The Derby

The Fishing Derby was held last Sunday on the Mill Pond. The Mill Pond is connected by a boating channel called “the narrows” to the Dead Sea called Straight Lake.   Originally I was going to fish, but the wind was brutal, it was way below zero with the wind chill.

It is a Pan Fishing Derby.  If you cover up your fishing hole you can see fish swimming around under the ice.

Is there anything down there?

The Fishermen/women use wax worms for bait. You can keep them in your mouth to keep them toasty warm if you like.

Caught One!

We drove around the Mill Pond twice, Far Guy rolled down Chances window and he hung his head out and watched people.

Some were so bundled up they could hardly walk.

Some were just as cute as they could be. This little gal is multi- talented she is smiling at Chance while standing in a sled all bundled up and holding a juice box. 

I bought Far Guy a gourmet lunch, he had a turkey sandwich and I had a hot dog.. and we split a candy bar for desert. We visited with a few people, but it was way too cold out there on the lake to stay too long.

The local Sportsman’s Club sponsors this Fishing Derby every year the last Sunday in February.  We try to go every year, if not to fish then to have lunch and take a few photos:) 

Wistful Wednesday: A Fish Story

The other day at carving, the conversation led to the upcoming fishing derby.  Now for those of you who don’t know about fishing derbys this is how it works in the winter.

Local organizations use them as fundraisers.  They are held out on the lake, which is safely frozen over.   They plow some roads out on the ice and then they proceed to drill hole after hole for fishing.   All you need is a few dollars for a ticket and a ice fishing pole.  The poles are short and have a sharp end so you can poke it down in the ice.  You attach a bobber and put  a wax worm on your hook or whatever your choice of bait is..and throw it down into the hole..the hole is circular maybe 10 inches across..then you watch your bobber.  Oh, you need a Fishing License too..and you should be dressed warm..and then be patient and wait for the fish to bite.  There are prizes for different size fish. It varies from one derby to the next, they each have their own criteria.

Anyway one of the gals asked my cousin Chuckie what the “secret” was to fishing a fishing derby.  Chuckie just laughed and replied “There is no secret, it is just dumb luck.”  He went on to tell us of one year, he was on the lake and had saved an extra hole for a little hunting/fishing buddy of his who was a no show..when Uncle Adolf showed up a half an hour late.  Chuckie  told him to take the empty hole next to him..so he did and wouldn’t you know it..he caught a big fish, a big enough one to take home some prize money.

My Uncle was a good fisherman, I am sure that he would have said that it was skill that snagged that fish.  He liked to fish, summer and winter.

One time, probably around 1958  my baby brother and I stayed at Uncle Adolf's and Aunt Lila’s for a weekend. They took us fishing in a boat out on Bad Medicine Lake, I believe this was the first time I was ever in a boat on a lake. I thought being in a boat on the lake was both magical and a little bit scary. I had been on lakes in the winter and was comfortable fishing on a frozen lake, or in the summer fishing safely from a dock near the shore..but a boat..that was a big deal.  I loved watching the water over the side of the boat.  I don’t remember if we caught fish or not..but I do remember that we had fun, and a ice cold soda and a candy bar:)

Uncle Adolf

Marching in like sheep

March is finally here, one month closer to unfrozen. Yesterday we stopped by the fishing derby for lunch.

There was so much flooding on the ice that we didn't stay long, the wind was brisk out on the lake..even though it looked warm it was cold. Lunch was a hot dog and a homemade brownie. Far Guy had to wade to the concession stand..he had waterproof boots on.. I did not.

They should have had a "Wadetress" and they should have had two windows open..instead they fumbled around with just one window open...if the line had been longer we wouldn't have waited. They don't seem to "get" it ..they have two hours to sell as much as they can..and they would sell more if people didn't have to wade in water and wait in line. It is the area Sportsman's Club that puts on this fishing derby every year the last Sunday In February. It is their main source of income. No, I am not joining this club..I don't like meetings. If you ask me there are way to many meetings in this world..we need less talk and more action.

Well I guess March is coming in like a sheep..for your viewing enjoyment I give you a glimpse of my sisters sheep..and a photo taken last June, when the grass was all green!

Here is a crack in the ice on the lake..for those of you who live in warmer parts of the USA and can't believe that we actually walk, drive and fish out on a frozen lake. Today it is way above zero ( 20 degrees!! headed for the mid 30's..yes this is cause for great excitement!) ..a rather pleasant March like day in Minnesota..not baaaad at all:)