The warm summer season is coming to an end with frost warnings each night this week. The morning chill is cold enough to create a blanket of fog in the low-lying lands between hilltops, painting a mystical canvas along the Gunflint Trail.
The air temperatures have plummeted, especially overnight, while the water temperatures are slowly catching up. I have been seeing surface temperatures in the low- to mid- 60s this week and the water will surely continue to cool off with the high winds and cold evenings. Fall is approaching fast.
The fishing has been getting better with each day as the walleyes, bass, and northern pike make their annual descent to the deeper waters. They are chasing the minnows that are finding the deeper water more comfortable to reside in. This week the fish have been concentrating in 24-34 feet of water but I was able to catch a few walleyes as deep as 40 feet. Once fish reach these depths the preferred bait becomes minnows since night crawlers and leeches have a hard time in the cold deep water and they are rarely found that deep naturally. Fish are not smart but they seem to know when something is not being presented to them naturally.
Fall seems to be a favorite season for many of the Gunflint Trail residents and I would have to agree with them. The beautiful color changes and transformations that take place in this forest are simply stunning. Vibrant gold leaves contrasting with evergreen pines resting on a bed of granite will forever represent autumn to me.
When I lived in Key West, Florida, I was robbed of this spectacular display each fall without realizing how essential it was for me to see the changes of seasons. I can no longer imagine missing a fall season in the Great Northwoods of Minnesota ever again, but I am slowly learning in life that all great things will someday come to an end.
Tragedy has struck the Gunflint Trail once again this summer with the loss of another one of its residents. My dear friend of 20 years, Dennis Todd, drowned after being ejected from his boat on Northern Light Lake last Thursday. His passenger swam to shore but Dennis tried swimming after the circling boat and could not swim any longer.
It has been a very emotional week for many of us and I would like to thank everyone who volunteered time and equipment to help bring him home. Dennis was found this week by the Canadian dive team and will forever be remembered by my family and me for the great things he did for us. The Gunflint Trail will never be the same without him. Rest in peace, Dennis.
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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