An Outdoorsman’s Journal

By: Mark Walters

Home on the Flambeau

Hello friends, I have made an attempt recently to let you know that I am currently in a cycle of my life that is very busy but also positive. This week’s column should be fun for you. I hope you are enjoying your spring.

Friday, May 25 High 74, low 44 Plan A had me paddle trolling on Lake Superior out of either Washburn or Ashland and I was very excited about it. That plan was cancelled yesterday when a good friend told me the wind would be too strong to paddle a canoe on that piece of water. I changed that plan to spending 30 hours on the Turtle Flambeau Flowage and would begin on Saturday instead of Friday. I would have to leave Sunday as I had a graduation party in Glidden to go to.

When I travel, I am blessed with 2 sets of neighbors who take turns feeding my cattle, chickens, and dogs/puppies. This morning, I had planned on getting up at 4:00. At 3:00 a.m. I heard something in my backyard that did not sound right. At 3:20 I heard the same sound at the end of my house. At 3:30 I heard the same sound out my bedroom window and when I looked outside, directly on the other side of the glass were my two steers and a heifer, all about 1,100 pounds and very loose. Had I left yesterday this would have been an ugly story. I ran outside buck naked, got a bucket of feed and lured them back to their enclosure.

Today I put my canoe in at Murray’s Landing which is the most remote location on the flowage and a place that I truly love. I had concerns that it may be a challenge to get a campsite at this point on Memorial Day weekend but that would not be the case. As my journey began, I decided to drag a Salmo behind me which is an effective type of crankbait. I had paddled maybe 30 seconds when my pole started bending and I landed an 11-perch. There would be a brutal headwind but I had no cares, I was on the Flambeau. I already caught a fish, my cattle did not run away and in just 4 days my daughter Selina would be coming home from Missoula for a wedding.

To make matters even better, my rod started bending over again and this time I caught an 18-inch smallmouth bass. Just after that I found a super cool campsite, made a comfortable camp and then went paddle trolling for whatever was hungry. It did not take long and the Salmo had lured in the first crappie of the trip and it was a beautiful 13-incher.

The rest of my day was fish catching, going down memory lane from a place my dad first took me to 54-years ago, and enjoying the non-stop view of peace and nature.

Sunday, May 26 High 72, low 42 The Salmo was hot again this morning and it was tough knowing that I had to head out but I was headed towards Glidden where I am blessed with many good friends from the area and would be going to Jersey Polencheck’s graduation party. Jersey was an all-star athlete excelling in basketball and softball and she is also a very kind and fun young lady, not to mention a go for it outdoorswoman.

The shing-ding was at the Shanagolden town hall which is in the boonies and let me tell ya it was fun with a capital F. I like the remote, down to earth crowd and that is what you will find in the Glidden/Mellen area that I used to call home.

Folks, I am out of space and Selina is now home as I write this and my next trip is in the morning.

Jersey you rock! Sunset

Jersey Polencheck had an excellent 4 years at Butternut High School.

Salmo was the hot bait on this adventure.

How could you not like calling this home!