My prediction of iceout happening in time for the 2014 fishing opener is beginning to look like nothing more than wishful optimism. The ice is not melting very quickly and the temperatures are still hovering a few degrees (plus or minus) from freezing. I have even heard some reports of areas that are making ice overnight. We might be lucky to launch a boat on any of the bigger Gunflint Trail lakes by Memorial weekend if this keeps up.
Iron Lake is typically the first to start showing significant open water during the spring thaw and it has just begun separating from shore near the snowmobile trail bridge. Most of the lakes have started turning grey which means they will be melting down to bare ice soon, but things are not happening very quickly on the Gunflint Trail this week. The daytime highs are barely warm enough to melt the snow off of rooftops, so I doubt we are getting any lake ice melting. The Ham Run Half Marathon is this Saturday, May 3 and it sounds like we might have some warmer weather happening by the weekend. You can visit the web site at www.hamrunhalfmarathon.com for race details and registration.
I know that the half-marathon will be starting at the Gunflint Pines resort and the 5K will start at the brand new Gunflint Volunteer Fire Department Hall #3 and Community Center located by the Seagull Lake public boat landing. The Ham Run has fluctuated in participants each year and it is hard to predict this year’s turnout with the bad weather that we have had this week. The forecast is calling for a nice day but I have a hard time believing weather predictions this time of the year. Spring weather is always unpredictable especially during the changing of the seasons.
They say that sled dogs run better in the cold… maybe people do too. It is hard to believe that the Ham Lake wildfire was seven years ago since I am reminded daily by the sight of burnt trees. I can’t pass by the Iron Lake area without remembering the flames crossing the road and torching everything from the campground to Little Mayhew, or watching Gunflint lakes north shore explode. I am also reminded of Ham Lake’s destruction every time I fish in Trout Bay on Northern Light Lake, Ontario (which is on the other side of the 75,000 acre fire) and every time I motor up Saganaga’s newly constructed shoreline.
Forest fires are dangerous and it is nice to have an event like the Ham Run Half-Marathon to raise some money for the community while reminding us how devastating a wildfire can be. There are usually as many spectators as there are runners so make an appearance at the Gunflint Pines Saturday morning and you can be shuttled to the campgrounds at the end of the Trail for some music and lunch under the big tent.
They are serving ham, of course.
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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