The wild weather this week has made for some tough fishing. We have had cold fronts followed by lightning and thunder followed by bright sunshine with no wind— brutal. Early season angling on the Gunflint Trail is very weather dependent, and that is why the bite has been tough lately. Fish “turn on” before a storm which makes it very... READ MORE >
After a full week of fishing in winter clothing up here on the Gunflint Trail I can safely say that I am ready for summer. Suiting up in long underwear and insulated rain gear is expected during the spring season on occasion, but this week has felt more like October than May. It seems that many things happen later in... READ MORE >
Each year my body has to endure the painful transition from accomplishing very little in the short days of winter, to the marathon of grueling work each long spring day. The goal is to finish all of my projects on land before the fishing season becomes too busy. This is my way of working off the winter fat and a... READ MORE >
We asked for rain and it happened in both the liquid and frozen form this week on the Gunflint Trail. There has been enough precipitation to reduce the forest fire danger to a moderate rating and the woods are beginning to flourish with leaves again. A nice mix of sun and rain have been nourishing the once thirsty forest that... READ MORE >
It was quite a surprise awaking to a white snow covered landscape this morning on the Gunflint Trail. The weather forecast called for freezing rain and possible snow flurries but I was not expecting to see an inch of snow accumulation overnight in the middle of May. Opening day of the Minnesota fishing season was calm and warm for those... READ MORE >
It appears that all of the Gunflint Trail lakes will be mostly open for the 2015 fishing opener. The far east end of Gunflint could still have a little ice left as well as the big lake side of Saganaga, but I highly doubt it with the bright sunshine and strong breezes we are getting this week. Two of my... READ MORE >
Gunflint Lake is a light breeze away from opening completely and history has proven that Saganaga should not be far behind. A few weeks ago it did not seem possible to have open water in time for the fishing opener on May 9, but that is no longer the case. The spring thaw is later than I had hoped to... READ MORE >
The changing season has been rapidly advancing this week with warm sunny days melting away the lake ice faster than I would have thought to be possible. Some of the smaller mid-Trail lakes are already open and I would predict the bigger lakes are not too far behind. The telltale signs of spring: trickling streams, seasonal allergies, wildlife, and even... READ MORE >
As another season of summer approaches the sun is finally taking its toll on the ice-covered lakes. Just this week we are seeing some open water along the shorelines and the streams are beginning to appear as they make their way towards the lakes. Our driveway went from sloppy wet to slightly dusty within a few days’ time. High winds... READ MORE >
We spent the weekend in Iowa celebrating Easter with family and friends hoping to roast in the sunshine— instead we settled for mid-60s and light jackets. Not exactly suntan weather but it felt nice to warm my bones a little and watch the kids reunite with their cousins while playing in the yard. Young Bo, our soon to be 3-year-old... READ MORE >
