Several months ago I embarked on a project to transfer my hand-written fishing journal to the Fishing Leech Lake blog.
Kathleen and I arrived at Leech Lake on May 23, 2008 and departed on November 19, 2008. During our nearly six month stay at the lake, I was able to spend 98 days on the water fishing. I caught 87 walleye myself, and boated more than 200. And every day, I took some time to record the weather and water conditions and any notes from my fishing expeditions.
We had friends and family visit us throughout our stay, and I feel truly blessed to have been able to spend so much time at Leech Lake with my beautiful wife Kathleen. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay.
With the transfer of my journal complete, I now turn my attention to the present day. Saturday, May 9, marks the start of the 2009 walleye season in Minnesota -- nearly holy day in the state of Minnesota.
I plan to arrive in Bemidji, MN on Tuesday, May 19. After gassing up the truck, I'll pick up the boat from Corner Sports, get some groceries, and then make the 40 mile drive to our Leech Lake house.
My friend Rick is planning a late-May visit from his home in Brisbane, Australia, and at some point in early- to mid-June, Kathleen is likely to join me for a while at the lake. How long I'll stay at Leech Lake this summer is yet to be seen. But my plan is to do daily blog entries while I'm there, and I plan to include as many photos as possible.
I will continue to keep my hand-written fishing journal because I find something reassuring and lasting with something I've written in ink with my own hand. But I will keep the blog more up to date than I did last year.
Stay tuned.
Sunday, May 03, 2009
November 19, 2008 -- Time to Leave Leech Lake
The temperature this morning is 28 degrees. The sky is grey and it looks like it will snow today. The wind is out of the north at 10-12 mph.
It's 8:30 a.m. and we're getting ready to leave. Our flight from Bemidji to Minneapolis leaves at 10:50 a.m. Tom and Elaine Malay have graciously agreed to give me and Kathleen a ride to the airport.
Since we don't need to drive our Chevy Silverado to the airport, I put it in the garage, hooked it to a trickle charger to keep the battery fresh, and secured it for the long winter. I also locked up the outbuildings on the property and turned off the water at the house. I turned the thermostat down to 50 degrees in the house and I think we're ready to go.
Tom and Elaine have arrived so I took our luggage out to their Jeep Cherokee. Kathleen gets into the Jeep, I turn on the security system at the house, pull the door shut, lock it, and join Kathleen, Tom and Elaine in the Cherokee. Kathleen and I share a knowing glance -- that we had a great run of time at the lake -- as we drive down the driveway and turn onto W. Shores Rd.
Good bye Leech Lake. I hope to see you sometime during the winter to do some ice fishing.
No fishing today.
It's 8:30 a.m. and we're getting ready to leave. Our flight from Bemidji to Minneapolis leaves at 10:50 a.m. Tom and Elaine Malay have graciously agreed to give me and Kathleen a ride to the airport.
Since we don't need to drive our Chevy Silverado to the airport, I put it in the garage, hooked it to a trickle charger to keep the battery fresh, and secured it for the long winter. I also locked up the outbuildings on the property and turned off the water at the house. I turned the thermostat down to 50 degrees in the house and I think we're ready to go.
Tom and Elaine have arrived so I took our luggage out to their Jeep Cherokee. Kathleen gets into the Jeep, I turn on the security system at the house, pull the door shut, lock it, and join Kathleen, Tom and Elaine in the Cherokee. Kathleen and I share a knowing glance -- that we had a great run of time at the lake -- as we drive down the driveway and turn onto W. Shores Rd.
Good bye Leech Lake. I hope to see you sometime during the winter to do some ice fishing.
No fishing today.
November 18, 2008 -- Our Last Full Day at Leech Lake
The temperature last night fell to near zero degrees. We woke up this morning to ice forming in the harbor and along the shore. Kathleen and I have never been here to watch Leech Lake freeze over, and because we have to fly back to California tomorrow, we won't see it happen this year either.
I'm guessing within a week Sucker Bay will be covered in ice, although ice fishing won't be possible for several weeks yet. To safely ice fish, the ice should be at least 6" thick to walk on, a foot thick to drive a snowmobile or ATV on it, and 18" to two feet to drive a truck or car onto it.
The temperature today varied from 15-20 degrees. The wind was out of the south at 10 mph. Kathleen and I spent the day cleaning the house and cabin and then locking up all of the buildings on our property.
After we cleaned the cabin, I closed the fireplace flue, turned the water off, turned the thermostat down to 50 degrees, turned on the security system and locked it up. I then went to the house where I helped Kathleen finish cleaning it. I set up mouse traps, cleaned out the fireplace, vacuumed, cleaned the bathrooms, etc.
At last it was time to pack. It's always hard to pack up knowing that we have to leave our paradise here at Leech Lake.
Kathleen and I had one last dinner at our dining room table, looking out onto the lake, cleaned up, watched David Letterman on TV and went to bed.
I really hope all goes well for us and our family back in California. I know that we were blessed to be able to spend so much time here at Leech Lake. Thank you God.
No fishing today.
Ice forming in our harbor.
Looking south on Sucker Bay from our cabin. Ice forming along the shore.
Looking north on Sucker Bay from the end of the boat ramp at the cabin.
Looking north on Sucker Bay from the harbor toward our cabin.
I'm guessing within a week Sucker Bay will be covered in ice, although ice fishing won't be possible for several weeks yet. To safely ice fish, the ice should be at least 6" thick to walk on, a foot thick to drive a snowmobile or ATV on it, and 18" to two feet to drive a truck or car onto it.
The temperature today varied from 15-20 degrees. The wind was out of the south at 10 mph. Kathleen and I spent the day cleaning the house and cabin and then locking up all of the buildings on our property.
After we cleaned the cabin, I closed the fireplace flue, turned the water off, turned the thermostat down to 50 degrees, turned on the security system and locked it up. I then went to the house where I helped Kathleen finish cleaning it. I set up mouse traps, cleaned out the fireplace, vacuumed, cleaned the bathrooms, etc.
At last it was time to pack. It's always hard to pack up knowing that we have to leave our paradise here at Leech Lake.
Kathleen and I had one last dinner at our dining room table, looking out onto the lake, cleaned up, watched David Letterman on TV and went to bed.
I really hope all goes well for us and our family back in California. I know that we were blessed to be able to spend so much time here at Leech Lake. Thank you God.
No fishing today.
Ice forming in our harbor.
Looking south on Sucker Bay from our cabin. Ice forming along the shore.
Looking north on Sucker Bay from the end of the boat ramp at the cabin.
Looking north on Sucker Bay from the harbor toward our cabin.
November 17, 2008
It snowed on and off all day today. At times, the snow was falling quite heavily, with big flakes almost the size of quarters. About 2" accumulated on the ground. It was beautiful, and I'm glad Kathleen and I get to experience the snow before we leave for California.
The high temperature was 20 degrees.
I walked with Kathleen as far a Paul Wagner's house -- about 1.5 miles from our house -- before turning around to go home and do some chores. Kathleen continued to the Community Center for the full 6-mile round trip walk.
Once back at the properties, I closed up and locked the game room (after one last game of pinball), closed up and locked the "fish garage," and the little fish house at the house. I put the plow on the ATV and plowed our driveway. I think the electric starter may be going out on the ATV.
Despite her walk and yoga, Kathleen is not feeling well so she went to bed early. I stayed up, made a fire in the fireplace and listened to classical music on KCRB.
I'm really going to miss being at Leech Lake.
No fishing today.
The high temperature was 20 degrees.
I walked with Kathleen as far a Paul Wagner's house -- about 1.5 miles from our house -- before turning around to go home and do some chores. Kathleen continued to the Community Center for the full 6-mile round trip walk.
Once back at the properties, I closed up and locked the game room (after one last game of pinball), closed up and locked the "fish garage," and the little fish house at the house. I put the plow on the ATV and plowed our driveway. I think the electric starter may be going out on the ATV.
Despite her walk and yoga, Kathleen is not feeling well so she went to bed early. I stayed up, made a fire in the fireplace and listened to classical music on KCRB.
I'm really going to miss being at Leech Lake.
No fishing today.
Saturday, May 02, 2009
November 16, 2008
The lake-side deck with an inch of fresh snow.
We woke up this morning to about an inch of freshly fallen snow. The sky was partly cloudy and pale blue. The temperature today was 22 degrees with the wind varying from calm to 5-8 mph out of the north. As the day progressed, the wind increased to around 15 mph, making it feel even colder.
Kathleen and I took a walk to the Otter Tail Peninsula Community Center and back today; a round trip walk of about 6 miles. It felt good to walk in the cold, crisp air.
My neighbor Don Poage's step-grandson shot a deer today. Poage's stepson, Marty, stung up the deer in a tree by the road and gutted it. I walked out to watch, but by the time I got out there the guts had been completely removed. There is an art to successfully dressing a deer, and Marty does know what he's doing.
Later this evening, in front of a roaring fire, Kathleen and I enjoyed listening to "Pipedreams" on public radio. We both agree that Minnesota Public Radio is among the best, if not the best, public radio in the country.
The front of the house.
Our truck, and out buildings, with a dusting of November snow.
November 15, 2008
The temperature today hit a high of 22 degrees. The wind was out of the west at 10-12 mph. The sky was overcast and it spit snow throughout the day.
Our neighbor, and newly elected president of the Otter Tail Peninsula Association, Jerry Schiebe stopped by for some pie, coffee and conversation. Jerry's a great guy, and Kathleen and I very much enjoyed our visit with him.
This evening I grilled up a t-bone steak for dinner; probably the last of my grilling for the season. Later, Kathleen and I listened to "A Prairie Home Companion" on the public radio. Garrison Keillor's singing guest tonight was Emmylou Harris. I've enjoyed her music from her earliest days with Gram Parsons.
No fishing on Leech Lake today.
Our neighbor, and newly elected president of the Otter Tail Peninsula Association, Jerry Schiebe stopped by for some pie, coffee and conversation. Jerry's a great guy, and Kathleen and I very much enjoyed our visit with him.
This evening I grilled up a t-bone steak for dinner; probably the last of my grilling for the season. Later, Kathleen and I listened to "A Prairie Home Companion" on the public radio. Garrison Keillor's singing guest tonight was Emmylou Harris. I've enjoyed her music from her earliest days with Gram Parsons.
No fishing on Leech Lake today.
November 14, 2008
Today was one of those fairly typical Fall days in the Northwoods of Minnesota where as the day wore on, the temperature steadily declined. This morning around 10 a.m. the temperature was 35 degrees. By late afternoon the temperature had falled to 25 degrees. With winds out of the WNW at 10-18 mph, the day kept getting colder.
Regardless of the temperature, I spent a good portion of the day outside. I put away the lawn chairs, packed up the folding chairs that we use around the fire pit at the cabin, stored the paint we used to paint the cabin in the crawl space below the house, and brought in a couple of loads of firewood into the garage.
Around 5:30 p.m. it started to snow, and since it was getting too dark to work outside any more, I went into the house. Kathleen and I enjoyed a fire in the fireplace.
No fishing today.
Regardless of the temperature, I spent a good portion of the day outside. I put away the lawn chairs, packed up the folding chairs that we use around the fire pit at the cabin, stored the paint we used to paint the cabin in the crawl space below the house, and brought in a couple of loads of firewood into the garage.
Around 5:30 p.m. it started to snow, and since it was getting too dark to work outside any more, I went into the house. Kathleen and I enjoyed a fire in the fireplace.
No fishing today.
November 13, 2008
Kathleen and I went into Bemidji today for one last day of errands before we leave for California next week. We mailed some boxes of stuff to our house in San Jose -- it's cheaper and more efficient than bringing it with us on the plane -- then we stopped at L&M Fleet to pick up a variety of supplies and finally we stopped at Lueken's Village Foods to get our last batch of groceries.
Before we left for town this afternoon, I started a crock pot of chili. I'm sure I won't be able to eat it all before we leave (it has meat in it so Kathleen won't eat it) so I'll freeze much of it for meals when I visit during my ice fishing trip in February.
When we arrived home, we unloaded the groceries, ate dinner, enjoyed a fire in the fireplace while listening to the Steve Kimock Band on CD.
The temperature today was near 40 degrees, it was rainy and overcast all day long and the wind was 8-12 mph out of the SW.
Before we left for town this afternoon, I started a crock pot of chili. I'm sure I won't be able to eat it all before we leave (it has meat in it so Kathleen won't eat it) so I'll freeze much of it for meals when I visit during my ice fishing trip in February.
When we arrived home, we unloaded the groceries, ate dinner, enjoyed a fire in the fireplace while listening to the Steve Kimock Band on CD.
The temperature today was near 40 degrees, it was rainy and overcast all day long and the wind was 8-12 mph out of the SW.
November 12, 2008
Tom Malay and I put his boat in my garage at the cabin for winter storage today. We both realized that neither of us will be doing any open-water fishing until the Spring of 2009. There was a finality to it that was a bit unsettling. I'd been fishing Leech Lake since May 23. Now here we were 5 1/2 months later and it was over.
Today also marks the final week of our stay in Minnesota. Kathleen and I have been here for the longest stretch of time since we purchased our properties in 2001, and now it's coming to a close. We've had a fantastic run at Leech Lake! We're trying to make every second of every day count, because we know our time here at the lake is limited.
The temperature today was 32 degrees, the sky was grey and overcast with the threat of snow and the wind was out of the south at 8-10 mph.
I made bacon-wrapped venison sirloin for dinner tonight. Until you've tried something so tasty and so decadent as bacon-wrapped venison sirloin, you haven't truly experienced life in the Northwoods of Minnesota.
After dinner I got a fire going in the fireplace, put some Frederic Chopin on the CD player and relaxed with Kathleen in front of the warmth of the fire. Another fantastic night on the shores of the mighty Leech Lake.
Today also marks the final week of our stay in Minnesota. Kathleen and I have been here for the longest stretch of time since we purchased our properties in 2001, and now it's coming to a close. We've had a fantastic run at Leech Lake! We're trying to make every second of every day count, because we know our time here at the lake is limited.
The temperature today was 32 degrees, the sky was grey and overcast with the threat of snow and the wind was out of the south at 8-10 mph.
I made bacon-wrapped venison sirloin for dinner tonight. Until you've tried something so tasty and so decadent as bacon-wrapped venison sirloin, you haven't truly experienced life in the Northwoods of Minnesota.
After dinner I got a fire going in the fireplace, put some Frederic Chopin on the CD player and relaxed with Kathleen in front of the warmth of the fire. Another fantastic night on the shores of the mighty Leech Lake.
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