Today was another cold, grey and rainy day. The temperature was 52 degrees, the wind was out of the NW at 5-8 mph and the water temperature was 51.5 degrees.
I put my aerated bucket of fathead minnows in the boat and shoved off from the boat lift at 1:00 p.m. under completely grey skies and a light rain. I decided that rather than heading north to the Birches, that I was start my drift at Second Duck Point in 8-12 feet of water.
I tipped my 1/8 oz. Northland spinner/jig with a fathead and got down to business. For the next 2 1/2 hours I caught several good-sized perch, but decided to put all of them back into Leech Lake.
At 3:15 p.m. the wind started to pick up and I saw lightening over the north end of Sucker Bay. I decided that staying on the water with lightening that close was foolish, so I fired up my Mercury Verado, put the big 150hp motor in gear and quickly made it back to the boat lift. No sooner had I come ashore than lightening was striking all over Sucker Bay, many bolts right where I had been fishing just minutes ago.
I made the short walk from the cabin to the house and in that brief time the storm had moved directly overhead. First it began to rain very hard, then the storm started to pelt us with heavy hail. About 20 minutes into the storm the power went out. This created a bit of concern for all of us residents on the Peninsula because tonight is the night of the annual Otter Tail Peninsula Association potluck dinner at the Community Center. Without power, none of us would be able to prepare the food that we had planned to bring to the potluck.
As the afternoon turned into evening, and without power, phone calls were made to the Association President, VP and Secretary to find out if the potluck was a 'go' or not. Around 5:30 p.m., just a half hour before the scheduled start of the potluck, word was sent out that the event would be postponed until tomorrow 1 p.m.
Kathleen and I settled in front of a roaring fire in the living room to stay warm -- the outside temperature was now in the 40s -- and listened to A Prairie Home Companion on the portable radio.
Finally around 9:30 p.m. the power was restored.
Just another interesting day on Leech Lake, where the weather is an important part of every day.
Monday, April 27, 2009
October 10, 2008 on Leech Lake
Today the temperature hit only 41 degrees and there was a hard, steady rain all day long. Fall is definitely here. The wind was at 8 mph out of the NW.
Despite the rain, the cold and dark skies, I decided I'd do some later afternoon fishing. I hit the water at 4:00 p.m.
I drifted off the Birches along the weed line using a jig/spinner tipped with a live fathead minnow (I picked up a couple of scoops yesterday). I caught no fish.
I switched to trolling a Minnow Rap and again was skunked. It was very cold on Leech Lake as the sun was sinking low, so I decided I'd head to shore at 5:25 p.m.
Once on shore I cleaned the walleye that I had caught on Oct. 7, and Kathleen and I had it for dinner. Nothing beats a fresh Leech Lake walleye dinner.
Tomorrow is the annual Otter Tail Peninsula Association potluck dinner at the Community Center. Since purchasing our house in 2001, I've yet to miss a potluck dinner -- this will be my eighth.
My boat on the lift at the cabin. The reeds, like the leaves on the trees, have turned yellow.
October 9, 2008 -- A Scenic Drive
Today was another very windy day. The sky was mostly sunny, the wind was 20+ mph out of the WSW. The temperature was 54 degrees.
Kathleen and I needed to go into town to pick up a few groceries, but rather make our usual run to Bemidji, we decided we would go into Deer River, and then take the "scenic" way home. In northern Minnesota, in the Chippewa National Forest, nearly every highway and road you could possibly drive on is scenic. The route we had planned was one we had never taken before and we figured it would be especially beautiful since the leaves on the trees were near full Fall color.
After our stop in Deer River we started out heading west on Hwy. 2 for just a couple of miles before turning off on State Route 46 heading NW. State Rt. 46 led us to the far eastern edge of Lake Winnibigoshish where the Mississippi River flows out of the lake. Kathleen and I stopped there to check out the beautiful scenery around the river.
We then continued NW on State Rt. 46 to Alvwood where we turned west onto County Route 13/30 (it's Rt. 13 in Itasca County and turns into Rt. 30 when you cross into Beltrami County). This was a particularly spectacular road, so we took our time and enjoyed every colorful tree and beautiful meadow.
County Route 30 took us into the small town of Blackduck, just east of Blackduck Lake. We stopped in Blackduck so Kathleen could check the incredible fabric store in town. I have to admit, I've never seen a fabric store, even the big chains, with such an amazing selection of material.
We left Blackduck going south on County Rt. 39. That took us through the Buena Vista State Forest by the eastern shore of Kitchi Lake and Cass Lake. Along Rt. 39 we stopped in the very tiny town of Pennington, where I bought two scoops of fathead minnows. Eventually Rt. 39 led us to Hwy. 2 again, about 10 miles west of Sucker Bay Road.
The entire venture took us four or five hours and we couldn't have had a better time. The sun was shining most of the day, the color of the Fall leaves on the trees was spectacular, and we saw no more than 5 or 6 cars the whole trip. Although we didn't spend the day at Leech Lake, we did enjoy the splendor of northern Minnesota.
Kathleen and I needed to go into town to pick up a few groceries, but rather make our usual run to Bemidji, we decided we would go into Deer River, and then take the "scenic" way home. In northern Minnesota, in the Chippewa National Forest, nearly every highway and road you could possibly drive on is scenic. The route we had planned was one we had never taken before and we figured it would be especially beautiful since the leaves on the trees were near full Fall color.
After our stop in Deer River we started out heading west on Hwy. 2 for just a couple of miles before turning off on State Route 46 heading NW. State Rt. 46 led us to the far eastern edge of Lake Winnibigoshish where the Mississippi River flows out of the lake. Kathleen and I stopped there to check out the beautiful scenery around the river.
We then continued NW on State Rt. 46 to Alvwood where we turned west onto County Route 13/30 (it's Rt. 13 in Itasca County and turns into Rt. 30 when you cross into Beltrami County). This was a particularly spectacular road, so we took our time and enjoyed every colorful tree and beautiful meadow.
County Route 30 took us into the small town of Blackduck, just east of Blackduck Lake. We stopped in Blackduck so Kathleen could check the incredible fabric store in town. I have to admit, I've never seen a fabric store, even the big chains, with such an amazing selection of material.
We left Blackduck going south on County Rt. 39. That took us through the Buena Vista State Forest by the eastern shore of Kitchi Lake and Cass Lake. Along Rt. 39 we stopped in the very tiny town of Pennington, where I bought two scoops of fathead minnows. Eventually Rt. 39 led us to Hwy. 2 again, about 10 miles west of Sucker Bay Road.
The entire venture took us four or five hours and we couldn't have had a better time. The sun was shining most of the day, the color of the Fall leaves on the trees was spectacular, and we saw no more than 5 or 6 cars the whole trip. Although we didn't spend the day at Leech Lake, we did enjoy the splendor of northern Minnesota.
October 8, 2008
Today was a beautiful Fall day, although very windy. The temperature was 52 degrees and the wind was 20+ mph out of the SW. The sky was mostly sunny.
Kathleen and I did some final touch-up painting at the cabin today, and then played in the yard by chasing, and trying to catch, the leaves as they were blown off the trees. We spent nearly all day outside and had a wonderful time.
No fishing on Leech Lake today.
Kathleen and I did some final touch-up painting at the cabin today, and then played in the yard by chasing, and trying to catch, the leaves as they were blown off the trees. We spent nearly all day outside and had a wonderful time.
No fishing on Leech Lake today.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
October 7, 2008 on Leech Lake
I went fishing twice today. The first time was from noon to 2:00 p.m. I took advantage of the 5-10 mph west wind to push my boat from 12 feet of water off the Birches toward shore. This direction of the drift took me over the edge of the weed line and into the weeds near shore. At this time of year the weeds are starting to dying off, and the few healthy green weeds that remain typically hold bait fish. I figured if I fished the green weeds, this is where the predators, such as walleyes, would be staging.
The sky today was partly cloudy and the temperature was 54 degrees. The water temperature was a bit warmer at 55 degrees.
I used my standard Northland jig, silver spinner blade and Gulp minnow set up. I caught numerous perch, but no real jumbos worth keeping nor any walleyes.
Once back on shore I turned my attention to a 40-foot maple tree that had fallen on our property. I used my Stihl chain saw to cut it into 2-3 foot sections, then used my log splitter to cut it into fire wood. In the Northwoods of Minnesota, a person can never have too much firewood on hand.
Later this evening -- from 6:30 to 8:45 p.m. -- I went trolling. Since my favorite hot steel-colored Minnow Rap had been destroyed by a walleye a few nights ago, I had to switch to a purpledescent Minnow Rap; similar in color to the hot steel. I trolled my usual route from Second Duck Point north to the Malay's cabin in 9-12 feet of water. I caught a very hefty 16 1/4" walleye which went into the live well of my Lund Pro-V 1800 IFS. That fish will make a nice dinner for me and Kathleen.
Another fantastic evening on Leech Lake.
The sky today was partly cloudy and the temperature was 54 degrees. The water temperature was a bit warmer at 55 degrees.
I used my standard Northland jig, silver spinner blade and Gulp minnow set up. I caught numerous perch, but no real jumbos worth keeping nor any walleyes.
Once back on shore I turned my attention to a 40-foot maple tree that had fallen on our property. I used my Stihl chain saw to cut it into 2-3 foot sections, then used my log splitter to cut it into fire wood. In the Northwoods of Minnesota, a person can never have too much firewood on hand.
Later this evening -- from 6:30 to 8:45 p.m. -- I went trolling. Since my favorite hot steel-colored Minnow Rap had been destroyed by a walleye a few nights ago, I had to switch to a purpledescent Minnow Rap; similar in color to the hot steel. I trolled my usual route from Second Duck Point north to the Malay's cabin in 9-12 feet of water. I caught a very hefty 16 1/4" walleye which went into the live well of my Lund Pro-V 1800 IFS. That fish will make a nice dinner for me and Kathleen.
Another fantastic evening on Leech Lake.
October 6, 2008 on Leech Lake
It was an overcast, grey day today. The temperature was 56 degrees, the wind was out of the SSE at 10-15 mph and the water temperature was 55 degrees.
I went fishing from 1:00 to 3:30 p.m. in 8-12 feet of water while drifting along the weed line from our cabin to in front of Schiebe's cabin. I used a Northland jig, silver spinner blade and Gulp minnows. Unfortunately, all I caught was one 26" northern pike; no walleye. I did, however, have a wonder couple of hours on Leech Lake. I sure love it here.
I went fishing from 1:00 to 3:30 p.m. in 8-12 feet of water while drifting along the weed line from our cabin to in front of Schiebe's cabin. I used a Northland jig, silver spinner blade and Gulp minnows. Unfortunately, all I caught was one 26" northern pike; no walleye. I did, however, have a wonder couple of hours on Leech Lake. I sure love it here.
October 5, 2008 on Leech Lake
The wind was strong today at 20 mph out of the SE, but I decided to go fishing even though the lake was churning with white caps. The temperature was 60 degrees and the water temperature was 56 degrees.
After maneuvering the boat off the lift and into the waves, I motored the boat south toward Second Duck Point. With a SE wind, that would push the boat in the direction of our house and cabin, and continue to push me toward the Birches.
I used a Northland Neon-tone Gum-Ball jig with a silver spinner blade, tipped with a Gulp minnow. I made several drifts, but caught no fish. I headed back to shore at 3:45 p.m.
Here's Kathleen on the road-side of our house at Leech Lake. The leaves on the trees are starting to change colors.
After maneuvering the boat off the lift and into the waves, I motored the boat south toward Second Duck Point. With a SE wind, that would push the boat in the direction of our house and cabin, and continue to push me toward the Birches.
I used a Northland Neon-tone Gum-Ball jig with a silver spinner blade, tipped with a Gulp minnow. I made several drifts, but caught no fish. I headed back to shore at 3:45 p.m.
Here's Kathleen on the road-side of our house at Leech Lake. The leaves on the trees are starting to change colors.
October 4, 2008 on Leech Lake
The air and water temperatures today were an identical 56 degrees. The wind was calm to 5 mph out of the SW.
I went trolling for walleye this evening from 6:30 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. I used my old standby lure, the #9 Rapala Minnow Rap in hot steel color. Just as the sun was setting I caught a northern pike, which I immediately released back into Leech Lake.
I continued to troll from Second Duck Point to the Malay's cabin in 10-12 feet of water and caught two nice walleyes -- 15" and 22" -- the larger of which completely mangled my lure.
After using the hot steel-colored Minnow Rap all summer long, and having replaced the treble hooks on it more than once, the entire rear part of the lure gave out. The tail of the lure had been bitten by more than 100 toothy critters this season -- including walleye and pike, and even one tiger muskie. Apparently it could take no more and broke. I removed the hooks and now have my favorite lure on the key chain for my truck keys. At least it broke in service of catching walleye.
My favorite walleye lure, the #9 Rapala Minnow Rap in hot steel color
October 3, 2008 on Leech Lake
The last time Kathleen and I had been in the boat together was September 18, when she, Rick, Beth and I all went for a boat ride after an afternoon of painting the cabin. It was a beautiful day today, so we thought we should take a ride around Sucker Bay.
We got in the boat at 1:00 p.m., under sunny skies, a temperature of 52 degrees and virtually no wind. The water temperature was still 57 degrees.
We first took a leisurely ride up Sucker Bay to Birch Ridge resort, then headed south toward Big Hardwood Point. At Big Harwood, Kathleen and I tried a little drift fishing with jigs and soft plastics, but didn't catch anything.
We then motored over to Otter Tail Point, where I made a few passes around the point trolling a #9 Minnow Rap. Again no fish.
We then took a ride up to Duck Point and finally to Second Duck Point and home. It was a wonderful time on the water with Kathleen.
Later in the afternoon I took the boat out myself and did some drifting from Second Duck Point to the Birches. I caught a couple of decent perch using an 1/8 oz. Northland Neon-tone Gum-Ball jig, a silver spinner blade and Gulp minnows. All perch were released back into Leech Lake.
The big news today was that Kathleen's first cousin, Tom Petters, was jailed on a number of federal charges stemming from an alleged Ponzi scheme that bilked investors out of $3.5B. Obviously this is of great concern to Kathleen's entire family.
Here are some photos Kathleen and I took on our boat ride.
Kathleen in the boat on the north end of Sucker Bay on Leech Lake.
Me at the helm during our ride on Sucker Bay, Leech Lake.
A view of Sucker Bay from the north. On the left is Second Duck Point. In the center is Duck Point. On the right, Goose Island. You get a sense of how big Leech Lake really is, this is just one bay on the lake.
Our property. On the right is the flag pole and dock of our house, and on the left is the boat lift and dock at our cabin. Three-hundred feet of heaven on Leech Lake.
We got in the boat at 1:00 p.m., under sunny skies, a temperature of 52 degrees and virtually no wind. The water temperature was still 57 degrees.
We first took a leisurely ride up Sucker Bay to Birch Ridge resort, then headed south toward Big Hardwood Point. At Big Harwood, Kathleen and I tried a little drift fishing with jigs and soft plastics, but didn't catch anything.
We then motored over to Otter Tail Point, where I made a few passes around the point trolling a #9 Minnow Rap. Again no fish.
We then took a ride up to Duck Point and finally to Second Duck Point and home. It was a wonderful time on the water with Kathleen.
Later in the afternoon I took the boat out myself and did some drifting from Second Duck Point to the Birches. I caught a couple of decent perch using an 1/8 oz. Northland Neon-tone Gum-Ball jig, a silver spinner blade and Gulp minnows. All perch were released back into Leech Lake.
The big news today was that Kathleen's first cousin, Tom Petters, was jailed on a number of federal charges stemming from an alleged Ponzi scheme that bilked investors out of $3.5B. Obviously this is of great concern to Kathleen's entire family.
Here are some photos Kathleen and I took on our boat ride.
Kathleen in the boat on the north end of Sucker Bay on Leech Lake.
Me at the helm during our ride on Sucker Bay, Leech Lake.
A view of Sucker Bay from the north. On the left is Second Duck Point. In the center is Duck Point. On the right, Goose Island. You get a sense of how big Leech Lake really is, this is just one bay on the lake.
Our property. On the right is the flag pole and dock of our house, and on the left is the boat lift and dock at our cabin. Three-hundred feet of heaven on Leech Lake.
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