Fishing has been steady with reports of 5-6 lakers per group fishing.  All seeming to average around that nice 3 - 5lb eating size.  One group also took a couple Rainbow trout from a nearby smaller lake.  Guests have all been saying that the other lakes they visit have similar slush conditions - some pockets here, but not as bad as earlier this month.

Bob Sr was out fising with a group of guys.  They caught 6 Lake Trout and one of the guys caught an Eelpout.  Bob Sr  - never having tried Eelpout - traded to get it (I can't imagine giving up a Laker for a Pout), then tried boiling it in Sprite.  I haven't yet heard how it was - but does't sound too appealing to me.  I'm trying to keep an open mind, but it's hard when they're such an ugly fish to start with.  I hear they're really slimy too.  I did a google search for Eelpout and found the link to the Lake of the Woods Eelpout festival and looked at some of their pictures - There's a link to one I found below.

We had a fresh 4 inches by noon Saturday - and the whole Ski trail system was groomed again!  The trails are in excellent shape - come give them a try!

http://www.eelpoutfestival.com/images/photos07/pages/100_6834_JPG.htm

Fishing is underway!  The Nelson party from Duluth reported a nice 9lb trout and another at 5lbs.  They have pictures of both which they will send to me next week and I'll post it.  They also told me of a theft they encountered.  Apparently there is a fox who is 5lbs heavier as he made off with the fish they left outside their fish house. 

The ice reports are ranging from 10 - 18 inches on Gunflint.  I've heard mixed reports of little to no slush, and some pockets here and there.  It seems that travel on the lake is reportedly pretty good.  Then again if any remaining slush didn't freeze in the cold temps of the past few days I don't know what will freeze it.  

More as I hear it! 

    Thanks to the Jacobson party who sent us these pictures of their recent Cross Country Skiing and Skijoring experience here on the upper Gunflint Trial while staying with us.  While the Jacobsons have been coming here for years - this was Ian's first Skijoring experience. (Ian is the one pulling!)

Well - Here it is the first day of the Lake Trout season.  We have 2 groups of fishermen who arrived today and are out on the ice so we'll see what the day brings.  Both groups intended to fish on the way up the trail and arrive here late, but with the cold temps (-26Fthis morning with a hi of -13F now) and blowing wind they both decided to get here, change in a warm cabin and head out on Gunflint Lake.  

The ice report as of yesterday was that there was a good 12 inches here on the west side.  There are pockets of slush  but that the lake is not entirely slush. 

The weather for the next few days is still pretty cold, but looking up:

Jaret had a friend up from town (Grand Marais) for the past two days.  They have been frolicking in the winter fun.  Sliding and skiing and playing with the dogs.  Yesterday got "bored" as is typical of 10 year olds so we suggested they go out ice fishing. 

They gathered up the sleds, poles, tackle, ice scoop, gaff, and ice auger and headed down to the lake.  They tromped out about 80 yards off the shore.  He said it was slushy enough to cover his boots.  They drilled 7 different holes through the 10 inch layer of ice, each a little further from shore until they got into about 20+ feet of water.  Then set off to jigging to see if they could catch a Bass or Northern (both species are continous on border lakes).

Bob and I were in the house admiring their determination and wondering how long this might keep them from being "bored".  About 15-20 minutes into their adventure we could hear a plane buzzing the lake.  Sure enough the forest service & or conservation officer(s) was "checking them out". After about 3 fly by's they were off to search for others.  It would've given us a good laugh if they had stopped and checked them out. After about 45 minutes to an hour they packed up and came up to the lodge to melt off the slush formed ice, and look for something else to do.

Later I found out that the Forest service officers were actually having lunch at Gunflint Lodge - Oh well it was an amusing thought.

It's started snowing and we have a bucket full in the forecast as most of Minnesota does - so if I can keep uplinked via satellite I'll try to keep in touch.  If not I'll let you know when it's over. - Thanks to those of you who send comments to let me know you read this  - I'll keep it up if you like my mumblings.

Shari