What are /r/BWCA's favorite Products & Services?

From 3.5 billion Reddit comments

Get you a Sawyer gravity drip. Pumping gets old really quick. Just fill the bladder and relax while your water vessel of choice gets filled.

Sawyer Products SP160 One-Gallon Gravity Water Filtration System with Dual-Threaded Mini Filter https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XZVBSMX/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_y2QgDbXQ3M671

Protip: the amount you have to purge in backflow will be determined by how dirty the source water is.

I use this: Nite Ize Hitch Plus Tether - Universal Phone Case Anchor and Tether for Drop Protection - Black Tether (HPAT-01-R7) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FQWCYMK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_J9KTJNQAVCCQWBD143Z0

It works perfectly for assuring I don’t accidentally drop it in the lake. I tether it to my pfd when in the canoe.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01D8DXS3G?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

They were just okay. If they were within reach, it was in the way of my paddling. It also took a lot of unscrewing to get them over the gunwale, which was a little annoying.

They did work well for trolling/drifting, but that was a small part of our fishing experience.

Nat Geo for planning and back up on the trip. For navigation on the trip, I like Mackenzie better than Fisher due to larger scale. If I need to see the big picture, I go to the Nat Geo maps. Sea to summit map case to keep them dry, clean and together.

I use the msr 1.6 litre pot and the stanley nesting set. I actually just use the stainless steel part to boil water.

Not the lightest options for sure, but I've had them for years and I don't see them breaking any time soon.

I also use a camp utensil set I got off Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B079MGBRPN?pf_rd_r=VMBM722GCNWWKRMHQ3YQ&pf_rd_p=5ae2c7f8-e0c6-4f35-9071-dc3240e894a8&pd_rd_r=daabe3c3-56c1-4221-aa18-531db81501e1&pd_rd_w=Puc1c&pd_rd_wg=8K0Mp&ref_=pd_gw_unk

just saw your part about not wanting to go through amazon. sorry. I'm just sharing what I use. I share your hesitation to get stuff through amazon.

This is what I used last year. I researched the weather radios and this came out on top based on my criteria. (price, size, functionality etc) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FCDDT86/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I know it is sacrilegious but I even listened to a football game one evening

Thin cast iron

https://www.amazon.com/Lodge-CRS10-Skillet-Pre-Seasoned-10-inch/dp/B005U93RYC/ref=asc_df_B005U93RYC/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=167158323047&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=12790493305991960465&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&...

https://www.amazon.com/Catching-Canoe-Country-Walleyes-Boundary/dp/1470193930

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I found this book very helpful. Quick read, simple instructions, limited inexpensive gear. I have caught a decent amount of walleye following these instructions and we have never spent a ton of time fishing.

We just got back and I bought one of those sun shirts on amazon and I really liked it. I think MAYBE one time a mosquito was able to bite through the thin material but for the most part i was covered, not too hot, got no sunburn, protected from clouds of bugs, and it was a great success. So I highly recommend it. Also, I'm not a not fyi. It is funny that it zips up ALL THE WAY lol.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B093GJ4CT6

I would recommend the Nat Geo BWCA Maps for planning. I would not use them to navigate on a trip, but they definitely have enough detail to help you visualize the routes in the Beymer guides.

I have used the travel Sunday, enter Monday strategy in the past and it worked well. As others have said permits are tight so once you get some ideas together, call an outfitter near your preferred entrance point and give them a call.

I really like the Sawbill area for these kinds of trips. The outfitter is right at the entrance point and there is a really nice campground there as well which makes traveling the day before easy. From Sawbill you can go in several directions. Heading north to Cherokee is very popular, and heading east to the fire chain is popular too. Heading west through the Lady chain gives you the option of a little more challenging trip. Some of these routes can be out and back, or have them drive you out to a different entrance and paddle back. There is tons of flexibility and ways the do last minute route changes if the weather is going to be an issue.

Have fun and good paddling.

Agree on the chartreuse. That's my go to for jig colors. As the other commenter suggested though, it doesn't hurt to bring every color you can get your hands on (and they are very light-weight so you don't really risk a hit to your overall pack weight with them).

Other things we've had success with in the spring: trolling with medium depth Rapalas in various colors (blue with silver/orange bellies, perch patterns, purple with silver bellies, etc.) and berkley flicker shads (black/silver or all silver seem to be the hot colors). Anything that can get down to about 10-20 feet is key. where there's one, there's usually more, so make a point to do loops over the spot where you've picked one up. I highly recommend the Brocraft rod holder (Brocraft Power Lock, these are similar to the ones I have...the holder part is a bit different, but the main thing is their clamps are very nice and work well on the thin kevlar canoe bodies)

Also, if you are willing to schlep in live bait, leaches are great.

I've never had much luck with spoons, but to be honest, they tangle so much while trolling I just don't bother anymore (and yes, I've invested and used nice ball bearing swivels...nothing seems to help in that regard).

> it’s nice to have a radio with weather band.

Good call.

Here's a cheap one that performs well, a good balance of volume, reception and runs off 4AA for a long time: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01BH6RPTY

And make a long whip antenna to throw over a high branch.

Picaridin has always worked the best for me. Then for the flies Ill buy the sticky fly traps and put them ontop of my hat.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0038RO1YI/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Here is some advice I've given others to help them get started.

If you are a reader, I'd recommend this book by Cliff Jacobsen. It covers all of the bases in more detail than we can go into on a Reddit post. This will help you understand what you are getting into. Practice things like dispersed camping, treating water, cooking outdoors with limited, lightweight equipment before your trip.

Second, since your group is new to this I would highly recommend that you work with an outfitter. They can help you plan, help with permits, rent you canoes and other gear and they can steer you in the right direction. Research outfitters on line, pick one and call them. Tell them about your experience level, goals for your trip and let them guide you.

If I were to recommend a specific area and outfitter, I'd go with Sawbill. They are a top notch outfitter, located right at an entrance point and there are a number of entry points and routes that would be perfect for a group like yours.

I love my Onyx Fisherman PFD (Onyx is a St. Cloud, MN company too). I got mine on Amazon for ~$60 two years ago, but, for whatever reason, they're tough to find near that price point now.

https://www.amazon.com/Onyx-Kayak-Fishing-Jacket-Oversize/dp/B01KVRAFS8/

Almost all of my canoeing friends use seats these days. I've been using this one for the last 5 years or so and like it. You want to really get it on there snug, and then set the back rest to have as much resistance as possible. Otherwise it won't offer too much back support. If you do rig it up well, it makes a significant difference (at least for me who suffers from some lower backpain periodically, and especially after a few days on the water).

They aren't bad for portages either since they have a strap that keeps the back folded down flat. We usually just strap and fasten our life jackets around the seat anyway. But it's a good feature if you've got wet vests and don't want a wet seat.

This gold one worked pretty well for me on northern and lake trout https://www.amazon.com/OriGlam-Shopping-Swimbait-Freshwater-Saltwater/dp/B07H4CH1GK/ref=mp_s_a_1_15?dchild=1&keywords=Deep+Diving+Lures+metal&qid=1625413294&sr=8-15

After the oil (urushiol) has bound to the skin. The only 2 remedies are zanfel (expensive) and a product called mean green https://www.amazon.com/Mean-Green-Power-Hand-Scrub/dp/B00CZIG28Y/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=full+bore+hand+cleaner&qid=1625110305&sprefix=full+bore&sr=8-4

The coffee is delicious. You can make very strong espresso like coffee, and then dilute with hot water like an americano. Harder for a big group (but still worth it and pretty easy if you have a cup or two a day habit). Brew time is very short (like a minute or less) so if you have a big pot of hot water you can churn out great tasting cups in short order, one at a time. The coffee from this thing is so much better than nearly anything else that this is what I use at home for morning coffee.

Aeropress Coffee and Espresso Maker - Makes 1-3 Cups of Delicious Coffee Without Bitterness per Press https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000GXZ2GS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_WYFQQTE57ZBH0ZKVRTVN

One of my go-to items for washing dishes is a ss chain mail, like this Ringer. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FKBR1ZG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_Q3DYG1FS1CQ183RY8K50

It works great for all pots and pans, but really shines when using on cast iron.

This is the one she wears. It’s USB rechargeable and lasts a few nights off of one charge. It’s worked out great!

LED Collar

It was pretty gnarly :) the fish finder setup is definitely a bit involved but I optimized it to be as convenient and portable as possible. The battery is big and we didn't come close to using all of it, but we could have, if we got as much fishing time as we planned. I didn't show it but the fish finder, transducer, cables, and RAM clamps all fit into this hard case (no longer produced it seems) which goes inside a portage pack. That way, all I need is the case, transducer arm, and battery box.

Good call on going lithium; it's worth it from the weight savings and how much longer you can run your unit, being able to almost completely discharge the battery instead of only getting 50% capacity out of it.

Thanks for watching!!

I picked up this tarp off Amazon. It was way cheaper than a CCS or a Kelty so results may vary. Well see how it goes next summer. It's pretty thin but seems like it will keep my head dry and the sun off my face.

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Nice info and some books to look into as well.

I have only heard bits on Wisconsin Public Radio's Chapter A Day show, but The Hidden Life of Trees, By Peter Wohlleben had some really interesting more general tree stuff. It's a book I plan to get into this fall.

Not related to just trees, I found The Great Lakes: The Natural History of a Changing Region really interesting as well. It touches a bit on everything,

Check out a the backpacking camp chairs. I use a Moon Lence. Its a cheapo off Amazon but is fantastic for durability and comfort. I almost always lean towards, "buy it nice or but it twice", so I'm willing to spend a little extra, but this chair is best in terms of value. I've had it for about a full year with a chair, about 6-7 trips, not a single issue.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00Y2A78T0/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

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It's smaller but I find it super comfortable. I'm 6'0, 180 lbs

I use Medaglia d'Oro instant espresso. I like it much better that Starbucks Via or anything else I've tried. It's less expensive too. It comes in 2 oz jars rather than individual packages. I buy a 12-pack from Amazon in the spring and it gets me through the whole paddling season (maybe not this year, I have six trips planned ranging from 3-11 days). Whatever is left over gets used at home, it's so good. Obviously, transfer the powder to a Ziploc to save weight and comply with the rules.

https://smile.amazon.com/Medaglia-DOro-Instant-Espresso-Coffee/dp/B009LHXJPG/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=medaglia+d%27oro+instant+espresso+coffee&qid=1594652731&sprefix=medag&sr=8-3

I have a "Boundary Waters Canoe Area, Western Region" book. It's written by Robert Beymer and Louis Dzierzak. It includes a few pages each of history, wildlife, bear info, climate, geology and more geared towards the beginner (even if your not a beginner it might still have some good info). It also describes all the entry points and gives suggested routes. Its a good book with lots of info from people that sound like they've done it a time or two. There is also an "Eastern Region"

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0899974600/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_1?pf_rd_p=1944687742&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=0899972373&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1DZZW4R88QAJ61S2HFZ7

http://www.amazon.com/Boundary-Waters-Canoe-Area-Eastern-ebook/dp/B0060LSOGU

What kind of back pack is a good backpack? I have a pack but, from reading other forums i dont think this pack will be big enough. I havent used it very much yet but I have used it some.