4th of July at Leech Lake

For the last several years we have spent our fourth of July with family up at Grandpa Lyle’s cabin on Leech Lake – near Walker, Minnesota.  We had the most awesome weather-  mid 70’s, no rain and no humidity.  My sister Jenny, her boyfriend Dustin, and my nieces Alexandra (6) and Jocelyn (2) came up with us this time as well and tented in the backyard.  It was a vacation of kayaking, boating, eating, drinking, swimming and ending with about 8 of us getting LAKE ITCH.  Thank goodness it happened on the last day we were there otherwise we would have looked like creatures with measles and doing the “squirrel’s in my pants” dance.

Cruisin in grandpa's vintage Penn Yan

Jason letting Kallen shoot off roman candles - don't try this at home. NOT good parenting!

We brought our kayaks and got in 2 good day trips.  Leech lake is the third biggest lake in Minnesota and get’s pretty wavy, so we usually don’t take the kayaks out too far.  The lake is so big, I ‘ve been going there for about 10 years and have only seen about 1/3 of it.  Jason wanted to try fishing out of the Native Ultimate, so went went across the road from Leech to Horseshoe Lake.  Northern Minnesota lakes are just breathtaking – the water is so clear you can almost always see to the bottom.  I would paddle around and see schools of fish swimming and then tell Jason to come over and fish those spots.  He caught some bass and sunnies:

Noah watching dad catch a lil' sunnie.

Kallen enjoying kayaking in the sun

Me and Noah searching for fish, turtles and frogs

Wow daddy you caught a bass!

Jason really enjoys the Native Ultimate – he’s got a rod holder set up on it and says it’s super comfortable for fishing.  Plus he can fit a boy in front and back, fishing gear and a cooler.  I like the Sundance kayak better because it’s lighter and I can paddle more quickly in it.  I’m going to use it for racing at the Two Harbors Kayak festival on my birthday (August 8).  My only goal is to not come in last….

Our next kayak trip was on the Boy River which flows into Boy Lake.  To save time on vehicle transfers we decided to put in at a bridge – paddle the river to Boy Lake – then paddle back upstream to the bridge.  I’ve never tried paddling upstream before, but because the wind was going with us on the way back, it was actually easier.  Jason and Dustin caught some rock bass along the way and we saw a variety of ducks, cranes, snakes, and fish.

The Kayak Crew!

My niece Alexandra (almost 7) trying out her first solo kayak

I'm hardly in any pics because I'm the one usually taking them, so me and my Keens will have to do!

Our our last evening on Leech, me and Jason went fishing.  I don’t fish very often because I swear I have the worst luck, but this night was different.  We fished for about an hour and a half in the bay/point in front of the cabin and caught about dozen nice walleyes.  This is the first time I’ve ever caught a walleye and I must say it was quite fun!  I think I got about 3 “keepers” and Jason had about 4 or 5.

Awwhh...aren't we cute with our matching walleye's? They were darn tasty!