This time of year, turtles are moving around everywhere around the northern lakes. Snapping turtles and painted turtles are often seen attempting to cross a road, sometimes not successfully. We see them as well on or near our property. They are seeking sanding, gravelly spots in which to lay their eggs. This big gal (about 16" across) thought a shoulder of the road near the entrance to our area to be ideal for that purpose. Our kind-hearted neighbor later placed a protective marker over the spot to try to keep people from disturbing the nest. So far, no critters have found the eggs either, so maybe in 90 days or so, we'll see tiny snappers emerging and scrambling for the lake about 100 yards away.
My sister, the artist, is always looking for things to use in her creations. When she and Ron were here recently, we were asked to take her out on a drift wood hunting expedition. The boat ended up with a pile of pieces of all kinds that she took home. This past week, while visiting with friends who live nearby, I learned that taking wood from the lake is illegal since it is considered part of the lake habitat. So, sorry Paula, that will have to be the end of these hunts for us. Enjoy the pieces you have!
Then there are those of us who unintentionally take wood from the lake, at least temporarily. My first catch of this season was this swell piece. I thought Paula should see what she missed. Not the lunker I was hoping for.
Richard and Rina have been with us this past week for their annual visit to the cabin. For one of our first fishing excursions, we decided to travel to the far west side of the lake to fish for Northerns. This time of year they can be tempted by large minnows. Those we used were 6" to 8" suckers that can move around quite a bit below the big bobbers we used. Kathie and I had tried fishing this way a few years ago with little success, but the four of us had more luck this time. Rina caught the biggest one, which was probably about 30" and 7 pounds, although we didn't take the time to collect the actual measurements.
We fished over weedy lake bottom, and occasionally we caught salad along with the fish, as Richard did with this one. The water on the west side (mostly spring fed) is very clear compared to that on the east side of the lake (mostly tannin stained river sources). So it is fun when you hook a fish to watch it deep in the water as it struggles to elude being landed.
We had lunch at Pat's Landing on Chief Lake (part of the Flowage), and the girls posed for me there.
On Sunday, we were all invited to visit friends Joe and Jan, who live on Moose Lake just north of us. Rina worked with Jan when everyone was then in Iowa City, so this is always a chance for some reminiscing. Joe and Jan had suggested a pleasant cruise on their pontoon boat, which was really fun for all of us. Kathie and I had not been out on Moose Lake except for one early canoeing experience, so it was nice to get a much better orientation to the lake and the geography of the area.
Richard tried a few casts of some Muskie lures. Each year we hope that during their visit we will finally succeed in catching one of these big fish, but unfortunately, that will continue to be a goal rather than an achievement. Acquiring some new lures is always necessary, and Richard seems to enjoy working his very nice rod and reel and seeing the different kinds of action each lure provides almost as much as he would enjoy actually catching a fish. One of these days I'll maybe be able to post a story about the first Muskie.
Turns out that Rina was the champion angler this year. In addition to the big Northern she caught early in the week, she also landed this big Channel Catfish. We often catch these fish early in the season, especially up near the river that enters the lake near our property. This one was probably four pounds and a really nice, fat fish. There was enough meat on it for all four of us to have a really tasty lunch.
Alas, they are heading home today. Kathie and I are lucky to have such good friends and to be able to recount so many memories and stories of our times together. We certainly added a few more this year.
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