Windsurfing on red clay. Chequamegon Bay after several days of rain.

All of these photos were taken from the West End beach just West of Ashland WI. Sailing Northwest toward Barksdale WI.

Sailing southeast toward Ashland.

Lighthouse on Chequamegon Bay.

Oredock summer 2010.

New "boat". A great fishing platform for small water fishing.

Finally the right "boat" for small water fishing. Comfortable, plenty of storage space, anchor system, stripping basket, light and transportable.  Thanks J.M. for making it happen. Thanks to T.I. for the photo.

 A little camping and a quick fly tying lesson. Whip finishing. Thanks E & T. for some fun camping.

Find the boat here.

A little work and little play in between the rain drops.

A little quiet time.

Slightly undersize walleye. Less than 15". Returned to the waters.

Largemouth Bass. A legal length of 17". Out of season. Returned to the waters.

Common Snapping Turtle.  Enjoying lunch. Rock Bass was the only menu choice. LEFT ALONE..... because!...........

 .......... I really like my fingers and toes. Second half of lunch soon to be gone.

Two days of fishing. Sunny weather. Visitors stopping by. Some staying to fish.

 

 Yesterday started out like this. Cloudy but warm with no wind. 

By early afternoon the clouds were gone and the sun was out. I think the sun brought out Shannon and Jake. They stop by on their way to the lighthouse. Shannon works as a barista at the coffee shop and Jake works as a bartender at StageNorth. On more than one occasion my day has started with hot coffee served by Shannon and then ended with a beverage (cocktail) served by Jake. Often with ice fishing sandwiched in the middle. 

Today started out sunny and ideal for just sitting on the ice and fishing.

  

The ideal conditions brought out my favorite fishing partner. Sorry guys! Mrs. fishing partner walked out from shore and stay to fish. She did great catching perch and smelt and "mastering" the Vexilar.

  

Late afternoon brought out the brother-in-law to quote "give me a ration of &%#"...... which he did with the added benefit of teasing Mrs. fishing partner to boot.  

ICE FISHING 101

Traditional tip-up. On cold days the hole will freeze up and require more attention than the round tip-up below. This type of tip-up is the most conventional and often used by ice fishing enthusiast in this region.

  

This tip-up works great especially on cold days. It completely covers the hole and for the most part prevents freeze up. This tip-up has two additional benefits. One... it has a built in tackle box. The black area on the left is the cover for a small compartment. I find it really useful for storing the hooks (treble) on the end of the line during transportation. Which brings us to... benefit number two. This tip-up is easy to pack-up, store and transport. Note: the reflective tape on each tip-up flag. Great for night fishing. Add a flashlight and your ready to go.

Double digits. Driving on the ice. No ice fishing.

 

Chequamegon Bay Lighthouse

  

We are standing just NW of the lighthouse over the shipping channel. The water depth below us is ~ 30 feet.

  

This  winter will probably be the last opportunity we will have to have this picture taken. If things go according to the current plan the Oredock will be torn down starting this spring.

  

We are standing NW of the Oredock. The water depth below our feet is probably 30 feet.

  

Ok, here is the explanation of the title "double digits". We have lived here since 1978... 31 years and I had to prove there was 24 + inches of ice below our feet...... before my wife finally drove on Chequamegon Bay. 31 and 24 double digits.

  

Here she comes off the bay after her first solo spin out on the ice.

  

Driving up onto the "landing". Finally ashore.

P.S. for those keeping count I did fish yesterday. Slow but caught smelt and perch. Had fresh fish with K & S for supper.

Kayak outing. At least one kayaker reported a rejuvenating affect from the outing.

Shore lunch.


Towing boats back to the landing. Not bad for a new kayaker.

Yet another new retirement experience.

Not bad for a first time kayaker. Taking the new Future Beach Angler 160 Kayak out for a test paddle. This boat is a fishing boat. Amazingly stable for it's size and weight.



Gliding along. There might have to be a second one of these boats in our future. Easy to fish from lots of features like rod holders, dry storage, cup holder, comfortable seat and foot rest. Easy to load on the car top carrier....... and a second one would fit just fine.



Sure looks like a retirement photo to me.

Hot pond ice fishing. This is a first. Tip ups from a boat?

Notice the tip up in the lower right corner of this picture. These two had a string of four tip ups running along the edge of the ice. Running west to east along the open water ice edge. Interesting approach.

A weekend at "tornado alley" aka Herbster Wisconsin.

Our new mobile home away from home.


Lake Superior Herbster, Wisconsin. Temps in the low 50s. Water temps about the same. Wind 20-24 mph gusting to 28 mph.


Herbster campground.


Campsite.


Fall flowers.


Out for a midday walk bundled up for the weather.


Yet at the same time just down the beach......it must have been....warmer?