02.06.09
Lost in the Wild.
I just read an awesome book titled Lost in the Wild. The book tells the true story of two separate men who find themselves lost in the Boundary Waters / Quetico wilderness. Both stories are amazing accounts of survival under extreme conditions and a reminder of how brutal this terrain can be. It also serves as a nice primer of what to do (and what not to do) when lost in the wilderness. Its a gripping book and a great way to help pass a cold winter's day...

The book is by Cary J. Griffith. I purchased it at Duluth Pack. It is also available through Amazon.com

01.05.09
Ski, ski, ski.
Duluth just had the 3rd snowiest December in the city's history! Ski conditions have been near perfect so I've pretty much been skiing every chance I get. I spent three days over the holiday break further up lake Superior's north shore and was able to hit some really breath taking trails at Tettegouche and Split Rock.

I also was able to get on the trails with Joey a few times to get her introduced to X-country skiing. She's done quite a bit of downhill skiing but this is her first winter on "skinny skis." She did great and was able to finish a gentle 3 mile loop with only a few wipe outs. Start 'em early!

I am sorry to report that I have yet to ice fish this winter. Skiing has been the priority. Also, I loaded the garage with our winter supply of firewood and some how forgot to take my ice house out first! So the fish house is stuck behind and enormous pile of wood. We are in the midst of a week long arctic blast so I am burning fires around the clock. I should have a clear path to the back of the garge soon...

12.19.08
Prestigious Beagle Award.
I headed down to Madison, Wisconsin to meet with the gang at Rutabaga. I had a bunch of new paddle designs that I wanted to show off and get feedback on. We are also officially going into the kayak paddle market and I wanted to give the experts at Rutabaga a sneak peek. Nobody knows the paddlesports business better.

I was thrilled that our kayak paddle designs were well received but I was much more excited about receiving a prestigious Beagle Award from Rutabaga. Canoe Paddle Vendor of the Year! Sweet. I was really stoked (and honored...) I haven't won a trophy since the 7th grade spelling bee...

Its hard to believe that its only been two years since we started selling our paddles through Rutabaga. Darren Bush and all of the gang have been awesome to work with. They've been a bottomless cup of advice and support for Whiskeyjack Paddles as we've grown.


Dan receiving the Beagle Trophy from Darren Bush, owner of Rutabaga Paddlesports.

11.21.08
The Banff Film Festival rolled through Duluth this week. (www.banffcentre.ca/mountainculture)



Barb and I had a chance to attend one of the evening sessions and left inspired and awed by all of the amazing films. The festival road show is touring throughout North America. Click the link above to check the schedule. If it is making its way through your area, don't miss it!

All of the films were great but the one that stood out the most was Red Gold. Red Gold tells the story of the legendary Bristol Bay Salmon fishery and the ongoing battle to halt a destructive copper mine development within its watershed. For Barbara and me, it really put into perspective what matters in life.

View the Red Gold trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QH_TzBju8rU

or purchase the DVD here: redgoldfilm.com

10.18.08
Cold. Raining. Glorious.
Mike S., Greg B. and I headed up the Gunflint Trail for one last trip before Winter arrives. We drained the pipes from the cabin and headed out onto the lakes to paddle and fish. The weather didn't cooperate at all. Cold, wet and windy the first two days. The last day saw some brief moments of sun in the late afternoon and then the skies darkened and serious rain fell for most of the night.

Fishing was slow. Very slow. But we caught enough for a decent walleye meal. Overall we still had a great time. I always say "The worst day in the Boundary Waters is still way better than the best day in the real world..."


Greg and his dog Frank on Clearwater Lake.


Greg and Mike on Round Lake.


Dan and Whiskey River.


Greg and his monster walleye!

9.16.08
Amazing pics. Life up the Gunflint Trail.
Rich Fink, a neighbor of ours up at Hungry Jack Lake, emailed us these amazing photos from the 1940s and 1950s at Hungry Jack and around the Gunflint Trail. He was also kind enough to mail an auto biography of Bob Gapen the former owner of our cabin.

Bob's father built Hungry Jack Lodge -called Gateway back then. The lodge was built in 1922 and Bob grew up on Hungry Jack before electricity, phone service and most other amenities were available up the trail. It was amazing reading...

Some pics are below.
See the entire gallery here: http://picasaweb.google.com/FinkFamilyAlbum