new side of basswood

[wall_guy_101]

Hey Fellas......

Some pals and i have been going up to basswood out of pipestone falls for a few years now, but we've decided to give the prarie side a try. We'll be heading up the second weekend of june and hope to be staying around lincoln or washington island. You guys have been so helpful in the past and any info. on some areas or spots to key in on would be greatly appreciated. I understand the secrecy issue so heres my e-mail address if needed. [email protected] You guys are the best.Thank you.

Nate

[BRULEDRIFTER]

ive been on basswood twice..... your in a good area! both times we fished it we were in those areas. try around Washinton Isl.... good times get a good map, there are some sweet reefs around there too. id also poke around bayley bay as well. good luck!

[wall_guy_101]

thanks bruledrifter....

you guys always seem to come through..

[Surface Tension]

Mid June might be a little early to hit the reefs but who knows. Weather before and during the period your there will dictate where to start looking. Last year taking a swim before July rolled around was suicide so action on the reefs was delayed a bit. A cold front will push the Eyes deeper. I'd start out using the rule, hit the wind blown shorelines in warm weather. Thats a big lake and if the wind is really cranking ducking behind a choke point is what I'd be doing. That warm top water rolls in and curls around a point, bingo theres the walleyes. I'm sure you'll have a lake map. Study areas to fish and make adjustments as to what the weather is doing. That time of year I'm usually still working shorelines and points if I can. Last year on my trip to Basswood with Leaky and Dr Bob I had planned on rigin and jigin, weather conditions weren't right for that and Jr and I ended up pulling cranks. Stay flexible. I'll be up there a week later then you and in the same area and I'll be looking for your report.

[BRULEDRIFTER]

Good points ST. the times i fished it it was mid-summer(july). we worked the reefs hard then. not tons of action, but a few eaters, and a 25".

[Jackpine Rob]

That end of Basswood is an entirely different lake than what you've been fishing. The first thing you will notice is the water clarity - much clearer than the stained water of the Kawishiwi flowage (Pipestone) and Range (Jackfish). As a result of that and the water depths, I think you will find that water temps tend to be a little colder longer in the year - with the exception of Back, Frog and Hoist Bays which warm up quicker due to shallow water (hint).

Another difference is in forage. Out on Bayley, Merriam and in fact all the way to U.S. point one of the main food sources is ciscoes. Walleyes and northerns tend to get fat quickly on a rich diet. However in the shallower areas such as Frog, Wind, Hoist, etc. the main food source is perch. You may wish to keep that in mind if you decide to drag cranks (hint).

Clearer water means spending more time targetting low light conditions than is necessary over on the Pipestone end, where you can usually find success even at high noon on a sunny day with little wind. If you get a rainy, snotty nasty day - fish like there's no tomorrow (cause there may not be when the front goes through).

Finally, if the walleyes are giving you fits, there are bluegills to be found in the shallower bays - and at that time of year you may find the beasts on the beds.

[wall_guy_101]

you guys continue to amaze..........thanks again for all the info. If we do well.....there may be a hidden surprise on lincoln

[Leaky]

Wow - Thats all good info. One thing you'll notice right away is the ease in getting to your destination (compared to humping all your gear over the two portages on the other side). You'll also be traveling much bigger water once you get around the point and west into the main body of Basswood. Watch the weather reports and plan accordingly.

As ST mentioned, last year we anticipated doing a lot of reef fishing and needed to adjust. Not that we didn't catch anything out there, but the temps and high winds made it difficult. There are so many areas on that end of the lake to try. If one thing isn't working, go to something else. We caught most of our eaters in a bay, trolling raps in 8 ft of water at 2:00 in the afternoon. Go figure. Jackpine gave you a pretty darn good hint on the color.

As far as camp sites, there are two on Lincoln that are good (depending on the size of your group.) The middle spot on Washington and the far west spot are also nice sites. I prefer spots facing south or southeast to help minimize the wind factor. If you can figure out where the old Basswood Lodge sat, you'll have found the primo site on that end of the lake. One thing you'll have going for you, shouldn't be many bugs.

PS: The pic in my avator is in Dr. Bobs boat on the trip with ST last June. We are on a reef out from Washington Island

[Jackpine Rob]

You know Leaky, I just plain disagree with you about the primo campsite thing. For my money, given the time of year we're talking about, I prefer the windswept environs of Skidway, to keep the bugs at bay. As an added plus, you can always slip bobber for walleyes right off the site.

Now if your thing is swimming, the weather is toasty warm and sunny, and you don't mind sand in every conceivable item you have, there is that sandy beach site on Washington island just a bit west of Squaw Narrows.

Of if you drag along a canoe to hit up the non-motorized areas, Bosco's Point or even the point campsite on the NW corner of Washington Island could also be considered...

Plenty of real nice campsite options all the way from Prairie to Back Bay. Keep the wind, current weather conditions and the bugs in mind when choosing. Just don't make the mistake of thinking that choosing an island campsite is going to keep you bear-free. The brunos are excellent swimmers, and seem to enjoy an invigorating plunge prior to plundering food packs.

[Leaky]

The last couple of years we've been staying at the Lodge, but we are also up there over opener. I can see where when summer rolls around, it could get buggy. We also can't really fish from camp there. Sames goes for the middle spot on Washington.

Although we've talked about staying at Skidway, just have never done it. You've convinced me, especially when July & August roll around. Nothing better than sitting around camp with a bobber floating out there and a breeze to keep the skeeters away. My biggest walleye ever has come doing just that from camp over on the other side. For years, we always took the last camp in the bay the runs north and parallel to Jackfish (doesn't really have a name, we just called it Finger Bay). Ya know, before Niske's rock, down from Slaughter Rock, somewhat across from Glinks Island, and a hop, skip and a jump from Stumbling Rock campsite. Funny, we have a name for every rock and tree up there.

[wall_guy_101]

Once again i appreciate all the fantastic information you've givin me. I'm starting to wonder if it was the wrong thing to do though. I'm feeling a little pressure to come through with some walters now.....thanks alot Although we've tried an the jackfish side for a night bite and have had little to no luck, is their a night bite in existence on the washington side? Being that the water is so much clearer? You guys are the best........thanks again...

Nate Berglund

[MT Net]

From past spring experiences in Pipestone, there is a great evening bite around 5 or so. We did try fishing later into the evening with lighted slip bobbers. Around 11PM, we managed 2 small walleyes. But it was more of a hassle for what it was worth. And that evening, we missed our burning of the Jiffy Pop popcorn on the firegrate and the passage of the "bump bottle". Someday, I just might head over to the clear side of Basswood.

[Leaky]

Sorry - Tried to post a pic, but didn't work.

[Northlander]

I used to go into Pipestone several times a summer. Usually starting early June and last trip in early Aug. We always did real well in front of the entrance to hidden bay and also drifting slip bobbers in the narrow entry to Hidden Bay. Some nice eyes, crappie, northern and smallies all in that 1 spot. Also in front of the 1 st campsite to the right of Hidden, big campsite sitting on top of big rock cliff. I love that site and the fishing is great there when the wind is hitting that shoreline. Jig from the rocks at camp and anchor off the 1st break in front of that campsite.

I caught a 30 plus incher (eye) on that shoreline!

Also the rock pile that is usually marked with a jug in Pipestone can be good fishing. Hidden Bay early in the year can be loaded. Also nice smallies and northern in the back bays.

Ok thats enough from me. Im getting carried awy and need to get back up there this year.

[ELY]

Hello Leaky (Jim),

I knew that had to be a local writing about the famous Basswood landmarks. I'm the kid (Phil) who visited with your mother Mary when she had that stroke. You're the son that fishes with your uncle Joe every spring, right? I hope I'm not mixing you up with your brother Matt. Remember that 43 inch lake trout I caught? I'm getting a graphite mount of it. I hope your uncle liked those pictures of the trout and the deer eating that walleye. Nice Talking and toss me a line if you read this.

I suppose I should stay on the subject of Basswood here. Some more Basswood landmarks include Goose narrows, Three Pines, Rocking Chair reef, Target reef, the Rockpile, Long point, Chosa's, Basswood Lodge, Hubacek's, Watermarker, Three Sisters, Cigar Island, Beaver Islands, Seagull rocks, Nugent's, Hobo Island, The Barge, Half Dog Island, Squirrel Island, Norway Island, English Channel, Okeefenochee Narrows(you can still get a boat through there. I did it last summer!) Lewis' Narrows, Caribou Point, Wegen's, Indian Burial grounds on Jackfish and north of Washington Island, Jacob Pete's landing, Fourmile, Neil Island, White Island, Hidden Bay of North bay, the Beaches of Normandy, Green Island, Canadian Ranger cabins, and of course the 1000 year old cedar tree. For those of you visiting the east end of Basswood through Prairie Portage, there really is a one thousand year old cedar tree on the American shoreline. It takes three people to reach around the trunk of the tree. It is still very much alive. I don't think many tourists know about this, but it would be a treat for the kids to see it. It is located due south of Beaver Islands in a small sandy bay. It is not very tall and it is about 20 feet from the waters edge. It is really neat. Just don't deface the tree. The Beaver Islands are located at the southwestern side of Bayley Bay.

Take care and let me know when the ice goes out on those trout lakes.

[Leaky]

Hi Ely - You nailed just about every landmark on both ends of the lake. You've got my name correct, but I think you've got the wrong family. Mom Janet still lives in Ely and Uncle Steve teaches wood shop at the high school. Does that help?

Shoot me an email at jsmrekar at comcast dot net

[MT Net]

Here's one, Camp Muskeg.

Sounds like there's too many Jim's to get confusd by, eh Leaky?

[ELY]

Leaky,

I should have known there were more Smrekars out there. I know Steve pretty good. Had him for a teacher for three years. My sister is graduating with his daughter also. I'll shoot you an e-mail. Thanks for the correction.

[Leaky]

MT - You would know, wouldn't ya.

Ely - You've got mail.

[Leaky]

Dang - Tried a pic again. Still wouldn't work

[ELY]

Hey Leaky,

I saw your pictures and then they were gone. That is a really nice campsite. Its too bad all those old roads from there to Hubacek's and Back Bay are all grown in. My dad and I walked them last spring before the leaves were on, but it was tough going. You could still see the foundation at the Quetico Research Center. I guess there used to be a cement monument honoring some workers from the resort days on half dog island. I looked for it and someone smashed all the cement, probably the Forest Service. Lots of history on that lake. A little bit is lost every year. I was able to take my grandparents up there on the Truck Portage. My grandma hadn't been there since you could drive vehicles up there in the winter. She still remembered where nearly every resort used to be. I can't wait for the ice to melt.

[Jackpine Rob]

The "other Smrekar" is Paul, I think. Those guys canoe up into Quetico in search of lake trout right after ice-out every spring. We've run into them a couple of times, and we generally heckle each other pretty good. Even though they lack the natural advantage of a Finnish heritage, they still manage to get a few fish.

All this talk of Basswood locations, and no one has mentioned Pecker Point? Hanson's? Maple Leaf? Peterson's? Wegen's?

You're right ELY about a lot of the history gradually fading away up in that country. The blowdown certainly took its toll... Like you, I spent a fair amount of time exploring the old road network from Hub's place, and I'll bet the old signs pointing the trail to "Back Bay" and "Gravel Pit" are still there somewhere.

And did you know how "Rocking Chair" got its name?

[ELY]

Hey Jackpine,

Yeah, leaky e-mailed me and brought me up to speed on family history. He graduated a year ahead of my mother at EHS. Do you know Joe Tellich? He still goes up to the fabled chain of lakes in the Quetico right after ice out with the other Jim Smrekar.

As far as missing some of the basswood locations, it happens. I'm only 22 so I still have many trips to make and things to figure out even though my family has lived here since the early 1940's, the heyday of the floatplane era.

I've heard the rocking chair story from my dad, but I forget the exact origin. I thought there used to be an older guy who used to sit in a rocking chair on top of the reef and fish from it. I can't remember if the chair was fixed to the reef at the time or not. I have read nearly everything Tauno Maki has written about this area and have tried to keep up with other publications as well. I just finished reading a book on the floatplane pilots of Ely, written by Jackpine Bob and Jack Hautala. Listened to the tape too. Lots of good information.

I hope I got the rocking chair question right.

[wall_guy_101]

Leaky-

Just curious to know if you remember any lindsoe's or maternowsky's from your time in ely....

[Leaky]

Sure Wall Guy - would you be talking about Greg L & Mike M? Don't know them real well, but know who they are.

[Jackpine Rob]

Good catch on Rocking Chair! There was indeed a rocking chair placed on the reef, following an unfortunate incident in which a worker from Pipestone Falls Lodge was running up the bay in a nasty storm in a wooden Chris Craft, and piled right into the reef, ripping the bottom of the boat causing it to sink. He clambered up onto the reef until help arrived, and the chair was placed there afterwards by his aquaintances, in case he piled into the reef again. Several stories have the chair being used by fishermen, and apparently it was a favored photo stop.

As for Joe, I have run into him several times during his spring trout forays.

[ELY]

Thanks for the response, Jackpine.

I think there are a quite a few lower units that have been claimed by that reef. Leaky, tells me that you graduated with him and you have a cabin on Fall Lake?

[wall_guy_101]

Leaky-

They would be the ones........you look to be about the same age as greg so i felt i had to ask. I can thank those guys for showing me the ropes of the basswood experience.I shall forever be indebted to them for it as well. They're my uncles by the way. Hope to see you on the big lake someday...

[ELY]

Here's a picture of me standing on Rocking Chair reef.

[ELY]

Here's a picture of my grandparent's holding up the 1000 year old cedar tree on Basswood. My sister and I are sitting on the Basswood barge at Washington Island.