Welcome Back Good Ol¹ Summer

6/7/11

The mosquitoes showed up yesterday, the same day Summer did; and I don¹t care what the calendar reads, 95 degrees in the shade with about a million degrees in humidity -- people start speaking with a Missouri accent -- spells Summer in this neck of the northwoods. Add lots of standing water from much recent rain and you have perfect breeding conditions for mosquitoes. There is, however, more than just a silver lining here.

Lots of bugs usually mean good fishing. Lots of rain means no forest fires.

Lots of heat makes up for lots of cold six months ago. In fact six months ago, give or take a week or two, the temperature was 120 degrees colder.

I¹ll take the heat, rain and bugs anytime. Pass the kindling.

Speaking of good fishing, the last couple of hot days has warmed up the lake water and the bluegill spawn is beginning. I used a little jig with a Mr.Twister tail and a hook tipped with a live waxie. I use that term because my wife Lori was with me when I was fishing. Otherwise a waxie by any other name is still a maggot.

I caught a mess of big bluegills from my boat tied to my pier. I finally got it right when I realized the best fishing spot isn¹t always on the opposite side of the lake. I can almost taste those fish. Welcome back Good Ol¹ Summer.