Great hosts, clean cabins and awesome fishing
By A Yahoo! Contributor, 8/14/09
Just returned to NJ with my 18 year old son after three days of fishing with Jim at Moose Tracks. Although we were there in the "dog days" of mid-August and I hadn't set my expectations too high, Jim knew where and how to put us on to trophy-sized pike (as large as 41 inches, 22 lbs.) and smallmouth bass (20.5 in. 5 lbs.). We also fished a day with Josh, who works for Jim and Joan, who is also very friendly and knowledgeable about fishing in the area.
In addition to his fishing knowledge, Jim is a smart, easy-going, likable, hardworking guy who is fun to hang out with. Although we did only day fishing trips portaging into Basswood Lake, Jim impressed me as some one who would be a terrific trip leader for multi-day Boundary Water canoe trips and has definitely piqued my interest in signing up for such a trip.
Jim's wife Joan is also a real pleasure to talk to, very helpful with anything we needed, and works hard to keep the resort and cabins ultra-clean and running smoothly. From the first time I spoke with her on the telephone to inquire about the trip through to saying goodbye, Joan did her best to make everything easy for us (while managing to run the resort and raise two sweet kids at the same time).
Jim and Joan were also very knowledgeable about the area and their recommendations were spot-on for things such as where to buy food for the cabin, where to eat in Ely, where to get fishing licenses, and any other thing we wanted to know. The newly-remodeled cabin we stayed in was as clean and comfortable as home in contrast to musty, dusty cabins we have been in elsewhere. It felt like heaven at the end of a long day of fishing to sit in the Adirondack chairs in front of the cabin, a few yards from the lake, and just gaze out at the beautiful lake. I couldn't have asked for a better place to take my son for a fishing vacation a few weeks before I drop him off at college for the first time.
Last, a quick shout out for Maggie, Jim and Joan's beautiful, friendly and mellow golden retriever.