First Real Summer Week

May 29th through June 4th
Summer in the North woods is usually bracketed between Memorial Day and Labor Day. The start of Summer 2017 seems to be following this historical trend. The creamy warm center of last week was sandwiched between two rain events that were wet and soggy but beat the heck out of snow. The wet and soggy that surrounded last week didn't add much to the lake level. After all the thunder and large drops, we had less than a half an inch in the rain gauge. The level of Lake Lucerne is 18.25 inches above the nail. Heavy inflows combined with even meager amounts of rain should keep raising the water through the month. The lake temperature is oscillating between "you must really like swimming to jump into that frigid pool" and "you're insane to go into that water". In a few more days the lake temperature should rise to the point where 62�F is just a blue, hypothermic memory. A blue sky, calm water, and warmer temperatures awakened some of the Summer's more floaty creatures and they peaked out of their winter burrows. The beast was lured out of its hole with a new battery and the promise of ethanol free food. It was leashed to a four wheel mule and taken to a sanctuary release point on the South end of the lake. After being released, it was a little timid at first. A short while later, it found its legs and frolicked joyously on the flat, cool plains of the preserve. Just as the watercraft awakens, other life is getting ready for slumber. Trillium season is just about over. Most of the area's boats have been released back into the wild. Now comes the golden age of Summer. It's that time of year when energy drinks and ibuprofen are still optional, SCUBA tanks are all full, and the Rafto standings are all tied up. Also, the first ski show of 2017 is about a week away and the fish are jumping into the boat.<br><br><br>-Nemo: Fisherman, Ski Boat Whisperer