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Archive for June, 2009


bwca1By Chris Walden

A few summers ago a friend invited me on on a trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area for a six night trip. I had not been camping in twenty years, and never in a wilderness setting like BWCA. Reluctantly, I agreed. Fortunately, I loved it! I’ve been there a few times since and am eagerly awaiting my next trip later this summer.

Having a good plan is paramount to a successful trip.

I’ve learned a lot about what to do (and not to do) while in the BWCA — some thing’s I wish I would have known before heading out. Having a good plan is paramount to a successful trip. In this series of articles I will to share some tips about wilderness camping.

Articles will include how evaluating your group and planning a route. How to choose a canoe — including: materials, types of canoe, sizes, and just enough technical information to understand rocker and weight distribution and even a video about paddling basics and what do if you capsize. We will talk about tents, tarps, and other necessary equipment. I will discuss choosing a good campsite and how to pack enough food without having too much.

With good plans and correct expectations — you can have great trip. A bad plan can ruin a vacation quickly. Fat Man’s Landing wants you to enjoy your wilderness adventure and we are here to help. Check back soon for the next article.

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It won’t clip your toenails. It won’t skin a rabbit. It won’t slice rope, repair a canoe or tweeze out a splinter, and it’s not going to do a damn thing to get that fallen boulder off your chest. But when the chips are down and all hope is lost, a hazelnut chocolate bar isn’t the worst multi-function tool to have at arm’s reach—though tequila might be our first choice. See www.swissknifeshop.com

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steakMeat tips: On refreezing meat, you can refreeze meat that has been thawed in a refrigerator, the problem is home freezers are slow to freeze, so make sure to put package well into the back of the freezer as you can. Ice crystals form in slow freezing, these crystals rupture cell walls of the meat, permitting juice to escape during cooking.

Keep It Moist

A great way to help add moisture is to soak a meat in water, like a whole roast or ham, for 1 to 2 hours before cooking and decreases cooking time. On the grill add an ice cube to tin foil covered meat or vegetables for moisture. If lean meat is needed in your diet, trim off fat from beef and skin from chicken or turkey, it can take away from moisture.

Wild meats: Bear, deer heart, roasts, etc, marinating for 24-hours in water and herbs can really add to the taste and take away from the wild taste. Include herbs like: ground sage, bay leaves, garlic, thyme, parsley, salt, pepper. To get creative with marinade add in things such as: chili powder, tarragon, wine, vinegar, ketchup, lemon, soy sauce, or onion. Turmeric and curry can be used in marinating for exotic taste. Marinating can take as little as 2-hours, 24-hours for jerky, and up to 48-hours, depending on taste.

Special Note:

  • Use a clean wooden cutting board, this will not dull the knife, a plastic board can chip off small pieces of plastic into food.
  • Always store raw meat on the bottom of the refrigerator so juices won’t leak onto other foods.

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fatmanslanding.com_monsterpikeTwo Northerns On One Line?

I felt a bite – or so I thought? I was reeling, when the line pulled tight. I jerked on the line, “I’m snagged,” I called out. As we prepared to backup the canoe, I felt
a tug. “Wait! —No? It’s two fish and boy is he big! Get the camera!,” I shouted as
Erik Paulsen, U.S. Congressman and avid outdoor enthusiast, prepared the net.

With Erik’s help we got some great action shots!

We’ve all seen pictures of large Northerns, but catching one trying to eat the other is an incredible sight!

The big one we let go to fight another day.

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grandpamadeline_mtka It was a slow Crappie bite…all of a sudden, this 28-inch Northern Pike came along! If I were a Crappie, I’d hide too.

Pictured Left: Grandpa and Granddaughter Madeline Nelson
on Lake Minnetonka, MN

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