Galena May 16-18 2009

Wow - Thanks Ron and Kathy for inviting us to your lovely home in Galena! A very nice weekend was had by all. We drove up in a downpour Friday afternoon, in unusually terrible Friday night traffic, but the anticipation of seeing our friends Ron and Kathy made the drive manageable! When we arrived, we were treated with clear weather and a roaring backyard bonfire, along with a few libations. Saturday morning we breakfasted at the Eagle Ridge Lodge.

On the Lake at 11:00, Ron and I began fishing. Slim pickens!

The lake was as clear as can be, with visibility down to at least 8 ft., so the fish were hiding! Our wives joined us, but we had trouble with the wind.We went back to their house for mushroom tacos, enjoying the unique taste of morel Mushrooms. We were bundled up in all our coats, and hoods up as we sought shelter from the wind. Finally Ron caught the first largemouth of the day.

I had one rod off the back of the boat, just "dead-sticking" while I fiddled with diferent lure combinations on my bait caster in the front. The clattering of the rod siginaled a fish was on on the dead-stick, and sure enough, it was my first Large Mouth! Ron and I each caught one more fish each, with Ron's being a nice 18".

Calling it a day, we had a nice wam-up in the hot tub, followed by Kathy's famous vegetable soup for dinner, and another bonfire. Sitting around a bonfire is a good way to solve the world's problems!

Sunday was bacon and eggs, and off we went again to the lake. Kathy caught 2 fish, one of them about a 18", Ron caught 2, and I caught another largemouth on a "dead-stick" again. I catch more fish when I just leave the rod drifiting in the water. This time Ron caught my rod as it started to be pulled into the lake. I think there's a message here for me.

Another great weekend in Galena, and a good start to our summer season!
Thanks to Ron and Kathy!

First Catch of the year! May 3, 2009

After fishing the local ponds, and even Wolf Lake, since January, I have finally caught fish! One begins to forget what it feels like to get a bite. The definitive tug-tug. The desparate yank on the rod, often more of a reflex than anything else. The adrenaline rush. Uncle Mike and Karen invited us to his place last Sunday (5.3.09). Uncle Ron and Aunt Marka were there as well as Shane, Kim, Lance, Caleb, and several large brown dogs, and one small, but mighty Jack Russell.

After a giantic lunch, we all headed to his pond. I bravely tried out my bait caster rigged with a minnow-like lure with a yellow jig. I set it up using the "Zack rig" of Lake Gogebic fame.

I located a spot with a lot of weedy structure, and after a few panicky minutes (what if I never catch a fish again? have I lost it? why am I like this?), I caught a smallish Largemouth! I moved over a little bit, and caught a Crappie with sharp fins! Then another Crappie. This one hit on the drop, and fell off the hook at my feet. He flopped his way back into the pond, before I could grab him. I moved a little bit, and started pitching into a likely hole, just outside of the weeds. I could feel the nibbles, but no bites.

Then wham, a good sized 3 lb Largemouth! Much splashing! I had trouble reeling him in, thru the weed cover, the rod was bent double. I heaved up and got him to me. Nice size, maybe 18in. While removing the hook (had to use my pliers), I stuck my finger, and got blood on the rod's handle (badge of honor). This fish had teeth, and my left thumb got scraped where I lipped him. What fun!

I finished up with another Crappie. This is the first time I've caught anything on my bait caster.

Back at the house we had a delicious dessert, and a libation. (How does Karen do all this?) Off to the pole barn, Uncle Mike gave me some lures that he had overstocked on, including my first Mepps!

Thanks for inviting us!

Fish count: 3 Crappie, 2 Largemouth.