Moose at Play.....

Yesterday evening, Erik was going for a bike ride when we ran into Buddy on Clearwater Road. He turned around and picked up a camera from the lodge and headed back out. He got some really nice shots of our old Pal. We are glad to see him back this year, although he is still a little scrawny.

Can you see him peeking back from within the trees?

Redbird's Fishing Tips

As promised, here is the fishing news from our resident fisherman: Bass are still deep, I would suggest using deep crankbaits or jigs. With the weather warm-up, they should be moving shallow, but as of right now the water temps in clearwater remain in the lower 50's. Walleyes are still showing signs of being in the early season. So far we have found that they are reacting better to slow verticle jigging. We tried quicker, horizontal jigging and had negative results. Mike says they tend to get more active around the first of June, but it is likely that due to the late ice-out, good walleye fishing will be later as well. Lake trout are shallow as of right now and are surfacing for bugs as night falls. They should be moving deeper soon.

Comments and requests on what lakes are showing good fish, bait tips, and such are always encouraged.

Tune in next time for Outfitting Facts from Eric

From the North woods- Redbird (Edited by Tarp)

Kids at Play

Today was pretty quiet around here. Half of the staff are out on a quick trip into the BWCA, and Kyle, mike's nephew and our constant entertainer of the recent weeks, has gone home. Lynn took him to Duluth to meet his plane, and Mike headed into Grand Marais... that left myself (AJ), Donny and Kevin to work and entertain ourselfs. We definitely worked hard, but we also played hard. Here we see Redbird and Unicorn (their radio names) enjoying a break on the swings after mowing and weed wacking.

The weather up here has been interesting, as always. Yesturday we had a nice sunny day, with a couple mid afternoon/evening showers. We actually had a couple people flip canoes during these two different speradic rain showers. Fortunatly the water wasn't nearly as cold as it was even 3-4 days ago and no one was worse for the wear. Today was supposed to be thunderstorms, however it has stayed sunny all afternoon, which is a blessing. I think all of us are ready for the warm weather. (Even though that means bugs, which are starting to arrive.)

I decided to add this picture just for the laughs that I'm sure will ensue. There is no doubting we have an eclectic staff, with bold personalities this year. Everyone gets along really well and it is promising to be a really fun and productive summer. Mike came back from Grand Marais about mid-way through our work day, and all of us, being so tired from our hard work, were so very excited to see that Mike had brought us a treat from town: WORLD'S BEST DONUTS!

So here is a not at all planned picture of Tarp, Redbird & Unicorn eating our Donuts!

For all of you fishermen out there, tomorrow Donny (aka Redbird) has agreed to provide a fishing update. He is somewhat of an experianced fisherman and will give you all some ideas of whats biting and how to get their attention! (Redbird would like me to input he is a master fisherman)

From the North Woods - Tarp, Redbird, & Unicorn

Birds of Minnesota

I love this time of the year just for the birds. In the morning before I get up I just listen to them all singing. I don't know my MN birds yet but I am learning some them as time passes. I don't know their songs at all but I did get a 'Birds of Minnesota' audio CD. So far I haven't listened to it! I am not a birder but I really enjoy seeing them and trying to identify them. I find that I have to get a good picture and then go to my bird book. There are less than a dozen I can identify without my field guide now which I feel for me is pretty darn good. Kyle, who is from Indiana, took this photo today. Then we all gathered around our bird book to identify this Evening Grosbeak.

Kyle leaves tomorrow to return to IN. We are driving to Duluth for him to catch his flight. We will miss him and sure did appreciate his help in getting us opened up for the spring.

Lynn