It was hard not to be disappointed while driving through snow in Duluth on our journey home from Florida this week. Sunshine and 80-degree weather was just what the family needed to forget about winter for a couple of weeks.
We spent the majority of our time either pool-side or ocean-side, while the kids practiced snorkeling, and playing in the sand. I did not get an opportunity to fish for tarpon, or even get out on the water while visiting the Keys, but it was still a great time. Our kids are still a little young for a charter boat, and it just isn’t as fun without them.
The drive home from Minneapolis was long and the snowfall increased after turning up the Gunflint Trail. It began blowing sideways as it accumulated on the road. It was the kind of snow that demands slow speeds and low beams, since the high beam reflection was too intense. Eventually, we made our way home to a warm and welcoming house with enough time to unload the car, before collapsing into a familiar bed.
It feels good to be home, although I am surprised at the amount of snow that is still on the Gunflint Trail. The lakes and woods look exactly as they did in March when we left. So much for planning to skip the muddy season while soaking up the Florida sunshine this year. It is difficult to predict the weather up here, especially this year.
I would think this week’s sunshine will melt away most of the snow and hopefully start showing some open water on the lakes soon. The 2016 fishing opener is May 14 this year, which is just around the corner. It is hard to believe that we were facing conditions in March that suggested an almost certain early melt-down this spring, and now we are concerned about open water in time for the fishing season in May.
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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