What a wonderful phrase. Spring is coming. Warm days are really appreciated after our long winters. Not so much by certain other state residents. Florida for example, what spring means to them is hot and humid is coming. The days are sticky, bugs flourish and Florida is truly sub-tropical.

Not so here. Minnesotans have had enough of winter, being cold outside and sometimes cold inside. When it becomes a blessing to escape to your bedroom, a cozy place and a good book to read before falling into a warm cocoon under multilayered covers.

But spring, that’s a different story. The looking ahead to all the activities spring brings and the not having to layer up every time you step outside. Although teenage boys wearing just T-shirts on top when the temperature is 60, is pushing it.

Spring and summer with its fishing, baseball, tennis, camping, hiking, barbecuing, swimming and all the activities at the beach are wonderful to us pale Minnesotans. Perhaps a separate spring category should be reserved for gardeners. A chance to dig your fingers into the dirt and bring forth beautiful flowers and maybe even more importantly, vegetables. There was an article recently that said a family of four can save up to $500 on their grocery bill with a reasonably sized garden. And that doesn’t count the satisfaction you get.

Spring sports are fun. You’ve probably noticed that almost all spring sports take place outdoors while most winter sports are indoors such as basketball.

Baseball’s Minnesota Twins are getting underway and their first game is only a matter of weeks away. Perhaps more importantly our local baseball teams are starting practice soon. I remember high school baseball well. The sting of the baseball as it hits your hand at 45 degrees. The hurt of the bat unless you connect with the ball right on the bat’s sweet spot. Wooden bats were used years ago, but the ping of aluminum bats sound as if they would hurt more. Nevertheless you were out in the spring air and all was right with the world.

Fishing plays a large role in our Minnesota culture and rightfully so. This is the time of the year when Dad and the kids start rustling the fishing tackle box. Let’s see, what worked last year, but maybe a new lure would be even better. Wondering when we should head up to the lake for a weeks vacation. You know, the same lake and cabin the family has been going to for the last 10 years.

The stream trout season opens May 18, hardly more than a month away. If you haven’t been trout fishing, try it. Watch out, it can become a way of life. If you haven’t seen the movie “A River Runs Through It,” do so. It’s a story about a different path two sons take and the trout fly fishing that tie the two together.

Mystery Cave/Forestville State Park is planning a hands-on fly fishing program this spring. Free of charge, it is conducted by a regionally known fly fisherman. Go if you can.

In southwestern Minnesota, the only stream fish had yellow bellies and whiskers so lake fishing was the way to go. So years later, I took my family up north to fish. Walleyes, northerns, bass, and sunfish were the fish of choice. This year the walleye and northern season opens May 9. Let’s hope the weather holds. I can remember it snowing on Leech Lake one opening day. However, this year it will probably be 70 degrees with a southernly breeze and a slight chop to the water.

Fishing in Minnesota. Ah Spring!