It seems like every week the only thing to write about is wolves. I wish there was more going on up here right now but with the less than perfect snow activities, the wolves seem to take the show each week.
My wife and I were eating lunch at the Gunflint Bistro while watching a couple of wolves cleaning up the remains of a deer kill on the lake. Theywere being harassed by a bunch of ravens while trying to drag the remains off of the lake. It appeared the ravens were winning, but the wolves must have taken care of most of the deer before we had arrived. This is not uncommon up here, but while we were enjoying our lunch, an ice fishing shack had popped into the scene without any of us noticing it.
The Gunflint Lodge staff told us that a local photographer was inside trying to get some shots of the gruesome scene. The ice shack would systematically lift up in the air displaying a couple of boots underneath as it repositioned itself nearer to the scene. It was pretty funny to watch since it looked like a giant bug powered by two feet moving very quickly across the lake.
Just as quickly as the ice shack had appeared, a snowmobile came racing up to the shack to see what was going on. All of the work the photographer had put into being stealthy was quickly ruined by the curious snowmobiler. The show was pretty much over by then, but it was pretty entertaining.
Things should be perking up a little with the trout opener this week, and I hope we start getting some more white stuff to make everyone a little bit happier. I have heard some good reports from the anglers willing to hike a little way into the “B-Dub,” but I just do not have that kind of time or energy right now.
There have been some good reports from South Lake, off of Gunflint, with lake trout in the 25-30-inch range and pretty quick action at that. Duncan has also produced some nice sized eaters this week, but everyone seems to agree that the bites come fast and furious for a while, then shut down completely. This is pretty common with the weather we have been having lately. The bright sunny days can make fishing like it is in the summer time, sporadic at best. Fish seem to turn on for a while and then go right back into hibernation. Plenty of fish being marked, but they only want to bite for a while. The best days in the winter seem to be just like the best days in the summer; cloudy overcast and mild temperatures being the most successful.
Cross your fingers and hope for the snow like we all are and just maybe we will get lucky. If it warms up too much this week we will most likely get some slushy lakes, which makes for difficult fishing.
If you are coming up for the opener be prepared. If the fish are not biting you can always drown your sorrows at any one of our local watering holes. See you there.
Cory Christianson, a 2000 graduate of the University of Iowa, has worked as a fishing guide on the Gunflint Trail for nine years. If you have any fishing reports or stories to share, send an email to: christiansoncory@ hotmail.com or call 218-388-0315.
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