The holiday season is among us, and it is looking more like winter by the minute. Devil Track Lake is covered in a thin layer of ice, and the snowmobiles have already been breaking trails through the woods. Soon it will be safe to navigate the lakes, and everyone’s favorite winter activities will be in full swing.
Nordic skiers will be happy to hear that the ski trails on the Gunflint Trail have been groomed and are ready for use. A lot of work goes into maintaining these trails, and last year the early season wet snowfall brought down many limbs causing havoc on the trail system. This year the winter transition happened more naturally, and our snow accumulation has been friendlier to the forest – and my plow truck.
The temperatures this week are barely breaching zero, and I suspect the ice will build fast. If you have read my article in the past, you may already know that I do not pride myself on being the first one on the ice, and this season will be no different. I still have a little of that thin Florida blood pumping through my veins and the thought of falling through the ice is unimaginable.
I have been ice fishing for about eight seasons now, and quickly developed a love/hate relationship with the sport. If the conditions are right, it can be enjoyable – possibly even fun, but it only takes a slight wind to change everything. Constantly maintaining the hole and fishing line from freezing up is not my idea of a good time, and having to erect a house with heat can be more work than I am willing to invest for a few hours of fishing. I guess I have been spoiled by countless hours in a boat to ever fall in love with hardwater fishing.
Owning a restaurant/ lodge that is open seven days a week will also play into my availability for such activities, which is why I plan to concentrate more on snowmobiling this winter. I need to learn the trail system better, and it is a sport that I can engage in for short periods of time whenever my schedule will allow. The same could be said for cross country skiing, but I have only downhill skied in the past, and I am not very good at it. It seems like a peaceful way to enjoy the woods and someday I will experience it, especially when my children become old enough to learn it with me.
Happy Holidays!
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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