Fireside Lodge Insider Report 8/23/2008

Fireside Lodge Insider Report 8/23/2008

Hello and welcome to the Fireside Lodge Insider.

The a major fishing project at Fireside Lodge this year was the start of an involved process of detailing lake information to get a better understanding of underwater structure, such as rock reefs, weed humps, underwater points, and anything else that creates potential fish holding habitat.
To do this we used a grid map, idea born by Dennis Brogan from Carol Stream, IL, which divided Little Vermilion Lake into many squares. The plan was to investigate and fish each square for about 4 hours or more and detail depths, underwater structures, and any fish contact. We used a form that included date, weather, recent weather events, wind, air temperatures, water clarity, water temperatures at 4 depths, grid section, fish activity, and fishing tackle used. All of this information is logged on a detail form along with a drawing of the grid area. So far we have fished 45 grid sections and the information accumulated has been very interesting and helpful.
This project will be a continuing effort and by next spring we hope to have some of the information available and usable by any interested Fireside Lodge guests.

Another very successful project was our Wildlife Awareness Project. Using the same grid map mentioned above to give a reference point for wildlife sightings and have guests log their sightings in a logbook. By doing this, the information is shared and increases all Fireside Lodge guests’ opportunity to view the wonderful Wildlife we have in the thriving Boreal Forest, which surrounds Fireside Lodge.

In another attempt to increase guest’s ability to view creatures of the Boreal Forest that would otherwise go unnoticed, we hung Hummingbird feeders at each cabin, and did the Hummingbirds ever show up. Feeding very aggressively at the feeders, as at this time of year they are preparing for their long journey traveling to the far south regions of the United States and Central America. Hummingbirds are the smallest bird of the Boreal Forest and often are not seen unless feeders are hung. Fireside guests have enjoyed seeing these great flight masters flutter their wings at blurring speeds as they sip some nectar from our feeders.

Several other signs of fall being near are starting to appear as the sightings of Loons in groups on the lake, Audrey hearing the first of the Sand hill Cranes starting to fly South, the August full moon set, the darker early mornings, and the blaze orange cast on the lodge every evening as the sun sets. Another fabulous sight seen by Fireside Lodge guests, which always makes me think of fall, was when a BIG Moose walked right up our road and was standing about 30 feet from the kitchen side door for all to see who were fortunate enough to be there at the time. It was a Bull Moose with a full rack still in velvet soon to be polished off to prepare for the ritual-rutting season. What a fabulous sight this was, and a huge reminder to all just where we are and what’s amongst all of us when we are at Fireside Lodge
Thanks for reading our Fireside Lodge Insider, and hope you enjoyed.
Alan / Fireside Lodge