Gunflint Trail fishing has been a little hit or miss lately. Forrest Parsons of Hungry Jack Lodge had some guests out with Guide Roger Campbell. They did very well on bass and northern with a few nice walleyes, Bobber fishing with leeches and minoows seemed to work best. Mike Berg from Seagull Creek Fishing Camp had some guests ovenight on Seagull Lake. They caught lots of walleyes including one at 31" Kyle Edlund (Woodbury, MN) went down the Granite River with Mike for walleyes. They worked hard but had great fun catching the walleyes. Kyle and Mike also canoed past American Point one day. By trolling with spinners in the shallow bays, they did well with lake trout. Dan Baumann of Golden Eagle Lodge said his son, Zach, and Drew Johnson went into a nearby lake for northern. They caught and released 29 fish using spoons, rapalas and plastic baits.
The Trail is definitely in the time of year when moose are appearing, especially cows with new calves. Debbie Mark from Seagull Outfitters had guests on Seagul Lake who saw a cow with twins along the shore. Paula Beattie from Moosehorn Bed and Breakfast said her guests saw moose at the Cross River bridge. This morning the folks at Nor'Wester Lodge were entertained as a cow moose was teaching her twins to swim. One did fine but the other was not quite as enthusiastic. A little later Luana saw a new moose mother and her wobbly calf walk right through the resort. At Bearskin Lodge, Bob McCloughan had some excited guests come in. They had been out fishing and had seen a cow moose lying down right at the shore and feeding twin calves. Seeing something like that is a matter of being in the right place at the right time.
This is also the time of year when guests start to explore the various hiking trails adjacent to the Gunflint Trail. One of my favorite hikes is the Magnetic Rock Trail located about 50 miles up from Grand Marais. This gentle uphill hike goes in for 1 3/4's miles to the site of Magnetic Rock. The rock is magnetite and about 60 feet tall and 20 feet by 30 feet at the base. It spins compasses and a magnet will stick to it. As interesting as the rock is, the walk in is best. After crossing a narrow creek, you follow the path across expossed bedrock, burned over forest, more exposed bedrock and finally more burned over area to the rock. Don't let the prospect of burned over forest deter you from the hike. It is just so interesting to see how a new forest is growing up. This is a natural part of the life of a forest. Especially in the bedrock places, there is a great variety of wildflowers. Later in the summer, this trail is a prime spot for blueberries. Getting out and exploring trails like Magnetic Rock is a great way to spend a summer afternoon.