The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1934-03-30
THE MIRACULOUS POOL
In Hardings Magazine.

ducklings were occasionally gimpsed
in secluded little coveS. At one point q
blue heron stalked in a shallow bay
Abandoned beaver houses were seen al
intervals along shore. Many silvery
white gulls circled overhead. Now and
again one would make plummet-like
contact with the wave crestS, imme-
diately winging aloft as it engulfed q
small fish. The sun dropped low in the
western sky, and still we held our
course deeper into the wooded fairy
land. A flaming sunset silhouetted the
serrated ranks of blue black evergreens
And then the evening Splendor was
enhanced as the moon came up ovel
the wooded islands to the east, golden
ball of fire that quickly turned to silver
and lighted our way.
There was an unoccupied campsite al
the end of the long transit between
Hudson and Ursula, and would gladly
have called it day. That winding
path up hill and down, though not much
over quarter of mile, had me putting
like a grampus. Solly seemed amused
at my evidence of being out of training
"Only six miles to island, no more
portage" Solly stated in his Clipped
English. 81 do padding"
With our packs in front, and my
heavy bulk reclining in the middle, the
canoe rode better. Occasionally made
af-hearted dip with my paddle, but
was tired. My pointer pup, who was
with me ON this trip, behaved beauti-
fully. Hanging his head over the side
he growled at the waves, or scooped ur
mouthful of water, as Solly forged
the canoe ahead. There were many
islands. Even with a large map and 9
compass, I would never have found the
place, but finally we rounded a point
and just ahead I recognized the slopine
granite holder and wooded outline Of
the island which was to be our base
of operations for the ensuing week
Stretching as stumbled ashore, I con-
fess that I was feeling just bit wobbly
But it certainly looked like a glorious
place to fish, and the urge to get q
fish was paramount.
81 put up tents, get fire going" Solly
intimated "You catch nice walleye fol
supper"
"Where?" I asked.
Solly swept his arm toward the east
indicating spot several hundred feet
offShore. I was nearly starved, as we
had paused only long enough for a cold
bite at noon. Besides the drive in
the car, we had padded and portrayed
fully twenty-five miles. I thought we
must be at least fifty miles or more
from Ely, but Solly solemnly assured me
as the crow flies, we were not more
than twenty miles from where we had
started the trip at Winton. He told
me, many times in winter on SnowshoeS
he had come across country to this
spot in little over five hours. I had
no reason to doubt his word, but was
thoroughly confused. North according
to the moon and stars was where ]
thought south ought to be.
While Solly went briskly about the
business of getting settled rugged up
casting rod, and attached a plug OF
the golden sinner pattern to my leader
Getting into the canoe, I gave it a
shove out from shore. The moon riding
high Shone down with a silvery sheen
The waves tapped the shore with a
musical sound that suggested elfin
laughter. CHANGING at my wrist watch
I observed that it neared nine o'clock
AS is well known, the walleye is a night
feeder. I take no credit for any skill
on my part. On my second cast con-
nected. 1t was almost too easy. The
fish swished about, and jerked my arm
in a business-like manner. Evidently
he had taken a good hold. I let him
snort about a bit before I gradually
took up on the reel. From the manner
in which he tugged was assured of a
good sized fish. When lifted him into
the canoe I was somewhat awed to OBJ
serve that he was every bit of -four
pounds in weight.
"You got him." Solly announced un-
emotionally, as pulled the canoe VI
on shore.
For several days Solly and investi-
gated the fishing possibilities of Lake
Ursula. 1t is studded with many beau
tifully wooded islands. On several &C.
casions we observed deer drinking at
the waters edge. In the narrow cuts
between the islands was nearly always
successful in contracting two, three
or folr-pounder, while trolling deep
My shoulders ached from the strenu-
Gus exercise of our trip out, and for
that reason took things easy. Squir-
rels chartered in the trees on all sides
There was apparently no end TO the
supply of walleyes, although we re-
leased all except those we needed for
immediate consumption. Solly assured
me I would have no difficulty should ]
wish to capture the legal limit, in event
I wanted to ship some home.
After a fairly thorough survey OF
Lake Ursula, Solly suggested that ]
might try my hand at a lake trout.
This would entail a side trip to Lake
Thomas, by way of an intervening lake