The Gunflint Trail is open for another season of fishing. What a glorious opener it was. There may be some complaints because the surface of the lake was like glass. For those who have suffered through typically wet, windy and cold openers, this was very nice. Bring on the suntan lotion.

In the mid-Trail area Forrest pParsons at Hungry Jack Lodge reports that his guests brought in a variety of fish. Leeches and minnows on slip bobbers and Lindy rigs were the baits of choice. Dan Baumann at Golden Eagle Lodge said his guests had a great time catching and releasing northerns. He also had good reports of lake trout catches on various mid-Trail lakes. Up at Tuscarora, Sue Ahrendt said that her canoe guests were doing very well on the traditional lake trout lakes in the interior of the BWCAW. Debbie Mark at Seagull Outfitters had guests catching walleyes on both Seagull and Saganaga in 35' of water. John Schei was guiding on Saganaga and did very well. On Saturday he noticed a bug hatch on the surface. He quickly took all the sinkers off his baits. Then it was a waiting game until the lake trout got into the surface bugs and lures. The fish were all about 3 lbs. Jon was most successful with a jig and minnow for walleyes and crank baits for lake trout.

Adam Treeful took two guests up to North Lake for some night fishing. They caught lots of northern and lake trout but no walleyes. With the low water, it is a real project to get a boat into first Little Gunflint and then North Lake. Both he and his two guests had to work at it. Surprisingly the most difficult part was bringing the boat back down the rapids from Little North to Little Gunflint. Big boats, large v-bottom boats, and heavy boats just can't do it.

Spring is, of course, about more than just fishing. Many of the neighbors welcomed other signs of spring. Lin Sherfy at Rockwood Lodge had some baby Hairy Woodpeckers who just loved the rain and following sunshine. Mr. and Mrs Snowshoe Rabbit (still with white feet) were preparing to welcome a new family at Rockwood and several other places on the Trail. Nancy Seaton at Hungry Jack Outfitters has seen fresh moose track several mornings but the animal has remained very elusive. Deb Mark was happy to see "her" Blue Herson return to the bay on Seagull. She also has a moose in a back pond.

Somehow Shari Baker at Gunflint Pines found a few minutes to take a walk in the woods. The plethora of blooming flowers that greeted her seemed more like June than May. Marsh marigolds and violets are all over. Pincherries are in full bloom. It is the wild berries that were so surpising. Strawberries are in full bloom and blueberries are starting to form the berries already. I am starting to think about making jam.