Cook County is a charitable community of people who host events capable of raising significant amounts of money in an effort to better the world. News- Herald Editor Rhonda Silence wrote about this very subject in her column Riding with a purpose in the February 15 edition, and I too am proud to be one of you.
We chose to live here over Key West, Florida for that very reason. It really does take a village to raise a family.
Mush for a Cure has evolved each year with growing popularity to become a first class event raising tens of thousands of dollars to help find a cure for breast cancer. I was asked to have my head shaved this year and I am honored to be considered worthy of such a responsibility.
After all, I am just a fishing guide with the gift of gab who has pledged to do my very best to help the team of fundraisers that volunteer their time and services to make this event possible.
Mush will be held March 7th and 8th on the Gunflint Trail. For more details about the specific event times and locations, see pages B4-B5 or visit the website at www.mushforacure.com, where you can also donate in a safe and secure way to the cause.
To date the event has raised $186,500 and this year’s goal has been set at $50,000. Those are very impressive numbers for such a small community. It just goes to show that size can be trumped by determination.
The recent wet and heavy snowfall may add some difficulty to the event but do not let that discourage you from attending. Gunflint Lake has a lot of snow but the cold temperatures have stiffened up some otherwise wet areas. The east end of the lake has some obnoxious drifts that reminded me of navigating a bucking tide on the ocean but the west end of the lake is in better condition.
There have been a lot of troubles on the smaller mid-trail lakes this week. The added snow has turned to slush on many of the popular lakes making navigation next to impossible. Birch, Portage, Mayhew and Moss lakes are some of the worst and I am sure there are more to add to that list. Experienced riders with long tracks should not have too much trouble passing these lakes, but anglers are having a hard time stopping and drilling holes without getting wet or stuck.
I had to cancel a day last Friday on Moss Lake after getting stuck in the slush and to make matters worse I lost my ice fishing tent on the portage. I heard that it was found and left at the portage entrance off of Hungry Jack Road but it was not there when I returned to find it. Apparently someone needed it worse than me.
It is still possible to fish the Gunflint Trail lakes but take extra caution and bring the right equipment to stay safe.
Cory Christianson has worked as a fishing guide on the Gunflint Trail since 2000. If you have any fishing or wildlife reports or stories to share, send an email to: christiansoncory@hotmail.com or call 218- 388-0315. You can also visit Cory’s website at Gunflintfishingguide.com.
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