At 10:00 a.m. this morning the sky was grey, but bright, the temperature was already 75 degrees and the wind was out of the SSW at 8-12 mph. The forecast was for storms to roll in shortly after 12:30 p.m. and for rain for most of the afternoon.
Kathleen and I started the day with coffee on the end of the dock. There were only two boats out in front of our house and near Second Duck Point. Down at Duck Point, however, were more than a half a dozen boats, and I think I know the reason why.
I ran into Sandy Newstrand on the road the other day and she was coming from Birch Ridge Resort where she had picked up two frozen walleye, both 27-inches long, which she was planning to stuff and mount. She took up taxidermy several years back and often does work for guests at the resort. Apparently a guy caught a 27-inch walleye and while he was dealing with it he handed his wife the rod and reel. She took the opportunity to cast out the lure and moments later had hooked herself a second 27-inch walleye. Since the couple will probably never catch two such big fish back-to-back again, they decided to have the mounted. And where did they catch the two prized fish? Duck Point. So now guests at Birch Ridge are hovering around Duck Point trying to get their own trophy fish.
As the morning progressed, the wind began to pick up and the sky began to darken. Forecasts called for a storm to roll through the Leech Lake area sometime between 12:30 and 1:00 p.m. I thought about going fishing before the storm hit, but decided to stay on shore, enjoy a pot of good coffee with Kathleen while sitting on the dock.
From our vantage point at the end of our dock, we could see the storm approaching from the southwest. The wind was picking up -- near 20 mph -- and the rain was clearly falling. Then right at 1:00 p.m., as predicted, the storm hit. The rain came down in heavy sheets while the wind kicked up a notch to near 25 mph out of the southwest.
Kathleen and I sat on the back porch (not the lakeside, but the side of the house facing the road) and watched the heavy rain beat down on the ground. The temperature had dropped from 82 degrees at 12:45 p.m. to just 65 degrees by 1:30 p.m. Since it was now chilly, we went inside to warm up.
Kathleen asked me innocently enough if I'd removed the insulation from the vents under the house; a routine chore that I've done for each of the 11 years we've owned the house. But for some reason, this year I'd forgotten to do so, so I got on some old clothes and made my way under the house to remove the blocked up insulation. Doing so will provide better ventilation under the house reducing the possibility of molds growing down there and keeping our house cooler during the heat of July and August.
Crawling around under the house is a hot and dirty job, so once the job was complete I took a quick shower to clean up. Kathleen and I then spent from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. relaxing and just hanging out in the living room as the storm made its way through the area. By a little after 4:00 p.m. the wind had died down to 8-12 mph out of the WSW, the clouds, while still plentiful, had parted a bit to give way to some blue sky and the temperature began to climb closer toward 70 degrees. It was a perfect time for Kathleen to go running and for me to get some fishing in.
I got the boat onto the lake at 4:20 p.m. and decided to motor south toward Second Duck Point and let the wind push me north toward our house and toward shore. I turned off the motor in 14 feet of water, deployed the drift sock and put a fathead minnow on my jig. I noted that the water temperature was varying from 69.9 degrees to 70.5 degrees depending where I was on Sucker Bay and how deep the water was.
I made several drifts over a wide area of Sucker Bay during the next 100 minutes, but caught only dozens of small- to medium-sized perch. I did catch a couple of perch that were a bit over 10 inches, but no 11-14 inch perch which I consider to be the size of jumbos.
I came ashore just after 6:00 p.m. and no sooner was I comfortably back in the house when the wind began to pick up to 15-20 mph out of the WSW with some gusts up over 25 mph. The lake was quickly churning with white caps and most of the boats that had been out on the lake at the same time as me moved to get off the increasingly rough water.
Kathleen and I spent a quiet and enjoyable evening at home reading, talking, listening to music and eventually watching a movie. We had a wonderful day at our oasis on Leech Lake. Good night.
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Saturday, June 16, 2012
June 15, 2012 -- On Leech Lake
This morning the sky was mostly sunny and blue, the temperature at 9:30 a.m. was already almost 70 degrees and the wind was at 8-15 mph out of the WSW.
Throughout the morning and into the early afternoon the wind picked up to 12-18 mph out of the SSW and the temperature continued to increase to a high of 82 degrees. Several boats were out in front of the house and cabin in 10-14 feet of water fishing. I contemplated going out just after noon, but decided to hold off because Kathleen was interested in going on a bike ride.
We had been wanting to ride the bikes out to Duck Point Woods to check out if any more of the properties had sold and to see if the eagle's nest, which we'd seen last year, was being used again this year. We got on our bikes just after 1:00 p.m. and rode down West Shores Road to 26th Ave and up to Ottertail Point Road. We made our way past Moose Lane and out to Duck Point Woods.
Sure enough, the eagle's nest was there and we were able to spot two eagles in the nest; most likely the male and female guarding the eggs, or the eaglets. We continued our ride to the end of Ottertail Point Road before turning around and coming home. We were hot and sweaty so we took a quick camp bath to cool off. The water was cold, but invigorating.
After cooling off in the lake we made lunch. I took my sandwich out onto the lake while I fished while Kathleen ate her lunch on the dock.
I fished with a jig and minnows and caught a dozen or more smallish perch, as well as a couple of northerns, but was unable to catch a walleye. I came ashore around 5:30 p.m. because I'd run out of minnows. I took the truck up to Birch Ridge Resort to buy a scoop of fatheads, while Kathleen used the time to go on her 6-mile run. Unfortunately for her, the deer flies were out in full force and she stopped me on my way back from the resort and asked for a ride home because she could no longer take the buzzing of the biting flies.
We had a late dinner and rather than go out fishing I stayed inside and just hung out. It was an uneventful and rather unfortunate evening despite being here at the lake. Maybe tomorrow I'll get out fishing earlier in the day.
Good night from Leech Lake.
Throughout the morning and into the early afternoon the wind picked up to 12-18 mph out of the SSW and the temperature continued to increase to a high of 82 degrees. Several boats were out in front of the house and cabin in 10-14 feet of water fishing. I contemplated going out just after noon, but decided to hold off because Kathleen was interested in going on a bike ride.
We had been wanting to ride the bikes out to Duck Point Woods to check out if any more of the properties had sold and to see if the eagle's nest, which we'd seen last year, was being used again this year. We got on our bikes just after 1:00 p.m. and rode down West Shores Road to 26th Ave and up to Ottertail Point Road. We made our way past Moose Lane and out to Duck Point Woods.
Sure enough, the eagle's nest was there and we were able to spot two eagles in the nest; most likely the male and female guarding the eggs, or the eaglets. We continued our ride to the end of Ottertail Point Road before turning around and coming home. We were hot and sweaty so we took a quick camp bath to cool off. The water was cold, but invigorating.
After cooling off in the lake we made lunch. I took my sandwich out onto the lake while I fished while Kathleen ate her lunch on the dock.
I fished with a jig and minnows and caught a dozen or more smallish perch, as well as a couple of northerns, but was unable to catch a walleye. I came ashore around 5:30 p.m. because I'd run out of minnows. I took the truck up to Birch Ridge Resort to buy a scoop of fatheads, while Kathleen used the time to go on her 6-mile run. Unfortunately for her, the deer flies were out in full force and she stopped me on my way back from the resort and asked for a ride home because she could no longer take the buzzing of the biting flies.
We had a late dinner and rather than go out fishing I stayed inside and just hung out. It was an uneventful and rather unfortunate evening despite being here at the lake. Maybe tomorrow I'll get out fishing earlier in the day.
Good night from Leech Lake.
Friday, June 15, 2012
June 14, 2012 -- On Leech Lake -- Flag Day
This morning the temperature was 62 degrees, the wind was light at 5-8 mph out of the SSW and the sky was grey and it looked as if it might rain; again. When we awoke, the ground was wet and there were puddles everywhere so it had obviously rained during the night. Kathleen would tell me later that around 5:00 a.m. she woke up to loud thunder, bright flashes of lightening and heavy rain. So even though I didn't hear it, thunderstorms did roll through early this morning.
Kathleen and I took it very slow easing into the day. We just hung around the house, had coffee, and ate some breakfast before Kathleen retreated to the bedroom to read her book. I took the opportunity to go fishing.
Expecting rain, I donned my Frog Togg's, grabbed the minnows and made my way out to the boat. Once the boat was in the water I motored out to a spot between the house and cabin in 13 feet of water, deployed the drift sock, put a minnow on my red "Vegas" jig and started fishing. The wind was coming out of the south at 10-15 mph so at the boat lift the water was fairly calm, but out on Sucker Bay the water was quite choppy.
No sooner than I started fishing than a heavy mist/light rain began to fall. I caught several 6-10 inch perch and small rock bass, but no walleye. I did have that familiar walleye "tick" and when I set the hook I could feel good weight on the other end of the line, but after just a turn or two of my reel the fish came off. Although I couldn't see it, I'm guessing it was a walleye by the way it bit and how quickly came off.
I fished for a little more than an hour before coming ashore for lunch. The sky was still grey, a light rain continued to fall and the wind was a little lighter at 8-12 mph out of the south.
By 5:00 p.m. the clouds finally began to break and blue sky started to shine through. Just before 6:00 p.m. Kathleen decided to do her 6-mile run, while I got on a work call. The temperature was actually going up as the evening progressed. It was 68 degrees at 6:00 p.m. and 74 degrees at 7:30 p.m.
As is typical for us when we're at the lake, Kathleen and I didn't eat dinner until after 9:00 p.m. We then concluded the day by listening to music, talking and just enjoying our time alone at our oasis on Leech Lake.
Good night.
Kathleen and I took it very slow easing into the day. We just hung around the house, had coffee, and ate some breakfast before Kathleen retreated to the bedroom to read her book. I took the opportunity to go fishing.
Expecting rain, I donned my Frog Togg's, grabbed the minnows and made my way out to the boat. Once the boat was in the water I motored out to a spot between the house and cabin in 13 feet of water, deployed the drift sock, put a minnow on my red "Vegas" jig and started fishing. The wind was coming out of the south at 10-15 mph so at the boat lift the water was fairly calm, but out on Sucker Bay the water was quite choppy.
No sooner than I started fishing than a heavy mist/light rain began to fall. I caught several 6-10 inch perch and small rock bass, but no walleye. I did have that familiar walleye "tick" and when I set the hook I could feel good weight on the other end of the line, but after just a turn or two of my reel the fish came off. Although I couldn't see it, I'm guessing it was a walleye by the way it bit and how quickly came off.
I fished for a little more than an hour before coming ashore for lunch. The sky was still grey, a light rain continued to fall and the wind was a little lighter at 8-12 mph out of the south.
By 5:00 p.m. the clouds finally began to break and blue sky started to shine through. Just before 6:00 p.m. Kathleen decided to do her 6-mile run, while I got on a work call. The temperature was actually going up as the evening progressed. It was 68 degrees at 6:00 p.m. and 74 degrees at 7:30 p.m.
As is typical for us when we're at the lake, Kathleen and I didn't eat dinner until after 9:00 p.m. We then concluded the day by listening to music, talking and just enjoying our time alone at our oasis on Leech Lake.
Good night.
Thursday, June 14, 2012
June 13, 2012 -- At Leech Lake
This morning was beautiful. The temperature was 62 degrees at 9:00 a.m., the sky was mostly sunny and the wind was 8-12 mph out of the southwest; although the forecast is for stronger winds throughout the day.
Kathleen and I had lots of errands to run today, so just after 10:00 a.m. we drove into Bemidji.
More than nine hours later, at right around 7:30 p.m. we arrived back at the lake. We'd accomplished a lot in town, but it took us all day. Once home, Kathleen went for a quick 6-mile run while I unloaded our groceries and other items.
We had a quiet night of reading and talking before heading to bed early. No fishing today. Maybe tomorrow. Good night from Leech Lake.
Kathleen and I had lots of errands to run today, so just after 10:00 a.m. we drove into Bemidji.
More than nine hours later, at right around 7:30 p.m. we arrived back at the lake. We'd accomplished a lot in town, but it took us all day. Once home, Kathleen went for a quick 6-mile run while I unloaded our groceries and other items.
We had a quiet night of reading and talking before heading to bed early. No fishing today. Maybe tomorrow. Good night from Leech Lake.
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
June 12, 2012 -- On Leech Lake
The wind this morning had decreased significantly from the howling winds of yesterday, but were still stiff at 12-18 mph out of the WNW. The temperature at 10:00 a.m. was 52 degrees and the sky was mostly sunny. The lake was full of foam and debris from the pounding it took from all of the wind, and I'm doubtful that the fishing will be very good today. There are a few boats on Sucker Bay, most between our place and Second Duck Point, and they are out a ways, in roughly 14-17 feet of water.
By noon, the wind had calmed to about 10 mph and had shifted to WSW. The sun was shining and the sky was mostly blue with some white fluffy clouds. I decided it was a perfect time to go fishing, but I needed minnows first.
I drove the truck up to Birch Ridge Resort and picked up a scoop of fatheads. Once home, I got the boat in the water, noted the water temperature to be 69.5 degrees, and motored out to a spot between our house and cabin in 12 feet of water.
Using a red Northland "Vegas" jig tipped with a fathead I immediately started catching perch. I must have caught close to 20 perch in the 7-10-inch range. I then felt that familiar tick of a walleye. I set the hook and hauled in a beautiful 16 1/2-inch walleye that went into the live well; that will be dinner tonight. So much for my earlier doubts about it being a poor day for fishing.
I stayed out for a total of 90 minutes and caught more perch and a northern, but I didn't catch any more walleye. No matter, I would have thrown any other walleyes back into the lake since I already had dinner in the live well.
Once on shore I ate some lunch, then Kathleen and I took a bike ride. It turned out to be a beautiful day -- sunny, temperature in the mid-60s, light wind. A perfect day to be outside in the northwoods.
While Kathleen was out for her daily run, I cleaned the walleye. Along with the beer-battered walleye, using Leinenkugel's Summer Shandy for a hint of lemon, we had Minnesota-grown wild rice, salad and broccoli and cauliflower. A wonderful dinner at the lake!
After dinner we watched the sunset and then just hung out together in the living room. It was another fantastic day, and evening, at Leech Lake.
By noon, the wind had calmed to about 10 mph and had shifted to WSW. The sun was shining and the sky was mostly blue with some white fluffy clouds. I decided it was a perfect time to go fishing, but I needed minnows first.
I drove the truck up to Birch Ridge Resort and picked up a scoop of fatheads. Once home, I got the boat in the water, noted the water temperature to be 69.5 degrees, and motored out to a spot between our house and cabin in 12 feet of water.
Using a red Northland "Vegas" jig tipped with a fathead I immediately started catching perch. I must have caught close to 20 perch in the 7-10-inch range. I then felt that familiar tick of a walleye. I set the hook and hauled in a beautiful 16 1/2-inch walleye that went into the live well; that will be dinner tonight. So much for my earlier doubts about it being a poor day for fishing.
I stayed out for a total of 90 minutes and caught more perch and a northern, but I didn't catch any more walleye. No matter, I would have thrown any other walleyes back into the lake since I already had dinner in the live well.
Once on shore I ate some lunch, then Kathleen and I took a bike ride. It turned out to be a beautiful day -- sunny, temperature in the mid-60s, light wind. A perfect day to be outside in the northwoods.
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| Sparkling water on a beautiful Leech Lake afternoon |
After dinner we watched the sunset and then just hung out together in the living room. It was another fantastic day, and evening, at Leech Lake.
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
June 11, 2012 -- At Leech Lake
Well, the weather forecast was spot on, it is very windy today. By mid-morning the wind was howling at 25-35 mph out of the WSW, the lake was churning with white caps, the sky was mostly cloudy and grey with a few occasional patches of sun peaking through and the temperature was a chilly 62 degrees compared to the heat and humidity of yesterday.
As the day went on, the wind continued to blow in excess of 25 mph and the temperature actually dropped. By late afternoon, the temperature was only 54 degrees and near sunset it was 48 degrees. Throughout the day waves of heavy mist and light rain would wash across the lake from the southwest and everything would be left cold and wet.
During one of the breaks in the rain, Kathleen and I took a bike ride. We rode down the road to 26th, then up to Ottertail Point Road, around to the community center and back home. I nice ride of between 6-7 miles. When we got home Kathleen decided to go for run. She ran to the community center and back which is about a 6 mile round trip. Then she climbed into our big spa bath to warm up.
This evening we took it easy and just hung out and talked and listened to music. The wind was still blowing at more than 25 mph from the WSW as Monday morphed into Tuesday. The forecast for tomorrow is more wind, but sunny skies.
No fishing again today, due to the strong winds. Good night from Leech Lake.
As the day went on, the wind continued to blow in excess of 25 mph and the temperature actually dropped. By late afternoon, the temperature was only 54 degrees and near sunset it was 48 degrees. Throughout the day waves of heavy mist and light rain would wash across the lake from the southwest and everything would be left cold and wet.
During one of the breaks in the rain, Kathleen and I took a bike ride. We rode down the road to 26th, then up to Ottertail Point Road, around to the community center and back home. I nice ride of between 6-7 miles. When we got home Kathleen decided to go for run. She ran to the community center and back which is about a 6 mile round trip. Then she climbed into our big spa bath to warm up.
This evening we took it easy and just hung out and talked and listened to music. The wind was still blowing at more than 25 mph from the WSW as Monday morphed into Tuesday. The forecast for tomorrow is more wind, but sunny skies.
No fishing again today, due to the strong winds. Good night from Leech Lake.
Monday, June 11, 2012
June 10, 2012 -- In Leech Lake
At 9:00 a.m this morning the sky was grey, although the sun was still strong enough to cast shadows through the light, grey clouds. The air felt heavy and the wind was light at 5-10 mph out of the NW. The temperature was already 72 degrees.
While Kathleen slept I went next door to check on the minnows. I had given them fresh water on Friday evening, and I keep them aerated, but I figured yesterday's heat might have gotten to them; I was right. The entire scoop I had just purchased had perished. It was simply too hot for them. I often keep them in a minnow bucket in the lake, but with strong winds the rough water can also kill them, so I tend to keep them aerated in a bucket in the "fish garage." I'll have to run up to the resort today to pick up another scoop. I would like to get out on the water fishing today since it's been a few days now since I last fished.
As it turned out, however, I would not get up to the resort to buy any minnows, nor would I get out on the water to do any fishing. The wind picked up as the day went on until it reached its peak in the late afternoon at 25-30 mph out of the SW as a severe thunderstorm rolled through. Just an hour or so before the storm hit, Kathleen and I took a camp bath in the lake to cool off and escape the heat and humidity of the day. The temperature was in the mid- to high-80s and the humidity was very high as well. The lake water, which was probably in the low 70s, immediately cooled our core and refreshed us. We then sat on the dock and watched as the storm approached from the southwest.
As the storm raged on, I got dinner started. Soon we had a wonderful dinner of salmon, risotto, broccoli and cauliflower, salad and garlic bread. A very tasty dinner, if not way too much food.
The storm passed and as we sat eating dinner the sky cleared somewhat and treated us to a beautiful sunset. After dinner we hung out in the living room, listening to music, played a dice game and eventually called it a night.
The forecast for tomorrow is much cooler temperatures, with a high of only 68 degrees, and strong winds upwards of 30 mph. If that is indeed the case, it may be yet another day with no fishing. Good night from Leech Lake.
While Kathleen slept I went next door to check on the minnows. I had given them fresh water on Friday evening, and I keep them aerated, but I figured yesterday's heat might have gotten to them; I was right. The entire scoop I had just purchased had perished. It was simply too hot for them. I often keep them in a minnow bucket in the lake, but with strong winds the rough water can also kill them, so I tend to keep them aerated in a bucket in the "fish garage." I'll have to run up to the resort today to pick up another scoop. I would like to get out on the water fishing today since it's been a few days now since I last fished.
As it turned out, however, I would not get up to the resort to buy any minnows, nor would I get out on the water to do any fishing. The wind picked up as the day went on until it reached its peak in the late afternoon at 25-30 mph out of the SW as a severe thunderstorm rolled through. Just an hour or so before the storm hit, Kathleen and I took a camp bath in the lake to cool off and escape the heat and humidity of the day. The temperature was in the mid- to high-80s and the humidity was very high as well. The lake water, which was probably in the low 70s, immediately cooled our core and refreshed us. We then sat on the dock and watched as the storm approached from the southwest.
As the storm raged on, I got dinner started. Soon we had a wonderful dinner of salmon, risotto, broccoli and cauliflower, salad and garlic bread. A very tasty dinner, if not way too much food.
The storm passed and as we sat eating dinner the sky cleared somewhat and treated us to a beautiful sunset. After dinner we hung out in the living room, listening to music, played a dice game and eventually called it a night.
The forecast for tomorrow is much cooler temperatures, with a high of only 68 degrees, and strong winds upwards of 30 mph. If that is indeed the case, it may be yet another day with no fishing. Good night from Leech Lake.
Sunday, June 10, 2012
June 9, 2012 -- At Leech Lake
I had a lot of trouble falling asleep last night and didn't doze off until after 1:00 a.m. Then I awoke at 4:00 a.m. and tossed and turned until 6:00 a.m. when I thought about getting up. But then I dozed off again awaking for good at 8:00 a.m. I guess I was excited about Kathleen arriving from California later today and all of the things I need to do to get the house ready.
At 8:00 a.m. the sky was mostly sunny with some high clouds, the wind was out of the SSE at 5-10 mph, but the water along the shoreline was calm. The temperature was nearly 70 degrees, and the forecast is for temps in the low- to mid-90s with a dew point up over 70; a hot and humid day ahead.
I immediately got the linens off the bed and into the laundry. Then I made coffee; must have coffee. As I was waiting for the coffee to brew, I noticed that one of the suet feeders I had put for the birds was missing. It was the same one that came down a few days ago when the branch it was attached to was completely snapped off. I searched the area for the suet feeder, but all I could find of it was a few small pieces of the chain from which it hanged. The feeder itself was gone. Maybe I'll find it in the woods sometime this Fall when the thick growth of knee-high plants and grasses dies back. For now, it's missing.
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The cleaners came at 9:30 a.m. and immediately got to work. I had already pulled the ladder out of the garage and has started washing the windows. It took me a little over three hours to wash the windows and screens, and then another half hour to wash the back porch. The day had grown to be a hot one. The temperature by 2:00 p.m. was 85 degrees. Although there was some wind, about 10-15 mph out of the SW, it felt a lot hotter under sunny skies. By the time I was done with the porch, the cleaners had completed cleaning the house.
I took care of some other chores, had some lunch, swam in the lake (for the first time this year) cleaned up and then listened to A Prairie Home Companion on MPR. Eventually at 9:00 p.m. I went into Bemidji, had some dinner and then picked up Kathleen at the airport at 10:45 p.m. It's always so exciting to start a vacation here in the northwoods, and Kathleen was excited.
It had been a long hard day of work for me, and travel for Kathleen, so we went to bed soon after her arrival. It's supposed to be another hot one tomorrow. Good night from Leech Lake.
At 8:00 a.m. the sky was mostly sunny with some high clouds, the wind was out of the SSE at 5-10 mph, but the water along the shoreline was calm. The temperature was nearly 70 degrees, and the forecast is for temps in the low- to mid-90s with a dew point up over 70; a hot and humid day ahead.
I immediately got the linens off the bed and into the laundry. Then I made coffee; must have coffee. As I was waiting for the coffee to brew, I noticed that one of the suet feeders I had put for the birds was missing. It was the same one that came down a few days ago when the branch it was attached to was completely snapped off. I searched the area for the suet feeder, but all I could find of it was a few small pieces of the chain from which it hanged. The feeder itself was gone. Maybe I'll find it in the woods sometime this Fall when the thick growth of knee-high plants and grasses dies back. For now, it's missing.
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The cleaners came at 9:30 a.m. and immediately got to work. I had already pulled the ladder out of the garage and has started washing the windows. It took me a little over three hours to wash the windows and screens, and then another half hour to wash the back porch. The day had grown to be a hot one. The temperature by 2:00 p.m. was 85 degrees. Although there was some wind, about 10-15 mph out of the SW, it felt a lot hotter under sunny skies. By the time I was done with the porch, the cleaners had completed cleaning the house.
I took care of some other chores, had some lunch, swam in the lake (for the first time this year) cleaned up and then listened to A Prairie Home Companion on MPR. Eventually at 9:00 p.m. I went into Bemidji, had some dinner and then picked up Kathleen at the airport at 10:45 p.m. It's always so exciting to start a vacation here in the northwoods, and Kathleen was excited.
It had been a long hard day of work for me, and travel for Kathleen, so we went to bed soon after her arrival. It's supposed to be another hot one tomorrow. Good night from Leech Lake.
Friday, June 08, 2012
June 8, 2012 -- At Leech Lake
First, a very Happy Anniversary to my mother and father who are celebrating 55 years of marriage today. Congratulations Mom and Dad, you are an inspiration to all who know you.
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I woke up well before 6:00 a.m. this morning to a light breeze out of the southwest and mostly sunny skies. I didn't check the temperature because I decided that 5:45 a.m. was too early to get up. I went back to bed for 90 minutes or so, and when I got up again I saw that the wind had picked up and was blowing at 8-12 mph out of the southwest, the sky was partly sunny with some clouds, and the temperature was 68 degrees. Despite the wind, I could "feel" that it was likely to be a hot and humid day.
There were no white caps on the lake, but the water was quite choppy. That didn't dissuade a half dozen or so boats that were camped in front of my house in 10-14 feet of water. Most looked to be jigging or pulling spinner rigs for walleye. Another method that seems to be working very well at the moment is trolling crankbaits, especially in the evening after sunset. If you troll during the day, downsize the bait a bit to say a Shad Rad or Flicker Shad.
At just after 11:00 a.m. I drove into Cass Lake to run some errands. I started with a visit to the 371 Cafe for lunch followed by stops at Clem's Hardware, Safari Liquor, Cass Lake Building Center and Froggy's Sports; the latter for a scoop of fatheads. I then stopped off at Great River Pizzeria for an unbaked pizza which I will enjoy during my solo Friday-night Pizza night.
I didn't make it home until close to 2:45 p.m. and then spent the afternoon cleaning up the kitchen, reading and waiting for T&K to show up to cut the grass at both properties. They showed up at 3:50 p.m. and immediately set to work. It's been almost 3 weeks since their last visit and the grass was getting quite long. The two boys, and I'm guessing that neither was 21 years old, from T&K did a great job of not only cutting the grass, but trimming around all the trees, and even around the fire pit on the boat ramp. Then they used a blower to blow the grass off the driveway and porches. First rate job.
The temperature at 4:00 p.m. was 75 degrees, the wind had picked up considerably and was fairly brisk at 15-18 mph out of the WSW. The sky was mostly sunny, with just a few clouds. The forecast suggests that the wind will die down a bit around 9:00 p.m. this evening, to around 8-12 mph, and if it does, I might consider going out and doing some crankbait trolling for walleye.
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Tomorrow Kathleen arrives at the lake. We'll have roughly 10 days alone here at the lake before Melissa, Jayden and Ashley arrive in Minneapolis on June 20. Ashley has only 8 days of visiting time, so we'll have to decide how she wants to split them; say 4 at the lake and 4 in St. Cloud, or some 5-3 combination. It'll be a short visit, but I know she really enjoys it here.
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After much consideration, I decided not to go out fishing tonight despite the fact that the wind had died down to no more than a gentle SW breeze. Instead, I ate my pizza, finished reading the Garrison Keillor book my kids got me for Father's Day (I opened it early), and watched the sunset.
It doesn't happen often, but when it does it's not very pleasant and tonight was one of those nights. There must have been 10 boats cruising between Second Duck Point and Norm's cabin and one of them was loaded with a group of loudmouths. Yelling, hooting, screaming and talking to each other as if they were a mile apart. FIB's most likely; staying at the resort. It made sitting on the dock and watching the sunset much less enjoyable than it could have, and should have, been. I much prefer the calling of loons than the crowing of lunatics.
The temperature remained warm, near 70 degrees as 9:30 p.m. came and went. The breeze was just enough to rustle the leaves in the maples and birch near the shoreline and the purple martins swooped and dived through the air just inches above the water. The sky was mostly clear and had changed to a wonderful shade of purple.
I have a very busy day tomorrow, in preparation of Kathleen's arrival, so I am going to sign off now. Good night from Leech Lake.
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I woke up well before 6:00 a.m. this morning to a light breeze out of the southwest and mostly sunny skies. I didn't check the temperature because I decided that 5:45 a.m. was too early to get up. I went back to bed for 90 minutes or so, and when I got up again I saw that the wind had picked up and was blowing at 8-12 mph out of the southwest, the sky was partly sunny with some clouds, and the temperature was 68 degrees. Despite the wind, I could "feel" that it was likely to be a hot and humid day.
There were no white caps on the lake, but the water was quite choppy. That didn't dissuade a half dozen or so boats that were camped in front of my house in 10-14 feet of water. Most looked to be jigging or pulling spinner rigs for walleye. Another method that seems to be working very well at the moment is trolling crankbaits, especially in the evening after sunset. If you troll during the day, downsize the bait a bit to say a Shad Rad or Flicker Shad.
At just after 11:00 a.m. I drove into Cass Lake to run some errands. I started with a visit to the 371 Cafe for lunch followed by stops at Clem's Hardware, Safari Liquor, Cass Lake Building Center and Froggy's Sports; the latter for a scoop of fatheads. I then stopped off at Great River Pizzeria for an unbaked pizza which I will enjoy during my solo Friday-night Pizza night.
I didn't make it home until close to 2:45 p.m. and then spent the afternoon cleaning up the kitchen, reading and waiting for T&K to show up to cut the grass at both properties. They showed up at 3:50 p.m. and immediately set to work. It's been almost 3 weeks since their last visit and the grass was getting quite long. The two boys, and I'm guessing that neither was 21 years old, from T&K did a great job of not only cutting the grass, but trimming around all the trees, and even around the fire pit on the boat ramp. Then they used a blower to blow the grass off the driveway and porches. First rate job.
The temperature at 4:00 p.m. was 75 degrees, the wind had picked up considerably and was fairly brisk at 15-18 mph out of the WSW. The sky was mostly sunny, with just a few clouds. The forecast suggests that the wind will die down a bit around 9:00 p.m. this evening, to around 8-12 mph, and if it does, I might consider going out and doing some crankbait trolling for walleye.
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Tomorrow Kathleen arrives at the lake. We'll have roughly 10 days alone here at the lake before Melissa, Jayden and Ashley arrive in Minneapolis on June 20. Ashley has only 8 days of visiting time, so we'll have to decide how she wants to split them; say 4 at the lake and 4 in St. Cloud, or some 5-3 combination. It'll be a short visit, but I know she really enjoys it here.
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After much consideration, I decided not to go out fishing tonight despite the fact that the wind had died down to no more than a gentle SW breeze. Instead, I ate my pizza, finished reading the Garrison Keillor book my kids got me for Father's Day (I opened it early), and watched the sunset.
It doesn't happen often, but when it does it's not very pleasant and tonight was one of those nights. There must have been 10 boats cruising between Second Duck Point and Norm's cabin and one of them was loaded with a group of loudmouths. Yelling, hooting, screaming and talking to each other as if they were a mile apart. FIB's most likely; staying at the resort. It made sitting on the dock and watching the sunset much less enjoyable than it could have, and should have, been. I much prefer the calling of loons than the crowing of lunatics.
The temperature remained warm, near 70 degrees as 9:30 p.m. came and went. The breeze was just enough to rustle the leaves in the maples and birch near the shoreline and the purple martins swooped and dived through the air just inches above the water. The sky was mostly clear and had changed to a wonderful shade of purple.
 |
| Fading sun over Sucker Bay, Leech Lake |
I have a very busy day tomorrow, in preparation of Kathleen's arrival, so I am going to sign off now. Good night from Leech Lake.
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