The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1934-03-30

show you'll"
Whats on the docket for tomor-
Irow?" wanted to know.
81 show you. don't show every
body"
"You are very kind; 1 feel especially
honored," I FASTENED to remark.
80 many walleyes, you have never
lseen!"
/ Supper consumed, we were soon abed
dreamed that I was struggling in the
clutches of devilfish, and awoke in a
cold sweat to discover the pup was re-
Ginning on my abdomen
/ A few miles eastward of our island
we made the short portage to Lake
Alice, further up the Kawishiwi River
Efecting the transit of this beautiful
lake, we Jared on up the winding con-
volutions Of the river between wooded
shores, the multicolored rocks making
an ever-changing reflection in the cryS-
tai depths. In the water floated fresh
ly skinned saplings, the sure sign OF
beaver activity. Although we kept a
sharp lookout we saw none, for they do
most of their foraging at night. Noting
the topped trees we knew there were
porkies about, but these, too, remained
in hiding. Baby ducklings skittered
ahead at every turning.
At last we came to a pool where the
Kawishiwi dashes down over the rocks
from Bar Lake. Here was beautiful
amphitheatre, white birch and various
evergreens encircling the rocky shores
1t lacked an hour of noon. Solly
showed no indication of tackling the
portage ahead, so I suggested that
would fish for while.
81 get lunch, you cast in here" Solly
acquiesced.
Boys, I've fished in many waters all
over this continent. I've tried my hand
at every sort of fresh water fishing
and I've fought many salt water varie-
ties, but this spot was revelation
Lunch was soon prepared, but could
not be lured away from my rod. A
small rain-cloud CONCEALED overhead
and spattered the swirling water with
tiny silver bubbles, but I kept on cast
ing. It seemed as if all the walleyes in
the North Woods were here in conven-
ton assembled. don't mean ordinary
walleyes. These were the sachems OF
the clans. Not one ran under -four
pounds. Many ran closer to seven and
leight. Immediately released any
under five pounds. AT first had Solly
attach the larger ones to my metal
stringer. hooking them through the
Hips so as not to hurt them. What a
boiling whirlpool they made swiShing
about.
Whether I cast to right or left, was
rewarded by an immediate smashing
attack. tried out all my lures. 1t
made no difference to these walleyes
whether I used wooden minnow, a
Shiny wiggler, tandem spinner, or spoon
They couldn't have been hungry, for the
water was teeming with food. Perhaps
this was their headquarters, and they
objected to intrusion. How they struck
Swish! Bang! My light casting rod
bent almost double as these fish jerked
madly about the pool, when they felt
the sharp prick of the hook. Once ]
had two fish hooked on the same plug
Though one managed his escape as ]
reeled close. This was new and novel
experience.
kept count for time but finally
with hand wet, Solly merely unlocked
and released the wiggling captives as fast
as drew them up to the rock on which
was standing.
The sun beamed down, the raincloud
having passed on, or dispersed.
"You have fun, en-" Solly grinned
as he noted my flushed face.
Finally, after two hours of the most
hectic exercise have ever endured,
quit from sheer nervous exhaustion.
"Now, you eat lunch, and then you
catch 'em all again." Solly suggested
There was sly twinkle in his eyes
as he released the fish we had accumu-
lated on the stringer.
Maybe I won't have such luck
again." growled.
"You get plenty" Solly chuckled
Always fish here all time"
Having eaten leisurely, and downed
several cups of coffee, I smoked a
cigarette. Feeling at peace with the
world, relaxed and took snooze. It
was nearing four O'Clock when Solly
awakened me. sat up with yawn
and noticed Solly had assembled one
of my fly rods. This was new one
which I had not yet initiated. The
walnut grip had apparently intrigued
Sollyis interest. Solly whipped the air
to test the resilient backbone of the
fire tempered Tonkin bamboo.
Naturally. associate the fly rod with
trout and bass. Trying flies on wall
Ieyes had never occurred to me. Solly
handed me the rod, on which he had
threaded a new enamel line. To the
line he had attached a gimp smell in
place of gut. The walleye has an
abundance Of sharp teeth. He had laid
tout an assortment of bass flies. The
first dozen flips brought no results. ]
switched from the Coachman to a