There is More to Seagull Than Just Fishing

A cabin of ours, Davene Wolfe, who is still currently here with her husband, has had quite the trip here already and she just arrived on Saturday. She wanted to share the following:

"We arrived Saturday noon for our 6th visit to Seagull Outfitters on the Gunflint Trail. The fishing on Seagull Lake is outstanding. It is now Monday noon and the fish count stand at:

-1 Walleye
-1 Lake Trout
-11 Northern Pike
-50 Small Mouth Bass

However, I am not a fisherperson. I am the bow of the boat watcher for rocks, the net/hook untangler and the ballast. Least you think that I am hopelessly bored, these are the things that I'm observed since Satuday noon, sine I was not fishing.

Bird watching was especially busy, 2 Adult Mallards, 13 Ducklings, 12 Adult Loons, 2 Chicks, 1 Adult Eagle, 2 Eaglets, 1 Immature Eagle, 1 Golden Eye, Canada Geese, 1 Blue Jay, Gulls, 3 Red Bellied Woodpeckers, 1 Pileated Woodpecker, Purple Finches, Warblers ( I can't identify them very well), many more that I could not get my binoculars on or did not recognize. The bird watching at Seagull is Limitless.

On a 45 minute stroll around the Seagull Outfitters Camp, I saw more that a dozen species of wildflowers, Spring Beauties, Anemones, Fleabane, Devil's Paint Brush, Bluebead Lilly, Bird's Foot, Columbine, Wild Rose, Buttercups, Marsh Marigolds, Purple Peas, Meadow Rue, and others that I did not know.



I am always looking for native wildlife and so far I've seen 13 Turtles, 2 Ground Squirrels, 3 Chipmunks, 1 Beaver, 1 Snake, 1 Frog, and 1 Luna Moth. Isn't that great?

Lastly I am an avid reader of Minnesota's great mystery writers, historical non-fiction and cookbooks---Bumbleberry pie anyone?

Aside from the great fishing, outstanding equipment, accommodations and natural beauty, the best part of Seagull is returning home from the last fishing run of the evening to the snug and cozy cabin, watching the vermillion/crimson sunset reflected on the water and being sung to sleep by the loons' chitter and calls.

I am not a fisherperson but I love Seagull!"

Thank you Davene for a great blog! Hopefully she is able to add to that list throughout the rest of the week! Hopefully if you aren't the fishing type you can find a different passion for being up here such as this!

Katelyn

Time For A Peaceful Getaway

There is nothing better than walking down to the lake each morning to see a peaceful mirror reflection of the trees and rocks surrounding the bay. With the weather and the fish both cooperating, there is nothing better. There has also been a little black bear grazing the grasses around Seagull, just yesterday we were able to snap this picture of him eating some grass by the bunkhouse!

The warm weather is unusual at this time in May. The Seagull Lake water tempature has hit about 65 degrees! Something almost unheard of for this time of the year!

Many staff have been out swimming and fishing every night! Quite the adventurous crew, staying out until about 11PM each night fishing. The fish are biting though, so I can't blame them! Fishing has been unusual this year, the walleye, which are usually spawning in 8-12' of water and currently deep in the lakes! They are roaming around 35-50'! Many people have been making great catches trolling with Lindy Rigs, as well as the ever so simple slip bobber. Below was a walleye a cabin customer caught on Seagull just a few days ago!

Hope all is well elsewhere and that you can't wait to make your way up to the North Shore!

Katelyn

Fishing Opener

The day we have all been waiting for has arrived! This weekend we've had quite a few groups out on the water all day working on catching dinner. The staff went out early in the morning to try their luck for a hour or two before work. The first day started out a litle slow but things are picking up and we are seeing the fish come in.

And to make it even better, with Opener came the beautiful weather. It has been sunny and warm here ever since and the forcast says that its going to stick aound for a while. The fire ban was also lifted thanks to the day of rain that we had before Opener. What perfect timing for all thoes who started their trips this week.

Gunflint Green Up

The Gunflint Green Up was a success! A few staff, shown to the right, were thinning out the woody vegetation that had been growing around the little pine trees. By removing the woody vegetation, the little pines will be able to receive more sunshine and have their surrounding competition eliminated.


As the Gunflint Green Up festivities began Friday afternoon, so did the chilly weather! Though the light snowfall didn't cause a loss of interest in many, it was still very shocking to see snow as we arose! We received no snow on the Gunflint in March or April, but suddenly in May! Hopefully that was the last snowfall of the year, and according to the weather these past few days, I have a good feeling about that! It has been sunny and warm up here! Perfect for heading out onto the lake for an early paddle!

If you are lucky on that paddle, many moose have been on the move! A few staffers went out for a boat ride Saturday night and returned to a moose grazing the grounds in front of the store. They were able to sit and watch the moose for 15 minutes before leaving it to its peace.

Two of our paddlers embarked on the first journey of the year into Quetico just the other day! With fishing opener coming up this weekend, many parties will be on their way into the Great Lakes of the Minnesota Boundary Waters! Hopefully you are one of them, if not, we're taking reservations! Please call, we'd be happy to help you!

Katelyn

Spring Ice and Rhubarb is Popping

The snow is gone and we are left with lots of ice and a feel of winter in the air. While walking yesterday, the wind was howling and very chilly. The above photo was taken looking south out of our Seagull Bay. It looks inviting doesn't it?

On the other hand, the photo below shows my rhubarb sprouting through the raised bed garden down by the red house. I have never seen the rhubarb that early. I love my Mom's strawberry rhubarb pie recipe and will be baking a pie when the first stalks are ripe for picking.

How can you figure out the weather lately. One wonders when the ice will be out this year. Will it be early or will it be normal? I guess we will let Mother Nature take its course and watch with anticipation the ice breaking from the shoreline and turning honeycombed.

I found a few pussy willows today while out for a walk. I normally don't see them this early and don't take the time to enjoy them. That is one nice thing about our spring. I picked a couple cedar boughs as well and made a nice little centerpiece on the table inside. Much of my off season work revolves around the phone and email and keeps me inside more than I like some days. Therefore, a little bit of the Northwoods inside keeps me happy.

And now it is time to get some permits reserved and reservations confirmed!

Deb

Still winter in the woods

I thought you all might like to see what happens outside Seagull during the winter months. It is pretty quiet! We are planning for the summer season. Our last staffer has been hired and we now have a full crew. We are expecting a good season. I am off to a gift/apparel show in Denver this weekend. I will meet my sister and niece there and buy shirts during the day and have a little family time at night. It should be a good time. We have to fit this stuff in during our off season as it becomes a little harder in the summer.

There are still lots of permits left for both the Boundary Waters and Quetico this summer. Don't let that stop you! If we can give you ideas, quotes or help with anything please let us know.

Don't forget to get involved in the discussion forum on our website during these long winter days. You can find a link to it right on the home page of our website and get to know some of our regular customers. Before you know it, the cycle will change and open water will be all around us.

Deb

The Watson Family Enjoying the MN Winter

Father/son team of Ron and Mikey hiking the winter creeks of the Northwoods. Notice the otter in the photo above. They enjoy the contrasting seasons of the Northwoods wilderness. They also paddle the Quetico in the summer and relax in a Seagull Cabin as well. Many customers as them have a special connection to the woods. Make this your summer to spend some quality bonding time with your son/daughter at Seagull Outfitters.