Every year I plant my tomatoes during the first week of June—and every year I lose a few to frost. This year proves to be no different. Anyone can be fooled once but it takes a real stubborn Swede, like myself, to get fooled every year. I covered them up at night with a tarp but a few of the plants are looking a little limp. The leaves have not turned black yet so maybe there is still hope. I shall pray for them. I think I am the only Iowan who was born without a green thumb.
Believe it or not, there are some more important issues to discuss about the Gunflint Trail than my tomato plants so hopefully I have not lost your interest yet. The A. Paul and Carol Schaap Mid-Trail Community Center will be celebrating its grand opening on June 12. If you have not seen the new building, it is located next to the Gunflint Trail Volunteer Fire Department’s Hall #1.
John and Rose Schloot (owners of Cross River Lodge on Gunflint Lake) will be grilling their infamous “Pig n’ a Polka” ribs and chicken and there will be a large tent set-up for dining. We are expecting around 200 people to attend so it should be a lot of fun for everyone.
The big metal building looks much like the two buildings next to it but has a carpeted floor with a full kitchen and two bathrooms. The Gunflint Trail community is welcome to reserve the building by contacting the GTVFD. Currently the building is being used for a Zumba class as well as a training facility for our local fire department. It will also serve as a communications center during any major incidents on the Gunflint Trail. For more information about the Schaap Community Center or the GTVFD please visit our website at www.gunflint911.org.
Now for the most important issue—fishing! The wind beat us up a little this week and the water is finally starting to warm up to the mid-50s. The traditional “opening day spots” are starting to produce some fish on Saganaga Lake. James Bay, Red Rock and Devils Walk are all great areas to try to hook up to a trophy marble-eye. These muddy water bays warm up faster than the rest of the lake, enticing the hungry post-spawn ‘eyes to get their feed on. Northern Light Lake in Ontario has been giving up some big numbers of big fish—as usual.
I fished Gunflint Lake last night for an hour to see if there were still any walleyes in the Cross River. I caught one walleye 28 inches long that had already spawned out and the bridge anglers were getting a few eater-sized fish, but not very many.
It would be interesting to hear if anyone has caught any walleyes that were still holding eggs this week. The DNR did not extend the “no fishing” regulations in the spawning zones this year so many anglers have been taking advantage of these areas. Hopefully they have not been keeping any of the big female spawners. They represent the backbone of any lake.
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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