Minnow Buckets Afloat at Huddle's Resort

This epic tank has been anchored at Huddle's Resort on Leech Lake, Minnesota for decades. In the 1960's minnow buckets were made of metal, now the floating plastic containers keep fresh water flowing and minnow bait alive. This same tank is or was used for attaching a stringer of fish for cleaning inside the brown shed. Numbers on the white tie-off board correspond to family cabin numbers and the hotel rooms.

In late September the fishing was poised for pick up as the weather cooled off. That particular week the water temperature was 58F. Locals wait for the thermal cline turnover that flips warmer and cooler water layers in the lake. At that time fishing generally gets favorable. Of course fishing is always better the week before or the week after my visit.

Single Seagull Spotted at Leech Lake

A single seagull watches over low breakers on Leech Lake's south shore in northern Minnesota. Each wave brings the potential for a minnow or crawfish snack. Why else would the bird be here in September's late afternoon sun? While not gliding over Regent's Park Canal, this bird will need a pal for a minute or two before flying south soon. But enough of the Red Rose Speedway references.

Early Fall Loon

A trip to Leech Lake, Minnesota at the end of September into the first few days of October experienced both summer- and winter-like conditions. While the fishing on sunny days was slow, the chance to snap a photo of wildlife was quite good. This is a adolescent loon swimming along the shore of Bear Island looking for minnows - something the walleyes failed to do.

No Wind, No Walleyes, No Problem

Anglers on Leech Lake, Minnesota last weekend could not catch a break - or nearly a walleye. As these fishing flotillas traded members between the traditional hot spots of Sugar Point, Battle Point and Ginzer Rock on the NE side of Leech the only thing that didn't materialize were the much sought after walleyes. Two days earlier the fishing was excellent. The day before the fishing was good. But on day 3 the wind stopped, thus bait fish weren't schooling and ultimately the walleyes did not arrive. As the old saying goes, a bad day fishing beats a good day at work.

A Northwoods Visit to a Painting

Last week I traveled five latitude degrees north to visit Leech Lake, Minnesota for a few days of fishing, reconnecting with family and thinking about other things than this crappy Recession/Depression. While natural light did not cooperate at this particular moment, the scene of the south shore beach road presented itself almost painting-like. A walk from the resort lodge to the historical marker on the beach was some 3/4ths mile and passed outstanding scenery including the lake, homes, beach and forest. A plus this time included leaves at peak color. Locals say the peak is a week or two ahead of time - that means an early winter. While temperatures for our gathering reached the mid-70s the forecast was for snow tonight. Wonderful.

Pipestone Example in Montana - A Little Bit of Minnesota or Utah

The Montana Historical Society museum in Helena, Montana has many displays from natural history to various human habitation eras of the state. On display is a beautiful arrow shaped red pipe tip carved by Natives.

Red pipestone is also called, catlinite, an iron-rich, reddish, soft quartzite slate harvested from below groundwater level. According to the Wikipedia site for caitlin, "Red pipestone was used by the Eastern Tribes, Western and Great Basin Tribes, and the Plains Tribes, with sources of the stone in Tennessee (South Central), Minnesota (Pipestone), and Utah (Delta, Uinta). Sacred pipestone comes from Pipestone, Minnesota. The quarry itself is located just north of the town at the Pipestone National Monument. Today only people of Native American ancestry are allowed to quarry the pipestone from this quarry."

Given the Montana's proxitity to Utah this display item may be from there or Minnesota. From the Minnesota samples that I have seen in museums in Iowa and Minnesota it looks like this arrow shape pipestone matches Minnesota quarry features - basically the color and lighter colored speck patterns. Regardless of where this piece was gathered and later carved, it is quite fancy and probably was used during important times.

Pipestone can be found in 42N country. I have purchased a piece at an antique store a number of years ago. I also have found some small flakes near local creek beds, hills and rivers bottoms. Quite cool. Know that.

12,000 Years of Ojibwe History Packed in One Corner

Imagine the end of the last ice age in North America. The generally accepted end of the ice sheets in the upper Midwest (Minnesota in particular) is estimated to be about 12,500 summers ago. Evidence of human activity correlates to this period.

Unexpectedly located at the Northern Lights Casino on the southside of Leech Lake, Minnesota by the town of Walker, is a corner area near the adjoining hotel which is devoted to the history of the Leech Lake Band Of Ojibwe and surrounding land.

One display contains an assortment of tools used by humans as far as 12,000 years ago. Two copper lances (numbers 1 and 5 above - click the photo to see a larger version) are estimated to be between 8,500 and 12,000 years old in what is called the Paleo Period. By comparison other humans are thought to have arrived in Ireland 9,000 years ago (7,000 BC) following its glaciation period. This means that Minnesota hosted human inhabitants before european tribes from the south and east arrived in Ireland. Interesting to say the least.

What is remarkable is the use of copper from Minnesota or nearby Michigan that was tooled to resemble stone worked points. Equally remarkable is that two of these points exist today and are displayed in this case.

The corner museum also displays more modern history and the abundance of wild life in the area. One important exhibit element is the bald eagle. These birds nest around the lake in substantial numbers and are regarded as symbolic and spiritual creatures.

This corner of Ojibwe history and culture should be put on your must see list if you visit the area. While the actual square footage is very small, the amount of information contained in the display cases and shown via a large screen monitor is well worth the effort to locate and study. Know that.

Welcome to Minnesota Waters - DNR Officers Visit 42N Country

On Tuesday a black, 90-hp Lund boat approached the 42N vessel on Leech Lake, Minnesota. Two Minnesota state conservation officers asked us to reel in and then slid up to our boat. The officers were on the third largest in-land lake in Minnesota to check fishing licenses and live-well contents. The 42N party was, of course, in compliance license-wise and did not have any fish aboard in the live-wells at the time.

The two officers came from Grand Rapids and Park Rapids, Minnesota for a day of lake patrol. Their black dog, Jack was only curious about our boat rather than aggressive.

While the officers' demeanor was polite they carefully checked our licenses and live-well thoroughly.

Had we been hostile about the situation we would have answered to a side arm or taser - not the kind of fishing trip you dream about. Know that.

Largest Mega-Length Lake Freighter Delights Duluth, Minnesota Audience

Some seven degrees of latitude north of 42N country, the Paul R. Tregurtha makes her way out of Duluth Harbor on June 23rd under the aerial lift bridge. The lake freighter is the longest vessel on the Great Lakes measuring in at 1,013’ 06” - that's 3.37 football fields long! On this day the harbor horn sounded indicating the bridge lifting. That event was followed by the sighting of the departing vessel by people near the canal wall. Within minutes the stupidly-long ship silently glided past the crowd and onto Lake Superior. 

Have you ever wanted to be a guest aboard a 1,000 footer even for just a few days?

Here's your chance. Enter this contest to possibly win a 5-1/2 day voyage on a Great Lakes ship during the summer of 2011. Just think, you could be aboard and waving back to the Duluth crowd while heading for one of 63 commercial ports on the Great Lakes. How cool. Know that.

There's Nothing in the World that Can Compare to a Hamburger Juicy and Rare

"I'll gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today." J. Wellington Wimpy, classic mooch and friend of Popeye the Sailor.

In the Minnesota Northwood’s town of Park Rapids there is cafe known as Wimpy’s. The place has been around for years boasting among other things - great hamburgers - go figure.

From the iconic outdoor sign seen on Main Street to the cartoonish menu cover, the identification with hamburger aficionado, J. Wellington Wimpy or just Wimpy is readily identifiable with legions of hungry Park Rapidians and vacationers.

Current generations may ask “who?” and should be directed to YouTube clips of the hamburger chomper.

Meanwhile in Chester, Illinois there is an annual Popeye Picnic that celebrates the originator of the cast of characters in Popeye's world. There you can meet Wimpys, Popeyes, Blutos and Jeeps, and can enjoy juicy hamburgers - but you'll have to pay at the time of order. Know that.