Another Trout Trip

It was time for another lake trout fishing/winter camping adventure this weekend. Being a government lackey, I had Monday off, so the Smoked Fish Guy and I left early Saturday morning and headed north. We settled in at the same campsite as two weeks ago, so setting up camp was a snap and we headed on to the lake and were fishing by 11:00 a.m. It was a mostly sunny day with very little wind, so we checked out a few fishing spots and fished outside the portable ice house some. I ended up getting three nice lake trout that afternoon. The Smoked Fish Guy was denied any fish, although he did have one on for a bit. We cruised back to camp that evening and the Smoke Fish Guy made an incredible supper of smoked pork ribs. Very good. We listened to the local station's Saturday night trivia show and turned in.

On Sunday we were forced to go to the north side of the lake in order to escape the predicted 20mph north winds. When we got set up the wind was still out of the west, however, and we connected with lake trout right away. I caught four and the Smoked Fish Guy caught two. Late in the morning the wind suddenly shifted to the north and it began snowing in earnest. The fish shut down. We never had a bite after the weather changed. Why do lake trout 30 feet down under 24 inches of ice care what the weather is? The snow and wind obliterated our sled trail in, so it was more of a slog getting back to camp that evening. It was Italian Sausages with roasted peppers, fried onions, and pepperchini's for supper that night.

On Monday the wind was still very strong out of the north and it was snowing off and on. We fished until noon and never had a bite. After getting camp packed up we headed down the road to Duluth.

Notes: I am not one to to this very often, but people should be aware that they should never buy any ice fishing gear from Clam. Wow. They might as well call it the "Clam Disposable Fishhouse." One time use only. Half the stitches pulled out, the zipper broke, the materials was wearing to the point of needing duct tape in spots, the top hub bent, and finally the material tore from one of the side, rendering it useless. I had bought the Clam Expedition on Dec. 15th and used it a total of 9 days. I'll be on the phone with them today.

Next camping trip is already coming up this weekend, as my lovely wife and child are visiting friends out of town.

Nature Moment: Heading back down the Gunflint Trail on Monday afternoon, a bull moose crossed in front of the truck and then hung out for a while just off the road, pausing conveniently for photos. Moose populations are decreasing in NE MN, but this one looked healthy.