Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Trip Planning Forum :: Difference between spring and fall shoulders
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gravelroad |
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ducks |
Biggest differences for me have been. 1. Much longer days (daylight) in early season 2. Colder water in early season 3. Less people in early season. I prefer pre fishing opener trips over October trips and I love October trips. |
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wxce1260 |
Pretty much every EP has all or most of its available permits-- some look like 0 will have been used at all, so maybe I can be one of the first in for an overnighter. Probably going to head in the west side. My question is for those of you who trip both shoulders, what have you found to be the biggest difference(s), challenges between the spring shoulder and the fall shoulder? |
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naturboy12 |
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plander |
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WhiteWolf |
gravelroad: "I actually think the weather risk (apart from convective storms) is less. If you’ve done enough October paddling, you know the wind can be a significant issue as we transition from one regime to the next. I will be interested to hear White Wolf’s thoughts on that if he joins this discussion." Not sure I get which way you side-- but I would agree wind in OCT (esp late OCT) is slightly on avg more windy than early May/ late May things calm down considerably on avg. As far as Thunderstorms, then I would favor early May (for Thunder) just because of the length of day and extra insolation ( length of sunlight) has more chance of Thunder compared to OCT. But OCT has the effect of higher chance of a "Cut off Low"--- those systems when it can precip for several days and usually rather cold temps when the temp meets the dewpoint for a long time --- in OCT == miserable. Can happen in May but the chances are slightly lower due again to the length of the day. I'd pick May, even if the water temps may be slightly cooler compared to early OCT on AVG. Early May? everything is about a wash. Then late SEPT for sure. It also depends on the lakes your on. Mountain Lake ( those like it) campsites on S shore would be miserable early seasons with a N or W wind. I've spent time their in mid Fall and said to myself this would be a miserable place to camp in the Spring. Smaller/shallower lakes in early in the season I'd be all for. Lot's of variables. But I would choose May over Oct for most lakes based on length of daylight being the biggest reason. Especially this year with an early ice out. Hope this helps. |
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tumblehome |
Late April/May Spring trips have colder water. Portages with downed trees. I look forward to warmer days. Yes, spring is windy. April and May are windy months. Spring trips bring warmer days as winter is on its way out Late October/November Fall trips have the colors. I look forward to colder days and always love snow if we get any. Fall trips have biting cold windy days. Winter is approaching. I love them both for different reasons. Tom |
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analyzer |
I would think the water is slightly warmer in Sept/Oct than early May. I don't know what Bull Moose look like in May, but I suspect it's premature growth while in Sept/October they would have their full racks, and as you get later, out of velvet. Similar situation with White Tail Bucks. Sept Oct you could actually do some hunting for Grouse, Bear, White Tail etc. You can't do that in May. From what I've read, I would think Fishing is better in May. You can catch lake trout surface fishing. The walleyes will be wherever there is moving water, and shallow. The pike are in the warm shallow bays. Small mouth are probably on their beds, or pre-spawn maybe. |
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TuscaroraBorealis |
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bhouse46 |
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ducks |
wxce1260: "Great info. I am amazed that there are basically tons of permits available each day, so I am really excited about the lack of people. I have always been surprised at the number of people I run into in October, so this will be really fun to have my pick of lakes with minimal competition. When I did my first pre-opener trip I was worried about the no fishing, but now I enjoy it and it changes the focus of the trip. Last week I went somewhere that has panfish so I brought a rod and tiny tackle box, but I didn’t have any urge to fish while I was there. I love the deciding where to enter when I get up there aspect of early and late season tripping. I’ve done that a few times and it adds a little excitement to the drive up. Maybe I’ve just lucked out, but out of the 7 times that I’ve gone up in May, only once was there noticeable bugs and that was the very end of May. Have a great trip. |
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AlexanderSupertramp |
You'd be fine next week in terms of bugs but I think this year is going to be really bad for insects with early hatching/warmer temps early on, and there's a whole bunch of rain expected this afternoon through Monday. I expect after Fishing opener to be pretty miserable. I am on the fence about cancelling my May 29th permit because of it. Too soon to tell I suppose, but we'll see as we get closer. I never go up there in June/July because I simply can't tolerate the flies nor can my dog. September is my favorite month, or early October. Bugless, less people, more favorable daytime temps and warmer water temps than May. And quite frankly the scenery is just better. Most of May is still really brown and lifeless. If you go next week, have fun! Considering myself to just do a shorter trip earlier this year due to conditions, if I can find a permit. |
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deerfoot |
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nsuo |
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dschult2 |
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nctry |
Every season had its challenges. In 2012 I camped on the iron lake campsite closest to curtain falls both as the last frosty night and the earliest frosty night in the fall. The early trips were great for getting myself in the groove for the year. The last trip of the year was to give it that last go. All the trips in between were the meat of it… I have to say though… I always encountered people no matter what the season. Wind, rain, cold… either way you could experience the whole deal. I just vote to go whenever you can and as often as you can… the one thing I can say… the water is colder in the spring… haha! |
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wxce1260 |
I never thought about the daylight. That should be fun. The fact that there is no fishing takes all the pressure off of feeling that "since I am up here I should wet a line" that I get at other times of the year. I have 4 days off. I am kind of thinking of just heading up early, and not deciding on an EP until I show up in Ely that morning. With most EPs having permits, the thought of not deciding where I am going until I get there is really appealing. |
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Blatz |
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KawnipiKid |
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