Age is simply a number and I like to believe that we are only as old as we feel. At least that is what I have been saying since my 40th birthday last week.
My life has changed dramatically in the past few years since my wife and I decided to start a family and have children, but I don’t feel that much older. With age comes wisdom, and I think patience. This I can feel, but my body doesn’t feel any different yet.
Rachelle surprised me last Saturday with a day at the spa, and I have to admit it was exactly what I would expect a spa day to be, and that is relaxing. Grandma Judy took the kids for the day and we drove down to Tofte to spend some quality time together receiving massages and facials.
That’s right, facials, which for me turned out to be an elaborate beard massage. I was told that my pores were being expressed but the Zen-like music and warm towels had me snoring through most of it. I could get used to walking around in a robe all day, but it might look a little strange in the boat.
Rachelle got the same treatment and we had an amazing lunch before soaking in the hot tub. It was a great way to spend the day, thanks honey!
Meanwhile, the Gunflint Trail has not changed one bit since November. We are still getting overnight lows below zero and the wind is howling. The snow has let up a little bit in the past few weeks, but an occasional storm will drop another few inches every time I decide to take my plow off of the truck. I know what you are thinking— stop taking your plow off!
I cannot help feel like each time I plow it is going to be the last time for the season, but it does not look that way right now.
The good news is that the lakes have frozen over nicely and the snow has settled into a hard-packed surface. I have not heard of any slush problems this week and the lake trout have been fairly easy to catch. I think they were fasting all winter and are finally ready to start eating.
Gunflint Lake has been my first choice lately since it is in good shape and the reports have been consistent, especially on the nicer days. It amazes me that fish can feel barometric pressure below three feet of snow and ice, but they can. If the barometer is rising, they get lockjaw and vice-versa, just like summer.
Be sure to check your fishing licenses since the Minnesota season licenses expired in February. It is confusing, but they no longer last as long as the season for some reason. I was told “unofficially” that warnings were not even being written to violators that were packing an expired license, but you might as well renew it if you are going to fish this the rest of the ice season.
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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