‘Twas an early Friday morning in May when four wannabe good fishermen left Owatonna headed for Leech Lake to catch mega walleyes. Paul Proft and Jonathon Proft of Owatonna, Bob Goetz of Austin, and Bob Hanson of Albert Lea were the four. Jonathon left Sunday evening, and Ross Heilman of Mankato joined us Monday for the rest of the week.
Many of you have seen the movie “The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly,” starring Clint Eastwood. The following is our version of The Good, the Bad and the Ugly of our week of fishing at Leech Lake for walleyes.
The Good:
1. We missed the stop-and-go bumper-to-bumper traffic on I-35 both leaving and returning to Owatonna.
2. Getting to the Blue Water Lodge (on a beautiful day) just south of Walker, MN.
3. Being met by the great Amy and made to feel like a VIP.
4. Seeing an osprey attack an adult bald eagle in mid-air. The osprey won, as the eagle dropped the perch it had in its claws.
5. The weather was such that we managed to fish every day.
6. All of us are now excellent cribbage players.
6. A meal of crappies plus bringing home our limit of 10 crappies each. Most of the crappies were over a pound, with the largest pushing two pounds. Excellent crappie fishing.
7. All of the lake ice on Leech was gone.
The Bad:
1. Walleye fishing was very slow. We caught about 12 in a week’s time.
2. Northern fishing was at a low – we caught one.
3. Big perch fishing was very slow, we caught about six.
The Ugly:
1. Having to wait until May of 2015 for our next annual week of fishing at Leech Lake (It will be the fortieth year as an AAL fishing group.)
In summary:
1. Being there with the group of guys was the most important thing. Fishing was secondary.
2. Any charges were according to how busy they are. We got a very good rate as we were there the week after fishing opening and just before Memorial Day. Amy can be reached at 218-56-0385.
3. The accommodations, the setting, the service at the Blue Water Lodge are ten on a scale of one to ten.
Looking ahead on my June calendar, a lot of things are happening.
The full moon is on Friday the 13th. I’m a little superstitious so I’ll avoid black cats and ladders.
Flag Day is Saturday, June 14. Remember, “This Land is Your Land, This Land is My Land.” Please honor Old Glory whenever you see her flying. As a veteran, I’ll click my heels along with a snappy salute.
Father’s Day is Sunday, June 15. Living or deceased, a “Thanks, Dad” is the order of the day. Blessed be our Dads.
Tuesday, June 17 is daughter Deb’s birthday. From Dad in Minnesota to daughter in North Carolina, “A cell phone is a distant second to a hug.”
Saturday, June 21 is the first day of summer.
Sunday, June 22 is the bus to Church Basement Ladies.
Last but not least, say “Hi” to that great wife, mom and nurse. She goes by the handle of Amber Lewer.
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Bob is a retired AAL (Aid Association for Lutherans) agent, currently working on his master’s degree in Volunteering. His wife, Genie, is a retired RN, currently working on her doctor’s degree in Volunteering. They have two children, Deb in North Carolina, and Dan in Vermont. Bob says if you enjoy his column, let him know. If you don’t enjoy it, keep on reading, it can get worse. Words of wisdom: There is always room for God.