Another week spent hiding from the sun

This past week my grandson, Trevor, took his grandpa fishing once again. This time it was Beaver Lake and we were not disappointed. We caught our share of bluegills and bass. The bluegills that we caught were mostly good size. Overall, it was a very fun experience for the old guy. I cannot say enough about how much I appreciate that Trevor makes sure his grandpa gets on the water.

 

We talked about how the water in the lakes around Albert Lea has more weeds and algae in them than the lakes in the area of St. Olaf and Beaver Lakes. I am not sure, but I was told as a kid that both of those lakes are spring fed.

 

As we fished our way along the shoreline, I told Trevor about some of my memories from fishing this lake. I mentioned that my mom and dad and their friends, Elmer and Mary Deurmeir, would go to Beaver Lake on late Sunday afternoons. Elmer had a green 5-hp Johnson motor. They would rent two boats from the boathouse. Elmer would take the boat with his motor, and we would tie our boat to his and off we would go. Elmer seemed to know where to fish for crappies and when we found the spot we would anchor. About 7:30 the bite would start and those crappies would bite consistently for about an hour before the bite would slow down.

 

I was a kid whose fishing usually consisted of catching bullheads and rubber tails in Fountain Lake. Catching crappies and an occasional bluegill was a real treat to me. We would bring the catch home and clean the fish in the basement. My mother and I scaled a lot of fish in those days. My mother usually fried the fish for dinner the next day. We had a rule when eating fish; always eat a piece of bread with fish in case you got a bone in your throat. We usually had boiled potatoes and VanCamp’s beans with that meal. Actually, that was the standard meal no matter what the fish. In the spring we would have bullhead with the same fix’ins.

 

Until next time: When I reflect on the ride in the car as we drew closer to the lake, the excitement rose in my chest as we neared our destination. I can still feel the excitement when I think of those days fishing on Beaver Lake. I can almost feel the coolness of the evening as the sun began to set and the dew started to settle in the pencil reeds. There is a certain coolness and a distinct smell that radiates from a lake in the evening. I get a good feeling in my chest whenever I reflect on those evenings spent with my parents on Beaver Lake.

 

Please take the time to remember our troops that are serving now and those that have served before them. They are the reason that we have all of the Freedoms that we enjoy today.