On Friday morning, May 19, 2023, Bob Goetz and Bob Hanson met at the home of Paul Proft in Owatonna. As per the “Rigid” instructions of Paul: to be at his house not before but a few minutes after nine as we’re leaving by nine thirty. We leave at exactly 9:30 a.m. in two vehicles pulling two boats headed north on I-35. We stop at the I-35 Dundas exit parking lot to pick up Steve Davis, once again heading for north on I-35.
Five “Wanna-Be Good Fishermen” met at our destination for a week of fishing on Leech Lake staying at the Blue Water Lodge on Leech Lake just prior to Walker, MN. off Highway 371.
Who were the five wanna-be fishermen? Bob Goetz of Austin, Bob Hanson of Albert Lea, Paul Proft of Owatonna, Steve Davis of Lonsdale, and Gary Oliver of St. James. That’s who. (Gary drove by himself.)
Steve was the only fisherman not of Social Security age, thus he left Monday to help the Pension Fund. Lyle Schultz of Owatonna joined us on Monday. (He is also Social Security age.)
Fishing for walleyes wasn’t very good. None of us caught our limit of walleyes. Lyle caught the largest fish. It was very unusual measuring 32 inches in length with an 11-inch perch inside the northern’s stomach. We caught our possession limit of 10 crappies plus a few extra.
In regard to a few extra, we performed a “Minnesota Nice” in giving a meal of crappies to three ladies from Oklahoma. Many of the crappies we caught were two plus pounders. Wow!!
An interesting idea to advertise your resort was seen on Leech Lake. If you rented one of their boats, the message on each side was “PB4-UGO.” If you fished from one of their charter launch boats, the message on each side as you got on was “PB4-WEGO.”A local up-north once-a-week shopper type newspaper listed the following as after affects of the COVID virus.
A.Brain Fog
B. Loss of Taste
C. Loss of Smell
D. Headaches
E. Uneasiness in crowds of people
F. Loss of the ability to catch walleyes.
In reading this five of the six of us agreed. (Paul was the exception as he caught three. I didn’t catch any.)
The six of us all agreed, “It was the Going Fishing, not the actual fishing was the most important.”
As per many ties of staying at Bluewater Resort, the service of the great manager Jen was excellent. She even finds and returns your cell phone when you leave it on the dock. For great service Jen can be reached at 218-547-2300.
Being an Old Navy Korean War veteran, I must pass this true Memorial Day ceremony happening along to you: At a Memorial Day Ceremony, a World War II veteran was asked by a small girl why he fought in a war. His answer: “Because that was when I had a little girl like you.”
Editorial note: Last week’s column listed the incorrect phone number for Central Freeborn Church. The correct number is: 507-826-3346
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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 New York. 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.