Outdoor Traditions - Summer Issue

Dog Days And Drop Shots

Deep-Water Bull Bluegills During Summer

Inside o

Lund Boats: Building A Legend

o

The Experts Talk Walleyes o Trumpeting A Swan Song

o

Friends Old And New - Girl Scouts

o

’Future Appears To Be Bright’ On Cass Lake

Summer 2015

Get ready for some fun on the water!

2015

Enjoy the LUXURY of a

Weeres PONTOON

Stop In And Check Out The ENTIRE Selection

Don’t Forget About The Dock

7 B (

Ask about FREE storage!

CERTIFIED TECHNICIANS ON HAND

17 YEARS

WWW.POWERLODGE.COM • BRAINERD/ONAMIA • 218-822-3500 001225820r1

Issue 10 • Edition 2

Contents Features

5

Welcome

6

Dog Days And Drop Shots

Matt Erickson

Finally, Open Water Is Here Dave Csanda

Deep-Water Bull Bluegills During Summer

10 Friends Old And New

Tricia Andrews

Girl Scouts Of Minnesota And Wisconsin Lakes And Pines Annual Event Brings Thousands Of Scouts To Lakes Area.

16 For The Birds

Tim Bogenschutz

18 Lund Boats: Building A Legend

Michael Johnson

Trumpeting A Swan Song

Watercraft Company Continues To Make Waves

26 Live Bait 101

Tresa Erickson

For some anglers, there is nothing better than live bait.

28 The Experts Talk Walleyes

Jim Kalkofen

Favorite Tactics, Advice And Wisdom From Local Walleye Hunters

32 DNR Calendar

15 Nature’s Cuisine

33 Your Best Shot

Excerpts From DNR Chelsey Perkins Summertime Salad

22 Outdoor Almanac

May-Early July Outdoor Events Submitted Photos From Readers

34 Service Directory

Pat Miller ’Future Appears To Be Bright’ On Cass Lake

Cover photo by Dave Csanda

F Jim

14 Wild Stories

Kalkofen

Departments

A quarterly publication of the Brainerd Dispatch

Publisher

Tim Bogenschutz

Copy Editor

Matt Erickson

Marketing

Leo Miller

Designer

Andy Goble

Advertising

Nikki Lyter

— For Advertising opportunities Nikki Lyter 218 • 855 • 5829 or 1 • 800 • 432 • 3703

— Email your comments,

suggestions or story ideas to Leo Miller leora.miller@brainerddispatch.com or mail to Outdoor Traditions Brainerd Dispatch P.O. Box 976 Brainerd, MN 56401

— Find us ONLINE at

northlandoutdoors.com brainerddispatch.com and visit us on Facebook

Jim Johnson (left) helps Nisswa’s Lee Dittmer weigh a sturgeon caught recently on Rainy River.

Outdoor Traditions is a trademarked magazine published by the Brainerd Dispatch, PO P Box 976, Brainerd, MN 56401 All rights reserved Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited

® 2010 © 2006 Your Best Shot F Photo submitted by Lee Dittmer

4

OUTDOOR TRADITIONS

F Sam

Cook / scook@duluthnews.com

By MATT ERICKSON

Finally, Open Water Is Here Steve Fellegy of Aitkin, holds another good-sized walleye he caught July 9, 2013 on Mille Lacs Lake.

Welcome

The needle on the thermometer is creeping up, the days are getting longer, the ice is off the lakes

It’s that time — time for open water fishing And fishing is a big part of the outdoors in the lakes areas of Brainerd and Bemidji This issue of Outdoor Traditions brings plenty in the way of fishing, from Dave Csanda’s tips for catching slab bluegills to Jim Kalkofen’s story on how well-known walleye hunters pursue their quarry You’ll also find Pat Y Miller’s story on how Cass Lake is looking after zebra mussels were found in its waters last year, and Michael’s Johnson’s on Lund Boats manufacturing in New York Mills How popular is fishing in this state? Here’s some quick facts from the Minnesota DNR: • There are about 1 5 million licensed anglers in Minnesota •A About 500,000 people fished on

[

opening day of the walleye and northern pike season • Minnesota has 11,842 lakes, 5,400 of which are managed

by DNR Fisheries There are

fourth in the nation for angler expenditures • Fishing supports 35,400 Minnesota jobs • Minnesota ranks second in resident fishing participation at 32 percent, second only to Alaska • Minnesota is the third mostpopular inland fishing destination in the country • Minnesota ranks sixth among states with the highest number of anglers The top three states are Florida, Texas and Michigan But fishing is not the only outdoor activity in north central Minnesota, and it’s not the only thing you’ll read about here We also have a birding column by Tim Bogenschutz, a recipe

by Chelsey Perkins and a profile of Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin Lakes and Pines Summer goes by too fast as it is, so whatever your interest, the most important thing is to get outside and enjoy it F

There are about 1.5 million licensed anglers in Minnesota.

18,000 miles of fishable rivers and streams, including 3,800 miles of trout streams •A Average annual expenditure per angler is about $1,500 • 162 species of fish can be found in Minnesota waters • Fishing contributes $2 4 billion to the state’s economy in direct retail sales, ranking Minnesota

]

MATT ERICKSON Brainerd Dispatch Editor

www.northlandoutdoors.com

5

Dog Days And Drop Shots

A

Deep-Water Bull Bluegills During Summer

By DAVE CSANDA

Summer Exodus Once spring spawning is complete, larger bluegills desert shallow bays and mainlake reed beds On most natural lakes here in Minnesota, they initially relate to the outer fringes of deep weeds rimming the basin of the lake Early on — like mid-June — fish begin collecting into schools, with suspension common Bluegills hug the developing weeds during the day, often rising upward on calm evenings to pluck emerging insects off the water surface You see the telltale spines of their dorsal fins poking above the still water as they cruise barely subsurface Once they spot their prey, audible “smacks” and telltale ripples reveal packs of ‘gills sucking insects off the mirror-like boundary between air and water If you enjoy flyfishing, it’s the perfect time to lay tiny dry flies

6

on their dinner table, tempting bluegills to rise to the occasion And nd even if the concon ditions aren’t ideal, with ith wind rippling the water, gills usually still respond to a varivari ety of subsurface lures like ke swimming small jigs, casting and reretrieving 2-inch crankcrankbaits and, yes, even the old ld standy — a bobbob ber, split shot and No 6 hook, ook, baited with a piece of nightcrawler All goes well for a few weeks, with ‘gills of all sizes feeding topside with abandon Until ntil one day … all of the larger bluegills seem to disappear Did they stop biting until next spring? Nope We learned that lesson before They’ve obviously moved So let’s decipher the clues, and then go find them Oddly ddly enough, we can still catch loads of small- to mid-size bluegills throughout the shalshal lows: around docks, along inside weedlines, atop mid-depth weed flats and along the outer edge of the deepest weeds So logically, the largest ‘gills must either be deeper or suspended Interestingly, when you castand-swim small jigs, or troll small crankbaits from the surface down to, say, 15 or 18 feet, you catch crappies Loads and loads

OUTDOOR TRADITIONS

F Dave

Until, of course, the feisty fish move out of shallow water in favor of deeper haunts more conducive to summer feeding Good things, it seems, never last forever What’s a poor angler to do when the fish stop biting where just last week they were ridiculously easy to find and catch?

Give up until the next spring fling in the shallows? Hardly! Because, logically, fish gotta eat If they’re not biting where they were, they must be biting somewhere else So let’s solve the mystery of catching trophy panfish in summer…

Csanda

Ah, nothing beats the joy of a sunny spring afternoon; the warmth of a sheltered bay, and a bobber going down … again and again

of crappies That’s because in early to mid-summer, schools of crappies like to suspend at middepths and patrol the outer edges of weed beds, becoming particularly active in the evening So, we have the crappies wired — at least for a while Now, what about the biggest bluegills

— those elusive 9-, 10-, even 11-inchers that approach and bypass the 1-pound mark? The next obvious step is to try fishing deeper, on or near the bottom

Where They Lurk During mid- to late summer, large bluegills often drop out of deep weedbeds, preferring transition areas where the base of the dropoff meets modestly deep basins in the 15- to 30-foot depth range The tips of long points and the perimeters of offshore humps draw some of the biggest ‘gills in the lake Bull ‘gills often line up along the edge formed where the harder bottom of the dropoff meets the softer mud basin, where the fish feed on a mixture of emerging insects, larvae and minnows Sometimes, key features along these edges really concentrate schools of gills Like a patch of gravel at the base of the dropoff, where you occasionally feel your sinker tap and scratch across patches of harder bottom or sandgrass It’s not rocky enough to be snaggy, which is typical of good bluegill spots Were it filled with rock and boulders, it would more likely attract other species like walleyes or smallmouth bass Instead, it’s a bluegill bonanza Next, consider how big ‘gills usually orient to the bottom Unlike walleyes, they seldom lie right on the basin Instead, schools of bluegills usually hover perhaps a foot or two off bottom, slowly milling around, patiently pecking at small all food items they discover So you can see them on your electronics if you know what to look for Given the depth of the water and relatively small size of your quarry, good electronics are a must They allow you to do a lot of searching before you even wet a line And

they help hold you with pinpoint precision atop key bluegill spots

Get the Drop on Deep Summer ‘Gills So, what do you need to catch big bluegills — those misshapen brutes whose blunt foreheads are built like bulldozers?

Admittedly, it can be a bit of a challenge because you can’t use large, bulky or heavy lures Bluegills have small mouths — even the largest bull bluegills over a pound So, you need a system that efficiently get small baits down to deeper depths, allowing you to fish perhaps 20 to 30 feet deep and cover enough water to find schools of roving bluegills As far as rigs go for these deepwater bruisers, you have a couple of options Obviously, a slip sinker rig dressed with small livebaits, like panfish leeches or live nightcrawlers, can be extremely effective It’s just like livebait rigging for walleyes Better yet are dropshot rigs, which are easily constructed out of a few simple components First, use a palomar knot to attach a size 2 Sure Set Drop Shot hook about 2 feet from the end of the line Or even easier, a size 2 VMC Spin Shot hook, which features an innovative swivel attachment that eliminates line twist Next, clip a dropshot sinker to the end of the line to position your bait 1 ½ to 2 feet above bottom You can further adjust how far off bottom the bait rides simply by sliding the sinker up or down the line If the sinker snags bottom, a firm pull should slide the sinker off the line, preventing you from losing the baited hook Speaking of bait, a wide variety of tiny softbaits are ideal for catching big gills in deep water Short

crawler imitations, tiny tubes and subtle insect imitations do the trick Most of the time, 1- to 2-inch softbaits are best, although you can use 3-inch or longer crawler simulations when bigger gills prefer a mouthful to a morsel In a nutshell, all you need to do is slowly drift or troll along at the right depth level, tapping your sinker on and off bottom with subtle lifts and drops, to dance your baits in front of the bluegills’ eyes and noses It tempts It teases And it gets results And once you hook into some of these bruisers, you’ll be amazed at how hard they fight They turn sideways, circling again and again as you try to lift them upward, fighting every inch of the way It’s like trying to lift a frying pan on steroids What’s that, you say? You’re not a bass angler, and don’t have any of those fancy bassin’-style drop shot sinkers? In a pinch, substitute a couple of larger 3/0 size split shot sinkers and … well … pinch them on the end of your line They’re perhaps not as fashion forward, but just as deadly effective And truth be told, the bluegills won’t mind, or even know the difference And another thing If you’re in short supply of small plastic softbaits, and really prefer fishing with live critters for panfish,

www.northlandoutdoors.com

7

001215901r1

WE’RE A HOME CARE AGENCY SPECIALIZING IN PCA SERVICES (Personal Care Assistance)

Csanda F Dave

no problem at all Pick up some nightcrawlers — preferably the shorter 3-inchers labeled “panfish crawlers” at the local baitshop — and nip the head end on your hook Or, try some small panfish leeches, hooked through the suction cup end Bull ‘gills can’t resist em Been digging in the garden lately? You’ll often find interesting grubs there Try ‘em Especially the big, white fat ones Down south, you’d probably be catching crickets for bait before you hit the water for bluegills or shellcrackers Up north, check the yard or along the shoreline to see what kinds of bugs are falling off the trees and bushes into the water these days Collect a few in a plastic container and try dropshotting them ffor bruiser ‘gills In all cases, long rods are imperative in this style of fishing 6 ½- to 7-foot, medium light spinning rods are excellent They have soft tips to detect light bites, yet plenty of backbone to set the hook and fight bull gills swirling on the line And sufficient cushion to prevent breaking 2- to 6-pound-test fluorocar-

bon line, which matches nicely with a size 10 or 15 lightweight spinning reel The fact is, the dropshot technique is easy and effective And it works equally well with any of the baits mentioned here — live or artifi artificial And anybody can do it The biggest obstacle to success is simply recognizing the locational pattern and fishing the right kinds of areas, at the right depths Because that’s where the biggest blue bluegills in the lake are during mid- to late ate summer And the pattern will hold firm until … well … it doesn’t and they decide to move again When that happens, no problem We know the drill We’ll figure out where they’re headed and then head them off at the pass

Bull Bluegill Waters Here in the Brainerd lakes area nearly every lake, river, pit and pond hosts a good bluegill population Most grow fish to the 5- to 7-inch range Yet relatively few put up any number of bruiser ‘gills topping 8 inches In most cases, that’s because of significant harvest An 8-inch ‘gill in our area is usually about 8 years old, so it has to live a long time without being plucked from a shallow spawning bay or through a hole in the ice Panfish are generally considered to be food fish and in larger and more heavily-fished waters, relatively few reach that elusive bull category So the biggies are seldom caught in any number In reality, some of the best trophy bluegill waters are smaller, off-the-beaten-path, 100-acre lakes and ponds that have difficult or limited boat access during

summer and don’t draw a lot of foot traffic across the ice in winter In most cases, they fall into the category of being someone’s “secret lake,” and you’re going to have a hard time prying the lake name out between their clenched lips Which means that you’re more than likely need to do some exploring on your own Area bait shops and local DNR personnel can be helpful in that regard, because it’s to their advantage to reveal where good fishing potential lies So don’t be afraid to ask questions or do a little research about recent lake surveys at www dnr state mn us It’s worth the effort During your research, or at signs posted at some area boat accesses, you’ll find that some local waters are being managed to limit wa daily panfish harvest in an attempt to increase the overall size of the fish Five-fish possession limits for bluegills and crappies may be in effect At other lakes, the limits may be more generous So, as they say, know before you go In addition, we are blessed with several major rivers in our area where large bluegills are fairly common Rice Lake on the Mississippi River is a good example So are some impounded sections of the Crow Wing River Fertile water and relatively low fishing pressure are the keys to longevity and growth In the end, if you’re after the biggies, it’s a game of hide-and-seek Seek, and ye shall find They’re out there, waiting to bite F DAVE CSANDA is a veteran outdoor communicator/ TV co-host who works at Lindner‘s Angling Edge Television in Baxter.

He has been inducted into both the Minnesota and National Fresh Water Fishing Halls of Fame, and volunteers with the Brainerd Lakes Area Chapter of Let’s Go Fishing.

www.northlandoutdoors.com

9

O

FRIENDS w e N d n A d l O Girl Scouts Of Minnesota And Wisconsin Lakes And Pines Annual Event Brings Thousands Of Scouts To Lakes Area

10

OUTDOOR TRADITIONS

F Tricia Andrews

By TRICIA ANDREWS

Mom and daughter at Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin Lakes and Pines’ annual Our World, Our Family event in Nisswa.

O

Our World, Our Family (OWOF) is held each September at Camp Lake Hubert and Camp Lincoln near Nisswa, and is the largest event hosted by Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin Lakes and Pines Over 1,000 Girl Scouts,

adult volunteers, community members and staff converge September 11-13 for a weekend of adventure, fun and friendship OWOF has a 28-year history and now includes multiple generations In fact, women who attended as girls now bring their daughters F Tricia Andrews

Our World, Our Family is an annual “back to school, back to Girl Scouts” weekend for many Girl Scout troops, beginning in the spring when they check out the registration materials for the September program They look to see what’s new, which this year includes a two hour wilderness survival course for teen girls; a special nature sessions for girls of all ages with John Latimer, host of KAXE’s Phenology Show;

and an adult artisan bread makmak ing class sponsored by Concordia Language Villages An all-girl rock band from Minneapolis will even make an appearance The swimming session will include a chance to try out the log roll, borrowed for the weekend from Girl Scout’s Camp Roundelay Girls have the fun of choosing between over 60 small group sessions such as Duct Tape Boat Races, Root Beer Science, Pop

Private or Group Riding Lessons Equine Therapy Programs Onsite Tack Store Cert. Horsemanship Assoc.

US Pony Club PATH INTL Licensed Center

218-444-8626

2344 Balsam Rd. NW Bemidji, MN | WillStarRidingAcademy.com

001239171r1

Jennifer Werhan Realtor®

218-849-5169

Tower Properties

Recommended for a Reason.

Each WEICHERT® franchised office is independently owned and operated.

www.northlandoutdoors.com

11

12

event or about other girl and adult Girl Scout membership, camp or volunteer opportunities, or event sponsorship contact us at 800-955-6032, owof@ gslakesandpines org or www gslakesandpines org See you at OWOF! “It’s totally worth the money,” said volunteer Melanie, of St Cloud “Cabins are furnished with bed and mattress, bathroom facilities on the lower sections Showers are just a walking distance away You get fed well, you will not be hungry!

Perfect weather (usually) Feels like an extension of summer - a great way to start out the year as a troop by coming together Beautiful location Very private You can’t get lost You can go and Y don’t have to worry about your daughter Girls feel like they have independence ” F

F Tricia Andrews

Friends are made at Our World, Our Family, the Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin Lakes and Pines’ annual event at Camp Lake Hubert and Camp Lincoln near Nisswa.

F Tricia Andrews

Can Fishing, Archery, Kayaking, Rifle Shooting, Low Ropes, and High Ropes, Kick Boxing, and Geocaching Some of our most popular sessions are Bog Walk, Eco Art, Root Beer Science and Tie-Dying Adults are offered enrichment sessions as well, inin cluding outdoor skills, a pontoon ride and a gardening workshop sponsored by Crow Wing County’s Master Gardener program This year’s theme, Make New Friends, But Keep the Old, celebrates OWOF traditions such as SWAPs, the evening talent show, scavenger hunt, and polar bear plunge We make new friends when we partner with organizations such as Happy Dancing Turtles and Concordia Language Villages We make new friends when Girl Scout troops decide to come to OWOF for the very first time We especially welcome as new friends the girls and families who are not currently involved in Girl Scouts Please join us “under the pines” at Our World Our Family! As an easy first foray, a girl and her mom or dad might enjoy coming just for the day on Saturday “We We come back year after year!

We are hooked on Our World, Our Family — the outdoors, choosing which craft sessions to attend, learning new things, eateat ing meals in the dining halls with everyone, challenging ourselves, cabin camping,” said Nancy from St Cloud, a volunteer for the annual event “It is the one Girl Scout activity my daughter insists on doing every year!”

Depending upon length of stay, the fee is $45-$120 and includes meals and cabin accommodations Financial aid is available, registrations are due June 26 For more details about this

Girl Scouts practice leathercraft at Our World, Our Family.

OUTDOOR TRADITIONS

F Submitted

Photo

Maria Rossman, leader of Troop 67 Avon Juniors, said, “II ha have ve lots of great memories with my troop! From the day to day meetings to the trips and camps. I love how when my troop takes pictures first we take a nice picture for all the moms (usually) to take, followed by a crazy pose for the girls (lately it has been zombies!). One of my favorite things we’ve done is our 2014 OWOF camp. Most of all my troop attended the camp. We did some of our sessions together including archery, which was the first time for a couple of the girls.

For me, the best part of the weekend (besides the beautiful weather) was me and two other moms along with some of the girls climbing the tree house and crossing the net bridge. Two of our girls managed to get ‘stuck’ in the ropes, they helped each other get out, but we all enjoyed a good laugh, too!”

F Tricia Andrews

TRICIA ANDREWS, is director of program for Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin Lakes and Pines.

Our service department is certified and servicing Evinrude, Suzuki, Mercury, Yamaha

Your Complete Family Boating Center!

BEMIDJI MARINE, INC. www.BemidjiMarine.com

Hwy. 71 North, Bemidji, MN

444-BOAT(2628) 001215973r1

www.northlandoutdoors.com

13

Wild Stories

ExcErpts From Dnr consErvation oFFicErs’ WEEkly rEports (EDITOR’S NOTE: Reports appear as they were written by conservation officers.)

March 16

CO Mike Fairbanks (Deer River) checked anglers, monitored OHV activity, assisted with the district volunteer instructor appreciation banquet and assisted the county with a narcotics investigation where CO Fairbanks’s K-9 partner Si was able to locate evidence that had been hidden by a suspect The warmer temps last week brought out many anglers In one instance, CO Fairbanks observed an angler dressed in a Tshirt and shorts operating an auger Enforcement action was taken for possess over limit of crappie, angle without valid license, fail to display valid registration on OHV and no license in possession

March 23 CO Tyler Quandt (Red Wing) reports spending most of the week checking open water angling activity Most of the ice fishing has come to an end in the area One avid ice angler attempted to get in some last minute ice fishing by using his plane to land on the last lake in the area with ice on it He was able to land successfully but in his attempt to take off his plane broke through the ice and he had to have it removed by a towing company Luckily no one was injured in the incident

got to watch a wolf on the ice by an old moose kill The crows knew how far they had to stay away from him not to become a meal themselves, but close enough to be an annoyance to the wolf The wolf came back a couple of times and when he wasn’t there, a half-dozen eagles flew in and out of the area

CO Tom Hemker (Winona) reports spending most of the week checking fishing on the river and ATV complaint areas The weekend had especially heavy fishing pressure with a very good perch bite During a fishing check a blind fisherman joking with Hemker asked to see his identification

Continued on page 25

STOP BY TODAY FOR INCREDIBLE OFFERS AND UNBEATABLE SERVICE!

March 30 CO Darin Fagerman (Grand Marais) reports it is still winter in the Arrowhead Lakes along the border are frozen right up to shore and snow still remains on the lakes and in the woods The CO

14

April 6

OUTDOOR TRADITIONS

BEMIDJI SPORTS CENTRE

1826 ANNE STREET NW, BEMIDJI, MN

(218) 751-4477 • bemidjisportscentre.com

Nature’s Cuisine

By CHELSEY PERKINS

S

Summertime: the ever too brief reprieve from the frigid conditions of the great white North.

One of the best parts of summer, in my opinion, is the opportunity to share meals with friends and family outside, whether it be as part of a barbecue, picnic or out on the boat The recipe I’ve provided here makes for outstanding picnic fare It’s easy to transport and does not contain temperature sensitive ingredients (for posterity’s sake, the United States Department of Agriculture says food should be refrigerated within two hours if kept above 40 degrees) It works well as a side dish with almost anything and is vegetarian-friendly A nice variation could include the addition of chopped roasted red peppep pers or even pickled peppers, if you’re up for a spicier kick F

Chelsey Perkins

Mediterranean Rice Salad • 6 cups cooked white rice • ¼ cup kalamata olives, chopped • 2 tablespoons capers, chopped • 2 scallions, white and some green parts, finely chopped • ¼ cup feta cheese, chopped • lemon-parsley vinaigrette (recipe below) • ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper

Lemon-Parsley Vinaigrette

• 1 cup extra-virgin olive oil • ½ to 5/8 cup lemon juice • ½ teaspoon granulated garlic • 1 teaspoon salt (or more to taste) • 2 tablespoons parsley • 1 ½ tablespoons honey • Cracked pepper to taste

To make the vinaigrette, place all ingredients in a quartsized mason jar. Shake vigorously until well combined.

In a large bowl, combine the rice with about 2/3 of the dressing. Stir in kalamata olives, capers, scallions, feta cheese and crushed red pepper.

You will have enough dressing left over to use on a few salads, too! F CHELSEY PERKINS is a Brainerd Dispatch staff writer and is one of the columnists featured in the Dispatch’s regular food column, Puttin’ on The Mitts. Follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/DispatchChelsey and at www.twitter.com/ MittsDailyDash.

www.northlandoutdoors.com

15

FOR THE BIRDS Trumpeting A Swan Song F Tim

Bogenschutz

By TIM BOGENSCHUTZ

M

More often in the recent past we’ve had a chance to see and hear two of the biggest birds on our continent, the ancient sandhill crane and the beautiful trumpeter swan Both have haunting and unmistakable calls and both are still somewhat rare to see in the Brainerd lakes area However, they seem to be showing up more lately, especially the trumpeter swan I’m always eager to see a pair of nesting swans If you do, it is probably in April just after ice out If it’s early it’s probably before the female has laid her eggs, usually four to six on average If it’s later than that, you’ll probably only see one as the other will be on the nest or hiding with the fledgling brood until things get a bit safer

The adult trumpeters are beautiful with very showy, almost totally white plumage, accented by their distinguishing black bill The cygnets or newly hatched babies look like golden yellow fuzzballs for the first few weeks Adult trumpeters grow to be very big birds, considered the heaviest in North America, weighing as much as 30 pounds Yes, the con-

16

dor is supposed to be the largest North American bird but it just doesn’t weigh as much as a trumpeter Swans mate for life and once they establish a nesting area can return to nest in the same spot for many years Part of my trip to our Lake Vermillion cabin takes me past a wetland just south of Grand Rapids The road runs high above

OUTDOOR TRADITIONS

the water and, with no trees obstructing the view, you can see a couple of square miles of this meandering swamp We always are on alert to spot the swans that for many years appeared out in this particular wetland One thing is for certain, they are not hard to spot, even from a distance Last year, north of Pillager on the back water of the lake that bares the

F Tim

Bogenschutz

same name, I ran across another pair And this year, to our joy, we have been watching a couple hanging around our lake We are hoping they will use our backwater lake as a permanent nesting area for years to come We know when they are out there because of their loud and low sounding honk Both the sandhills and swans will visit our lake sometime this year Think if both were there at the same time and accompanied by the local loons? Close your eyes for a moment and imagine First you would hear the long haunting wail of loons, add in that funky low honking sound of the swans, finally adding the high pitched echoing pipe trill of the sand hill crane What a trio! F

TIM BOGENSCHUTZ Publisher of the Brainerd Dispatch, and avid outdoorsman. He has a passion for Photography while spending time outdoors.

Come To Staples Sports Lincoln...

FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED SINCE 1982!

Where Summer Never Ends!

1051 320th Street, Cushing, MN 56443

Give Us A Call!

218-575-2086

www.staplessports.com

www.northlandoutdoors.com

17

001240546r1

Directions: 25 miles N of Little Falls on Hwy 10 or 8 miles S of Motley on Hwy 10

Lund Boats:

BUILDING A L

H

By MICHAEL JOHNSON

Watercraft Company Continues To M

How many great north woods memories come out of a trip on the family boat?

Memories of the first fish or the first time mom and dad let you take the handle of the outboard are ones that likely took place in a locally built Lund Boat Like many great beginnings, Lund Boats was started by a man tinkering around in his garage

In 1948, Howard Lund was asked to build a boat He prob probably never guessed that riveting those pieces of aluminum together into that first boat would lead to so many boating memories for so many families in the north woods and beyond

Nearly early 70 years later, the boats keep coming out of several shops spread across about 40 acres known as the Lund campus in the heart of New York Mills Lund Boats Company parent company, Brunswick Corporation, has owned the company

HOW THEY

F Michael

Johnson

Making the cut

Each boat begins with a huge coil of aluminum Sheets of aluminum are laid out on a massive conveyor belt One of the computerized devices in the process cuts out the various parts of each boat Up to seven sheets of aluminum can be cut at once, creating multiple parts for multiple boats if necessary

18

OUTDOOR TRADITIONS

F Michael

Johnson

Shaping up

Once pieces are cut, they are organize its proper place, workers can begin pullin using various forms based on the model team of riveters starts putting everything

ts:

LEGEND

To Make Waves

since 2004 There are 630 employees who are building boats from start-to-finish and mostly with their own two hands Like always, the Lund boats are double riveted for strength and a strong seal that will allow generations to ply the waters “Over the generations, Lund has become a part of our customer’s family,” Lund Director of Marketing Jason Oakes said

“Some of their most enjoyable moments, including family vacations, have been with our products We’re continuously looking at ways to innovate and create better products that keep customers passionate and engaged with our brand ” The boating sector was not spared from the downturn of the Great Recession in 2008 But, Oakes explains, the slowdown

By the numBers •

•

• •

•

7 million pounds of aluminum are used every year to build the boats.

9,000-plus parts are made in New York Mills for both new and old products.

630 people are employed at the plant.

60-plus varieties of Lund models are built in New York Mills 1 boat can be built and fully furnished in about a 3-4 day process

Y BUILD ‘EM

organized and labeled With each piece in in pulling out the parts and shaping them e model As the pieces come together, the erything together

F Michael

Johnson

Testing the waters

With a finished form, each boat is tested in a giant water tank to check for any leaks The boats are pressed down in the water and tested under high pressure

www.northlandoutdoors.com

19

didn’t last too long “The aluminum fishing boat category rebounded fairly quickly after everything took a hit,” Oakes said When you see a load of Lund Boats wrapped and strapped on a semi-trailer, headed down the highway you may think about how nice it would be driving one on your favorite lake But Mark Hanson, economic development coordinator with New York Mills, said seeing a load of boats leaving New York Mills means the economy is looking good in the lakes country While many area residents work at Lund Boats, other busi-

nesses boom thanks to boat sales Another local business makes the vinyl components, another builds the trailers Truck drivers can count on loads of boats to drive across the country “It’s very similar to any small town with a big business,” Hanson said “The Lund name is a great name to hang your hat on ” Hanson notes that another great tradition to come out of Lund Boats is a community celebration and fishing tournament called Lund Mania It features barbecues, parades, and a fishing tournament that awards a new Lund Boat package as a top prize It is scheduled for July 10 this

year and features some of Lund Boats pro fishermen joining in on the fun

Moving forward Last summer, a 60,000-squarefoot expansion was completed at the Brunswick company, which is a stream-lined building that Oakes describes as a “smaller foot print” of the main building “The new building contains an upgraded paint booth with downdraft, and has more room for better efficiencies ” The company continues to search for qualified employees and pulls in workers from Fargo, Park Rapids, Brainerd, Little Falls

HOW THEY

F Michael

Foam filled

Johnson

Compartments that are not used for storage are spray foamed to exceed Coast Guard floatation requirements Foam is concentrated towards the outer edges for added stability and level floatation in the boats

20

OUTDOOR TRADITIONS

In the details

Boats move from the foamers to the pa every piece of wood or aluminum that be installed by another crew Gas tanks, live w area Even the engine is rigged and started shrink wrap waiting for them before it’s d

In 1948, Howard Lund was asked to build a boat. Nearly 70 years later, the boats keep coming. This is the cover of the 1969 Lund Boats owners manual.

and all towns in between The addition of Crestliner Boats to the assembly line in 2010 after the Little Falls plant was shut down, meant even more employees with different skill sets were needed While no big expansions are planned in the near future, Oakes said the company continues to seek out further ways to grow upon the boating industry in the north woods and beyond, as well as infiltrate the markets in the South “We pride ourselves on being a brand built on heritage,” Oakes said Oakes says today’s customers look to buy a Lund like the one their dad had, and like the one their grandpa used to take them fishing in That at deep V-bottom boat has earned its spot in the family They trust it’s a brand that will stay afloat for many generations to come “We continue to build on that reputation,” Oakes said F

MICHAEL JOHNSON, is Night Editor at the Brainerd Dispatch, and avid Outdoorsman.

Y BUILD ‘EM

F Michael

Johnson

F Lundboats.com

to the painters, where they receive their primer and two-tone color scheme and head for the finishing department Nearly m that becomes part of the interior is built at the Lund plant A crew glues all carpet to the necessary pieces, which are then nks, live wells, rod holders, cup holders, seats and consoles are installed in the finishing lines, which encompass a large open nd started to see that the finished boat is ready to hit the water as soon as it leaves the plant Finished boats have trailers and fore it’s delivered to a dealer

www.northlandoutdoors.com

21

Draper/Bemidji Pioneer

By PAT MILLER

F Monte

Outdoor Almanac

’FuturE appEars to bE bright’ on cass lakE

T

The urgent pleas of Minnesota DNR officials in recent years warning anglers about the dangers of aquatic invasive species hit home last summer when zebra mussels were discovered in Cass Lake

A year earlier, zebra mussel veligers were found in Lake Winnie but the hope at the time was that the invader would not be able to migrate upstream and that the upper reaches of the Mississippi River, including Cass Lake and Lake Bemidji, would be spared When an angler brought the shell of an adult zebra mussel to the DNR creel census taker last summer, however, Cass Lake officially had to be added to the list of lakes hit by the spread of invasive species “It will take a few years before zebra mussels become very abundant in Cass Lake but they are in the lake right now,” said Tony Kennedy, Bemidji Area DNR Fisheries large lake specialist “Zebra mussels are not something that anglers should be afraid of but anglers do need to be vigilant It is never good news when zebra mussels are discovered in a lake but it is not a panic situation I wouldn’t not fish Cass Lake

22

LARGEST BAIT & TACKLE SUPPLIER IN THE AREA One Stop Shop For Lead Core Fishing Great Selection of Men’s, Women’s & Children’s Outerwear Reel Winding LP Gas Fills Visit Our Website For:

Hwy. 18 West • Garrison, MN 001220113r1

OUTDOOR TRADITIONS

because of the zebra mussels but I may not start a day fishing on Cass Lake and then move to other lakes before the boat can dry The important thing now is to make sure we don’t transfer any of Cass Lake’s zebra mussels to another lake ” Finding zebra mussels in Cass Lake is not a complete surprise and area DNR officials have anticipated that this day might come In an attempt to document the negatives of the invasive, Bemidji area DNR officials have studied the zooplankton on Cass Lake for the past three years and they have acquired baseline data with regard to the types of zooplankton found in the lake and its impact to the overall health of the fishery Zooplankton forms the essence of the food chain in Cass Lake but,

unfortunately, zooplankton also is the primary food source for the invasive mussels “We have an idea of what the lake looks like now in terms of the zooplankton,” Kennedy said “We do understand what the bottom of the food chain looks like and how it operates on Cass Lake We are fortunate that we have that data and right now the zooplankton is in good shape If that changes because of the infestation, we will be able to monitor it ” Area DNR officials also have been monitoring the fish populations in Cass Lake and Kennedy reports that, for most of the species, the news remains positive “The walleye population is near the long-term average,” Kennedy said “But the future appears to be bright ”

Kennedy’s optimism is centered on the dominance of threeyear classes The lake has an abundance of walleyes from the 2008 year class and they currently are between 16 and 20 inches Anglers also are catching many walleyes from the 2011 year class which are averaging 14 5 inches and they are the perfect size for the frying pan Also finding their way to fishermen’s presentations are walleyes that were hatched in 2013 Although only about 10 inches long, the 2013 fish represent the immediate future of the Cass Lake walleye fishery “Cass Lake has many quality walleyes ranging in length all the way to the upper 20-inch size,” Kennedy said “The message on Cass Lake now is that there are reasonable numbers of 14-inch

F Monte

Draper/Bemidji Pioneer

In this 2014 file photo, anglers head to the boat landing after a day of fishing on Cass Lake.

www.northlandoutdoors.com

23

walleyes and there always is the chance to catch a very nice fish The three- and five-year old walleyes are currently carrying the fishery but the next couple of years, when the fish from the 2013 class are large enough to be kept, look very good for the walleye fishing ” Historically, Cass Lake also has been known as a place to target jumbo perch but the perch numbers have dropped during the past few years “Last year I didn’t hear complaints about the walleye fishing on Cass Lake but I did hear about the lack of large perch,” Kennedy said “Cass Lake has always produced perch in the 12 to 13 inch range but right now they are a little harder to find ”

That situation could improve in he next few years, however the “The 2011 perch year class on Cass Lake is very strong,” Kennedy said “Right now people are catching many of those fish but they are only about 7 inches In two or three years those perch will be about 10 inches and when they get to be that size I think the perch fishing will improve ” Muskies and northern pike also attract many anglers to Cass Lake and those fishermen seldom return to the landing disappointed “Last year was a good season for catching muskies on Cass Lake,” Kennedy said “Cass Lake doesn’t have the same size structure of large muskies that Bemidji or Plantegenet do but it does have many muskies in the high 40-inch

range And the muskie population is self sustaining The trend on Cass Lake is to have natural recruitment so there always is a wide size range of muskies There always are muskies to be caught and the best fishing often is in August and September “Cass Lake also has many nice northern pike in the 26- to 32inch range,” Kennedy continued “It is not known as a trophy pike fishery but it does have impressive numbers of northern pike over five pounds ” F

PAT MILLER, is the former longtime sportswriter and Sports Editor at the Bemidji Pioneer.

F Monte

Draper/Bemidji Pioneer

In this 2014 file photo, people watch boats come to the dock during a fishing tournament on Cass Lake.

24

OUTDOOR TRADITIONS

Wild Stories

ExcErpts From Dnr consErvation oFFicErs’ WEEkly rEports (EDITOR’S NOTE: Reports appear as they were written by conservation officers.)

April 6

CO Jim Guida (Brainerd) worked fire enforcement and sport fishing enforcement A batch of anglers was observed boating out to a sheet of ice and drilling holes and attempting to catch pan fish Some area lakes are now ice free Officer Guida worked with the Division of Forestry on enforcement of closed forestry roads as well as enforcement of burning restrictions The air wing assisted in the detection of folks illegally burning and risking the safety of the community and forest A call of two injured eagles on the ice is being investigated

April 13

CO Bret Grundmeier (Hinckley) continued to find quite a bit of trapping activity and many trappers were found starting to remove their traps for the season Open water angling activity picked up with most people found fishing along the banks of area rivers Warming water temperatures also trigW gered the spring smelt run and late night angling and netting activity that go with it Some enforcement action had to be taken for smelt netters that couldn’t resist dropping their trash in the creek Another smelter was dealt with after his level of intoxication removed the ability to stand upright or walk out of the creek

CO O Paul Kuske (Pierz) reports the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission began doing adult walleye population assessments on lakes in Morrison and Crow Wing counties Mille Lacs Band advised their intent to net on South Long Lake in Crow Wing Co Several otters were seized from trappers who caught them incidentally while beaver trapping CO Kuske found most trappers pulling their equipment this last week as fur values have dropped Surveillance was conducted of fish run areas, both northern and walleyes are spawning Several Class 2 ATVs were encountered operating on a state highway, enforcement action taken

a TIP call of a person shooting a rabbit in a neighboring yard When CO Vinton contacted the young man he found that the rabbit was already in the frying pan The juvenile was warned about seasons and his father said it won’t happen again Enforcement action was taken for ATV operations and registration violations and burning during a burning restriction F

CO Chris Vinton (Perham) reports ice off on many of the lakes and unusable ice on the remaining Anglers are finding the open water and a few fish in the rivers CO Vinton responded to

Created in the heart of

Locally made Crow Wing Kayaks are Durable, Stable, Portable and Affordable!

The Ultimate for Hunting, Fishing & Recreation.

...Available at...

Wind, Water & Wheels Crosslake • 218-692-1200

In the land of 10,000 lakes paddle with us one at a time!

www.northlandoutdoors.com

25

001242666r1

Continued from page 14

101

Live Bait

F

By TRESA ERICKSON

For some anglers, there is nothing better than live bait The movement, taste and texture

of live bait just does not compare to that of artificial bait If you have never fished with live bait, give it a try You may find it beneficial

For a successful outing, you need to know what type of live bait to use for the fish you’re af af-ter Here is a list of fish and the types of live bait that they generally prefer:

Largemouth Bass

Although they will go after almost anything, largemouth bass prefer crayfish, frogs and minnows Crayfish work best in rocky points and breaklines, frogs in shallow areas, and minnows in most other situations

in almost any area but should increase in size as the season proprogresses and the fish get bigger

Bluegill and Sunfish Both of these fish prefer worms However, bluegill will go after maggots and waxworms during the cold months

Catfish Although they will eat almost anything, catfish prefer worms and foul dead bait, like chub, suckers, sardines and liver

Smallmouth Bass

Crappie

This type of bass prefers crayfish above all else, but will go after leeches and minnows The leeches must be rather large and used in water temperatures above 50 degrees, else they will ball up on the hook Minnows can be used

These small fish prefer small minnows in general, especially during the cold months, but will eat small portions of worms in the warm months

26

OUTDOOR TRADITIONS

Yellow Perch

Like crappie, yellow perch preprefer small minnows, but will eat worms and small crayfish during the warm months They may also eat leeches

Pike and Muskie Both of these fish prefer minnows above all else, preferably live during the warm months and dead during the cold months However, they will go after oversized chub, frog, suckers or smelt

Walleye These fish prefer leeches, minnows and night crawlers, but only at certain times of the year They like minnows at the beginning and end of the season and night crawlers and leeches in between They may also go after chub, shiners and suckers

Now that you have an idea of the live bait to use, you need to know what hooks to use and how to attach those hooks There are many types of fishing hooks available Common ones include the Aberdeen hook, which is used mostly for larva baits, minnows and worms; the bait-holder hook, which is used mostly for night crawlers; the Octopus-style hook, which is used for almost any type of bait from minnows to leeches; and the circle hook, which is used mostly for catch-and-release fishing Along with selecting some hooks, you will have to attach the bait to it Here are some baithooking strategies for certain live bait:

Minnows You may either hook upward through both lips for trolling or rigging or impale the hook just below the dorsal fin for still fishing

Night Crawlers Hooking these depends upon the fish you’re after For panfish, you may thread the worm along the hook shank or impale it two or three times and leave the end dangling For larger fish, you may hook the worm once through

the collar, the middle or the end, keeping in mind that the more of the worm that dangles, the more action there will be Fishing with live bait takes some getting used to and is not for the squeamish Make certain you can handle live bait before you attempt to use it F

TRESA ERICKSON, is a writer for Creative Outlet, an art and editorial provider of the Brainerd Dispatch.

Crayfish You may attach the hook through the tail section half an inch from the end or hook it through the top of the shell if you are float fishing

Frogs You may attach the hook through both lips from the bottom, which will allow the frog to swim naturally

Leeches You may attach the hook once through the large suction cup, which will allow the leech to swim naturally

www.northlandoutdoors.com

27

The Experts Talk Walleyes Favorite Tactics, Advice And Wisdom From Local Walleye Hunters

W

By JIM KALKOFEN

Walleyes own a special place in the hearts of Min Minnesota anglers The traditions and stories continue to

be passed along; many fishermen chase them in the be same places the same way as their grandfathers did; many are seeking the latest information and tactics to improve their odds; and, best of all, the lore and lessons are being shared with the younger generation

28

OUTDOOR TRADITIONS

A number of Brainerd lakes walleye experts responded to these topics: 1) Favorite way to fish walleyes; 2) Advice for anglers; 3) What new methods will they try this season Soak up their wisdom, starting with the man who deserves the name “Mr W Walleye ” Gary Roach prefers a tiny jig with a half-crawler or minnow, especially this time of year “Walleyes dictate the action,” he said “Sometimes the best presentation is dragging Other times, hopping works best So many variations exist, plus a jig

can be used almost everywhere ” He snap-jigs weeds, drags weedlines, vertical jigs deep water, pitches to rocky/gravel shorelines and checks incoming rivers down to the first break He offered some great advice years ago, and sticks with it: “You can’t catch ‘em sitting on your couch ” He urged anglers to fish often in all conditions, and spend time with really good fishermen Watch and learn what they do W Even fish a pro-am tournament E He has done it all throughout North America for 40 years, teaching thousands and thou-

sands how to catch walleyes This year, Roach will troll more crankbaits on lead core with small Salmos, Rapalas and Rogues on Pelican, North Long, Mille Lacs and a few other nearby lakes He favors fish tucked into weedlines and suspended walleyes in open water Roach Tip: Tune your cranks before sending them out and after every fish Guiding 200 trips per year for the Nisswa Guides League, Glen Belgum loves jigs Traditional jigs tipped with minnows are slowly giving way to artificial trailers

TV host and media director for Lindner’s Angling Edge, Jeremy Smith, with a beautiful walleye.

F Jim

www.northlandoutdoors.com

Kalkofen

29

Kalkofen F Jim

Babe Winkelman shows off a nice walleye.

“The VMC hot-skirts jigs with the great artificials available (he likes Gulp) really work Lindy rigs with shiners right now in the shallows out to the 12 to 16 foot depths are catching fish on North Long, Whitefish and Gull,” he said “Walleyes are the ticket, but many clients like mixing it up with smallmouth, which have exploded on Round, Hubert, Sylvan, and the Whitefish chain ” “More and more, we’re going to artificials for walleyes,” Belgum said Jigging Raps in deep humps have a proven track record and are easy to use “Customers like them; they can feel the lure and the strike,” he said He also intends to fish more with swimbaits on weedlines Clients catch fish reeling steady, or they can pop them “People like to try new things, but if they’re not working, they want to go back to live bait,” he said TV host and media director for Lindner’s Angling Edge, Jeremy Smith, loves casting crankbaits and jerkbaits A size 10 X-Rap

30

cast toward structure (shorelines, weeds, reefs, etc ) works well If twitched fast, smallmouth bass hit it If pulled slowly and paused, walleyes smash it Last year, he began experimenting, and was amazed at the walleye success with a lipless crankbait, the size 6 Rippin’ Rap He rips it through weeds He also casts weedlines, letting it hit bottom and rip-jigging it back in 1- to 2-foot hops He said, “We’re just 2-f starting to understand how good this can be It seems to work all year Last August on Red Lake, it out-produced all other techniques while Al Lindner had the same experience on Ottertail Lake ” He fishes it as deep as 30 feet Advice to anglers: “Keep casting; try new spots and new waters ” If he had only one walleye lure, Babe Winkelman said it would be a jig “I love feeling the bite and going one-on-one with the fish I can control it, and catch anything from cats to muskies to walleyes,” he said He urged anglers to not fish the same way in the same spot day after day “Think of fishing as a hunt — find a good area, then find the fish in that area and then get them to bite,” he said Babe’s advice: Rocky shoals that drop quickly to deep water with new vegetation are prime spots right now Wind really brings walleyes shallow but also search the edges and the bottom of the shoal “When walleyes drop deeper, I love a rig and crawler (with an air bubble),” he said He also recommended anglers cast windy shorelines with erratic action lures Another tip is night trolling shallow flats “Concentrate around the full moon period,” he said This year, if you see Babe slowly working a breakline, it could be

OUTDOOR TRADITIONS

with a tactic called “Slo-Death ” This is a half-crawler on a special hook, dragged with a bottom-bouncer on a specific contour depth “I will be experimenting more with this,” Babe said When dragging live bait doesn’t seem to work, switch it up, he recommended Nick Miltimore is a tournament winner and full-time guide for Walleyedan When you see the pains he takes with his pets (creek chub minnows), you will understand why his clients always seem to be into walleyes “My favorite technique is rigging with big creek chubs,” he said “The suspense of a chub panicking while a big walleye is eyeing up the snack fires up my clients ” F Jim

Kalkofen

Nick Miltimore with a fine walleye.

At seminars and while talking A fishing, Miltimore reminds anglers that fish have no rules They may not be in the same places doing the same things “Try something new this year, and try it while the fish are biting,” he said “Make a point to learn something new each time on the water, and keep an eye on what your electronics are telling you ” You might think the inventor (with brother Ron) of the Lindy rig would consider this widely popular walleye catcher as his Number One favorite tactic

F Jim

However, Al Lindner said he has tried every technique ever talked about, and his current favorite is the Jigging Rap “It’s the most impressive presentation I’ve ever seen in the walleye world,” he said “What I really like is how productive it is in the warm summer months when walleyes aren’t supposed to bite It triggers them ” People world-wide listen to Lindner’s advice, and for the locals and tourists, he strongly suggested they try new things “The bass guys thrive on any new idea and jump on it right away To become better, walleye fishermen need to fish new lakes and embrace the new methods ” This season, he will do more “ripping” with the Rippin’ Rap “Fish really like this presentation in stained water Last year, it even out-produced the Jigging Rap Sound and vibration are built in, and this is as easy to learn as anything out there,” he said Lindner also recommended walleye anglers keep learning by taking advantage of the free emails sent to subscribers twice each week As he continues to learn, he will share his up-to-date lessons on targetwalleye com So will top anglers, guides and pro anglers from around the country As fishermen do, all experts interviewed above extended their best wishes to walleye fishermen, saying: “Good Luck this season ” F

Kalkofen

Al Lindner with a walleye from the Minnesota Teen Challenge Fishing Challenge.

JIM KALKOFEN has been director of the largest walleye tournament circuits for two decades and was inducted into the National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame.

www.northlandoutdoors.com

31

DNR Calendar May 23 — Outdoor Kids and Family Day 10 a.m.

- 3 p.m. At Mille Lacs Kathio State Park. Fun day of demonstrations and displays includes fish casting range, fish identification, fossil hunt, camping skills and wildlife art. Jim Gerholdt will show Remarkable Reptiles from noon to 3 p.m. Smokey Bear will make special appearances from 1 to 1:15 p.m. and again from 2 to 2:15 p.m. For more information, call 320-532-3523.

May 24- July 12 — Bog Watcher Sundays from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. At Lake Bemidji State Park. A naturalist will be roving the boardwalk to help you locate the flowers of the bog. During these weeks visitors will find the bog at its peak with a variety of orchids and insect-eating plants in bloom.

For more information, contact John Fylpaa at 218-308-2300.

May 24-Aug. 30 — Performing Arts on Stage will be held 2 to 3 p.m. Sundays at Lake Bemidji State Park.

Lake Bemidji State Park’s amphitheater is the finest outdoor performance venue in the state park system.

Bring a picnic for lunch by the lake, then enjoy music under the pines. Local and visiting artists present vocal and instrumental music, ranging from bluegrass and pop to country and folk. Check with the park for each week’s performance schedule.

For more information call 218-308-2300.

May 31 — Listen to Itasca’s Music Under the Pines from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Itasca State Park.

Bring your blanket or lawn chair and come out for an evening of entertainment outside Forest Inn with the duo, Hog Rooster. Jacob and Owen Mahon started playing together in 2012, and they both have a passion for listening, writing, learning and playing music.Their music collection includes harmonic acoustic rock and folk with original songs covering classic, alternative and folk rock.

Jacob is one year older than Owen and plays guitar, mandolin, ukulele, and piano.He has been writing songs since 2011 and continues to write. Owen plays bass, trumpet and sings harmony on many songs.

For more information, call Itasca State Park at 218-699-7251.

June 13 — Admission to all Minnesota State Parks is free today.

June 13 — The Father Hennepin State Park hosts Outdoor Recreation Day from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. See and try out recreation gear, including fishing tackle, canoes, kayaks, stand-up paddle boards and more. Skills sessions include campfire building, camp cooking, geocaching, kids fish casting range and archery in the park. Displays and ongoing sessions begin at 10 a.m. Geocaching 101 class starts at 11 a.m.Archery in the Park, for ages 8 and older, from 1 to 3:30 p.m.

May 24 — The All Camp Pancake Breakfast goes from 8 to 10 a.m. at Lake Bemidji State Park. The Friends of Lake Bemidji State Park are sponsoring the annual breakfast at the Historic Dining Hall. The costs for the “all you can eat pancakes” are $5 adults, $3 kids 7-12, and children 6 and under eat free. All funds raised support local park projects. Menu includes juice, coffee, milk, pancakes and pork sausage links. Call 218-3082300 for more information.

June 19 — Be a part of I Can Fish!, from 3 to 5 p.m.

At Mille Lacs Kathio State Park. Join others and learn all about fishing - identifying species, casting and more.

The park provides the bait, poles and instructors. Then, take your skills and fish from the bank of the Rum River.

Minnesota residents do not need a fishing license for this activity. Meet at the interpretive center. We will walk a short distance, fish until 4:30, then finish up back at the interpretive center by 5 p.m.

May 24 — Join the Outdoor Photography Workshop from 10 a.m. To noon at the Mille Lacs Kathio State Park. Bring your camera and learn tips and techniques from professional photographer Steve Kohls. For more information, call 320-532-3523.

June 20 — Join in the paddling at the Crow Wing Canoe Days & Fur Trade Encampment from 10 a.m. To 3 p.m. at Crow Wing State Park.

May 24 — Father Hennepin State Park host a special program featuring live hawks and owls called Hunters of the Sky. Meet at the council ring next to the interpretive center. In case of rain the program will be held inside the interpretive center.

For more information, call 320-676-8763.

32

OUTDOOR TRADITIONS

Participants will be able to canoe a 10-mile stretch of the Mississippi River between Kiwanis Park in Brainerd and Crow Wing State Park. People will need to provide their own canoes. Canoeists will leave Kiwanis Park at 11am.

A shuttle will return canoeists back to Kiwanis Park for their vehicles. The Crow Wing County Muzzleloaders will have a fur trade encampment set up in the group camp at Crow Wing State Park between 10am and 3pm.

Continued on page 34

Your Best Shot F Photo submitted by Becky Wohl Becky Wohl snapped this photo in August near Clearwater while on a family vacation.

Would you like to see your photo published in a future edition of Outdoor Traditions? Please send digital photo files with subject “YBS� to outdoors@brainerddispatch.com. Minimum file size required is 2MB. Also give the name of the photographer and a brief description of the shot.

Your Best Shot F Photo submitted by Lee Dittmer

Lee Dittmer of Nisswa holds a 64-inch sturgeon caught recently on Rainy River.

www.northlandoutdoors.com

33

July 1 — An outdoor time of fun and learning about dazzling dragonflies takes place from 2 to 3:30 p.m at Itasca State Park. Kids of all ages come out and explore nature at your leisure and have fun at Itasca while hanging out at the swimming beach or playground. This program series allows kids to connect with nature through crafts and other hands-on activities. Topics vary with many of the programs focusing on life around the lake.

Continued from page 32 June 27 — Learn about Birds of Minnesota State Parks from 7 to 8 p.m. At Mille Lacs Kathio State Park.

Our special guest will be Bob Janssen, bird expert and author of the new book Birds of Minnesota State Parks.

Bob will use photographs and colorful stories to show you the birds that can be seen, as well as great bird watching areas in Minnesota State Parks. Bring your bird questions. There will be a question and answer session after the presentation. We will have copies of the new book Birds of Minnesota State Parks for sale at the presentation, so you can get an autographed copy.

Meet at the interpretive center.

July 4 — Join the boat parade down the Tamarac River!

Decorate your boat or simply wave a flag from 2 to 3 p.m. at Big Bog State Park. The parade will start two miles upriver from the campground at the new “Steel Bridge” and end at the Highway 72 bridge.

Outdoors Directory • Summer 2015

Bait & Tackle

(218) 675-6176

1051 320th Street Cushing MN 218-575-2086 www.staplessports.com

Kelsey’s Jewelry

318 Beltrami Avenue NW Bemidji, MN 218-444-4367 www.kelseysjewelry.net

Dining

Kayaks Crow Wing Kayaks

Restaurant & Gun Shop

001243840r1

Gift Shop Fishing Reports Souvenirs & Clothing Fishing & Hunting Licenses

Jewelry

Staples Sports

17786 Emerald Lane Fifty Lakes, MN 612-581-2144 www.crowwingkayaks.com

Tutt’s Bait & Tackle

Bemidji Marine

1826 Anne St., NW Bemidji, MN 218-751-4477 www.bemidjisportscentre.com

Brainerd Sports Outlet 13377 State Hwy 25 Brainerd, MN 218-828-4728 www.brainerdsports.net

Power Lodge

17821 Minnesota 371 Brainerd, MN 218-822-3500 www.powerlodge.com

34

Badoura State Forest Nursery 13885 State Hwy. 64 Akeley, MN 218-652-2385 www.dnr.state.mn.us

EAT. DRINK. RELAX.

3611 Laurel Drive NW Bemidji, MN 218-444-BOAT(2628) www.bemidjimarine.com

Bemidji Sports Centre

Nursery

Outdoor Equipment 10424 SQUAW POINT RD., EAST GULL LAKE

218.829.3918 WWW.ERNIESONGULL.COM

Healthcare ACCRA Care Home Health 410 East River Road Brainerd, MN 218-270-5905 www.accracare.org

Horseback Riding WillStar Riding Academy

2344 Balsam Road Bemidji, MN 218-444-8626 www.willstarridingacademy.com

OUTDOOR TRADITIONS

001217353r1

Boats & Recreational

Hwy. 371, Backus 218-947-4115

001242715r1

27358 State Highway 18 Garrison, MN 320-692-4341 www.tuttsbait.com

Midwest Machinery

7045 Foley Rd. Baxter, MN 218-829-5356 800-568-4338 www.midwestmachineryco.com

Real Estate Weichert Realtors

17122 Highway 371 North Brainerd, MN 218-825-7787 www.wrtower.com

7045 FOLEY ROAD BAXTER, MN 56425 (218) 829-5356

1120 2ND STREET NW AITKIN, MN 56431 (218) 927-2140

Better Built | Better Ride | Better Value

ON SALE NOW!

Uncompromised Quality - Exceptional Value Since 1989

Models From 14’ - 26’

Save BIG $$$$ Deep Discounts | Cash Rebates | Extended Warranties Junctions Hwys 18 & 25, SE Brainerd, MN 218-828-4728 OR Toll Free: 800-450-7669

WWW.BRAINERDSPORTS.NET

Where You Get The Best Deal Everytime — TRADES WELCOME —

001215209r1