For the past couple of weeks we have been teased with some pretty nice weather. Of course, living where we do, it doesn’t take long to get brought back to the reality of Minnesota weather. I always figure that there’s nothing to be done about the weather so any exceptionally nice weather is something to be savored.

I wrote last week about some guys sitting on the ice last Monday with open water not far from their ice holes. From what I understand they were catching some dandy crappies, and for them, that made the risk quite worthwhile.

Every morning that I get a chance to go on my walk I pass by Frank Hall Park and on one particular morning last week I had a chance to observe nature at its finest. As I walked back toward the boat landing I noticed a van sitting along the roadway. Now this is not uncommon in the early morning because a lot of folks drive back to the access to watch the waterfowl. As I passed near the van, the guy in the van asked me to come over to his vehicle. As I approached it I recognized him as retired radio personality Al Carstens. He told me to look up in that large tree by where the old access was. There in all it’s splendor was a full grown adult bald eagle just sitting on an outreaching branch watching intently at the ducks and geese swimming in the water below. He said he wanted to show me that eagle because he didn’t think anyone would believe him. I guess if, over time, you spin a few yarns you eventually need collaboration on the real facts.

Seeing this eagle close up was one thing but watching it sit there pretty much oblivious to the everyday traffic was pretty special. Al said he was going to just sit there and watch the magnificent bird until it flew away.

After a couple of minutes I continued on my walk and as the tree disappeared from view I could still see the eagle just sitting on that overhanging branch.

There are many things that make our area kind of unique. We have lakes, a state park and plenty of natural habitat surrounding our city so you can see just about any type of wildlife if you are looking. There are a few eagles in this area and if you take a little drive around the countryside it is hard to tell what you may see.

One morning I decided to take a drive out on South Shore Drive past the Jugland Bridge and in the road I spotted about six to eight turkey vultures feeding on a dead deer that must have been hit sometime during the night. As I approached them with my vehicle they seemed reluctant to leave the spot but finally flew off as I slowly approached the site. They didn’t venture too far away and as I passed I could see in the rearview mirror that they were returning to finish breakfast.

There have been many times that I have spotted wild turkeys while driving out South Broadway and of course there are pheasants and hawks to be spotted as well. One late afternoon I drove out by the State Park and in this field was a magnificent red fox that I assumed was looking for a meal of field mice.

Getting back to the channel, there are many northern ducks like common mergansers and lesser scaups (bluebills) that are starting to appear. This is a sure sign of spring and by the looks of things it won’t be too much longer until the lake can be declared “ice-free.” I guess we can’t really consider it spring until the pelicans have returned to the lake.

Early ice-out is a good time for catching crappie and perch. This is the time of year when I have a hard time walking past the sporting goods department of any store without drooling over the fishing tackle. I never seem to leave that area empty-handed (headed maybe) and it seems I always have to have something to show for my time. I guess it’s kind of like buying a souvenir while on vacation.

Realistically, I have more tackle than one guy can possibly use (according to my wife) but that never stops me from buying something. I will from time to time come across a lure in one of my tackle boxes and ask myself “Where did I get this?” This is not a question to be shared with anyone, see wife, but just a reminder that I may have more than enough of a certain type of lure to last me.

It seems that the time from when ice is starting to leave the lake until the lakes are open is when I’m most susceptible to the buying of unnecessary tackle. Years ago I used to layout plans and sometimes I even made a list of lures I wanted to buy. I guess it was kind of like a grocery list for the fish I planned on catching. There were the necessities like hooks, jigs, sinkers and bobbers and then there were the real necessities like the latest killer muskie lure, and of course, the newest lure that Rapala just came out with. I’d like to say I’m officially over that part, but the two X-Raps that I have in my tackle box from last spring are evidence that that hasn’t quite happened yet. The sad part of that is that one of them is still in the box.

I guess it’s about time to go because I just heard our mail carrier and I think she dropped off the latest Cabela’s catalogue.

Until next time think spring, play safe and get out and enjoy the great Minnesota outdoors.

Remember to keep our troops in your thoughts and prayers throughout the year.