Summer is Sort of Here

Hello to all my Fishing Friends:
It's been a while since I sat down and wrote an updated blog. Sorry about that. I've been out fishing and doing some home renovations. Blogging was put on the backburner.
Spring took it's time coming this year. Lots of cold and very little snow. Rainy Lake and many of the surrounding waters are very low because of the lack of run-0ff. A number of my favourite pike fishing bays, on Rainy Lake, were high and dry this spring. All of the feeder creeks were dry. The lake levels are reported to be in the rule curve set by the Lake of the Woods Control Board but I think it is still too low. From the last half of May we have been below the ideal water level curve. I haven't had any trouble navigating but many of my hot spots are too shallow to attract fish. I spent a tremendous amout of time and effort searching for new, low water level, spots and have been somewhat successful. A couple of these new found locations produced a number of 40+ inch northerns.

These past few weeks has been cool and rainy which has helped to ease the fire danger and is raising the water levels. After one downpour I found a number of small rivlettes cascading from bluffs. Minnows were everywhere eating the food washed into the lake below rocky bluffs. Smallmouth were also there eating the minnows! What a pattern, a new one for me. Throwing topwater, my clients caught dozens of hungry smallmouth bass near these little water falls.

The mayfly hatch is starting but it's not heavy. Some anglers hate the hatch. I like it. Nature is telling me exactly what the fish are eating and where, it is up to me to find the baits that match the hatch. On sunny days the dragon fly larvae are emerging from the water and are crawling up on long flat rocky pints. Smallmouth have been gobbling up these ugly little creatures when ever these insects emerge. Dragging a dark green or brown tube often is the best presentation for smallies feeding on dragon fly nymphs. I have also found that a 1/16oz hair black hair jig or black 3 inch twister tail gets bit in these situations.
Topwater presentations work all year long. It just works best right now. So if your coming up to fish Rainy, don't forget the poppers and prop baits.
Business is a real challenge this year. My clientelle originates from the U.S. The war, gas prices, the strong Canadian dollar and the economy has slowed the normal traffic of anglers to Ontario. Some over zealous boarder legislation has also helped to peter out the tourist traffic. No matter what the reason, anglers need to realize that it is important to get outdoors. The few dollars it costs to drive up to go fishing is well worth it. Time spend in the outdoors, with family or friends is something to cherish. I have many old-timers tell me about fishing trips they took with their Dads 50 or 60 years ago. They don't remember how much it cost, they don't care. They have the memories and they are priceless.

My reading recommendation list is huge this spring. I spend tons of time reading inbetween the University courses I've been taking. I'll list a few for you now and I hope you read them. They helped me get through a long winter. Oh! I'd also like to send a big hello to the guys at the mill who read my blogs.

Some Great Reading, well I believe they are:

The Revolt of the Elites and the Betrayal of Democracy
By Christopher Lasch: This is a very interesting book which discusses the problems of greed, lack of ethics, lost spirituality and our addiction to instant gratification. Just the book the oil executives should read.

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn: By Betty Smith
A classic everyone should read or reread. It is surprising how a little girl can be such a hero. Francy Nolan is one of american literatures great characters. This book was once specially published in smaller book sizes to fit into the packs of american soldiers serving during the second world war. It became one of the most widely read books in the world. If you don't read it, get a copy for you kids or grand-children.

Collapse: By Jared Diamond
This is the second book to Diamonds collection. It is a continuation to his Pulitzer winning book Guns Germs and Steel.

Absurdistan: By R. Lee Wright
Insightful and funny but also sad. Wright tells of his experiences as professor working in a Slovackian University and life there after the fall of communism

Coming of Age in Samoa: By Margret Mead
Anthropology at it's best. A classic scientific work. And it isn't boring.

War Cry on a Prayer Feather: Nancy Wood translates the words of the Ute People.
This is one of the most worthwhile books I have read. Beautifully written with meaning and soul. Here is a short quote from the book:
To live one must make a living.
In making a living we lose our faces,
and see instead the images of what we have become.
If only, if only,
Life did not become a business.


Their Eyes Were Watching God: Zora Neal Hurston
A terrific novel about life, growth, freedom and this book is a fine example of classic black literature. I didn't realize it was an 'Oprah' recommended book until after I read it. Hey she picks some good ones, she recommends Cormac McCarthy's new book (The Road) this month, you can't go wrong there.