Autumn Trip packages begin on Sunday, August 31 and end on Saturday, October 25.
You'll sense it, as August draws to a close - the morning air is crisp and that first mug of hot coffee feels good in your hands. The days aren't as long either, but the air seems much fresher, the sky bluer, the water cooler and you'll turn your jacket collar up as the evening breeze pushes you closer to the campfire. Yes, Autumn is in the air!
The Northwoods again beckons the adventurous canoe tripper just as it does during the Springtime. The autumn colors are a sight to behold. Combine the breathtaking beauty of a lake country autumn with the possible wildlife sightings, and your trip will leave you with unforgettable memories. Superb angling can still be found on select wilderness lakes. Lake trout are easily brought to the net as they move to shallower waters preparing for the October spawn. Jig and rigging a variety of artificial lures and live bait in and around currents for walleyes will keep your rods dancing and your campfire skillet full. Lunker northern pike also move shallow and lurk near the dying weedbeds and off drop- offs along rocky points; and are very eager to strike. We take some big snaggle toothed pike during these waning days. Schools of hungry smallmouth bass, many are true trophies of twenty inch plus, can be found congregating in open water off the submerged reefs. They are there gorging themselves on schooling baitfish. The Northwoods Autumn is a FUNtastic time!
Scenic Paddle Trip
Autumn is the perfect season to travel deep into the lake country. A circular trip is planned with emphasis on the wonders found during a Northwoods autumn. Secluded lakes will be explored, where the resident fish, especially lake trout, have seldom seen a lure. Shorelines are quietly paddled with all eyes anticipating a moose browsing among the beaked hazel thickets, or perhaps, a white-tailed buck, his antlers still cloaked in velvet, ever alert and watching as it crosses a beaver dam. A tranquil bay might be home to a blue heron or two, a family of otters, or a busy beaver working on it's lodge, preparing for the upcoming winter.
Scenic travel trips can range from fairly easy to moderately rugged but, keep in mind; they are designed with you and your group's abilities. Trip routes are agreed upon by all party members. The pace will be set by all of you with fun, relaxation, and memories being the goals. The itinerary on this classic camping trip is traveling and sightseeing the BWCA/ Quetico wildernesses. Fishing is a secondary activity with this trip option; but there will be plenty of angling opportunities.
Rates- Based on a 6 day / 5 night stay in the wilderness with a two adult minimum party size. 25%Off 'Premium Trip' Summer Rates- $1,989.00 ($994.50 each) Each additional Adult is only $99.00 per day & Children (15 years old and younger) are $69.50 per day.
New for 2008- Includes pre trip and post trip lodging at our deluxe "A Stay Inn Ely" and a Continental Breakfast the morning before your trip.
Wilderness Basecamps
TROUT CAMP
Available Sunday, September 7 thru Wednesday, October 1 2008
Sit back and imagine yourself camping on a secluded wilderness lake. The pristine water and the sky are colored the same deep blue. The hillsides around you are painted a riot of reds, yellows, purples, and oranges. You're seated in a canoe, drifting with the breeze and you just happen to glance up and see a bald eagle soaring amidst cottony clouds. Of course, you can't watch for very long because you're too busy trying to turn a big lake trout towards the net. The fish digs deep, the fight is on and you're having the time of your life!
With this option, Don Beans' Jasper Creek Guide Service will paddle and portage you and your group into the wilderness to various backwoods deep water lakes that harbor these colorful denizens of the deep. These completely outfitted trips are laid back and enjoyable. The time of year is perfect, and once you taste a cold water laker that has been baked over glowing alder coals, stuffed with onions and trimmed with baked beans and garlic bread- you will know why we set aside this last of September for TROUT CAMP.
Fall'EYES
You should have guessed this one. An autumn fishing trip spent searching for gold- Walleye Gold. Over the years, I've come to learn several select BWCA lakes that have great angling for these tasty gamefish. Once the camp is set up, you'll be launching the canoes and dipping your paddles with anticipation building. A thermos of coffee and a bucket of three inch minnows sits between your legs as the bow slices across the chop bearing directly to the fishin' hole. Upon reaching the secret spot, you and your buddy, seated in the bow, race to who can hook a lively shiner on the jig and get it in the water first. You watch your line as the jig sinks to the bottom and before it reaches the boulders below, it stops and the line moves to the left. A quick spin of the reel to take in the slack and you slam the hook home. The solid tug on the other end feels good and soon a fat sixteen inch walleye is at the surface. You glance towards your partner as you reach for the net and to your surprise, he has it in his left hand and is lifting a walleye, a match to your catch, out of the water. A wide grin adorns his face. Boy, life is tough!
Depending on when this trip is reserved, we can even get into some lake trout angling; but for sure we will spend some time casting for trophy northern pike, and maybe even find some sunfish and crappies- but the search for walleye gold rules on this excursion.
Back at camp, you and your buddies will be standing on the greenstone ledgerock, taking in the scene- the mirage of colors on the lakeshore and ridges, deep blue waters reflecting the clouds; and in your hands is a dented tin plate piled high with golden walleye fillets and crispy hashbrowns and onions. "Oh, yes, life is tough!"
Rates for the Trout Camp and Fall'EYES- 25% Off 'Premium Trip' Summer Rates- $1,759.00 per two Adults ($879.50 each) Two adults is minimum trip size.
New for 2008- Includes pre trip and post trip lodging at our deluxe "A Stay Inn Ely" and a Continental Breakfast the morning before your trip.
Each addtional Adult is $549.00 Children (15 years old and younger) are $349.00 Add more days at Only $99.00 per day/Adult & $69.50 per day/Child The base trip is 5 days / 4 nights camping in the BWCA wilderness
What You Get-
A completely outfitted and professionally guided wilderness camping trip, whether it be the Scenic Paddle or either of the two Wilderness Basecamp packages. You need to bring appropriate clothing, quality raingear, personal hygienic articles, and fishing equipment. Jasper Creek provides professional guide service, roomy 4 person and 6 person Eureka Timberline tents, freshly laundered three season Slumberjack sleeping bags, Therma-rest ground pads, sturdy Kondos duluth packs, all watercraft and related equipment (life preservers, seat cushions, paddles, etc.), live bait (BWCA Trips only), a delicious backwoods menu, plus round trip towboat service to any drop off point on the MooseLake Chain (EnsignLake, BirchLake, Prairie Portage).
Additional fees that are not included in above costs- BWCA Permit Fees and/or Quetico Park Permit & Camping Fees (Canada, if applicable), RABC Permit (Canada Trip only), applicable taxes, and fishing licenses.
...the Autumn DROP CAMP (self- guided)
This trip option is for the wilderness canoeists who focus on - FISH!
This trip option is the self-guided version of the Fall'EYE Trip option listed above. This camp is completely outfitted with the same high quality equipment and delicious foods used in all of Don Beans' Jasper Creek Guide Service's BWCA and Quetico Wilderness canoe trips.
What You Get-
Eureka tents (roomy 4 person and 6 person styles), Therma-Rest pads, Slumberjack sleeping bags (comfortable and freshly laundered after each trip), sturdy Kondos Duluth packs, large kitchen tarp, extra rope, Aluminum canoes, Grey Owl wooden paddles, Stearns personal flotation devices, seat cushions, and a delicious backcountry menu w/ all neccessary camp cooking and eating equipment/ utensils, Coleman camp stove(s), a cooler w/ice,live bait (BWCA Trips Only), and containers, marker bouys
New for 2008- Includes pre trip and post trip lodging at our deluxe "A Stay Inn Ely" and a Continental Breakfast the morning before your trip.
Additional Fees- Tow Boat Service (optional), BWCA Permit Fees and/or Quetico Park Permit & Camping Fees (Canada, if applicable), RABC Permit (Canada Trip only), applicable taxes, and fishing licenses.
'Day One Guide Service'- Professional guide service to get your trip off to a great start. Depending on which lake you and your group are routed to, your guide will select a comfortable camp, help set your camp and do the first day chores, provide some 'savvy' woods wise advise; all planned to get you out fishing ASAP. Only available on BWCA trips! Rate is $225.00 and must be reserved in advance.
(In order to reserve the 'Day One Guide Service', a tow boat service will be used to the select wilderness Drop Off point and charged additional per person to the package price.)
Autumn Drop Camp Rates- Only $1,679.00
Based on 4 Adults for 5 Days/ 4 Nights w/ 'Alumacraft' 18.5 ft. lightweight canoes
Each Additional Adult- $399.00 / Children (15 years old and younger) - $299.00. $200.00 per Adult deposit to hold trip.
...the Autumn
'Gone FishINN' Packages
"After an enjoyable morning on the water, you'll relax under the painted trees awaiting a delicious Shorelunch being expertly prepared over a campfire. Beautiful views, wildlife sightings, great fishing, delicious meals, and good friends - what more could you ask?"
The newest of Jasper Creek's quality wilderness trip packages. Jasper Creek has taken its popular completely outfitted and guided Day Trip and combined it with lodging at A Stay Inn Ely.
What You Get w/ (all trips based on 2 person reservation)
Option #1 One Wilderness Day Trip with Jasper Creek Guide Service, and two evenings of Deluxe Lodging at the rustic but eloquent; A Stay Inn Ely. A delicious Northwoods Shorelunch will be prepared for you.
Rates- Only $439.00. Lunker Savings off Summer Rates
Option #2 Two Wilderness Day Trips with Jasper Creek Guide Service, and three evenings of Deluxe Lodging at the rustic but eloquent; A Stay Inn Ely. A delicious Northwoods Shorelunch will be prepared for you each day.
Rates- Only $779.00 Lunker Savings off Summer Rates
Option #3 Three Wilderness Day Trips with Jasper Creek Guide Service, and four evenings of Deluxe Lodging at the rustic but eloquent; A Stay Inn Ely. A delicious Northwoods Shorelunch will be prepared for you each day.
Rates-Only $1,079.00 Lunker Savings off Summer Rates
(This trip is based on a two persons. This option must start with the first night lodging beginning on Saturday or Sunday, or on Tuesday or Wednesday.)
These day Trips can include: ...a hunt for gold; Walleye gold! ...a search for 'ole snaggle tooth- trophy Northern Pike., ... chase bruiser red-eyed Smallmouth Bass on the border lakes, ... or a float down the scenic Kawishiwi Drainage for Crappies and Sunfish.
For example: ...your party prepares a quiet breakfast using the fully equipped kitchen facilities at the Inn. You drive out to my base at a pre arranged time and help check my minnow traps and secure the day's bait. We then board the already loaded tow boat and head to a select wilderness lake and begin the days angling adventure. A Shorelunch of golden brown walleye fillets served under the warm early afternoon sun makes a memory. More exciting fishing follows through the afternoon and by dark, all of you are lounging back at the Inn, next to the fireplace with a glass of wine, planning the next days adventure. Maybe head out to one of Ely's fine restaurants for a pleasurable dinner.
...you and some buddies want to see some country. You grab a quick breakfast, don't forget the coffee, and head down the Fernberg Trail to Jasper Creek's landing. Again, the pre- loaded tow boat awaits and off we go on the day's adventure. We cast the weed edges and land a few Northern Pike around ten pounds. We rig big minnows and work the deep edges of the weeds and rock points,and we get several runs. Some hammer handles and one nice one that gets off. By early afternoon, we paddle to a narrows and jig up some fat fifteen inch walleyes. A weathered firepit nearby soon feels a crackling fire and the fillets are laid in hot grease swirling in a blackened skillet. While the guide expertly prepares the Shorelunch, you all begin to cast from shore. A monster pike is hooked at the mouth of the narrows. The fight is on, the fish is landed, pictures are taken and the 40 plus inch trophy is released. Admist the back slapping and cheering, the tin plates are served with golden brown filets and a mountain of hashbrowns. You realize it is only mid-day, and a whole afternoon and early evening awaits. That evening, back at the Inn, you all take the easy walk into downtown Ely, sit up to a bar and celebrate the fun you just had and that what is sure to follow the next two days!
...there are many options with Gone FishINN'. There are numerous lakes that can be day tripped to. Participants can go on a scenic paddle adventure for a day where a circular route is planned and paddling, portaging, and sightseeing a Northwoods autumn is the goal. A Shorelunch can consist of thick beef steaks, pork chops or chicken breasts, grilled to perfection over a campfire. Over the years, Don Beans has guided many bird watchers during the autumn migration and the Superior National Forest is a haven for songbirds, not only resident birds but those in transit. A Stay Inn Ely has been an excellent asset to Don's Jasper Creek Guide Service, even though it opened just recently in May of 2006.
You will find A Stay Inn Ely unique with its 'old world' hostel charm, but the beautiful hand crafted rooms and comfortable atmosphere will draw you back to visit during any season. Combined with Don Beans' seasoned knowledge of the Northwoods and completely outfitted day trips- this Gone FishINN' package is sure to hook you and leave lasting memories! * Depending on where and/ or when we fish, certain live bait and gamefish species have special regulations on use and harvesting. There is no live bait fishing in Quetico Park (Canada).
Sit back and imagine yourself camping on a secluded wilderness lake. The pristine water and the sky are colored the same deep blue. The hillsides around you are painted a riot of reds, yellows, purples, and oranges. You're seated in a canoe, drifting with the breeze and you just happen to glance up and see a bald eagle soaring amidst cottony clouds. Of course, you can't watch for very long because you're too busy trying to turn a big lake trout towards the net. The fish digs deep, the fight is on and you're having the time of your life! 
