Sunshine and Smiles

The month of June is ending up to be quite beautiful. The fish, the berries, and the weather. The month started out quite rainy and dreary. Which we enjoy in terms of moisture for our new trees, flowers, and berries!... However, our customer were coming off cold and wet... We made sure to have the coffee pots always running! But boy did all the rain change the scenery and berry crop. Since all of the rain, we've had nothing but beautiful sunny skies. Thanks to the combination of rain and sun I have been munching on ripe strawberries for about two weeks now and heard from a few customers that they were able to make a nice blueberry pancake breakfast atop the Seagull Palisades this morning.

Aside from the berries and weather, the fishing is starting to pick up. It seemed as though the fish were a bit confused with the crazy weather changes we've been having since March... I think they are getting straightened out now! Have received good reports on trail from a variety of lakes. I have been out on Seagull Lake a few times in the past week and have had some success. I caught the bass pictured to the left in about 6 feet of water on a slip bobber and leech and a nice 22' walleye last night fishing in about 20' of water with my bobber set at about 9'. Staffer, James, caught his nice 28' walleye pictured to the right on a plain jig with a leech about 12' down. All fish were caught and released for you pleasure of catching at a later point!

It's not too late to plan a trip! We're here 7-7 daily and are happy to help you!

Join our Facebook biweekly photo contest for your chance to win a free Seagull Cap and have your picture displayed in our store!

Katelyn

June Stories from the Trail



Moon, Loon, and Turtle
Photos Courtesy of Jeff Kudla
and the Marabouef Cabin

With the rain that we have had everything is green and beautiful! In fact, I just had my first strawberry of the season and am so excited for more! The water remains high for all of those heading to the falls as well as those heading for the creeks that are sometimes impassible. (Not this year!) But all that rain is old news... Today we are loving the sun and are enjoying a nice breeze.  These last two weeks have resulted in an abundance of stories from the trail. On June 4th we had a full moon. Everyone out on the lakes within the next few days had partially cloudy skies with a stunning view of moon illuminating the wilderness night views. If you've never been out paddling on a calm fully light night, it is an experience of a lifetime. Our next full moon is on July 3rd. Come join us for a Forth of July vacation and see it for yourself.

All of our animal friends have been out and visiting us this June! The loons cannot go unnoticed with their mating calls and are spectacular to fall asleep to at night. Nearly every paddler has watched the eagles peacefully soaring in the wind high above the trees. What a view it must be from up there! The closest we can get is a short hike to our favorite lookout points from the cliffs and Palisades on nearby lakes. If you are heading up later this summer, I suggest taking lunch on top of one of these spots. You can't beat it! All the painted turtles have also been poking their heads out, bathing in the warm sun...only if we could be out there every day joining them. We have a log floating in our bay that is always covered with a turtle family. It's our trick to get the staff smiling on their way to work. They are so cool to see each day! We were also treated with the visit from a Moose who walked by the Seagull Store a few days ago. You always forget how big they are until you get this close to them. The only thing that we have not had any reports of from our customers are the black bear. So far this year they have not had a presence in the campsites along our most popular routes. But that is one type of wildlife that we are happy are keeping to themselves!

The story of the week comes from the Irwin party returning from their trip in Quetico. Following an unfortunate wobble, a paddle drifted down a portion of  the Falls Chain not to be found. But that was not going to stop our friends! They crafted a piece of art out of dry wood, birch bark, and a small bendable branch. Despite the fact that it was built for performance, I find their hand built paddle worthy of being a wall hanger in a fancy lodge. They did not spare a single opportunity for perfection. The paddle even has a handle wrapped in cord for comfort. Wouldn't want to get any blisters now! We were all amazed. We only wish that we were that creative...

 For all those following our web cam...we know it is down right now. The replacement is on the way and is going to be constantly updating photos with even higher quality than our last web cam once it arrives. If you are completely distraught without your daily Seagull happenings or if you just think we are a cool crowd, come follow us on Twitter and Facebook to get your Gunflint Trail news fix...

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Thanks for reading about our highlights this month...we hope to see you all up here this summer!

Rain, rain...went away!

After many gloomy days of rain, we are finally getting the chance to enjoy the sunshine! But rain is more helpful than you might think! Water levels are nice and high, making for beautiful sights and sounds! Falls and rapids are sure moving faster than usual, adding to the already pristine scenery! Here is a picture of one of the waterfalls on the portage between Hanson and South Arm Knife Lakes! Sure breaks up the walk and can be a sight for sore eyes, especially when you're toting some heavy gear!    

Rain also helps out our flora and we are seeing lots of blooms!  Trees and flowers add and array of colors to the landscape!  We also have high hopes for our berry crop this year, already seeing the beginnings of buds on strawberry, blueberry, and raspberry bushes!  We can't wait until they are ready to pick and eat! 

It's been a great week in the BWCA, sure hoping this weather just keeps getting better!

  

Fishing Opener

Fishing opener was a success for trout fishermen! Boy, oh boy! Trout are at an average of about 15' right now. Many people have told us stories how they were able to sit in camp and just watch them swim around near shore. A majority of the customers claim to have been using a variety of Sutton Spoons and Swedish Pimples. Bass and Northern have been active as well. We have heard a variety of tackle and live bait being used to catch both of these. Walleye, as always, enjoy making a challenge for everyone. They are biting, just not as frequently as we would all like! Matt's son managed to catch a beautiful walleye out on Saganaga!

With the early ice out this year and the warm temperatures we've had throughout the past few months we weren't sure exactly what to expect. Fishing always presents a variety of challenges to overcome... that's the glory of it!

Katelyn





End of April at Seagull

Yesterday was a beautiful 55 degree day on Seagull.  It was one of those days that you wish you didn't have to work and could go paddling.  However, tis the time of the season to field your phone calls and get ready for opening.  So, we are here for you!  At least we have a great view eh?

The ice has been gone for over a month.  Since ice out, we have had a variety of snow, rain, sleet and wind.  Last week we lost 12 live trees on the property in the heavy winds.  We hate to lose those live trees.

We have 2 staffers arriving on April 27th to help Dave get the trees out of the way, docks in, canoes in their piles and boats/motors ready to go.  May 1 another return staffer Danielle drives in for the summer.  Danielle was a tow boat driver 2 summers ago as well as handling numerous other responsibilities.  We eagerly look forward to her return and can promise that you will all see more frequent updates to this blog and all the social media. Danielle and return staffer Katelyn  arriving May 10th will be sharing the tasks.  I will add my two cents now and then.  We have some friends coming May 1 to help get more outside work done and inside as well.  Teresa worked at Seagull about 10 years ago and has been a long time friend since then.  She and her husband Larry will be here May 1 to lend a hand. 

Despite an early spring, the water levels don't look too bad.  Quetico Park told me that they are expecting good moisture levels in May and June so that should help us out as well.  We like good water levels with lots of moisture.

A couple of weeks ago Seagull customer Todd submitted this photo he took in the Quetico Falls Chain to Orvis.  He was pleasantly surprised when he opened the Orvis blog and there was his photo!  Quite the laker on a fly rod!  Here is Todd's caption below his photo---He and his buddy Kyle are heading up the Falls Chain again in May. 

Attached is a picture that my friend Kyle took of me in Quetico Provencial Park in May 2010. If you are not familiar, QPP is a wilderness canoe camping area. The trip was especially meaningful for me, as I had been on the trip several times as a kid, even purchasing my first Clearwater Rod for my first trip. Now many years later, my friend and I were back in QPP for a six-night adventure. On our fourth night of the trip, I caught this 30-inch lake trout where we were camping, at the base of the falls behind me. The fish took a Black and Purple Beadhead Wooly Bugger I had tied myself. I was dead-drifting it through the wash at the bottom and the line when tight. There was that slight hesitation, and tension building, and then he took off. Next thing I knew, I was into my backing. It was a phenominal experience! It was truly the fish of a lifetime for me, and has us heading back to QPP again this year.



This photo was taken a week ago on Seagull...it is special country.  We look forward to your visit this summer.  Call or email with any questions!  And stay tuned to the webcam as we open our doors for season 26 at Seagull Outfitters and Cabins!
Deb

February News from Seagull

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!

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