Every fall on the Gunflint Trail has been a race for us to prepare for winter. Draining the water systems at cabins, storing boats, and cutting enough firewood to last the entire eight-month long heating season are my first priority, followed by picking up the yard before things get covered with snow.
I pride myself in efficiency and effectiveness while preparing for winter, at least in recent years, allowing enough time to enjoy the rifle season without stressing over unfinished work. However, as many of you already know, my wife and I have purchased the Devil’s Track Landing and are planning to open the doors for business on Dec. 2, which will significantly shorten, or possibly eliminate my chances at a buck this November.
Operating the lodge correctly will require us to move to the Devil Track property, from our Gunflint Trail home that we have worked so hard to build, within the next few weeks. Family, friends, and even future employees have been chipping in with paint brushes and scouring pads as we prepare for the opening date. Rachelle and I have never been strangers to hard work, and the challenges that lie ahead will certainly be a testament to our strength as a family and a business.
There have been many questions asked regarding the future of my guide service that I simply do not know the answer to. I am trying to continue the guide service with help from other local guides, but that is still in the works. It took 20 years to build my client list and I cannot bear the thought of walking away, so do not discount me yet.
Time will eventually answer many of the uncertainties, but for now we are focusing on the task in front of us, day and night, which is to create a place that people are proud to call their own.
See you in December; I will likely be the one in the kitchen.
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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