Winter? Fun

Like most places, the Duluth area has been much warmer than normal this winter. The ice fishing is generally still quite safe though. We did have an emergency meeting of the Sportsbar Association on Friday afternoon. We moved the Sportsbar out of the bermed area it was in, as the berm was filling up with water. It didn't take too much work to move the house to a better spot. I went back to the SB on Saturday and caught a bunch of little perch, wish a few decent ones mixed in, in the morning before I was joined by a neighbor. A bit later Chief MLB came out and we watched playoff football while fishing. We caught a few more nice perch, a few pike, a walleye, and two really nice crappies. Lots of fun. I stayed for the late game as well and again spent the night in the SB, catching 3 pike overnight, then getting 2 big perch and a decent pike the next morning before heading home. Another nice weekend to be living in the Northland!

This weekend brings the winter trout opener for Minnesota. My favorite time of year is starting! I'll be up on the Gunflint Trail chasing the finest fish that swims: Salvelinus namaycush (lake trout). As Chief's Finnish Uncle Norman would say: "Is der any udder fish?" Of course, cold weather has arrived just in time for this winter camping trip...lows will be below zero. We wouldn't have it any other way. I'll report when I get back.

Ice Fishing Fun

I was able to get out and do some ice fishing in our wood shack ("The Sportsbar on Rice Lake") last week. On Tuesday I got some bonus fishing in as our flights home from Pittsburgh came in early. My neighbor and I caught several nice eating sized walleyes, a number of perch, and an few pike. Later in the week I met some friends at the Sportsbar and we caught a couple decent walleyes and a jumbo perch. One of the walleyes flipped off the hook and somehow squirmed its way in to the space above the ice but under the floor of the shack. It took some work to get it back. That night I completed a Sportsbar first-I slept out there overnight. It was a warm night and I had a comfortable cot. I had a bite on one of the rattle reels not too long after I fell asleep, but the fish bit through the line right as it was coming through the hole and it got away. When I woke up the next morning, both rattle reel bobbers were down and their minnows were missing. I guess I was sleeping too soundly to notice the bites. We had quite the party out there the next day...the Smoked Fish Guy was there with two of his kids and a friend and Chief MLB came out again with some family members. Chief's daughter and son-in-law brought their new underwater camera and we all watched it get set up, find my jig, and see the jig catch a perch within about 5 seconds of getting the camera going. Pretty entertaining. The unusual winter weather became a factor that night as we packed in a drizzle that covered our gear in ice. Not what you expect in January.

My next adventure will be an opening weekend lake trout ice fishing trip (if the lakes are still frozen up north) in a couple weeks. It looks like I have a full schedule of winter camping trips again this year, and I am looking forward to them all.

Happy New Year everybody!!!

Super Kid Goes Ice Fishing

Sorry for the long delay in posts, but I haven't had many outdoor adventures. My last big fishing trip was in late September. I didn't get out at all in October and November, but I have ice fished a few times in December. I haven't had much luck, though. We put the "Sportsbar" out on the ice last on Saturday (Dec. 17). Super Kid and I went out there on Sunday. We had a great time. She fished all afternoon and never complained. She was really into it! She caught a decent northern pike (with some help). The video tells the whole story. Located at http://youtu.be/GZnjDUPVaew

We are headed to Pittsburgh for Christmas, so I probably won't get out again until New Years weekend. Happy Holidays everybody!

Annual Fall Trip

Each September, the Smoked Fish Guy and I try to take a fall lake trout trip on the last weekend of the month. This year, we were joined by the Farmer and Chief Many-Little-Bottles. We met Thursday morning and got the gear packed before heading north to Grand Marais and the Gunflint Trail. We located our entry point, paddled for a bit, and then took the moderate portage into our destination lake. We trolled our way towards our desired campsite and caught a few trout right away. The campsite we wanted was available and we got the tents and kitchen tarp set up in a drizzle. It was chilly and the drizzle was annoying but there was only a slight breeze as we got back into the canoes and trolled up a few lake trout for supper. After a happy hour that included our favorite Fitgers Brewhouse beers, we made a pot of red beans and rice complete with mirepoix and andouille sausage. Fried trout finished the entree. Delicious. Lots of laughs occurred that night, but not around a campfire...with the Pagami Creek Fire still burning well to our southwest, there was fire ban.

On Friday the weather remained chilly and gray, but it was dry. We fished for lake trout and did well, getting many eating sized fish. We learned from another group that the fire ban had been lifted that morning and fires were now allowed between 6pm and 12am. Chief and Farmer took a walk with the shotgun on a nearby lengthy portage and found a sign placed by the Forest Service that confirmed that the fire ban had been lifted, but did not find any grouse. We had fried trout and pesto noodles that night...delicious again.

Saturday dawned with more gray clouds, but as the sun rose the clouds burned off and we enjoyed a sunny, but not exactly warm, day. We caught some more lake trout, took a (short) swim, explored a nearby campsite, and relaxed. There was lots of conversation about food and different ways to prepare and preserve a variety of meats. We had curry coconut rice with lake trout that night-a really great dish. We enjoyed a campfire and gazing at the stars.

Sunday awoke with a thick fog and a grouse right in camp, but the gun could not be loaded in time to add it to our breakfast, which included a variety of smoked and cured meat products. The fog burned off and the sun came out as we packed up camp. We trolled up a couple more lakers as we headed to the portage. It was an uneventful drive home to Duluth. It was another great trip-extremely relaxing and lots of laughs with good friends.

Not sure that I will be able to get out again in October-the schedule is pretty tight. It looks like I might not get out again until the ice forms.

Nature Moment: On Saturday each canoe had gathered a bunch of firewood while we were out and brought it back to camp. When he took the wood out of Chief's canoe, the Farmer noticed a very small lizard-like animal in the bottom of the canoe. Striped with short legs and a long tail, it was only about 4 inches long. A baby salamander or something unknown? We'll have to investigate using the photos we took and find out what it was. Watch this blog for updates.

Feelin' the Burn

I took a nice fishing trip last week with some family and friends. The gang (Tangerine Boy, Wacky Worm, and Trail Mix) arrived on Wednesday night and we finished packing. On Thursday morning we headed up the North Shore and to the Gunflint Trail. We caught a tow boat ride across the first lake and paddled and portaged our way into an area that was burned in the Ham Lake fire. We were able to find an adequate campsite in a small area that hadn't burned and set up camp on a slightly warm, but overall pleasant afternoon. The fellas set up their rods and started catching some decent smallmouth bass after a bit. I cooked up a supper of brats and a vegetable medley. It was a nice evening with no bugs.

On Friday we had breakfast burritos and hit the lake. It was sunny and in the mid-70's. It was a bit breezy, but manageable. Tangerine Boy and Trail Mix hit a steep shoreline and caught a nice walleye right away. Wacky Worm and I found a familiar mid-lake reef, caught a few bass off the top of it, and then did some trolling around the edge. We were rewarded with several nice eating sized walleye that we invited for supper. Wacky Worm had a larger fish on that felt like a large walleye, but it spit the hook after a bit. We then joined the others in bass fishing the shoreline out of the wind. It was fun to watch Wacky Worm slowly work his artificial baits on the steep edges of the lake. He caught many nice bass. I trolled behind and caught a few bass and got bit off by a couple northerns that felt decent. One took my green artificial worm. Tangerine Boy and Trail Mix had equal if not better fishing for the smallies working the same shoreline, and later they spotted a bear eating blueberries on a burned hill next to the water. They got some good video of it. That night the shorefishing never turned on, but we enjoyed red beans and rice with andouille sausage and fried walleye for supper. It was another pleasant evening.

On Saturday we switched partners and I went out with Trail Mix to the "Grocery Store" walleye reef after an early morning rain shower and breakfast. The fish were still there, but this morning they were bigger. Trail Mix caught an eater walleye and a bigger bass and I had my best fishing of the trip, getting a 19" smallie, an 18" smallie, a 21.5" walleye, and a 26" walleye, all released. It was lots of fun but the fishing slowed quickly, and remained slow the rest of the day. Another walleye was added to the stringer at some point, and the bass bit a little, but overall it was slower. Trail Mix did pick up two decent pike on one pass over a reef. Trail Mix's pike had a green artificial worm hanging from its mouth-the same one I lost the day before. He caught the pike about 1/2 a mile from where I lost it. We had walleye with mashed potatoes that night. It did rain a bit that evening.

On Sunday morning it was a pleasant day as Wacky Worm and I hit the "Grocery Store" again, but only picked up one eater walleye. We switched to bass fishing the cliffs and were rewarded with several nice bass and a couple decent northern pike (28" to 30"). We checked out some other campsites on the lake, and most were made unusable by the burn. After a bit we headed to a smooth rock hill, intending to climb it and take some photos of the lake. As we waited for Tangerine Boy and Trail Mix to meet us there, we found a nice blueberry patch to snack on. The others arrived and informed us they had enjoyed fantastic fishing for smallmouth bass, including some larger ones. They had found a bay off the main lake and the fish were stacked in there. We climbed up the hill and took some photos of the view. Rain showers were just missing us to the north as we then hiked further into the burned woods to an even higher promontory. The view from there was spectacular as was the highest spot around in every direction except west. It was well worth the break in fishing to see the sights. After our hike and photo session, we hit the water again, determined to catch enough walleyes for supper. Wacky Worm and I hit searched the grocery store again, but didn't find the fish. We expanded our search around the reef and we found a secondary reef to the north that held the walleyes. We caught several, keeping a few for supper. It felt good to persevere. In the middle of our search we were caught by a surprise rain shower that came of the hill to our west. The other guys rode it out under the tarp in camp, but we never saw it coming. We weren't too wet, though, as we paddled back to camp and made a supper of pesto noodles and walleye.

On Monday it was calm as we quickly packed (Trail Mix and I had slept in a bit longer than anticipated) and paddled back down the lake to the portages and the tow boat pick up. For good measure, Wacky Worm caught a 19" smallmouth bass from shore as we waited for the tow to show. The tow ride was slow as the motor was running poorly and the operator had some issues with the route through the shallow rock section. We got the truck loaded up, made it back down the Trail, had some lunch in Grand Marais, made it back to Duluth, got the gear sorted out, and sent everyone on their way. It was good trip. We got to say hi to all of Trail Mix's family-they had come up to visit My Wonderful Bride and Super Kid while us guys were out fishing. Sounds like they had a fun Duluth weekend.

My next trip will be to the Ely area, as the MIL has rented a cabin there and asked my family to join her for a long weekend in mid-September.

Nature Moment: When paddling up the lake on our first day, we spotted movement along shoreline and were surprised to see three Great Horned Owls hanging on a tree along shore in the middle of the day. It seemed to be an unusual sight...three owls in one spot, but we surmised that they were this year's nearly fully grown owlets, waiting for mom to bring a meal.

Take a Kid Fishing

I took a fun little fishing trip earlier this week. On Sunday morning Officer Friendly, the Smoked Fish Guy, and I got the camping gear, a boat, 2 canoes, and the Smoked Fish Guy's three boys (Fire Feeder-age 10, and twins Spider Man and Chatter Box, age 8) packed up and we headed north. We picked up the permit and a rented a boat at the landing (I have my own motor). So, at about 10am, we headed off into the lake with 2 motor boats, 2 canoes (on a rack on the Smoked Fish Guy's boat), 3 adults, 3 kids, and a ton of gear and refreshments. The trip across the first lake and then the "truck portage" (actually a four wheeler and a boat trailer) went smoothly as did the long ride across the BWCA (motors allowed) lake we would be camping on. After getting camp set up and taking a swim on this hot, muggy day, we set out to get some fish for supper. A reef just off camp produced several eating sized smallmouth bass, which we fried up and ate. The mosquitoes were out in force at dusk. Unfortunately, the Smoked Fish Guy's outboard motor quit while we were out fishing and wouldn't start again. (Phone conversations (cell coverage is quite good in this part of the BWCA) with the boat rental place later in the week were not fruitful in getting a replacement motor brought to us (odd logistical issues), so in the end we would just tow one boat.)

On Monday, we had a leisurely breakfast, packed our fishing gear, and portaged into a nearby, smaller, lake. It was a breezy day as paddled Fire Feeder and Spider Man around, trolling spinners. All I did was paddle, bait hooks, and unhook fish. The kids were great and the action was fast for eater walleyes and small northern pike. The Smoked Fish Guy, Officer Friendly, and Chatter Box also had lots of action. We left the canoes on the far side of the portage and went back to camp via the portage and a connecting trail. After a swim, we cleaned our walleyes and fried them up with some mac and cheese.

Tuesday dawned much cooler with a breeze. We packed our gear and headed back across the portage. This time I was pair up with Officer Friendly and Chatter Box. We explored the north portion of the lake getting some pike and walleyes trolling spinners and Officer Friendly caught a couple walleyes from shore while eating lunch. One was fairly large-the biggest walleye I had ever seen in this particular lake. We portaged the canoe and gear back to the big lake after lunch and did some fishing there, getting only small bass and one big bluegill-an unusual BWCA catch by Officer Friendly. We had fried fish and mashed potatoes for supper.

Wednesday morning was cool and breezy. We packed up camp and then rigged up a tow rope for the rental boat after putting my operational motor on the Smoked Fish Guy's boat. The whole operation, including the truck portage, when surprisingly well and we made it back to the landing unscathed. After getting the gear packed in the van and trailering the boat, we headed home, stopping for burgers at a local joint.

It was a fun trip. The boats allowed us to bring some luxury items such as beer and chairs, the fishing was good, and I enjoyed helping the kids learn some new skills (trolling, portaging, gathering firewood, etc.).

Nature Moment: The kids were not fans of the bugs in the BWCA. Their biggest concern was for spiders. Spider Man was particularly anxious. On Tuesday night we were just about to hit the hay when my headlamp caught a shadow hovering right above Spider Mans's head. It was a huge, creepy looking spider descending from a pine tree. Much to Spider Man's relief, the arachnid zipped back up to the crown of the tree when he saw us checking him out.

July 4th Fun

We took a family camping trip over the 4th this year. On Sunday morning (the 3rd) My Wonderful Bride, Super Kid, and I left Duluth and headed up the shore. We turned inland at Grand Marais and headed up the Gunflint Trail. After lunch at trail center, we continued on to our chosen campground. We had reserved a very nice site with big pines and a lake view. Super Kid was very excited and helped set up the tents and the rest of camp. It was a warm, sunny day and the Bride took a nap while Super Kid and I played cards and listened to the ball game. We had a great supper of chicken and red beans and rice. I did some shore fishing that night and caught one walleye with the lighted bobbber. Mosquitoes were out in force.

On Monday the 4th, we had a lazy morning with big breakfast and then we took off on canoe ride. We spotted a mama bear and cub in a nearby tree, just hanging out. We didn't get any fish and it was getting muggy, so we drove to a nearby lake to enjoy it's sandy beach. After lunch My Bride and Super Kid took a nap. We dodged rain showers and took a walk to see a small waterfall that afternoon. We took another swim as well. The muggy day gave way to severe thunderstorms that night, right after bed time. I had to wake My Bride and Super Kid up to evacuate camp when one of the storms hit (the big pines made me nervous regarding lightening and strong winds). After it calmed we were able to get back to sleep.

On Tuesday we drove down the road to a river area to check for moose, but didn't spot any. We then checked out a new museum that featured the history and nature of the Gunflint Trail. It was nice and kid friendly. We took a walk on their boardwalk and watched a loon on her nest. After lunch we all took naps. I did a little fishing that afternoon and we did some swimming and went to a nearby outfitters for ice cream. It was a quiet evening.

On Wednesday we packed up and hit the road back to Grand Marais, where we had lunch. It was an uneventful ride home.

Nature Moment: A pair of merlins (small hawk/falcons) were nested in a pine tree right new our campsite. They were interesting to observe. We saw mid-air handoffs of food (mice and songbirds) and we laughed at their protectiveness of the nest. They would attack anything that wandered into their area. We saw them hit eagles, vultures, ducks, and sea gulls.