How To: Lake Mille Lacs Boat Launch

Last summer Calhoun attended the DDS's bachelor party which involved camping, fishing and Lake Mille Lacs. When the DDS proposed that they re-live the adventure again this summer Catalina insisted that the invitation be extended to all interested parties and we instantly accepted the invite.

So this weekend I went on my first boat launch.

A boat launch works like this:

- First -

Drive your foreign car to northern Minnesota - park on the grass at a resort that charters boat launches. We were hosted by Fisher's Resort on the east side of Lake Mille Lacs. We had an awesome rented cabin as home base and set up a little tent city in the back.

Saab, Honda, Honda, Toyota

- Second - 

Enjoy the sunshine, beers, and BBQ until someone tells you to load the boat. Then, still take the beers with you. 

- Third -

Set your bobber and bait. I learned how to set bobber depth which was really exciting/a boring but necessary thing I never knew how to do before. I'm still not ready to stab a squirmy slimy leech through with a fishing hook yet so Calhoun does that for me.

- Fourth -

Hang your line and your beer over and wait. 

- Fifth -

Watch the guy next to you (your husband) catch a fish.

- Sixth -

Enjoy the sunset and the ride home, and hope that there's more personal success on the next boat launch.

I Caught a Fish!

Calhoun and I had a great weekend at Itasca State Park celebrating Bemidji's 60th birthday! The weather worked out beautifully and we had a fun time relaxing in the cabin, hanging out with Blueberry and then getting out in the canoe a little this afternoon.

And, in very exciting news, I caught my first fish of the year! Well really, this guy is my first fish in a long time. When I was a kid we used to go fishing with my grandparent's a lot and I think I had a fair bit of luck. Well, maybe just exactly how much luck an 8 year old suburban kid can have with a plastic rod. But, my childhood memories of fishing are of an activity that involves sitting still and being quiet - not really my strengths. Then, as an adult, fishing has been something you have to do very early in the morning. Again, not a strength.

But, I'm constantly striving to be a better outoor-woman so I try and try again. And caught my first fish of the year, this guy! A little Perch! It may be the first time in my life I've caught something other than a sunfish. 

look real hard, I swear there's a fish in this picture 

Then Calhoun put me to shame and caught this guy. It's a Northern Pike.

Looks like I'll have to keep working towards catching a fish we could actually eat. But hey, I'm not too tore up about it. I caught a fish!

Introducing Dorthea Jane

For the first time in my life, I am the proud owner of my own fishing pole, Dorthea Jane, and a fishing license! I have yet to catch a fish but I have decided that I am excellent at casting my line.

Calhoun and I had planned on going canoeing and fishing earlier in the week but it was rainy (I knitted instead) - but we made it out yesterday evening. Calhoun loaded the canoe onto the car, we stopped along the way to get me a pole and a license and made it to Lake Elmo a little before 8.

Calhoun loading the canoe on the car

We paddled out and enjoyed the sunset on the lake.

Dorthea Jane on the water

My fishing goals for the summer are to:

(1) bait my own hook

(2) catch a fish

(3) take the fish off the line

(4) filet the fish