September 15, 2012 -- On Leech Lake

This morning at 9:30 a.m. the temperature was 55 degrees, the sky was sunny and blue and the wind was again out of the SE at 10 mph. The water along our shoreline was calm, with the waves starting to form about a third of the way across Sucker Bay, due to the orientation of Ottertail Peninsula to the wind.

After breakfast Joe and I decided that we would spend the afternoon on the water fishing. We packed up some sandwiches and drinks into the cooler, lowered the boat into the 64 degree water and motored out to a spot in front of the Malay's cabin. Once there we deployed the drift sock and let the wind push the boat north on Sucker Bay and out away from shore.

The weather couldn't have been nicer for a late-summer day in Northern Minnesota. The temperature was in the low 70's, the breeze was about 10 mph out of the south and the sky was mostly sunny, which sparkled off the water. It was the perfect day to be on the water and enjoy a Saturday afternoon listening to the Bemidji State football game on the radio.

Second Duck Point and Duck Point in the distance from Sucker Bay

We had only a dozen or so fatheads left from the scoop I'd purchased at the resort the other day, and we went through those quicker than I had anticipated. Rather than switch to plastic, artificial bait, we decided to come ashore so I could make a run up to the resort to buy more minnows. We would have gone by boat, but neither Joe nor I had any money on us.

Back on shore Joe did some yoga while I drove the truck to Birch Ridge Resort where I picked up two good scoops of minnows; more than enough to last us for a few trips on the water.

About an hour after landing on shore we were back on the lake fishing. Again we set up shop in front of the Malay's and drifted north toward the Birches. We hooked numerous small- to medium-sized perch, a few northern pike and even a couple of rock bass.

As the afternoon progressed, Joe and I did start catching perch that were a bit bigger, and by the time we came in at 7:00 p.m. -- after A Prairie Home Companion, which we listened to on the water -- we had put four perch in the live well, ranging from 9-10 1/2 inches. Enough for another tasty fish fry.

We stopped by the Newman's once we were back on shore again for a couple of beers and so Joe could see Karen and Johnny, neither of whom he'd seen in several years. We had a nice visit before coming home and having a simple dinner.

We ended the evening with another long Skype video call with Kathleen, Melissa and Jayden. Joe and I had a wonderful day at the lake, and it's going to be very difficult for both of us to readjust to life in Silicon Valley. It's just so quiet and peaceful here. As Karen Newman said tonight, "when I'm at the lake if feels like my soul can relax." Ain't it the truth.

Good night from Leech Lake.