6 Days and Counting...
Believe it or not, the temperature hit 78 degrees this afternoon! That's the warmest it's been here at Leech Lake in a number of weeks. The water temperature has warmed to 70 degrees.
The wind today was light at 5-8 mph out of the SSE, but the sky was mostly cloudy. As the day progressed, the cloud cover increased until it the sky was completely overcast by 4:30 p.m. There is a chance of a late-afternoon or early-evening thunderstorm.
My nephew Jackson and I went fishing from 1:15 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and tried numerous locations on Sucker Bay from Second Duck Point to in front of our house to The Birches. Jackson caught numerous perch, including some very nice-sized ones, some rock bass and a 22" northern pike. Jackson was using a jig, a small Colorado blade spinner and a chartreuse plastic trailer.
I used a variety of jigs and plastic and a jig tipped with a leech. I caught a few perch and rock bass, but no northerns or walleye.
This evening I made BBQ chicken and roasted corn-on-the-cob for dinner. Afterward we sat around the camp fire and made s'mores. Ashley and Jackson played ping pong while Sandy, Liz and I sat around the fire and talked.
As of 10:00 p.m. we still haven't had any thunderstorms, or even any rain.
After we doused the fire, we went back to the house to watch a movie. Liz and Ashley leave for St. Cloud tomorrow. I hope they enjoyed their time at Leech Lake.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
July 22, 2009 -- At Leech Lake
The approaching storm at 5:05 p.m.
7 Days and Counting...
One week from today I'll be on a plane jetting my way back to San Jose, California and away from the peace, serenity and beauty of Leech Lake. I have many things that require my attention in California so it is necessary for me to be there, but if given the choice, I'd remain here in the northwoods.
Today we awoke to a day much like yesterday -- sunny, but with a good amount of billowy white clouds in the sky, a light wind of 5-8 mph out of the SSW, and a humid 68 degree temperature. As the day progressed, the cloud cover increased, the rumble of faraway thunder could be heard and the threat of thunderstorms hung in the heavy air.
At 1:00 p.m. I took Ashley for a long ATV ride around the Ottertail Peninsula. While we were south of Moose Lane, we started to get pelted with very large rain drops. I turned the ATV around and headed for home. But within a minute, the rain stopped, the sky cleared, so we decided to continue our tour of the peninsula.
This evening my sister-in-law Sandy and her son Jackson are going to be coming up to the lake for a visit. Sandy has graciously agreed to take Liz and Ashley back to St. Cloud on Friday (thus saving me a 6-hour round trip) so Ashley can catch her flight back to San Jose on Saturday. Liz is going to stay at Grandma Coyle's for another week.
I knew there is "a-storm-a-brewin'", but I thought it might be fun for Liz, Ashley and I to go fishing for a little while before the storm actually hit. So at 3:30 p.m. we all got in the boat and made our way out to 12 feet of water straight out in front of our house.
With the slight breeze blowing our boat was pushed north toward Malay's. We all were using jigs tipped with leeches. We caught a couple of small perch, but that was all. Since Liz wanted to go for a run, and Ashley was having a hard day and wanted to go back to the house, we cut our stay on the water short, and headed in at 4:30 p.m.
After dropping off the girls on shore, I went back out onto the lake to do a little more fishing. I was only out there for 20 minutes or so when I could tell the storm was getting close. The temperature began to drop, the wind began to pick up, and I saw some bolts of lightening.
I came ashore at 5:00 p.m., and within 15 minutes the storm was upon us. The wind blew like crazy, the rain came down hard, and lightening and thunder abounded. Then just as fast as the storm came up, it passed. By 5:45 p.m. the sky was clearing, the wind had died down, and it looked as if it will be a beautiful evening.
My sister-in-law Sandy and her son Jackson arrived at the lake at 8:15 p.m. After getting their car unloaded and some brief conversation, I took Ashley and Jackson out fishing.
As usual, we trolled The Alley in 8-10 feet of water using #9 Minnow Raps. We caught a couple of perch and rock bass, and then I caught two walleye. The first was only 14” and immediately went back into the lake. The second walleye, however, was 17” and perfect eating size so I kept it. If we catch one more walleye tomorrow, or a couple of nice-sized perch, we’ll have enough for a fish-fry dinner.
The weather tonight couldn't have been nicer. The temperature was 64 degrees (sweatshirt weather), the wind was slight at 5-8 mph out of the SSW, the water temperature was 68.8 degrees and the moon was 1 percent waxing, or basically still a new moon.
The kids and I came ashore at just before 11:00 p.m. after another wonderful night of walleye fishing on Leech Lake.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
July 21, 2009 -- At Leech Lake
Today we woke up to the remnants of a late-night/early-morning rain. The ground was wet, the back deck was wet, the dock was wet, yet the sun was shining and there were only a few fluffy white clouds in the sky.
The temperature by 10:00 a.m. was 68 degrees on its way to a high of roughly 74 degrees. The wind was light at 7-10 mph out of the SSW, the water temperature was 67 degrees and today was a new moon.
Elizabeth, Ashley and I went fishing this afternoon at 1:15 p.m. We took advantage of the light wind and drifted in 10-14 feet of water from in front of our house to in front of Norm's cabin. We were using jigs tipped with leeches and caught a few perch and rock bass, and I caught a small walleye, maybe 12" long.
Then about 3:45 p.m., I could tell that the storm we'd been keeping an eye on all afternoon was getting too close for comfort. I told the girls to reel their lines in and get their things put away because we were going to have to make a quick run back to the boat lift if we wanted to avoid getting caught in the storm.
My timing was off by about 1 minute because we were on the lake as the rain came upon us and the wind whipped up. I was, however, able to safely get the boat on the lift and everyone inside before the worst of the storm hit. Within an hour, the storm had passed, the sky cleared, the wind died down and it turned out to be a beautiful late afternoon, evening and night.
After a very tasty BBQ rib dinner, complete with salad, corn-on-the-cob, and french fries, we decided to go fishing. We got out onto the water a little earlier than usual, at 8:45 p.m., so we could watch the sunset while on the lake.
It was a nice sunset, but nothing as spectacular as some of the sunsets we've seen on Leech Lake. Of course we weren't on the water just to enjoy nature, we were also out there trolling for walleye.
We trolled The Alley in 8-10 feet of water using #9 Minnow Raps. Liz and I each caught a couple of rock bass, Liz caught a very nice 22" northern pike, and I caught a 19" and a very hefty 25" walleye.
After I hooked the big 25-incher, I had Ashley reel it in for me. She said it wasn't that hard to do until the big fish got close to the boat and decided to make a run for it. But Ashley played the fish perfectly and I was able to net it.
I have to say it was probably the biggest walleye I've boated this summer. Not only was it all of 25", but it was extremely fat. I bet that fish weighed at least 8 pounds if not more.
We caught that big fish right off Second Duck Point so we decided to troll home from there and call it a night. We didn't catch anything else on our way back to the boat lift.
Maybe it was the new moon or the stable weather after the earlier storm, or maybe it I just put us right on the fish tonight, but whatever it was, tonight was our best night of fishing since the girls arrived. We had a wonderful night on Leech Lake.
The temperature by 10:00 a.m. was 68 degrees on its way to a high of roughly 74 degrees. The wind was light at 7-10 mph out of the SSW, the water temperature was 67 degrees and today was a new moon.
Elizabeth, Ashley and I went fishing this afternoon at 1:15 p.m. We took advantage of the light wind and drifted in 10-14 feet of water from in front of our house to in front of Norm's cabin. We were using jigs tipped with leeches and caught a few perch and rock bass, and I caught a small walleye, maybe 12" long.
Then about 3:45 p.m., I could tell that the storm we'd been keeping an eye on all afternoon was getting too close for comfort. I told the girls to reel their lines in and get their things put away because we were going to have to make a quick run back to the boat lift if we wanted to avoid getting caught in the storm.
My timing was off by about 1 minute because we were on the lake as the rain came upon us and the wind whipped up. I was, however, able to safely get the boat on the lift and everyone inside before the worst of the storm hit. Within an hour, the storm had passed, the sky cleared, the wind died down and it turned out to be a beautiful late afternoon, evening and night.
After a very tasty BBQ rib dinner, complete with salad, corn-on-the-cob, and french fries, we decided to go fishing. We got out onto the water a little earlier than usual, at 8:45 p.m., so we could watch the sunset while on the lake.
It was a nice sunset, but nothing as spectacular as some of the sunsets we've seen on Leech Lake. Of course we weren't on the water just to enjoy nature, we were also out there trolling for walleye.
We trolled The Alley in 8-10 feet of water using #9 Minnow Raps. Liz and I each caught a couple of rock bass, Liz caught a very nice 22" northern pike, and I caught a 19" and a very hefty 25" walleye.
After I hooked the big 25-incher, I had Ashley reel it in for me. She said it wasn't that hard to do until the big fish got close to the boat and decided to make a run for it. But Ashley played the fish perfectly and I was able to net it.
I have to say it was probably the biggest walleye I've boated this summer. Not only was it all of 25", but it was extremely fat. I bet that fish weighed at least 8 pounds if not more.
We caught that big fish right off Second Duck Point so we decided to troll home from there and call it a night. We didn't catch anything else on our way back to the boat lift.
Maybe it was the new moon or the stable weather after the earlier storm, or maybe it I just put us right on the fish tonight, but whatever it was, tonight was our best night of fishing since the girls arrived. We had a wonderful night on Leech Lake.
Monday, July 20, 2009
July 20, 2009 -- At Leech Lake
This morning at 9:00 a.m. the temperature was 66 degrees, the sky was overcast and gray, a light, but steady, rain was falling and the wind was out of the SSW at 5-8 mph.
The rain finally stopped at about 11:30 a.m. and slowly the clouds began to dissipate and blue sky began to emerge. By early afternoon it was sunny and humid, although the temperature never went beyond 74 degrees.
I had some business to attend to that kept me busy until after 1:00 p.m. Earlier in the day I had made arrangements to go into Bemidji to have the truck serviced, so that's what we did this afternoon.
Liz, Ashley and I left for town around 2:30 p.m. and as we made our way up Sucker Bay Road the sky began to cloud over and by the time we hit Cass Lake the rain had once again begun to fall.
While the truck was being worked on, the three of us walked around down town Bemidji. At 5:00 p.m., the truck was ready to pick up. After getting the truck we made a quick stop at Target and then drove back to the lake.
The entire time we were in Bemidji and the entire trip home the rain continued to fall. Finally around 7:30 p.m. the rain stopped, although the sky remained cloudy. We decided to go fishing at 9:00 p.m., despite the possibility of rain, and made our way over to the boat lift.
Once on the water we trolled The Alley in 8-10 feet of water. The water temperature was 66 degrees, the air temperature was near 60 degrees, the wind was at 5-8 mph out of the SSW and the moon was 3 percent waning; almost a new moon.
We made several passes, but with the exception of one rock bass, we caught nothing. I don't know what's going on, but ever since Liz and Ashley have been here the fishing has shut down completely. I was catching fish regularly until the past few days. The weather should be OK tomorrow, so I'm sure we'll try once again.
Despite the lack of catching fish, we had an enjoyable time on the lake this evening, and I'm sure that tomorrow we'll once again enjoy being out on the waters of Leech Lake.
The rain finally stopped at about 11:30 a.m. and slowly the clouds began to dissipate and blue sky began to emerge. By early afternoon it was sunny and humid, although the temperature never went beyond 74 degrees.
I had some business to attend to that kept me busy until after 1:00 p.m. Earlier in the day I had made arrangements to go into Bemidji to have the truck serviced, so that's what we did this afternoon.
Liz, Ashley and I left for town around 2:30 p.m. and as we made our way up Sucker Bay Road the sky began to cloud over and by the time we hit Cass Lake the rain had once again begun to fall.
While the truck was being worked on, the three of us walked around down town Bemidji. At 5:00 p.m., the truck was ready to pick up. After getting the truck we made a quick stop at Target and then drove back to the lake.
The entire time we were in Bemidji and the entire trip home the rain continued to fall. Finally around 7:30 p.m. the rain stopped, although the sky remained cloudy. We decided to go fishing at 9:00 p.m., despite the possibility of rain, and made our way over to the boat lift.
Once on the water we trolled The Alley in 8-10 feet of water. The water temperature was 66 degrees, the air temperature was near 60 degrees, the wind was at 5-8 mph out of the SSW and the moon was 3 percent waning; almost a new moon.
We made several passes, but with the exception of one rock bass, we caught nothing. I don't know what's going on, but ever since Liz and Ashley have been here the fishing has shut down completely. I was catching fish regularly until the past few days. The weather should be OK tomorrow, so I'm sure we'll try once again.
Despite the lack of catching fish, we had an enjoyable time on the lake this evening, and I'm sure that tomorrow we'll once again enjoy being out on the waters of Leech Lake.
The White Spot Tradition
The White Spot Tradition
The acrid smoke of the Lucky Strike straight
wafts its way into the backseat of the old car
My sister and I stand on the bench behind him
as he makes the short drive from the store
We get out of the car and make our way past
the heavy door into the dark, smoke-filled room
Music I don’t know plays on the jukebox and competes
with loud talking and the clacking of billiard balls for my attention
Greetings are made, big hands shake, orders are placed
including a cold beer for Grandpa and pops for my sister and me
I sit on a stool high above the sticky floor and watch
as they play pool, smoke cigarettes and drink glasses of yellow beer
Soon our name is called and big white bags are passed over the bar into Grandpa’s hands, money is exchanged and we move outside into the bright sunlight and smokeless air
Again we’re in the car and soon we’re climbing the back stairs of the store,
golden fried fish, crispy French fries, sweet Cole slaw and warm rolls grace our table
Grandma, grandpa, brother, sister start to eat a Friday night Catholic dinner
as the summer sun begins its descent after another memorable visit to Pete’s White Spot
The acrid smoke of the Lucky Strike straight
wafts its way into the backseat of the old car
My sister and I stand on the bench behind him
as he makes the short drive from the store
We get out of the car and make our way past
the heavy door into the dark, smoke-filled room
Music I don’t know plays on the jukebox and competes
with loud talking and the clacking of billiard balls for my attention
Greetings are made, big hands shake, orders are placed
including a cold beer for Grandpa and pops for my sister and me
I sit on a stool high above the sticky floor and watch
as they play pool, smoke cigarettes and drink glasses of yellow beer
Soon our name is called and big white bags are passed over the bar into Grandpa’s hands, money is exchanged and we move outside into the bright sunlight and smokeless air
Again we’re in the car and soon we’re climbing the back stairs of the store,
golden fried fish, crispy French fries, sweet Cole slaw and warm rolls grace our table
Grandma, grandpa, brother, sister start to eat a Friday night Catholic dinner
as the summer sun begins its descent after another memorable visit to Pete’s White Spot
Sunday, July 19, 2009
July 19, 2009 -- At Leech Lake
A beautiful sunny summer's day on Sucker Bay, Leech Lake
Today was the best day weather-wise we've had in a week or more. The temperature at midday was 74 degrees, the sky was sunny, the wind was light at 5 mph out of the SE and the water temperature was 65 degrees.
At approximately 1:00 p.m., Ashley, Liz and I went fishing. We were using jigs tipped with leeches, and fished in numerous spots I know on Sucker Bay -- ranging from 8-14 feet of water. Unfortunately, we only caught a couple of perch.
At 4:00 p.m. we came ashore. Although we didn't catch many fish, we did have an enjoyable time together on the lake.
Once we were home, Liz went for a run, I read the Sunday paper, and for some reason, Ashley decided she wanted to clean the kitchen. She swept and mopped the kitchen floor, cleaned the counter tops and even arranged the fruit in the fruit bowl. I really appreciated her efforts, no matter how unnecessary I thought they were.
We made a wonderful shrimp pasta dish for dinner and afterward Ashley and I sat on the dock and watched the sun set into the western sky.
I think we're going to watch a movie tonight rather than go trolling. And if that's what the girls want to do, that's what we'll do. Tomorrow night, however, I will encourage them to go trolling with me for walleye on Leech Lake.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
July 18, 2009 -- At Leech Lake
This morning at 10:30 a.m. I left the house to drive down to St. Cloud to pick up my daughter Liz and my granddaughter Ashley from my mother-in-law's house. It was a quick trip. I drove the 3 hours to St. Cloud, stayed for lunch and visited for a while, then a couple of hour later we left.
After stopping for groceries, Liz, Ashley and I drove back to Leech Lake. Upon our arrival the temperature was 64 degrees, the wind was light at 5 mph out of the north, the sky was sunny and the moon was at 16 percent waning.
At 9:15 p.m. the three of us went fishing. We trolled The Alley in 64 degree water with a Cotton Cordell Wally Diver and a Minnow Rap, but we caught no fish. We decided to come ashore a little before 11:00 p.m.
Although we caught no fish, it was fun being together -- watching the sunset and the stars come out -- on Leech Lake.
After stopping for groceries, Liz, Ashley and I drove back to Leech Lake. Upon our arrival the temperature was 64 degrees, the wind was light at 5 mph out of the north, the sky was sunny and the moon was at 16 percent waning.
At 9:15 p.m. the three of us went fishing. We trolled The Alley in 64 degree water with a Cotton Cordell Wally Diver and a Minnow Rap, but we caught no fish. We decided to come ashore a little before 11:00 p.m.
Although we caught no fish, it was fun being together -- watching the sunset and the stars come out -- on Leech Lake.
Friday, July 17, 2009
MN DNR Concerned Over Theft of State Flower
A couple of weeks ago on this blog I posted several photos of Minnesota's state flower, the Lady's Slipper.
We here on Leech Lake's Ottertail Peninsula are fortunate enough to have the flower grow in various locations along our roads. But unfortunately, some people can't leave well enough alone, and for reasons known only to themselves, they feel that they have the right to dig up the state flower.
Apparently, this "theft" is spreading to Minnesota's state parks and other public lands. Click here to read the report.
We here on Leech Lake's Ottertail Peninsula are fortunate enough to have the flower grow in various locations along our roads. But unfortunately, some people can't leave well enough alone, and for reasons known only to themselves, they feel that they have the right to dig up the state flower.
Apparently, this "theft" is spreading to Minnesota's state parks and other public lands. Click here to read the report.
July 17, 2009 -- At Leech Lake
It's another beautiful mid-summer day here at Leech Lake. At 10:00 a.m. the temperature is 50 degrees, the sky is gray, overcast and spitting rain, and the wind is 12-20 mph out of the NNW churning up the lake and covering it with white caps.
It is the wrong week to be at the lake if you were looking to do some swimming, tubing, water skiing, or any other activity that is enhanced by warm sunny weather.
The hour-by-hour weather report calls for the wind to die down -- to around 8 mph out of the NW -- by 9:00 p.m this evening. If that is indeed the case, then I will have the opportunity to go out trolling for walleye.
Update: It's now 2:00 p.m. and the wind is still strong at 15+ mph from the NW, the sky is still gray with occasional light rain, and the temperature is 52 degrees.
I saw two boats out on the water earlier, both from Birch Ridge Resort. They were probably vacationers and today is their last day at the resort so they were determined to go fishing regardless of the conditions. The guys in the boat were bundled up in warm rain gear and from the little I watched them through the binoculars, no one watching catching any fish. I do admire their determination, however.
About 5:00 p.m. I was coming back from taking the garbage to the waste bins at the community center when I saw Don Poage and his son-in-law Marty. They asked if I wanted to join them on the lake for some fishing. I said sure, grabbed my rod/reel, some extra jigs (which would come in handy), and a cooler with some drinks.
We left Poage's boat lift at 5:20 p.m. and motored out to 14 feet of water. The water temperature according to Poage's electronics had dropped to 63.4 degrees. The wind was still out of the NW at 8-15 mph and the air temperature was 56 degrees.
I was using a Fire-Ball jig tipped with a leech. I caught a few perch and rock bass, and then something big hit my line. It was one of those fishing moments when you know something big is on the other end of your line, but almost as fast as you recognize it’s there, it’s bitten through the line and is gone.
I retied with a Bass Pro Shops 1/8 oz. XPS Walleye Angler jig in red/black (one of the spare jigs I had brought with me), put on a new leech and went back to fishing. I caught a few more perch, but no walleye. By this time Don Poage was ready to go ashore so we headed back to his boat lift.
It’s now 8:30 p.m. and the wind is still blowing at 15+ mph out of the north. If it dies down a little I may go out trolling tonight. For now, it’s wait and see.
I decided to go fishing at 9:20 p.m. even though the wind was still blowing at 10-15 mph out of the north. The air temperature was 52 degrees and the water temperature was between 62.4 and 63.0 degrees depending on my location and depth. The sun set tonight at 9:10 p.m., and the moon was 25 percent waning.
I trolled The Alley in 8-10 feet of water using my #9 hot-steel colored Minnow Rap. Right at 10:00 p.m., I hooked a fish and I could tell it was a big fish because it had, as they say, shoulders. As I got it up to the boat I could see it was a good-sized walleye. I netted it and then measured the fish. It was a full 23”. A good fish for this time of year.
I made one more pass but caught no more fish. At 10:45 p.m. I came ashore. By the time I was making my way to the boat lift, the wind had died down to a gentle breeze out of the north at maybe 5 mph. It turned out to be a very nice night on Leech Lake.
It is the wrong week to be at the lake if you were looking to do some swimming, tubing, water skiing, or any other activity that is enhanced by warm sunny weather.
The hour-by-hour weather report calls for the wind to die down -- to around 8 mph out of the NW -- by 9:00 p.m this evening. If that is indeed the case, then I will have the opportunity to go out trolling for walleye.
Update: It's now 2:00 p.m. and the wind is still strong at 15+ mph from the NW, the sky is still gray with occasional light rain, and the temperature is 52 degrees.
I saw two boats out on the water earlier, both from Birch Ridge Resort. They were probably vacationers and today is their last day at the resort so they were determined to go fishing regardless of the conditions. The guys in the boat were bundled up in warm rain gear and from the little I watched them through the binoculars, no one watching catching any fish. I do admire their determination, however.
About 5:00 p.m. I was coming back from taking the garbage to the waste bins at the community center when I saw Don Poage and his son-in-law Marty. They asked if I wanted to join them on the lake for some fishing. I said sure, grabbed my rod/reel, some extra jigs (which would come in handy), and a cooler with some drinks.
We left Poage's boat lift at 5:20 p.m. and motored out to 14 feet of water. The water temperature according to Poage's electronics had dropped to 63.4 degrees. The wind was still out of the NW at 8-15 mph and the air temperature was 56 degrees.
I was using a Fire-Ball jig tipped with a leech. I caught a few perch and rock bass, and then something big hit my line. It was one of those fishing moments when you know something big is on the other end of your line, but almost as fast as you recognize it’s there, it’s bitten through the line and is gone.
I retied with a Bass Pro Shops 1/8 oz. XPS Walleye Angler jig in red/black (one of the spare jigs I had brought with me), put on a new leech and went back to fishing. I caught a few more perch, but no walleye. By this time Don Poage was ready to go ashore so we headed back to his boat lift.
It’s now 8:30 p.m. and the wind is still blowing at 15+ mph out of the north. If it dies down a little I may go out trolling tonight. For now, it’s wait and see.
I decided to go fishing at 9:20 p.m. even though the wind was still blowing at 10-15 mph out of the north. The air temperature was 52 degrees and the water temperature was between 62.4 and 63.0 degrees depending on my location and depth. The sun set tonight at 9:10 p.m., and the moon was 25 percent waning.
I trolled The Alley in 8-10 feet of water using my #9 hot-steel colored Minnow Rap. Right at 10:00 p.m., I hooked a fish and I could tell it was a big fish because it had, as they say, shoulders. As I got it up to the boat I could see it was a good-sized walleye. I netted it and then measured the fish. It was a full 23”. A good fish for this time of year.
I made one more pass but caught no more fish. At 10:45 p.m. I came ashore. By the time I was making my way to the boat lift, the wind had died down to a gentle breeze out of the north at maybe 5 mph. It turned out to be a very nice night on Leech Lake.
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