Here are some of the fish caught in 2011. Boot Lake is a decent fishing lake, but we tend to downplay the fishing aspect. There are so many variables to catching fish that we don’t like to get people’s hopes too high. None-the-less, here are our 2011 Fishing All-Stars!
A Simple Approach to Fishing.
One aspect of being at the lake for a week is time to indulge in simple pleasures: perhaps something as simple as fishing off the dock. Action is almost guaranteed with all the sunfish hanging around. Whether you dangle a kernel of corn from a hand-line, or work the drop-off with a crankbait, dock-fishing is one of those simple vacation opportunities that happen simply because you have time, lots of free time. In fact, you have enough free time to just fritter some away: time to soak up the sun, or watch the fish under the dock, or just sit and relax. In today’s album, we share some of those special moments that can only happen on a dock, on a lake, during the summer. Enjoy these classic Minnesota dock shots. Photo credits: George Pfoertner and Sarah Neighbors.
First Flush of Leaf Color.
We have had plenty of moisture over the last few days. Saturday evening the rain stopped long enough for these lake photos. This was also the first day I noticed the trees starting to leaf out. The popple and tamaracks are the first to “pop” that bright spring green (you can see both in the photo below). Here are a few of Sarah’s Saturday photos that feature this first flush of green, a cloudy sky, and a dead calm lake.
Signs of Spring.
As promised, here are some sure signs of spring around Half Moon Trail Resort.
Signs of Spring/Winter.
My intentions for today’s post was “Signs of Spring”. When we woke up this morning, spring had vanished under this blanket of white. In spite the setback, Sarah and Michaela found some interesting photos, so I will post their “winter” photos here, and try for spring later in the week.
Marble Mountain.
In the photo below you can see that Marble Mountain is in the shop for a facelift. Here we are sanding the old finish off the walnut sculpture. After that, we will reseal the cracks with flexible putty to keep the water from penetrating the log. Finally, we will add a protective coat of stain and sealer; then we will be ready to let the marbles roll.
Michaela’s Foggy Kayak Trip.
We pulled the kayaks out of storage a couple of nights ago and early the next morning Michaela (our daughter) was on the lake exploring. Here is her description of her foggy morning kayak trip on Boot Lake shortly after ice-out.
When I got up it was dark and foggy, and I had that early morning feeling which comes from getting up at unaccustomed hours. I walked down to the kayak rack in a mist and a brisk wind. The birds were singing crazily in the trees, as I pushed the kayak into the water. The loons, geese, swans, and ducks were creating music that cannot be made with any human instrument. The fog blanketed the lake and enveloped me, making me feel as if I were part of it. Through the mist appeared a swan, perfectly white and looking as if it should be a picture. Unfortunately, I was not close enough to get a photo. Entering a shallow bay I saw a fishing lure; a jitter bug, red and white, hanging suspended in the water. As the fog lifted I could now see a beautiful drake wood duck swimming under a tree that was dripping with dew. I was hoping to get close enough for a photo, but the drake had different ideas; he took off with a great show of splashing and calling. I was disappointed, but as I paddled under the tree, three more ducks exploded out of the branches; I nearly jumped out of my shoes. Realizing I was getting hungry, I decided to pick up my pace and was soon pulling my kayak up on shore. By Michaela Ahrendt
Pfoertner Photo
Summer night sky.
Neighbors Photo
Half Moon Trail shoreline.
Michaela Photo
Foggy morning kayak trip.