Susanne and I decided to spend a few hours trying out our trolling techniques to find some walleyes.  We did have a limited success.  No big concentrations of fish but with water temps in the upper 40’s I was happy to have some action.

Susanne had the bragging rights with her slot sized fish…..mine on the other hand were more modest.

Seems like it was hard to avoid the lake trout.  Susanne landed this 6 or 7 pounder and lost a smaller one near the boat. 

A pair of bald eagles seem to be huddled together for warmth.  The wind started to pick up and we had a Sunday night fish fry to get organized so back into the lodge for us.  There’s always tomorrow, and many more spots to try!

Sure, it’s opening day of walleye season, but why bother with those when conditions are prime for some light tackle trout action.  Water temps at 48 degrees, overcast and a slight chop……and a couple of hours to explore the “Walleye Highway”.  Today it was a trout expressway!

There’s nothing like catching shallow lake trout on light tackle.  If you haven’t tried it make sure you pencil it in for 2013!

The results are in…

…and Henry basks in the glory of being the first to pick the correct date of May, 15th for the ice to go out on Vermilion Bay!  Was it a guess derived from studying the jet stream and weather forecasts?  Or just luck after going deep into a “Spirytus induced” coma?  Henry isn’t telling.

Notable guesses…

Congratulations and consolation to Shawn Lewis and Kurt Hebecker for also picking the correct date, but, alas, a little late off the mark.  Close, but no banana.  Nice try though!

Keith Mitchell and Mark (?) were soooo close with their guess of May 16.  If it wasn’t for the high winds yesterday…….

A notable lack of guesses for May 14.  What’s with that?

April 19…Charles Weiss…perhaps confusing Eagle Lake with Lake Ontario?

June 8…Dave Johnson “The Walleye Wizard”… I suppose when you retire and live in Arizona time and seasons have little meaning.  Either that or proof that excess alcohol can, and will, affect your mind. 

Thank you to all who participated!

Late evening shots show the effects of a strong south wind.

Vermilion Bay has 50% of it’s ice pack left, and it’s moving.  We’re getting down to the finish line.  Will Andy claim foul?  Stay tuned….

The new barbeque deck by cabins 1 and 2………the barbeque is “coming”…………

The new beach deck…with stairs into the water.  Possibly a new suntan spot for Marge?

Bottom half of Vermilion Bay is still ice covered…….a south wind predicted for tomorrow…….

Gull Rock………ice anyone?

The deck on cabin 5 has been expanded………a great view!

Some of the new renovations to the interior of cabin 5.  Marsha will be pleased!

Some wind and showers are taking their toll on the ice.  Especially irritated are the gulls nesting on Gull Rock, where ice is beginning to pile up.  Forecast is for a chance of snow flurries tonight.  I feel for the gulls……..

Just because the ice is slow to go doesn’t mean things aren’t getting done.  A new deck going up in the vicinity of cabin #2 will give folks a nice spot to grill a steak, view the lake, and tell tall tales of a “trout-o-rama” frenzy (feel free to substitute walleye, bull perch, or whatever species tickles your fancy) with a cold brew in hand.

Bryce is hard at it, raking the hill and wishing he had a few northern pike to practice his filleting skills on.  Soon enough Bryce….soon enough.

For those of you intensely interested in how the ice is fairing, on a bi-hourly basis, Ron Harris emailed me this link to a web cam just west of Vermilion Bay.  Check it out………..thanks Ron!  http://www.experimentallakesarea.ca/L239cam.html

Press Release: “The meteorological division of Vermilion Bay Lodge has confirmed that winter is now a dim memory.  Ice conditions are deteriorating as we speak.  Will we be ice free by opening day?  Stay tuned……”

The first of May, and it’s a balmy 29 degree F…

A seemingly short lived warming trend has disappeared, leaving this forlorn scene.  On a brighter note the creek has been opening up, providing ducks, geese and other shore birds the chance to visit us.  Unbelievable as it may seem, the forecast for next week shows a high on Tuesday of 70 degrees!  I’m not sure if I can handle the blistering heat……..