Cook County resorts are winding down in business for the season, mostly due to the lack of snow to accommodate the popular winter activities we are so famous for.
The forecast for this coming weekend will define the remaining few weeks of the winter season, and as much as I would like to see a couple more weeks of revenue it would not entirely break my heart to get a jumpstart on the preparations for this summer.
The lake ice is still thick enough to support a vehicle on many of the local lakes, which was proven last Saturday on Devils Track by some local daredevils, and I know folks who have been driving their vehicles as far as the Palisades on Gunflint. The fish are biting, but not great, which is a typical ice fishing report from Gunflint Lake. The bright days cause the ice to crack and pop as it prepares to break away from the shoreline. Fish tend to get tight lipped when the lake is making so much commotion, especially when the bright sunshine is being fueled by a high-pressure system above. The best days to fish, whether it is winter or summer, are the slick calm days with heavy overcast – but sometimes you have to take what you can get when it comes to the weather in northern Minnesota.
Many would say that we had a bad winter, but it did not seem that bad to me. It certainly was not as long as it could have been, and like last year it was a little too warm, but we have been pretty busy at the Skyport since we opened last December. Rachelle and I are very thankful for all of the local customers on the slower days, and it is clear to us that the Skyport would not survive without them.
Fortunately, spring break is right around the corner and we are planning to take our children to Disney World in Orlando, Florida for the first time. I have spent a lot of time on the ocean in South Florida and it will be difficult for me to know that I am so close to the salty air of the Atlantic Ocean without getting to see it, but we have been promising the kids that we would take them to Disney World for a couple of years now, and I am excited to see them enjoy a vacation designed just for them.
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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