BWJ T.R.I.P.S. PROGRAM  ---  All active 3 and 5 year BWJ subscribers are eligible to participate in our  FREE canoe trip planning service .  Consult one-on-one with BWJ Publisher/wilderness guide Stu Osthoff.  I spend 8+ weeks each season paddling the BWCAW/Quetico through my Grand Slam Guide Service.  My 35 years of association with thousands of BWJ readers means I can probably help with your next trip.  Typically, I can share advice/recommendations on campsite rankings, proven fishing spots by species, portage trail conditions, water levels, where to find solitude, blueberries, historical sites etc.
 

BWJ TRIPS ELIGIBILITY:  All active 3 and 5 year BWJ subscribers are eligible to participate in TRIPS.  Subscribers with 1 or 2 year subscriptions may extend their subscription to the 3 or 5 year level at any time to immediately participate in BWJ TRIPS.   Remember, when it comes time to renew your BWJ subscription, sign up for 3 or 5 years so you can take advantage of the BWJ TRIPS program for all of your canoe trip adventures. 

TO PARTICIPATE IN THE BWJ TRIPS PROGRAM, CAREFULLY FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Select your route and email a general description- entry point, major lakes, exit point to  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
2. Wait for Stu to email back “Yes I can help” or “No I can’t help”.  Please understand I am only comfortable giving advice for what I have personally experienced first hand. 
3. If Stu can help, go to the BWJ TRIPS Questionnaire and fill it out as completely as possible.  Print it out.
4. If you already have a Mckenzie, Fisher or Voyageur map(s) of your route, mail the maps, questionnaire and a self addressed envelope with sufficient return postage to the address below.
5. If you do not have maps of your route, you can order them from the BWJ Voyageur Trading Post.  We sell all Mckenzie and Fisher BWCAW/Quetico maps.  If ordering online, include a message that the maps are for a BWJ TRIPS report.  Meanwhile- you still need to mail the questionnaire.  A regular shipping charge for the maps will be added to your invoice so no SASE is needed in this case.   If ordering your maps by phone (1-800-548-7319), tell the staff the maps are for a BWJ TRIPS report so they can be directed to Stu for him to mark up before they are shipped to you.  Again – you still need to send the BWJ TRIPS questionnaire so I know what you’re interested in on your trip.

PLEASE NOTE**   I personally prefer McKenzie maps for the BWJ TRIPS Program.  Their larger scale makes it easier for me to accurately mark specific locations.  Islands, points, bays etc. are more distinguishable on a larger scale.  McKenzie also has more of the BWCAW lakes depth charted which is a real asset for fishing reefs and structure.  Black and white photocopies are no longer acceptable, as it is too hard for me to read and mark them. 

Please allow 4 weeks for your BWJ TRIPS report to be processed.  Try to submit your BWJ TRIPS request between January and April.  From mid-May through November I am “in the woods”.  Do not wait until summer . 
It is my pleasure to share what I can to help you enjoy your wilderness canoe trip.  Thank you very much for being a loyal BWJ subscriber. 

Maps can be ordered online or by calling BWJ at 1-800-548-7319  
Mail maps, questionnaire and SASE to BWJ TRIPS  9396 Rocky Ledge Road  Ely, MN 55731  

Sincerely,
Stu Osthoff , Publisher