The old Chik Wauk Lodge has been refurbished with the help of countless volunteers and there will be a grand opening this July 4th.
I have only peeked inside the windows while doing some outside work, but I can tell you it looks very nice so far. They are expecting a large turnout for the grand opening. It will be a good time to catch up with some familiar faces on the Trail. The Gunflint Trail Historical Society and Chik Wauk Museum story has been covered already so I do not want to get into all the details other than letting you know when it will be open, and that it is located at County Road 81 (Moose Pond Road) on the right hand side as you are driving in.
The walleye bite was on fire last weekend, even with the nasty weather. Unfortunately my customers could no longer bear the wet and cold so we were forced to quit early on Friday. I can’t really blame them since my fingers were having a hard time handling the feisty minnows, let alone re-tying broken off lines.
Guiding on cold days is expected up here, and I have learned that it is mandatory to outlast the other people in the boat. It is sort of like not being the slowest person when outrunning a bear.
Quality rain gear is the best investment an angler can make and some waterproof gloves are nice when moving between spots.
The lake trout have started to drop into the 35 – 50 foot range since the surface temperatures are rising into the high 60s. I spent a little time jigging for them up at Honeymoon Island and I think we ended with our limit in about an hour. The average size has been around two pounds, but I was told that bigger fish were caught on some other humps.
A lot of people like the jig and Ciscoe combination because it gets bigger fish to bite, but a jigging Rapala or Nils Master works just as good. You also have a shot at catching a whitefish or two while you are doing it.
Leeches and minnows are working great for the walleyes and throwing jig-heads is usually my preferred muse, however the high winds this weekend were pushing the biters into the weeds and the Lindy rigs were getting more bites. Jigs tend to get too many weeds attached to them and unlike me, walleyes do not seem to like a salad with their meat. The Lindy rigs put your bait higher in the water column and keep it cleaner. If you do pick up any unwanted flotsam, it is usually on your sinker not your bait.
Good luck and I will see you out there.
Cory Christianson, a 2000
graduate of the University of Iowa,
has worked as a fishing guide on
the Gunflint Trail for nine years.
If you have any fishing reports or
stories to share, send an email to:
christiansoncory@hotmail.com or
call 218-388-0315.
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