Notes for April, 2012

It is the last day of April and the ice has been out on most lakes since the middle of March. This spring came early, but within the last two weeks, we have had some serious frosts. The loons are back as are the mergansers. The red wing and yellow wing black birds showed up early this year too. The male turkeys are "struttin' their stuff" and the hens are ignoring them just like females of most species ignore males' posturing. Not much in the way of precipitation has occurred for sometime now and the fire alert is "High" in the Chequamegon. My favorite trout streams are the lowest I have seen them in a while, with some of the best "holes" nothing more than stagnant, muddy pools. And Lake Superior is the lowest it has been since the early 1900's. We are in need of some serious rain, but the concern with that is the effect it will have on the ground nesting birds, such as the turkey and grouse. Suffice it to say, there is a trade-off for everything. Need more rain, but some will have to suffer. There is nothing cruel about it; it just is the way of nature. Long term drought, however, has much more in the way of serious consequences for life than a few heavy down pours during the spring.

My wife and I, with our dog Maggie, of course, have taken some long walks in the deep reaches of the forest over the last couple of weeks. The dog loves the opportunity to smell new smells and we all enjoy the opportunity to see the forest come alive with spring. The cowslip is beginning to bloom in some locations, but we have as yet not seen any trillium. The dog wood is flowering and the rich, sweet smell of balsam fir permeates the forest. We have sighted a few bear, but we missed the large bear that left tracks around our house just after our last snow fall. Yup, we still are getting a few snow flurries now and then, but about two weeks ago we got enough to cover the ground with a couple of inches. The prints left by the bear were "good size." But, we did not get a glimpse of it as it passed through.

That is about all to report from here. Next weekend is the opener of the Wisconsin fishing season, except, of course, for bass. For information regarding the respective fishing seasons please see either the Wisconsin DNR website or The Arrowhead Fly Angler website. Please keep our lakes clean by obeying the regulations covering transportation of exotic/invasive species; clean your boat and trailer before and after fishing; pack out your garbage; obey the catch and possession limits; and have a good time. Take care of our resources.

Vaya con Dios.

Hawkeye