Journal of a Minnesota Angler

While the recent weather hasn’t indicated that it is Spring, Mother Nature continues to show signs that it is on its way. The sun is showing itself a little more often, weather forecasters are predicting temps in the 50s (F) next week (we’ll ignore the snow predicted tonight), and Spring babies are starting to appear. We saw proof of that last sign when a pair of bald eagles in Central Minnesota welcomed an eaglet to their home 75 feet in the air. The “birth” was broadcast... (more...)

It’s been a weird Spring in Minnesota, even by Minnesota standards. Our average high these days is in the mid-50s, but we’ve only had one or two 50 degree F highs so far this year. And now, we’re expected to get 6-10 inches of snow by noon tomorrow. And the chances of it is 100%. By mid-March last year, the ice was gone and we had already seen 80 degrees. This year, it’s nearly mid-April and the ice just started showing signs of receding from shore. What a difference... (more...)

As much as I’m into fishing, I don’t really get into the pro tournaments. I don’t follow the pro anglers or the tours. As such, I don’t fish tournaments myself. Fishing is an enjoyable recreational activity for me and I don’t know that I could take the pressure. However, the folks in the blogosphere have taken it upon themselves to have virtual tournaments throughout the year. The WalleyeGuy has his Walleyepalooza Fishing Derby and aquaFire Fishing started a fishing... (more...)

Happy New Year! After getting home late from my neighborhood New Year’s Party, I had to take some time to wind down before going to bed, so I actually put some thought into my goals this year (unlike last year). I still have some carryover from last year, but added some new ones: Visit Mille Lacs during ice fishing season Do a blog post about an ice fishing mansion Fish open water during ice fishing season (yes, that is possible) Help MNAngler, Jr. catch his first bass on a lure Improve... (more...)

As usual, Lego League and the holidays kept me from thinking about fishing during the last few months of the year. Looking back at 2012 and the year, I did a lot more fishing than I expected and accomplished a number of my fishing goals for the year. The goals I met were: Fish at least once a month during open water bass season Float tube at least four times during open water season Catch a bass on 4 different plastic lures (color doesn’t count) Catch a bass on 6 different lures (plastic lures... (more...)

This post is a review for the third Mystery Tackle Box I received in October, 2012. See my Mystery Tackle Box review post for a full review of the service. On this last day of October, I figured I better get my review of my October Mystery Tackle Box out before the month changes over. I apologize for being a bit late with this review. I received my latest Mystery Tackle Box while I was on vacation and have been busy catching up on work and housework ever since. Once again, Mystery Tackle Box... (more...)

I guess I should be careful when I publish a post where I am required to publish a follow-up. A few weeks ago, I posted my second Avid Angler Challenge and promised my answer “in the next few days.” Obviously, that didn’t work out too well. Publishing the post just a few days before leaving on vacation is not such a good idea. However, I have no excuses since I’ve been back for 10 days. So without further adieu… If you’re a regular reader of my blog, my answer... (more...)

The Avid Angler Challenge is a meme that issues a periodic challenge to frequent anglers. See the guidelines for how to answer the challenge. In my first Avid Angler Challenge, I asked you to restrict yourself to five lures. Now I’m going to put the screws to you a little more, but ease up a bit on the restrictions: If you could use only one lure for the rest of your life, which one would you choose? Your answer should follow the following guidelines: A lure is anything that contains a... (more...)

In my most recent Mystery Tackle Box, I received a package of 5″ Sick Sticks from PowerTeam Lures. In it, was a packet of “Hog Tonic,” basically a scent packet. The instructions told me to empty the scent packet of “garlic and amino acids” into the package, wait a few minutes, “then hang on!” While I was out on a recent outing, I followed the instructions and… damn. I don’t know about any amino acids, but the garlic stunk like someone was... (more...)

When I woke up Sunday morning, I debated whether I should get up and go fishing, or enjoy the comfort of my bed. Given that fall arrived in Minnesota recently and temperatures weren’t going to get any warmer, I decided to go for it. One of the reasons I decided to get up was the decision to not bother with my float tube. I was going to shore fish at a local reservoir where no one is allowed on the water. Unfortunately, when I got there, the only road to the reservoir was closed. I almost... (more...)