizing an 350+ mile expedition beginning in Atikokan, Ontario and finishing at Fort Williams in Thunder Bay, Ontario.

In a addition to celebrating the hard work by so many, they will be carrying educational message of "Leave No Trace Behind" to the canoers they meet along the way. The goal of the trip is to bring together new and existing partners to strengthen the relationship and bring continued benefits to these public lands.

For more information on the Heart of the Continent Partnership visit http://www.heartofthecontinent.org/ .

Jake

Fishing and Weather Starting to Heat Up

2009-05-22T14:11:00.006-05:00

The weather is finally starting to cooperate here at Seagull. We reached a high of 75 degrees on Wednesday and signs of spring are growing as each day passes.

The fishing is starting to pick up! Lake trout are bitting in about 20-30 feet of water trolling with sutton spoons tipped with minnows, and rapalas. Walleyes are bitting in about 6-15 feet of water on lindy rigs and a minnow using a slower presentation.

We have spotted good number of moose and bear patrolling the woods and lake side bays and it won't be long until we will be seeing their young.

We are starting to get arrivals of more and more birds to the BWCA. We have seen many ducks, and loons and it won't be long until the flowers are starting to blossom as the weather gets better.

Jake

Fishing Opener at Seagull

2009-05-11T12:13:00.010-05:00

It is fishing opener at Seagull! The ice is out and spring is on its way.

We have cabin customers on Seagull catching lake trout shallow and the walleyes are biting good too. Bryan from Minneapolis returned from a camping trip on Seagull Lake a couple days ago and sent us his photos of a giant smallmouth and some nice lake trout below.

Bryan's lake trout was about 22" and his smallmouth was about 18"! He was using mepps spinners tipped with minnows.

The blog will be updated more frequently as the season gets on its way! Half of our staff is here, and the rest will be here in the next couple weeks! Stay tuned for updates! We are very excited about the upcoming season and can't wait for it to get on its way!

2009-04-29T15:34:00.006-05:00

The ice is rapidly melting in our Seagull Bay today. These photos were taken this afternoon. Notice the water rising where the dock meets the cribbing. For those that have been to Seagull, notice the boat ramp is nearing covered with water. Our Seagull Bay ice out contest will soon be over! Sadie is posing in the photo above taken with the ice in the background. Notice the honeycombed and dark ice. It won't be long folks!

Deb

It's a Sunny Day at Seagull!

2009-04-25T15:40:00.003-05:00

The ice out contest continues! Below is a photo taken facing south from our dock and you will notice we have ice close to the dock and beyond. The next photo faces north and will you notice no ice. I like the north photo as it looks like spring and fishing are right around the corner. I will continue to update photos every couple of days as the melt continues. More ducks are arriving daily. Most of all, we are really enjoying the warmer temperatures after a long cold winter up north. Dave, Sam and Drew are remodelling the store offices today. Deb

2009-04-22T18:41:00.002-05:00

A 50 degree day in the woods and life is good. The sun is shining and we have a bit of open water in the narrows. There are a few ducks that are hanging out in the open water waiting for the thaw.

The question of the day is "when will the ice be out?"

A tough question as none of us can predict the weather. I hear it should be warming this weekend so that could be good. We need a little rain to go along with it.

We have finally moved all of our belongings out of the old house and into the new house on the hill. What a project that has become. Thankfully we have a returning staffer Sam that is here helping us. We put boxes and goodies into piles and Sam delivers it to its respective spot...the new house, trash or recycling! I have about 10 more boxes to go through and feel pretty well unpacked.

Next comes getting the store ready for customers. Our first customers arrive on May 7th with a couple more parties coming in on May 8th. We will have 5 staff on at that time to give Dave and I much assistance.

We will continue to post new photos frequently as spring arrives on Seagull Lake and the end of the Gunflint Trail!

Deb

Happy Spring!

2009-03-20T09:58:00.003-05:00

We have had a pleasant streak of warmer than normal temperatures lately. It has really begun to feel like springtime in the woods. The snow is melting and the birds are singing. We are singing so to speak as well as we enjoy the above average temperatures. We now think the below zero days are gone for this winter and our spring plans are foremost on our minds.

We will be moving into our new house on Seagull next week and start getting it organized before summer staff start arriving the end of April. It is an exciting time.

With the onset of warmer weather, there has been a boost in phone calls and reservations for this summer.

We have some used Kevlar Canoes for sale for anyone that may be interested. They will all be out of storage by early May.

Seagull Canoe Outfitters is now on facebook. Check us out and start your own discussions there. More to come in the social networking area....we are fortunate to have hired a young man Jake that will be assisting with all this in May.

Watch the ice and snow melt on Seagull via the webcam on the home page. Soon we will be all fishing and paddling!

Deb

The Gunflint Trail Winter

2009-02-19T13:01:00.006-06:00

Winter is still in full swing here in the Northwoods. We have lots of snow and we seem to get more each day as noticed in the photos.

Winter enthusiasts will enjoy the beauty, peace and solitude of our Northwoods winters. Please visit the Gunflint Trail Winter Celebration at http://www.wintertracks.com/ from February 26-March 1, 2009 to see what winter is really like on the Gunflint Trail.

Deb

Winter Birds at Seagull

2009-01-23T15:23:00.002-06:00

We have some happy birds at Seagull Outfitters in the winter. Some days we have as many as 100 birds at a time at the feeders. My cat Lucky likes to watch them from the office window. His ears go low and he thinks he is going to pounce on them through the window. He hasn't made it yet as he is an indoor winter cat. He keeps trying though.

Office work is keeping me busy. We are hiring summer staff too and have some great applicants. Reservations are coming in good and we are thankful for that.

Dave and his son Duane will be laying all the flooring in our new house real soon. Dave is getting ready for that as well as installing the new water filtration system.

That is life in the woods today!

Deb

2008 Annual Photo Contest Winner

2009-01-17T16:46:00.007-06:00

Congratulations to John Robinson for being chosen as the winner of our inaugural annual photo contest. John (AKA plexmidwest, as he is known on the seagull message board) was the winner of the month of April 2008 photo contest which automatically entered him into the end of the year contest for the grand prize of $100 gift certificate toward outfitting in 2009.

John's photo features 14 year old Dan catching a nice smallmouth bass on his first trip ever to the Boundary Waters. The smile on Dan's face is something that we all can relate to as we remember back to our first fish in the Boundary Waters/Quetico. What a special moment that is/was, and this photo sums up the joy and emotion that no words can express.

Thank you all who entered photos in 2008, we enjoy and appreciate your involvement on the message board. Although the contest for 2008 has concluded, 2009 monthly contests have already begun with the theme, "Waterfalls and Rapids" for January.

Remember, if you're selected as a monthly winner during the year, your winning photo is automatically entered into the end of year contest for the grand prize. Visit the discussion board for how to enter.

Congratulations again John.

Debbie, Tom and Johnse

Winter in the Northwoods

2009-01-13T21:29:00.007-06:00

View from the business looking towards Maraboeuf Cabin

Ogish Cabin on Seagull
Maraboeuf Cabin on Seagull

View from the dock out the Seagull Bay and Narrows

Sadie walking to the store!

It is - 32F as I write this tonight....the moon is rising over the treetops and one hears the crunch of the snow on this cold winter night. It is the dead of winter in the canoe country. The photos were taken yesterday around Seagull to show you all what a real winter looks like!

Deb

Happy New Year!

2009-01-04T10:05:00.002-06:00

Snow, snow and more snow is the lingo on Seagull Lake these days. Dave continues to plow the driveways frequently. This is good for the winter businesses and spring lake levels.

Our new house is progressing nicely and we hope to move into it in early March. I am just returning from another trip to Phoenix to give my Mother and Gene a little moral support as she continues her rehabiliation.

You will find me in the Seagull Office again catching up and getting ready for 2009. The reservations and calls are strong for this early in the season and I am very happy about that. Let me know how I can help plan your summer vacations, or if we can customize a cabin/canoe trip for you as another option.

We are hiring summer staffers too for the season for anyone that loves the canoe country and would like to spend a summer in the Northwoods.

Happy New Year to All!

Deb

A Seagull Winter Wonderland!

2008-12-14T18:42:00.007-06:00

The first big snowstorm of the winter hit us today. We have over a foot of snow and it is still coming. This is great for all the winter businesses on the Trail. The middle photo was taken looking south out of our Seagull Bay towards the larger part of Seagull. Sadie is enjoying the snow and posing in front of our outdoor Christmas tree. We will be plowing and shovelling in the morning. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to All!

Deb

Important Paddling Dates for 2009

2008-12-02T17:36:00.002-06:00

Winter is upon us on Seagull Lake as evident in the photo above. This photo overlooks the narrows from our bay as you paddle/motor out to the larger part of Seagull.

Since the Holiday Season brings lots of friends and families together to plan vacations for next year, I thought it timely to provide some permit and opening dates for you all.

December 1, 2008 Boundary Waters Permit Lottery Begins
February 1, 2009 Boundary Waters Permit Phone Lines Open
May 9, 2009 Minnesota Fishing Opener
May 16, 2009 Quetico Fishing Opener

In addition, for those paddling the Quetico this summer, we can reserve your Quetico Permit 5 months in advance of your trip departure date.

In the meantime, if you find yourself dreaming of open water, think about joining the 2009 Seagull Bay Ice Out Contest on our discussion board at
http://forums.seagulloutfitters.com/tool/post/soseagull/vpost?id=3127781 . Winner takes home a $100 gift certificate to be applied towards a canoe trip or cabin this summer. Or, join the monthly photo contest at http://forums.seagulloutfitters.com/tool/post/soseagull/vpost?id=3082586 . Stay in touch with Seagull friends and customers that are planning for 2009!

Deb

Off Season at Seagull

2008-11-02T17:01:00.003-06:00

October has been a pleasantly quiet month of working on projects, relaxing, sleeping in til 7am and planning for 2009. We have had some great fall weather. Just last week, it was 65 degrees. Even today we have had rain and 45. I think it will last a few more days, then the white stuff will be upon us. It is very peaceful and quiet in the Northwoods.

Sadie had surgery for a torn ligament in her knee and is recuperating from that. My Mom had a total knee replacement and is in rehab for that. Dave and I are busy with projects and just relaxing. It is wonderful!

My thoughts will soon be turning to 2009 rates, newsletter and planning.

Deb

Take a look at those colors!

2008-10-07T19:14:00.002-05:00

I thought you might all enjoy seeing what the fall colors are around the shower building at Seagull. We are closed for the season. I was slowly driving the trail today and enjoying the colors. During the course of the season, I rarely take the time to stop and "smell the roses." It was a relaxing drive today.

Off Season at Seagull!

2008-09-29T18:14:00.002-05:00

The colors are alive in Cook County as we head into fall and our off season.
Whew! We are ready for a break from the daily routine at Seagull. The time has come to take life a little easy for awhile. We are excited. Our canoes are put to bed, cabins cleaned and ready for 2009.

Our first priority is taking my yellow lab Sadie to the vet tomorrow for surgery in Two Harbors. She has a ruptured ligament in her left knee that requires surgery to get her running and fetching again.

We finished another great year at Seagull thanks to all our loyal paddlers and cabin customers. We had a great staff once again which makes our job easier.

I am planning to relax a bit before diving into 2009 plans. My Mom will have surgery in AZ in October to get her back on her feet and I plan to be there for that surgery.

Life is good at Seagull and I hope it is good for all of you as well!

Deb

Foggy Mornings in September

2008-09-07T07:58:00.003-05:00

It is the time of the year when we often wake up to foggy mornings. Some of the images can be incredible. It also slows down our towboats a bit if we can't see more than a couple blocks in front of us.

The mergansers are hovering around the Seagull dock each morning lately. I think they are enjoying the quieter mornings at Seagull.

My garden is producing lots of cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, onions and lettuce and is wonderful on the dinner table. We planted those raised garden beds several years and my goal was to be able to have my own salad in the Northwoods!

Our fall is busy with starting to close down Seagull Outfitters for the season. We are working on fix it projects, remodeling and a host of other chores. Another great season at Seagull is nearly behind us. Thanks once again to such wonderful customers and staff that make it all possible!

Deb

There is still time!

2008-08-20T17:06:00.003-05:00

Hello Everyone,
Do you have an itch for a fall canoe trip in the BWCA or Quetico? You still have time to plan that fall trip. The weather and scenery are beautiful. No bugs, fall colors, cooler temperatures,and water that is still swimming temperature are just a few reasons to come up with friends and family in the fall. Fishing is also a great reason to come up during the fall months. The fish are getting their feed-bags on in preparation for the long Northwoods Winter.
Wylie caught this 29.5 inch walleye this week.
The fishing will only get better from this point until your favorite northwoods lakes freeze over. If you have any questions planning your fall trip, give us a call or email.

Thanks and keep your line in the water,
Van

Last Minute Fishing Before School Starts

2008-08-15T09:18:00.003-05:00

Hello Everyone,

The weather and fishing has been heating up recently. Walleye are still being caught and stories of nice stringers have been told. Slip-bobbers and leeches have been the ticket in the BWCA, while a jig and plastic combo has been producing in Quetico. They're catching marble eyes between 15 and 20 feet.

The smallmouth are still hitting on just about anything that can be fished. We had a customer catch a smallie on a yellow Starburst!!! Most people are catching them from the surface to as deep as 30 feet down.

The northerns have also been cooperating quite well with anglers. Jeff caught this beautiful 41 inch pike last week.

Thanks and keep your line in the water,

Van

2008-08-03T14:37:00.005-05:00

Hello Everyone,

Fishing has really been great as of late. Many of our canoe and cabin customers have said that this has been the best fishing they have seen in awhile.

Walleyes have been right around 12 to 20 feet of water. The most effective way has been slip-bobber and leeches or casting deep-running crankbaits. A lot of "eater" sized walleyes have been taken with some BIG fish mixed in.

Maggie caught this 27.5 inch walleye on Seagull with her parents.

The smallmouth bass fishing has also been excellent with a lot of nice smallies having been taken. Any presentation that can be fished from 5 to 10 feet has produced. I caught a 16 inch smallie on a plain red hook with no bait while trying to set depth on a slip bobber!

Northern pike have also been cooperating quite well with fisherman. They have been caught from on the surface to 20 feet down.

Thanks and keep line in the water,

Van

It's August!

2008-08-03T12:49:00.006-05:00

It's hard to believe it's August already. The weather has been amazing for the past few weeks, with sunny warm days and beautiful sunsets. It's the perfect time to squeeze in that last trip before the kids go back to school!

The Janis family stayed in our Ogish cabin this past week and had a great time. Maggie might just be a future Seagull employee!! She had lots of fun berry-picking, and she showed the boys a thing or two by catching a 27 inch walleye on her pink fishing pole. I guess we'll have to give her a few more years before we put her to work.

Here's Maggie in her new staff shirt with some of the staffers (from left to right)- Shira, me (Crystal), and Lindsey.

The cabin guests aren't the only ones taking advantage of the great weather. Shakti Khalsa and her little dog Layla went paddling out on Seagull for a few days. Layla had a great time swimming and hanging out around camp. Doesn't she look ready to take on the Boundary Waters?

The Plath family paddled out of Seagull in our catamarran. The catamarran's a great option for families with small children because it's so stable. They look ready to go camping!

Look for the winner of July's photo contest- we'll post it in the next few days. August's photo contest is just beginning, and the theme for this month is food. Send us your pictures of the great meals that you managed to whip up out in the woods- your favorite camp dish, your delicious fried fish, your amazing triple-decker s'more- anything you can come up with!

We look forward to hearing from you!

Crystal

2008-07-27T14:06:00.002-05:00

This summer has been full of great times, especially with the family. We have had experienced families carry out their traditions in the BWCA, families introducing their kids to the wilderness they love and families coming for the first time to check out what the Northwoods has to offer.

With everything that the BWCA has to offer, everyone finds something to love- from seeing moose or watching that perfect sunset to out-fishing the rest of the boys.

Nick recently enjoyed his stay in one of our cabins; he even caught a few fish.

He was even nice enough to let Dad in on some of the action!

One trip to the BWCA with the whole family can lead to many possibilities, maybe even a family tradition that can be carried on for many years to come!