Tuesday, September 04, 2012

Labor Day Weekend, 2012 -- On Leech Lake

The weekend was warm, mostly sunny and the wind varied between dead calm and quite breezy. High temperatures hit close to 90 degrees, but luckily it wasn't too humid. We did have some very strong winds on Monday, including a light sprinkling of rain. But for the most part, it was a beautiful late-summer weekend in the northwoods.

Joe and I did get out to do some bass fishing, but with no luck. We tried a variety of tactics -- spinnerbaits pulled quickly and rolled, Texas-rigged weightless Senko's and jigs -- but none produced fish. I also spent time on the water on Saturday, Sunday and Monday doing some drifting for perch (or maybe the stray walleye) but caught only a handful of small- to medium-sized perch. Actually, I did catch one jumbo perch, a very nice 11-inch fish, but after putting it in the live well for a brief period I eventually released it since it was the only one I caught and one perch isn't enough for a meal for two people, even if it is a jumbo.

Joe and I found time to do some bike riding and swimming. We also had a fire, played some dominoes and watched some shows on DVD. We BBQed for dinner, including a very tasty brined, grilled chicken with North Alabama White BBQ sauce.
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It's hard to believe we've already hit the "unofficial" end of summer; complete with the end of the Minnesota State Fair on Monday. It seems like just yesterday I arrived in Minnesota and was preparing to get the boat in the water, get the canopy on the boat lift, and, oh well, enough reminiscing and whining. It's September and we all have to brace ourselves for the onslaught of Fall and Winter and all that comes with it.

I'm just happy for the time I have to spend with my son at Leech Lake. And it does a man's heart good to know that his son is as fond as he is of the northwoods, campfires, fishing, shooting guns and not seeing other people for days at a time.

Until tomorrow, or maybe next week...

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