Woods & Water (267)
Just the other day, I was finally able to do a little yard work and that in itself felt pretty good. Now, I know that doing yard work is not a newsworthy tidbit of information. But, as I was cleaning up the yard waste, it dawned on me that the cart which I was using to haul it away was a real relic.
It is rusty and the paint that is still there is covered with old cement. I can remember that it was originally green with orange trim.
I believe that it was originally purchased by my aunt and uncle at the old Gambles store “up town” which today would be referred to as downtown. Whenever my folks were going to town they were going up town. Example: “I’m going up town for a while be back in a bit.” Maybe my family was just a little bit dysfunctional or some might shrug it off as us just being Norwegian but that’s what we called it.
As a kid, going to town was a big event that usually took place on Saturday mornings. I can remember going to town with my mom and aunt to buy groceries.
There was a store called National Tea, which was located near the Post Office. What made that store unique was that it had a drive-in parking garage. I remember how much fun I thought that was when I’d get to go along and we’d park in that garage.
I looked forward to helping my mom unpack the groceries when we got home; anticipating anything that a kid might like. Cereal was usually the most kid-friendly thing she would buy, which would consist of Wheaties the breakfast of champions, Corn Flakes or Shredded Wheat. Cereal came in only one size back then.
Let’s get back to the cart. I can remember my Aunt Ruby, who was the original owner of the cart, yelling at my cousin Tom for pushing me around the yard in that very same cart. I find it hard to believe that I was ever that small.
My Aunt Ruby and Uncle Harvey Christensen lived right next door to us on Bridge Avenue. They had a nice big yard which they really kept quite nice.
As a kid, I spent a lot of time at their house and they would usually let us kids play in the front yard if the conditions were right. If the ground was wet or soft, Aunt Ruby would come out and shoo us off. But, if it was dry, she would usually leave us alone to play. We mainly played football in that yard because it was big and flat so we had plenty of room to run.
Once in a while, Uncle Harvey would take me golfing at Green Lea. Of course I’d start out as his caddie Then, when we’d get away from the clubhouse, he’d let me golf with his clubs.
I thought that was pretty neat, but as I remember, those clubs were pretty heavy for a kid to carry for nine holes. It was the first time that I had ever heard someone yell “fore,” and I actually had to have my uncle explain to me what it meant.
There were times in the early spring when he would take me fishing for bullheads at Pickerel Lake’s shore. Back then, you would park right alongside highway 69 and fish the shoreline.
In the spring, the banks would be lined with folks hoping to fill a bucket with that early spring delicacy. It was fun, and I felt good about it because I was being treated to a short fishing trip to a lake I didn’t normally get to fish.
There was a period of time when my uncle had a little office up on Broadway where he sold used cars. When I got a little older, he would sometimes find little odd jobs for me to do.
I believe that the actual car lot was on the south part of town. However, he kept that uptown office, which was very narrow and very small. It was located somewhere in the area where the old cigar store once was.
I rode my bike to town and occasionally, he would have me sit in the office and answer the phone whenever he needed to go somewhere. Come to think of it, I don’t remember if anyone ever did actually call while I was there. Most days he would have me ride my bike to the car lot and wipe the dust off the cars so that they would be nice and shiny in hopes of catching the eye of a perspective customer. I didn’t get paid very much for doing that, but I didn’t really care because it made me feel like I had a real job.
Now that the lakes are open and the weather is actually warming up, it’s time to scratch that fishing itch. This is a good time for perch, crappies and sunnies; not to mention the whiskered ones. Live bait is usually the key to early ice out fishing success because the water is still cold; so slow presentation and live bait should work well for those hungry fish.
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MUSKY TALK:
The May meeting of Crossroads Chapter 54 of Muskies Inc. will be Wednesday, May 8 at 7p.m. at Eagles Club in Owatonna. Our speaker will be our chapter member, Rodger Larson, who guides on Leech Lake. He will give his thoughts on what worked last summer and what you can expect this summer. Rodger will take your questions and give answers. Our meetings are the 2nd Wednesday of every month and include informative speakers, updates, door prizes and raffle and plenty of musky talk! Bring a friend. You do not need to be a member to attend. Help support musky fishing in Southern Minnesota.
Until next time, take a little time to enjoy our great Minnesota outdoors.
Please remember to keep our troops in your thoughts and prayers because they are the reason we are able to enjoy all the freedoms that we have today.
Nothing like the smell of open water in spring
Written by Jim LutgensThis past Wednesday, while on my usual early morning walk, I was greeted by a spring breeze. I enjoyed the fresh smell of open water.
This scent came from a lake that had just shed its icy cover and was ready for a fresh start. This is a special smell that only comes around in the spring of the year. There is something invigorating about that smell carried through the air in the spring of the year.
Although the start of a new season may mean something different to other folks, to me it is kind of like a re-birth or a fresh beginning. The signs of winter are supposedly subsiding and we are beginning the next chapter of the seasonal book. Some winters, as we are finding out, take a little longer to let go than others, but we can rest assured that eventually it will happen.
There are some smells that I will always cherish like bacon frying over a campfire. Popping popcorn will usually always make my mouth water, freshly mown hay is unmistakable, as is freshly cut grass (not the same), and a new litter of young pups has its own distinct odor.
If you’ve ever walked in the woods and been treated to the smell of fallen leaves after a late fall rain, you know what I’m talking about, and of course the aforementioned lakes smell soon after ice-out. These are odors that can make me stop and say to myself “life is good.” Yes, sometimes something as simple as a fragrance can turn a frown into a smile.
Speaking of spring, (which I still have hopes of seeing) I can remember as a kid how I would embrace the first big melt of the year. Growing up north of town on Bridge Avenue had a lot of advantages for a kid.
Bridge had county ditches running along both sides of it that fed into the “crick” where I loved to spend most of my time as a youth. Glenview Drive was still gravel so whenever the snow would melt, it would form its own ditches that would carry the water to the big ditch and eventually on to the “Crick.”
This is when we’d build small rafts out of sticks or wood scraps and go to the “headwaters” of the tributary that had formed by the melting snow. Some of the neighbor kids joined in and we would float these makeshift boats in the gullies formed along the road occasionally coaxing them along until they reached the rushing water of the ditch.
The water in the ditch could be fairly deep at times. I can remember a few of those times where it was almost up to the shoulder of the road.
That was probably the most exciting time, because to get through the culverts it would disappear into a whirlpool. We took pleasure out of tossing in anything that would float and watch it get sucked under the water.
Then we ran as fast as we could to wait for it to reappear on the other side and follow it until it reached the slough. We knew that there was only a small window of opportunity to enjoy the “raging river” before it would start to subside, so we tried to make the most of it.
I don’t think our Moms thought playing by the ditch when the water was high was a very good idea. The one thing about spring I could count on was the fact that we’d usually never come home with dry pants or shoes.
I know that I wouldn’t have enjoyed it if I had to grow up inside the city limits. There were too many things to do in the country where we always found ways to make our own fun.
Whenever I drive past the house where I grew up, thoughts of those childhood friends and those days gone by still come to me. Those are good thoughts of fun times, and remembering how it once was gives me a warm feeling that is hard to describe.
The Minnesota DNR has just finished a three year investigation into illegal fishing violations in Northern Minnesota and has issued the following news release:
Fish-poaching investigation:
In March 2010, the DNR initiated a three-year special enforcement investigation into the illegal selling, buying and dumping of protected game fish in north-central and northwestern Minnesota. The investigation has now resulted in state charges against at least 21 individuals and federal indictments against 10 others. The fish involved were mainly walleye from some of Minnesota most popular fishing lakes: Red Lake, Lake Winnibigoshish, Leech Lake and Cass Lake. The results of the investigation will continue to unfold in 2013. The infractions took place in the following counties; Beltrami, Cass, Clearwater, Itasca, Pennington and Polk.
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Whenever I read about any infractions involving taking game or fish over the limit it makes me feel a little sad, as these are resources that cannot be replaced overnight.
The recent moisture is just what we needed. If you do get a chance to venture out and dodge a few raindrops, there is plenty of waterfowl to observe in the channel by Frank Hall Park. The ducks, geese, and pelicans are there in good numbers. It is always fun to stop and watch the wildlife, especially this time of year.
Until next time, try to get out and take in a little of the great Minnesota outdoors.
Please remember to keep our troops in your thoughts and prayers, because they are the reason we are able to enjoy all the freedoms that we have today.
Are we there yet? How much longer? These are questions a little kid might ask while on a trip. These are also questions about spring that I have found myself mumbling at times to no one in particular.
I have found that it’s getting pretty hard to get all that excited about spring when winter seems intent on holding on as long as it can. Over the years, April has brought us an occasional snowstorm, but as much as I embrace the four seasons of Minnesota, I really feel that it’s time to move on to the next season.
My grandson, Trevor, has been hunting snow geese this “spring” with some pretty good results. It gives me a good feeling to know that he likes all facets of the outdoors experience.
It is great to see not only Trevor but my other grandsons get involved in hunting and fishing. I am looking forward to introducing my two young granddaughters to the outdoors as well.
When it comes to our youth as sportsmen we really need to do whatever we can to promote the sports of hunting and fishing. There are too many kids out there that haven’t been exposed to these outdoors activities.
Our youth ARE our future sportsmen. They need to get “unplugged” and get outdoors because they will be the ones to carry on the tradition of the outdoors heritage that we enjoy in our great state.
Once the weather straightens out and the ice is off of area lakes we can begin seeking out perch and panfish. There was a time when it was fashionable to fish bullheads and spring was the best time to do that. It just doesn’t seem like there are as many of those whiskered fish swimming area lakes as there once was.
My father and mother in-law used to look forward to fishing bullheads each spring. My wife Jean and I were usually invited to tag along.
We would go to a variety of places around the Twin Lakes and Emmons area in search of the fish that they classified as a delicacy. I had learned early-on that you never stood behind my mother-in-law when she was fishing bullheads. If the bobber went under, the fish was coming out of the water; it was set the hook and rip the fish out of the water. The bullhead would usually go flying over her head and land somewhere behind her. I had a few near-misses before I learned to pay closer attention.
Now, we Norwegians take our share of good natured ribbing for eating lutefisk, but a lot of those same Norskies along with many non-lutefisk eaters have also devoured their share of bullheads. As an adult, I usually didn’t go out of my way to fish for them unless I was with my in-laws. I have to say that catching those big old yellow-bellied bullheads back at the old mink farm when I was a kid sure was a lot of fun. In case you haven’t noticed, when it comes to fishing I still consider myself a kid and kids don’t really care what they are catching, as long as they’re catching.
This directs us back to discussion of the outdoors with our youth. It doesn’t take an expensive rig to catch fish in our area lakes or any lake for that matter. Getting a kid “hooked” on fishing is a great way to start them on a lifelong adventure.
There are a lot of places to fish in our area and there are other lakes close by that can make the experience seem even more exciting. Both St. Olaf and Beaver Lakes have nice fishing piers and a short drive to a different lake can seem pretty special and pretty exciting to a young fisherman.
I can remember as a kid when my mom would sometimes pack a picnic lunch for a Sunday afternoon of fishing and a picnic. Even now, I still look back on these times and remember how much I enjoyed spending the day at the lake.
If you don’t want to leave town, you can dig some worms or buy some minnows, pack a picnic lunch and visit Edgewater Park for an afternoon of fishing and enjoying the outdoors. Sometimes simple is better and it can give a child memories that will last he or she a lifetime.
If you would like to try your hand at trout fishing you don’t need a fly rod; just a spinning reel and some crawlers. The DNR released the following information regarding trout fishing near St. Peter:
Rainbow trout fishing will return to Paul’s Creek, near St. Peter, as the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) begins stocking operations for the April 13 stream trout opener.
“Stocking Paul’s Creek has become a tradition for area anglers and the DNR,” said Scott Mackenthun, DNR fisheries assistant area supervisor. “We know a lot of people of all ages look forward to it.”
On the eve of Minnesota’s stream trout opener, the DNR will stock 1,500 rainbow trout yearlings into the St. Peter trout ponds, also known as Paul’s Creek.
Stream trout are defined as splake, brook, brown and rainbow trout. Anglers are limited to five fish of combined species. Only one trout may be more than 16 inches long.
All anglers 16 years of age and over must possess a Minnesota angling license and trout stamp validation. Fishing hours for stream trout on inland waters are from one hour before sunrise until 11 p.m. each day. All stream trout must have head, tail, fins and skin intact when being transported.
Until next time, let’s get out and spend a little time in the great Minnesota outdoors.
Please remember to keep our troops in your thoughts and prayers because they are the reason we are able to enjoy all the freedoms that we have today.
I’d have to say that spring officially arrived when I spotted my first robin on April Fools’ Day. Since then, I’ve seen many more; I’ll take that as a good sign.
When I was a kid my mother would always try to fool my sister and I with an April Fools’ joke of some sort. One year, she called me to the kitchen window to see the first robin of the spring. But, of course, there was no robin in sight and the joke was on me.
After falling for it a couple of times, I’d become wary. But because I knew how much she enjoyed it, I would play along. I don’t think that I ever told her any different. It didn’t take much to amuse us back then, but I guess those were just simpler, less complicated times.
Although we have been having sunny days and the snow is slowly disappearing, the temperature doesn’t seem to be in any hurry to take it to the next level. The good news is that there is water running over the dam on Bridge Street and if the temperatures continue to escalate, we may actually embrace some normal spring-like temperatures.
Trevor, my oldest grandson, said that upper Twin Lake is loaded with waterfowl. Last weekend, Trevor did manage to bag a couple of snow geese on an early morning hunt. There also seem to be more and more eagle sightings in our area; more than I can ever remember. This is a good thing for anyone that enjoys wildlife and the outdoors.
Albert Lea Lake has been host to waterfowl of many different kinds over that past years. This year is no exception. I spoke to a person that, while walking his dog by the old disposal plant last week, spotted hundreds of ducks and geese on the open water by the aerators.
Sitting on the ice nearby were four young eagles checking out the situation and watching from afar was an adult eagle. I know it wasn’t a social event for those eagles, and I assume they probably had lunch on their minds.
It’s amazing how much wildlife you can see within just a few miles of home. If you were to take a drive out past the Jugland Dam, there’s a chance that you could be treated to a wildlife sighting of some sort. If you are a little more adventuresome and aren’t afraid to get your car dirty, a drive past the Twin Lakes might be rewarding.
A couple of weeks ago while my wife and I were driving home from Bricelyn after visiting our new granddaughter Ava, her brother Dylan and her sister Emma were treated to some deer sightings. By the time we had reached the Kiester turnoff, we estimated seeing over 50 deer in about four different locations along the way.
This is why I like to travel “old 16” or as it is officially called, County Road 46. Spotting deer alive in the wild is much better than seeing them lying on the shoulder of an Interstate Highway.
I have written many times about the need to make sure that future generations are introduced to their outdoors heritage in one form or another. The State of Minnesota also has recognized that there has been a declining interest in outdoors recreation. In 2010, they started a program within many State Parks designed to introduce families to the Minnesota outdoors and all that it has to offer.
Minnesota state parks and trails offer a new season of outdoor ‘I Can!’ programs for families. Families will learn how to pitch a tent, hook a fish, paddle a kayak or canoe, scale a cliff and shoot a bow at nearly 200 “I Can!” programs offered this summer at Minnesota state parks and on state water trails. The newly expanded “I Can!” series of outdoor programs are designed to introduce kids to camping, fishing, paddling, climbing and archery.
“We created the ‘I Can!’ series in response to research that showed declining participation in outdoor recreation by young families,” said Courtland Nelson, DNR Parks and Trails Division director. “These popular programs are designed to introduce the next generation to the outdoors.”
Since the series launched in 2010, thousands of people have been introduced to outdoor recreation and Minnesota state parks and trails. Participation in “I Can Camp!” totaled 877 in 2012, up 51 percent from the 582 who participated the first year.
“I had to drag my kids there, and now they won’t stop exploring,” reported one father who participated in an “I Can Camp!” program. “We consider ourselves on our way to becoming veteran campers,” said a mother who attended the hands-on, learn-to-camp workshop.
All equipment is provided for the programs, along with mentoring from experienced instructors. Some programs require advance registration and a fee; others are free and allow visitors to drop-in anytime. A vehicle permit ($5/one-day or $25/year-round) is required to enter Minnesota state parks and recreation areas. A one-day permit is included with registration for an “I Can Camp!” program.
For more information about any of the programs in the “I Can!” series, including program dates, times, locations and other information, visit www.mndnr.gov/ican or call the DNR Information Center at 651-296-6157 or toll-free 888-646-6367 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Until next time, let’s get out and enjoy the spring like weather and explore the beauty of the outdoors.
Please remember to keep our troops in your thoughts and prayers because they are the reason we are able to enjoy all the freedoms that we have today.
Here we go again! Another week has gone by and the weather can still be the main topic of conversation at morning coffee.
Just the other day, I heard on the old television set that someone was going to sue Punxsutawney Phil for making the wrong prediction about spring. I’ve got news for that someone – if we sued the weather folks every time they made a mistake, it would create a lot of rich lawyers.
Let’s face it. That chubby little rodent has no clue as to what the weather will do anyway. I have always suspected that groundhogs day was created by someone who had a severe case of cabin fever and was looking for a little comic relief.
As the days get longer and the temperatures gradually begin to creep a little higher on the old “dipstick,” I can almost find myself getting a little excited about spring. I am really feeling the need to head north to the cabin for a few days. However, I will need to wait at least a couple more weeks because according to a reliable source, (Randy) the snow is still waist deep back where our cabin is.
Just the thought of spring and summer has visions of fish jumping in my head. I can almost smell the pine trees as I take this imaginary trip through dreamland in search of that first cast to open water on a northern Minnesota lake. I don’t mean to say that we can’t have the same fishing experience here at home, but I fear that Northern Minnesota has stolen my heart.
I have spent many years going north for one or two weeks a year, but now I have a cabin to go to and more time to spend when I get there so it makes it hard to stay away. I spent most of my younger days fishing the many lakes of our area and experience some really enjoyable times. As a youth the lakes that I frequented most, other than Fountain, were St. Olaf and Beaver Lakes.
Both lakes have always been good to me as far as fishing fun. This summer, I will make it a point to revisit each of them at least one time. Although I’ve not fished them for several years, I still remember St. Olaf as a good northern, bass and crappie lake. Beaver offered up walleye along with bass and crappie.
When I was a kid my folks would take me to St. Olaf or Beaver and let me fish off shore while they visited friends. That was as close as I’d usually get to going “up north,” but it didn’t matter to me because I was just excited to be able to fish some different lakes. While driving to one of those lakes, that unmistakable feeling of excitement would kick in when the landscape started telling me that we were nearing the lake.
I think the best part was the fact that I could catch something other than the bullheads and bluegills we would catch back at the “mink farm.” The mink farm actually sat where Bancroft Bay Park is today. The house that I grew up in on Bridge Street originally sat on mink farm property, before the folks bought it and moved it to its present location.
Once or twice a year mom, dad and their friends would rent a pontoon boat at St. Olaf on a Sunday afternoon. We fished and had a picnic on the lake.
One of those times, my Dad took my grandma along. She really seemed to enjoy it, but I got the feeling that he probably enjoyed doing it even more.
My dad was not a fisherman, but he did love being on the lake and being in the outdoors. Mom and I were the ones that liked to fish so whenever he was able to take us someplace he would. I think that it made him feel like he was doing his part to make sure we were doing something we loved to do.
Looking back at my younger days, I have actually fished a lot of lakes in this part of the state. I have caught some nice northern on Jefferson and Madison Lakes. Reeds Lake is still probably the lake that I enjoyed fishing the most.
I used to take the boys fishing with me to Reeds on the opener and also other times during the summer. That lake used to be good for walleye early on. I could always catch northern along with some dandy bass as summer progressed. However, there just got to be too many boats for the size of the lake.
As long as I’m talking area lakes, I can’t leave out Tetonka Lake in Waterville. I had a camper on that lake for eight years and enjoyed the time that I spent at Best Point.
It can be a very good fishing lake at times and although I don’t really like to eat them, the striped bass are really fun to catch. If you can find them at the right time, the action can be non-stop.
This lake pretty much has it all, northern, walleye, bass, crappie, sunnies and even some muskie. The lake tends to get a little green as the summer moves on but as far as the fishing it’s pretty hard to beat.
Hey, I think I’d better check my tackle boxes again. I know that one of my fishing reels still needs new line. That should pacify me for a little while until I can make a trip to the fishing aisle of one or more of our area stores.
Until next time, let’s get out and enjoy the almost spring like weather and take in the beauty of the outdoors.
Please remember to keep our troops in your thoughts and prayers because they are the reason we are able to enjoy all the freedoms that we have today.
It’s kind of interesting how the one topic that seems to bond most Minnesotans together is the weather. It is the one element in our lives that we can do absolutely nothing about. Yet, I don’t think a day goes by that a person doesn’t make some reference to it.
I believe that there are about three different types of weather mentioners amongst us. The first is the chirpy up-beat person that seems content with the weather no matter what. Talking to that person could go something like this: #1. Sure is hot out today – Answer: I like warm weather! #2. The whatever person: “It’s been raining for a week and the basement is flooded. Will it ever stop? Answer: We need the moisture. (no doubt for the Ark that they’re building) Besides it was time for new furniture in the basement anyway. “Wasn’t that your house floating by?” – Whatever! The last one is the glass half empty person. Example: What a gorgeous day, it just doesn’t get any better than this! Answer: It’s alright now but it’s supposed to rain tomorrow; I hate the thought of rain!
While I’m on the subject, I’d guess that most of us are really ready for spring. I can’t quite come up with that mental picture of blooming flowers and chirping robins while we are experiencing near record lows for this time of year. I am usually closest to the up-beat person mentioned above, as there is nothing I can do about weather so I may as well savor the moment.
This is the time of year when it takes a little more effort to get excited about open water fishing. It’s kind of like waiting for the other shoe to drop (wonder how many folks really know what that is supposed to mean?). Ice fishing is pretty much done with and open water fishing seems to be far off.
I’ve thought about heading up north to the cabin to see how it survived the winter, but they’ve had so much snow up there that I’d have a hard time getting to it. Last year, we sighted a lot of deer in that area but I have to wonder if the hard winter will hurt this year’s deer population.
There are times when I find myself thinking about spending time in the north woods. Inevitably, my thoughts will always revert back to fishing.
There are times when it is so peaceful that the only sound that you may hear is that of a fish jumping or the occasional call of a distant loon. My favorite time to be on the lake is early morning with a light fog blanket masking the location of the fish as they feed on the surface.
I still get a rush of excitement whenever I hear the sound of a fish jumping out of the water. I guess that is just the kid in me telling me that it’s okay to still get excited about the whole fishing experience.
Sitting in a boat on a lake with no one around in early morn can be so quiet that it almost seems eerie. There are times like that when you almost don’t want to move fearing that you will break the mood. Fishing out of a small boat is something that I really enjoy, but dropping anything on the floor even something as small as a split shot can almost make it sound like you’ve dropped a bowling ball.
Yes, fishing and relaxing definitely do go hand-in-hand and as I’ve mentioned several times in the past, I don’t feel that there is anything more relaxing than watching a bobber bouncing lazily in a light breeze while anticipating a bite. Fishing sometimes involves a little work to get to the relaxing part but it is so well worth it.
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I have to admit, I am not a huge basketball fan except when it comes to high school basketball. When I was in high school (seems like yesterday) most games were played on Friday night. When the basketball team was out of town the wrestling team was usually home so I would go to the event that was home.
The state basketball tournament was a big event and was usually televised so I was able to follow the tournament on our 19” black and white Zenith TV. There was only one bracket back then and the big school vs. small school scenario always made it interesting. The game I remember most is 1960, the year Edgerton won the championship; they were the smallest school to ever win a state tournament.
This year, I followed the NRHEG girls’ team through the media as their season progressed. I had a chance to watch their state tournament games and the championship game was something special to behold.
It’s been a long time since I’ve been that “into” a game, in any sport. Carlie Wagner is a very gifted player who set many tournament records but, like any team sport, everyone has a role and this was a total team victory. Congratulations Panthers on a great season!
Until next time, get outside and enjoy a winter walk or just take a drive in the country and enjoy the beauty of the outdoors.
Please remember to keep our troops in your thoughts and prayers because they are the reason we are able to enjoy all the freedoms that we have today.
It’s funny how the weather can play tricks on a person at this time of the year. The temperatures may only be in the low 20’s but if the sun is shining, it can generate a lot of heat giving one the idea that it is a lot warmer than it actually is. Just a thought; but one that certainly seems to hold true.
Every so often, as I drive past the neighborhood where I spent my youth, I’ll start thinking about the old gang and the fun we had as kids growing up north of town. Now when I call it a “gang,” it is not in the same sense that we refer to “gang” in today’s world.
In some instances when I reflect back on those days, it’s almost as if I can still hear the constant chatter that we kids made while playing some game in the backyards of the neighborhood.
One of the nearby neighbors had (verbally) posted that no kids were allowed to cross his yard. Now telling a bunch of kids that had energy to burn not to step on your yard was usually taken as a challenge.
After many years of coaching youth hockey, I’ve learned one thing: kids will always test the waters to see how much they can get away with. Luckily, even as an “old guy,” I can still remember my button pushing days and how much fun it was to walk on the edge.
I have to think that at times we were pretty mischievous in a harmless sort of way. There were the times, like Halloween, when we’d take pleasure in soaping the windows of someone that sat in the dark with the lights out so they didn’t have to pass out candy. We never damaged anyone’s property because that would be disrespectful, but there was the occasional burning brown paper bag of goodies on the front steps.
Neighborhood ballgames were always something that we looked forward to. Summer was the time for baseball, and although I never owned a baseball glove, I still played. The kids from the other team would let the ones without gloves use theirs when it was time to be in the field. We played quite a bit of baseball and it never seemed to be a problem.
Football was my favorite sport. I had a good football, shoulder pads and a helmet. As kids, we picked our favorite player of the time and be “that guy” for at least that day.
If two kids wanted to be the same player, one would eventually agree to wait until the next game to be that guy. I had a Tobin Rote football. (He was a quarterback for the Lions and was my favorite player at the time, probably because his name was on my “official NFL” football.)
Before the Vikings came along, I was a big Bears fan; Harlan Hill, a tight end, was my favorite receiver and Bill George, middle linebacker, my favorite defensive player. You didn’t really need a helmet and pads for our backyard football games, but I had them because it made me feel like a “real” player.
In reality, we were all real players as long as we were playing the game. The games were always tackle because touch was for “sissys,” and tackle was about just getting someone to the ground; not destroying them.
Those were the fun times that I really enjoyed as a kid and any time that I could talk three or more kids into joining in, we’d be doing it year ‘round. Playing in the snow and mud was always the most fun because it made a kid feel like a real player not just a kid in the back yard. Washing those muddy clothes was also a job opportunity for Mom who never seemed to look at it in quite the same light that I did.
We played our big games on Saturdays and it was usually the kids south of Hammer versus the kids to the north. When we played on the north turf it was usually in the Boyer’s backyard and the south games were played in mine.
Some Saturdays we’d organize a “Really Big Game” with kids from outside the neighborhood. Whether it was baseball or football, those games were usually played at Hammer School which had plenty of room for a big time game. Those non-neighborhood games usually involved older kids so there were times when we were overmatched because most of us were all at about the same age. It was usually always a good time even when the visitors brought their own rules.
One thing about kids playing games outside in those days; there was no rulebook to follow and the rules were sometimes different depending on whose interpretation was used. It was great to be a kid back then and we didn’t even have any electronics to help us have fun.
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While talking about football – how about those Vikes! They’ve really been hitting the free agent market to shore up the team. They got rid of Percy Harvin to build for the future; but rest easy fans because they re-signed old what’s his name the wide receiver and Aaron Henderson the linebacker. Super Bowl here we come!
Until next time, get outside and enjoy a winter walk or just take a drive in the country and enjoy the beauty of the outdoors.
Please remember to keep our troops in your thoughts and prayers because they are the reason we are able to enjoy all the freedoms that we have today.
After reading a news release by the Minnesota DNR I am less excited about the amount of snow that we have been receiving this winter. Whenever I’d have to shovel snow I would subconsciously be telling myself that it was really a good thing. We definitely need the moisture, so I’d always feel pretty good whenever the snow accumulated enough to need shoveling, although I knew that I would be the one doing the shoveling. I have to say that the last time school was let out because of a snow day my nice grandsons stopped by to help me shovel – great kids!
The following is part of the aforementioned DNR news release: Melting winter snowfall won’t do much to alleviate the extremely dry soil conditions across Minnesota, even if some areas experience spring flooding, said Greg Spoden, the state climatologist.
Roughly 70 percent of Minnesota is in extreme drought or severe drought. “All of the snow that has fallen over the winter by and large remains on top of the landscape, a landscape that is largely frozen,” he said. “Now the dust remains beneath the concrete.” Despite winter precipitation that’s a little above average for much of the state and well above historic levels for parts of West Central and North Central Minnesota, soil moisture remains near all-time lows in much of the state.
Even flooding at this point won’t alleviate a drought. The National Weather Service, which produces flood outlooks, has called for a high risk of flooding in the southern reaches of the Red River Valley, including the communities of Fargo-Moorhead and Wahpeton-Breckenridge.
As the spring melt comes, the sun’s energy will be used to melt the snow first, rather than thaw out the ground. Water will flow over the land, leaving it drought-stricken once the waters subside. “First the snow has to leave before the soil unfreezes,” Spoden said. “So we can’t face a situation really where the soil will thaw and allow a significant infiltration of that snowpack.”
Abundant spring rain is needed to recharge the soil. The average March through May rainfall in Minnesota ranges from six to eight inches. “If we get at least that, we’ll be fine for the spring planting season,” Spoden said. “But to replenish those desperately dry subsoils, we’ll have to exceed that six- to eight-inch amount.”
The latest outlook from the Climate Prediction Center, a branch of the National Weather Service, calls for above-average precipitation from March through May for the east half of Minnesota and equal chances of above or below normal precipitation for the west half.
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As we venture into the time period that lies between “hard ice” fishing and “open water” fishing, I find myself doing the daydreaming thing again. That is when I reflect back to my earlier years growing up or to the days when my boys were small and I had that “little kid feeling” that would get me excited about the upcoming season. When we first moved into our present house the neighbor to the east would head to the Mississippi every March to fish walleye. I can remember thinking as much as I love fishing, it’s just a bit early to be sitting on the water. Over the years I have taken a couple of early trips to “the River” but now that I’ve done that I don’t think I’ll be repeating it anytime soon.
Don’t get me wrong – if you want to catch walleye and can’t wait for the inland lakes opener the river is a good place to go. If you are fishing on the Mississippi between Minnesota and Wisconsin the season doesn’t close so you may take game fish year round. All limits pertaining to how many fish you can have in possession still apply.
Now that we are into March and can see the light at the end of the tunnel, so to speak, I am ready for that first cast to open water. That cast may be a few weeks away but anticipating summer is a great pacifier for the real thing. I have already found myself planning that first trip to the cabin which has me wondering what I will find once I get there. A friend of mine once said that vacation is half anticipation and half participation; I think that sums it up.
I am already getting excited about fishing a lake that Brian and I visited for the first time last fall. We didn’t put a boat in but visited the access which is one of our favorite late fall experiences. We drive around checking out lakes that we have not fished before and every so often we will stumble upon a “must try” lake. That is just another part of the outdoors experience that we always enjoy.
Until next time get outside and take in a little fishing, skating or just take a winter walk in the good old Minnesota outdoors.
Please remember to keep our troops in your thoughts and prayers because they are the reason we are able to enjoy all the freedoms that we have today.
This is a great time of the year to replenish those tackle boxes and put new line on the reels in anticipation of the upcoming open water fishing season. By doing this you will not only be ready for the upcoming season but you will be getting some temporary relief from the desire to cast a line to open water.
For those folks that can’t wait and want to try their hand at trout fishing the winter stream trout season is open in the Southeastern part of the state until March 31st (catch and release only). The spring season for catch and release opens on April 1st and runs until the 12th. On the 13th the regular season opens and continues until the 14th of September.
This could just be the open water fix that you are seeking. If not, there are still fish being caught through the ice on Fountain and Albert Lea Lakes. This year Fountain seems to be the hot lake for the winter with some nice crappie, perch and bluegill being caught; throw in a few bass, walleye with an occasional pike and you can say it has been a pretty good season for ice fishing.
The “permanent” houses needed to be off the lakes by March 4th but you can still fish for perch and panfish right up until ice out using a portable or just drill a hole, pull up a bucket and drop in a line. No portables may be left unattended overnight. Use caution while fishing on the ice and keep your distance from the aerators. Be aware of ice conditions as the weather warms, ice is always unpredictable.
I can always find a way to fish open water by just closing my eyes and going to one of my favorite lakes. I’d have to say that a little daydreaming can sometimes be a good thing but I probably wouldn’t try the eye closing thing while driving. It’s kind of like sitting in my favorite chair on a cold winter’s night with snow flurries whisking past the window and imagining myself in a cabin deep in the woods of Northern Minnesota. I guess I could actually live that dream if I ventured north for a few days during the winter months. I’ve not yet visited the cabin in the dead of winter but it is on my list of things to do.
I had planned on making a trip up to the cabin sometime in early March, but with the amount of snow in that area I think it will be a little later. When I do go it will probably not be so much for the fishing as it will be to check things out and see if everything is still in one piece. There have been many years where the drive in has been blocked with fallen trees and that calls for a saw, a sharp axe and a little back work. It’s all fun and just a part of being in the north woods. Although I usually wear a flannel shirt I have never fancied myself as a lumberjack, I’ll leave that for the Paul Bunyan types in the family.
Most of my tree-cutting experiences have occurred when I have been at the cabin alone. It actually gives me a feeling of self-satisfaction when I have to clear the trail, so to speak. At the time having a large fallen pine tree staring at me doesn’t bring about that “feel good” experience until much later when the job is done. It is still all good no matter how you slice it (or chop it) because I am spending time at one of my favorite places and enjoying the outdoors experience.
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2013 spring light goose season is now open
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds interested participants that the spring conservation action on “light” geese (snow geese, blue-phased snow geese, and the smaller Ross’s goose) opened Friday, March 1, and will run through Tuesday, April 30, again this spring.
The action is allowed under a federal conservation order which permits the take of “light” geese during the spring. The conservation order season is in place to try to reduce the population of snow geese and Ross’s geese that breed in the Arctic coastal areas and around Hudson Bay. High populations of these birds have caused considerable habitat damage to these fragile ecosystems.
A spring light goose permit is required and may be obtained through any DNR license agent, via telephone at 888-665-4236 or online at www.mndnr.gov/buyalicense. The $3.50 application fee covers the cost to issue the permit. No other license, stamp, or permit is required.
Most regulations in place during fall waterfowl season also will apply during the spring season.
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Until next time get outside and take in a little fishing, skating or just take a winter walk in the good old Minnesota outdoors.
Please remember to keep our troops in your thoughts and prayers because they are the reason we are able to enjoy all the freedoms that we have today.
February is the time for getting in some last-minute “hard water” fishing and, in my case, fighting off the dreaded “cabin fever” which usually sets in this time of year. Although there isn’t one sure-fire remedy for this type of fever, there are numerous things you may do to relieve the symptoms.
Probably the most inexpensive way to get some relief is to tune in one of the fishing shows that air most Saturdays and Sundays on many local and cable channels. As I walked past the TV in the lobby at the City Arena last Saturday, I noticed a fishing show was being aired.
While glancing at the scenery surrounding this northern lake, I found myself wishing I could be there. I’ve always felt there is something relaxing about watching folks catching “my kind of fish” on a pristine northern lake. I’m talking northern, walleye, musky, bass and panfish.
It was a trip that could have taken place in Northern Minnesota, Wisconsin or Canada, where the scenery would be about the same. Ahhh, is it spring yet?
My other two elixirs for curing the dreaded fever are closely related. The first and most inexpensive one involves cleaning out and rearranging my tackle boxes.
This can take part of an afternoon and, with any luck, I will find I am in need of some sort of tackle to replace what has been lost to fish or snags. This need for tackle gives me an opportunity to head to Cabela’s or Fleet Farm in Owatonna in search of necessities. As my third remedy, I do believe I could spend hours in those stores looking for the few items I have on the list and also looking at a few things that aren’t on the list. The Rapala section alone can occupy me for quite a while.
I look at jigs, plastic tails, sinkers, leaders and snaps to replace my depleted supply as necessary tools, much like food, are required to sustain life. At some point during my visit, I am drawn to the section where the musky lures are caged. To me, there has always been something almost mystical about musky lures, but now I am finding that what actually sets them apart from the rest is the $Price$.
I’ve come a long ways since the days of wrapping some fishing line around a stick and putting a couple of washers or some hooks in an old Buss Fuse box, hopping on the bike and riding to the lake. I can still remember the excitement of riding my bike back to the old “Mink Farm” and buying some horse meat to use as bait.
I think we would pay a quarter for the meat and Willy, who worked at the farm, would cut it into small hook-sized chunks for us. The reward for spending that whole 25 cents was “monster” yellow-belly bullheads and also some big sunnies and bluegills. Those fish seemed to be fonder of that meat than of “angle worms” or crawlers.
Angle or earth worms were usually what we used because they were easy to find. The dirt around home was pretty fertile, so I’d dig back by the garden and put a few of them in a tin can, which was eventually replaced by a bait box.
I never bought worm bedding (they didn’t have it back then) but I used moist black dirt, some damp leaves and a few grass clippings. A 2-lb. Hills Bros. coffee can was what I considered a worm farm.
My uncle Ben taught me the art of picking night crawlers and I passed it on to my boys. I did take the grandsons out in the backyard a couple of times when they were younger, but I don’t know if they even do that anymore.
It’s much easier to buy them, I guess. Over the years, I have spent many nights in the backyard with a flashlight mastering the art of sneaking up on and plucking crawlers out of their holes, making sure they came out in one piece.
I’d have to say those days are behind me now, but somehow the memory of those simple times can actually be the best cure for that dreaded cabin fever I seem to get at about this time each year.
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A reminder about ice fishing house removal dates:
Inland Waters
Dates of removal are determined by an eastwest line formed by U.S. Hwy. 10, east along Hwy. 34 to Minnesota Hwy. 200, east along Hwy. 200 to U.S. Hwy. 2, and east along Hwy. 2 to the Minnesota-Wisconsin border.
• South of line - March 4, 2013
• North of line - March 18, 2013
• If shelters are not removed, owners will be prosecuted, and the structure and contents may be confiscated and removed, or destroyed by a conservation officer.
• After removal dates, shelters may remain on the ice between midnight and one hour before sunrise only when occupied or attended.
• Storing or leaving shelters on a public access is prohibited.
It is unlawful to improperly dispose of ice fishing shacks anywhere in the state. Please clean up around your shack and check with local refuse providers or landfills for ice shelter disposal information.
Until next time, get outside and take in a little fishing, skating or just take a winter walk in the good old Minnesota outdoors.
Please remember to keep our troops in your thoughts and prayers because they are the reason we are able to enjoy all the freedoms that we have today.
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It’s winter and along with that comes weather and occasionally, a blizzard will be in the forecast. This past week, the northeastern part of the country received a lot of snow and much of that part of the country was experiencing blizzard conditions.
Now this in itself is not new to most Minnesotans because that is the weather that we deal with when choosing to live in this great state. Somewhere along the line someone decided to start giving this winter storm a name. It was christened “Winter Storm Nemo,” which makes no sense to me.
We have had a couple of memorable storms during my lifetime which were tagged with a name of sorts. I can remember my folks talking about the “great Armistice Day Blizzard,” and who can forget the ice storm we had on Halloween in ‘91?
Looking back on it, us Minnesotans could have been naming our storms like the media did out east. We could be reminiscing about winter storm Sven or that blizzard named Lars. And for the sake of gender equity, who could forget that dreaded ice storm Lena?
In Minnesota, the weather is always a good conversation starter and last weekend had just a little bit of everything; ice, wind, rain, sleet and snow. It almost sounds like the post office’s motto. I am sure glad that the weather wasn’t extreme enough to earn a name.
With all the different things going on weather-wise, it still didn’t deter my grandson Trevor from doing his share of fishing. With the rest of the family out of town, he had the whole weekend to do some serious fishing and he definitely made the most out of it.
On Saturday, he invited me to come to Fountain Lake and spend a little time fishing. To our surprise, his grandma decided to go along and it turned out to be a lot of fun; although we didn’t exactly slay them we did catch fish.
Earlier, Trevor had caught a couple of bass that he released. He also had a couple of dandy crappie and a mess of nice bluegills in the bucket. He told us that he had a nice northern up to the hole a couple of times before it finally broke his line.
Fishing and hunting is what Trevor loves to do and sharing that time with him in his portable fish house was a memorable time for both his grandma and me. He’s come a long way from the days when I would take him, his brothers and cousin to the channel for an adventure in line tangling.
At the time, I suspected that they were deliberately trying to see how many different ways they could get snagged or catch a tree branch. It seems like they would wait patiently until I wasn’t looking to make a cast and then they’d ask for help. Somewhere along the way, all of them (grandsons) have gotten very good at fishing. But, Trevor has taken it a step farther. He can read a flasher and tell you which is your jig and which is a fish and also tell you to raise or lower the jig to entice the fish to bite.
Trevor and I may take a few days in March and head north to the cabin for some late season ice fishing. We have talked about doing this for quite some time and this may just be the time we do it.
I am looking forward to spending a little time at the cabin in the winter and who knows, maybe we’ll be partaking in a couple of meals of fresh fish in the north woods. Somehow, I just don’t feel that it could get any better than that.
From the reports that I gotten, the fishing on Pickerel Lake has also been quite good. There have been some dandy perch and crappies caught and also some northern in the 22-26 inch range.
Hopefully, the low water will not have a negative effect on the oxygen levels of our lakes this winter. With some much needed moisture in the spring, maybe our lakes will get back to somewhat normal levels.
Speaking of lakes and things, I see that the never-ending attempt to divert money from the Wildlife and Habitat Restoration part of the Lessard-Sams is continuing. The Heritage Council did not recommend the projects proposed by the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Chippewa nor another one by the Met Council for Willdlife Habitat Restoration and Enhancement in the Metropolitan Regional Parks System.
Representative Phyllis Kahn, DFL, Minneapolis seems determined to do whatever she can to change the way the Heritage Council operates in order to get more money for the Metro Parks system. There is a piece of the pie that is already designated for parks and trails, but evidently some folks want to keep their piece and take part of someone else’s.
I spoke with Garry Leaf of Sportsman for Change a couple of years back and he felt that as long as this bill is in effect, there will always be someone trying to change it to their benefit. I feel that we have competent people on the 12 member Heritage Council to screen the applications and recommend the ones that they feel are worthy.
Until next time, get outside and take in a little fishing, skating or just take a winter walk in the good old Minnesota outdoors.
Please remember to keep our troops in your thoughts and prayers because they are the reason we are able to enjoy all the freedoms that we have today.
Landowner’s gift opens more land to the public
Written by Jim LutgensOur family has always been appreciative of the natural beauty of the area of Northern Itasca County. A couple of years ago, while my oldest son Brian and I were at the cabin for what has become our annual October trip, he showed me a little road that he and the family had discovered that summer.
It wound through the Chippewa National Forest and along the way, there was a lake with a foot trail that the public can use to access the lake. It is a beautiful drive through an area that any true lover of the outdoors can really appreciate. If you take that drive in the fall when the leaves are changing colors, it is an even more rewarding experience.
Whenever I am up at the cabin, I always manage to take a little time to check out a few public accesses of lakes that I have not fished before. This past fall, Brian and I discovered one such lake where I found myself not only marveling at the beauty of the lake, but also wondering why I had not fished this lake before.
I had heard about this lake before, but now that I have seen it for myself, it will definitely be added to my list of lakes that I have fished. From time to time, I will be asked by someone if I have ever fished in Canada and my answer is always the same: I still haven’t fished all of the 10,000 lakes that we have in Minnesota.
As I was browsing the DNR website the other day, I came across an article that should be of interest to anyone that truly appreciates the outdoors. It was especially appealing to me because about a year ago I had received a letter from the DNR concerning some land in the area where we have our cabin. They (DNR) were surveying landowners in our area about our thoughts on opening to the public a couple of parcels of land on nearby lakes. I replied to them that I was all for it because I feel that any time you can give the public access to the natural habitat of the area, it is a good thing. One of the lakes in the following news release is located about a mile from our cabin and it is one of two that I was asked about.
Landowner’s gift results in 2 new scientific and natural areas in Itasca County
A landowner’s gift of two parcels of property will result in two new scientific and natural areas (SNA) in northern Itasca County, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) said.
The Little Too Much Lake SNA is about 58 acres and contains two types of mesic hardwood forest; aspen-birch-red maple and sugar maple-basswood. A few patches of red and white pine on this new SNA include trees more than 250 years old. The site also protects about 2,600 feet of natural lakeshore on the north side of Little Too Much Lake.
The 84-acre Potato Lake SNA contains old red pine and white pine woodland, along with other high-quality forest and wetland types. Old mixed pine-hardwood forests are relatively rare and are not commonly available for protection.
“Creating these two SNAs will protect ecologically sensitive parcels, while also making them accessible to the public,” said Peggy Booth, SNA program supervisor. “What was formerly a private piece of property will now be managed in a way that allows more people to enjoy it, while protecting native habitat.”
SNAs are a state land unit, like state parks or wildlife management areas, but with a different emphasis. The purpose is to protect the best of Minnesota’s remaining natural heritage, such as rare species, native prairies, old-growth forests and geologic features.
Landowners can play a significant role in the creation of future SNAs through conservation easements or donations. Both Itasca County parcels were donated by an Illinois resident.
“The landowner’s commitment to land protection goes above and beyond anything I saw in my career,” said Steve Wilson, retired DNR SNA specialist. “Because of his discerning eye in purchasing undisturbed riparian plant communities, and decades-long protection of them, each tract is an ecological gem in its own right. Combined with his future plans for five more parcels in the area and two previously protected natural areas in Wisconsin, they speak to a conservation legacy that few can match.”
Visitors are welcome to hike the area or visit by other means of foot travel, like skis and snowshoes. Both new SNAs are open to fishing, hunting and dogs under control. Nature observation, education, scientific research, and other nonmotorized recreation are allowed on most SNAs. Consistent with the above intended uses and protection of the site’s natural features, camping, campfires, trapping, damaging vegetation and motorized recreation are not allowed.
Learn more about the state’s 158 SNAs, their conservation and scientific value, or how to submit a parcel to be considered for donation by visiting the DNR website at www.mndnr.gov/snas.
Until next time, get out and enjoy the many things that make winter a special time to be outdoors.
Please remember to keep our troops in your thoughts and prayers because they are the reason that we are able to enjoy all the freedoms that we have today.
Mild winter doesn’t always equate to good fishing
Written by Jim LutgensWe have been experiencing what most of us would call a mild winter, and a strange one at that. We are constantly flirting with temperatures ranging from below zero to the 30s and back. This is not uncommon for Minnesota; in fact, it gives us a chance to utter that much over-used phrase: “If you don’t like the weather, wait a while and it will change.”
The fishing on the channel this winter has been less than sensational, judging from the number of permanent houses residing there. This is the least number of houses I have seen on the lake in recent years.
The walleye action on the channel was good early on, but as of late, the bite has slowed. There are still some walleye and crappie to be had.
Fountain Lake, on the other hand, has more houses than in other years and the reason for all the houses is quite simple: fish! Although there aren’t many walleyes to be had, the crappie and sunfish have been biting. I have heard that the fish haven’t been “slabs” but they will still be good eaters.
As we tip-toe into the month of February, I am hoping that our area lakes will maintain enough oxygen to sustain the fish population. It is a double-edged sword because on one hand, we could use the snow that would add much needed moisture to our low lakes and dry streams. On the other hand, too much snow cover blocks the sunlight needed for oxygen that sustains fish life.
So far, I haven’t had to fight off the urge to jump in the truck and drive to Cabela’s or Fleet Farm and troll through the sporting goods aisles. I know it will only be a matter of time before that happens. I can’t think of a better way to fight off the cabin fever bug than spending a little time (and money) in the fishing aisle of one of those stores.
Whenever I start daydreaming about fishing and summer, I think back to my youth and the times I would get lost in an article in one of my fishing magazines. My cousin Tom had given me some of his old issues of Sports Afield and Outdoor Life before he went off to the Army. In these pages, I discovered there were many places in our country similar to ours. I also felt the rush that the author of an article felt as he fought a tarpon in the backwaters of the Florida coast.
There were many places I thought that I’d like to visit, but to this day I haven’t gone much farther to fish than Wisconsin, Northern Minnesota and South Dakota. If it hadn’t been for my uncle Ben, I probably would have been destined to a childhood of fishing for bullheads and rubbertails. My mother always encouraged me to go fishing and when she could find the time she also loved to fish.
As a kid growing up north of town, life didn‘t really seem all that complicated. There was always water in the “slew” and most of the “cricks” in the area had water year-round except for late August in some years. As kids, we would almost live down at the “Bridge” in the spring and early summer watching as the tad poles evolved into frogs, and we always marveled as that event unfolded.
The bridge I am referring to is not the one by the dam on the north side. It’s the one on Bridge Avenue north of the fairgrounds between the two sloughs.
If I was going to the north side to do some fishing, I would tell my mom I was going down to the dam. But if I was going to the “crick,” I was going to the bridge.
It seem like we always had our own terminology for things in those days. We also had names for certain places like “skunk hill” or “dead man’s woods” that seemed like magical places that were just waiting for young adventurers like ourselves to explore.
There was one spot on the edge of the “slew” that was probably my favorite place to spend time as a kid. It was on the north side of the slough and west on the corner of the field bordering the slough.
This was a place not very far from home that I could go to by myself if none of the other kids was around. This spot was nothing more than a couple of willow trees and small elms with a few bushes all bunched together with some swamp grass mixed in.
A guy could make a stand from that spot and fend off attacking Indians or bad guys and even a vicious bear or mountain lion. I really didn’t need much more than my imagination those days, and I always felt safe because I was “packin’ heat” which, in this case, was my trusty Daisy Red Ryder BB gun.
I usually always toted “Old Red” along whenever I ventured out into the slough in search of a new adventure. Yes, there are some pretty darned good memories from those days.
Until next time, enjoy what our area has to offer, and with a little imagination, you can have an outdoors adventure of your own.
Please remember to keep our troops in your thoughts and prayers because they are the reason we are able to enjoy all the freedoms that we have today.
From time to time, I will receive an e-mail from my brother-in-law Lynn Johnson, a resident of Nome, Alaska. Most of the time these e-mails have pictures attached with no words or description, which sometimes makes me feel like there will be a test the next time I talk to him.
Lynn has always been an avid outdoorsman, and living in Nome suits his passion for hunting and fishing perfectly; he’s like a kid in a candy store in this environment. He has now added another weapon to his arsenal; trapping, and it seems he has really taken to the trapping thing and, judging from the pictures he has been sending, it is going quite well.
So far this year, he has sent me pictures of fox, mink, otter and a lynx. I jokingly asked him if the lynx was good eating, to which he replied, “It was excellent.”
He then proceeded to give me a play-by-play description of how he prepared the critter for the table. Although I’ve eaten various meals of wild game prepared by Lynn’s wife, who we call “Sister,” (an excellent cook) I would probably find it a little difficult to choke down the meat from that particular critter no matter how tasty it was.
I guess they probably won’t be asking me to do a guest appearance on Man vs. Wild any time soon. Over the years, Lynn has hunted (successfully) moose, musk ox, grizzly bear, caribou, wolf, lynx, wolverine, arctic fox and the ferocious (tastes like chicken) ptarmigan.
In the years Lynn has been in Nome, he has been able to do a lot of things that most sportsmen just fanaticize about. Lynn actually did the “Gold Rush” thing before it became popular on Reality TV.
He did it by walking on the bottom of the Bering Sea in a dry suit using a pump to suck up sediment from the ocean bottom and separate it using a sluice. Eventually, he decided life was too short to be doing that so he moved on to other adventures.
He has a pilot’s license and owns more than one airplane, but I can tell by talking to him that the first one is still his favorite. It is a ’48 Taylor Craft two-seater that he has landed on sand bars and in short areas. This is a land where roads end in the middle of nowhere and snow machines, ATVs and airplanes are a way of life for most.
My oldest son, Brian, has visited Lynn twice. The first time he went it was a hunting trip with his brother-in-law Travis Diaz.
On that trip, both of them got trophy caribou, but the moose season was closed in that area at the time, so they weren’t able to get a license. On the second-to-last day, there they helped Lynn track a big grizzly he had spotted from the road. Lynn has a good eye for spotting wildlife a long way off and Brian seems to have inherited that gift; it’s a gift my grandson Trevor also has.
For the caribou hunt; Lynn had to fly them, one at a time, to a remote cabin in the area close to where the caribou herd was located. After Lynn had dropped Travis off, he flew back to pick up Brian, but a snow storm moved in and he was unable to take off until it cleared.
They were able to join Travis the following day and start their hunt. There are quite a few cabins to take shelter in throughout the area; most of them are equipped with a stove, beds and some dry goods.
On Brian’s second trip to Nome, he was joined by Travis and Brian’s friend James Muggli. This trip was to be strictly a fishing trip and it turned out to be a good one.
Lynn’s fishing boat is built for running in the shallow rivers of Alaska. It has a jet pump outboard motor, which is necessary for running those shallow, rocky rivers that are the only roads leading to some prime fishing.
On this trip they caught trout, silvers, grayling and pike. Yes, pike, which I still believe is Lynn’s favorite eating fish.
Over the years, he has caught many 20-plud-pound pike and has taken a few friends to his favorite haunts. On this trip, they were able to pull the boat about 80 miles with Lynn’s pickup before launching it and going by boat the rest of the way.
Lynn and Travis flew there while Brian and James pulled the boat. After they arrived at the outpost cabin, they could fish for trout and grayling just a little ways from the cabin.
I believe they all caught fish that were considered “trophy size” and this was definitely one trip they will definitely not forget. From time to time, they talk about going back.
Actually, Brian would really like to take Trevor with the next time. I told him if Trevor goes up there, he may not want to come back.
I have always considered myself an outdoors person, but compared to Lynn, most of my experiences are pretty tame. Although I have never visited Lynn in Nome, I know I would really enjoy it. Who knows, maybe someday that will actually happen.
Until next time, enjoy the many things that make spending time outdoors in Minnesota on a winter day special.
Please remember to keep our troops in your thoughts and prayers because they are the reason that we are able to enjoy all the freedoms that we have today.