The Weekend After the 4th

Arriving at the lake just after sunset, we were greeted warmly by warm. The air in the northwoods has that summer hot feel that lasts well into the night.

The "boys of spring" took advantage of the hot, sticky weather by mining wood for next year's maple syrup season. Only a few bazillion cords to go.

While obtaining ordnance for last year's Lake Lucerne Bottle Rocket War, we saw (and purchased) some magic beans that were supposed to "color" campfires. The package turned the flames a greenish blue, lasted about a half an hour, and entertained all.

It's been a dry bunch of weeks. The stream on the north end has a little bit of standing water, but no flow. About 0.25 inches fell on Sunday morning. The lake area missed the really big storms that seemed, if the radar are to be believed, to be all around us. More rain is predicted for the next few days. Hope we get it.

After the rain on Sunday, the lake flattened out and the heat flowed. The water temperature is about 76°F. The grumpy, attack bluegills are off the spawning beds, making it safe again for divers to rescue golf balls and ice spuds. There's a big walleye cruising the north end of the lake and you can't swing a dead catfish without swatting a bass. We also received a sighting of a big catfish. The plan next weekend is to do a complete photo survey of the old boat in about 12 to 14 feet of water on the northeastern shore. I'll post 'em early next week.

-Nemo is thinking of noodling for that catfish.

The Weekend After the 4th

July 8th through 10th, 2011