Wildersmith on the Gunflint: May 8

           
The Smiths’ are home in the woods once more and I’m back at the keyboard again. After my annual stint as a member of the referee team for the Drake Relays in Des Moines, it seems like I’ve been away from this northern paradise for months not two weeks.                                
My return to the keys finds us having passed the Ojibwe “budding flowers” moon (Zaagibagaa Giizis) and chalking up one week of month five. My how the days whiz by!                              
With only a few white remnants left in shady spots along the Mile O Pine, “old man winter” has passed the baton to spring in the upper Gunflint. Such was marked by “ice out” on our Gunflint Lake May 3^rd. If other area larger bodies of water haven’t already followed suit, the disappearance of their solidarity can’t be far away.                                                                                      
Our first segment of ice free water found brisk west winds rolling the happy liquid against our granite shore line just as it was before it ceased last December. It’s always joyous when ripples begin lapping up on the rocks.                                                                                                
Many smaller lakes have been open for several days now, and with these open waters have come the return of many “quacker” species and of course our charming loons. It’s such a delight to hear the happy yodeling from up and down the lakes.                                                                                               
And if these winged creatures aren’t creating enough excitememt, angst is noted as the first regiment of “skeeters” is buzzing about. Of course these mini drones are the non-biting reconnaissance crew that’s doing GPS work on us humans for the next real terrorists. To take this discussion further, I heard a report from a couple early season hikers who returned to base covered in wood ticks, ick! Guess we have to take the bad with the good in regard to this warm weather happening.                                                                                                                                               
The territory remains longing for a good spring soaking. Our open water is finding everyone scurrying to get their wildfire sprinkler systems up and running. At least properties can be soaked down artificially until “Mother Nature” breaks loose. A fellow I know had to dig his WFS pumping line out of snow bank in order to get his system going last weekend.                                         
Another rite of spring took place last Saturday with the eighth anniversary of the Ham Run half marathon and 5K. The day was spectacular, one of the few times for the event, and a far cry from last year when conditions were not the most favorable with still frozen lakes and frosty air. Nearly one hundred entries enjoyed the experience of the two races from Gunflint Pines Resort for the 13.1 mile race and Seagull Fishing Camp for the 5K. Thanks go out to all in the Gunflint Community for volunteering their time in making this event a marvelous tribute to the memory of our infamous 2007 Ham Lake fire.                                                                            
The next exciting activity is due to reconvene this weekend with the Minnesota Walleye fishing opener, as usual on top of Mothers’ Day. Remembering last year on opening day when ice fishing could have been more appropriate, this year an auger will not needed.                                                                                                                                         
 Happy angling to all casting their first line of 2015 but be particularly careful in floating craft as water temps are still dangerously cold! Yours truly can attest to it as I was briefly in the Gunflint Gal’s high thirty degree water earlier this week to set my WFSS lines. Even in my wet suit, the chilly waters got my attention!                                                                                                                                                       
Whereas many folks living in these parts have deep concern over any number of invasive plants and animals, another new one seems to be lurking and bears watching in the years to come. Not only are we being ambushed by the Emerald Ash Borer, an article in the April issue of National Geographic magazine, “The Bug That’s Eating the Woods”, calls attention to another critter ravaging Ponderosa/Lodgepole Pine forests in the western US and Canada.                     
Our warming climate nemesis is fostering epidemic proportions of the mountain pine beetle. It has devastated more than 60 million acres of forest from New Mexico through British Columbia since the nineties, and their movement in heading eastward along the northern US/ Canadian border.                                                                                                                                                                 
Most everyone knows that Ponderosas/Lodgepoles are not native to northern Minnesota, but Jack Pines are, and the gnawing critters are also known to enjoy the JP species as well. With the flourishing natural reforestation of Jack Pines in our fire ravaged areas of Gunflint Country, we now have one more invasive issue for which to be on the look-out.                                                    
According to the Nat. Geo article, the beetle movement is not near us yet, but one has to assume our MNDNR and local Cook County Invasives Team is monitoring the progress of this western migrant as it moves eastward in the coming years.                                                                                   
Keep on hangin’ on, and savor Gunflint sky blue waters once again! Happy Mother’s Day!