This past Labor Day weekend we were reminded that it is still officially summer with the temps hovering around the 90-degree area. I know that we have cooled off now but I can remember some Septembers when there were temperatures well into the 80s and the humidity was almost unbearable.

This Labor Day weekend I headed north with all four grandsons in tow. We went up early Friday morning to do some work and get ready to put siding on the cabin when the rest of the family came up on Saturday.

Once the work was done the boys headed down to the lake to do a little swimming and fishing. We have a paddleboat and a kayak for them to use and the only requirement is that they have to wear a life jacket at all times. They like to take the boats into the middle of our small lake and jump in. Grant the youngest of the boys likes to swim but usually spends most of his time driving the paddleboat. I could hear them talking and yelling like a bunch of magpies all the way up at our cabin which sits up on a hill. They were sure having fun and I think they could probably be heard all the way to Tallmoon.

In the evening they took the paddleboat out and fished for crappies and bluegills. The fishing was good and of course Trevor, the oldest was the leader of the fishermen. He has the knack for catching fish and was really putting on a clinic. Taylor started to get some fish and soon Dylan joined in and all of them caught some of what we had set as “keeper size” for our lake.

Grandpa sat on the dock and kept the smaller fish occupied while the boys were busy putting fish in the basket. I had told them that if you keep any they have to be a certain length and you have to clean them. Well, they caught quite a few keepers that first evening and by the time we were done it was dark and the fish had to be cleaned. We set up some lanterns outside and they cleaned them on this little portable table that I have. Trevor filleted them and Dylan cut the meat off. They had quite a system going. Dylan had just started learning how to clean fish last year but by the end of the night he was pretty darned good at it. Taylor tried his hand at cleaning fish but decided right away that he was better at cleaning ducks and geese than he was at fish.

It was a great experience watching the boys fish, be selective on what they keep and cleaning all of the fish themselves. Trevor has been cleaning fish for quite a few years but Dylan surprised me at how determined he was to learn. This means that the boys have learned an appreciation for the sport and know that there’s more to fishing than just the catching.

I fixed the fish for dinner the next day and the boys devoured it about as fast as it came out of the pan.

I am really proud of the fact that my grandsons enjoy the outdoors experience and know what it takes to be a sportsman. Trevor and Taylor really love to hunt and fish and Dylan hasn’t gotten into the hunting thing but he sure loves fishing. Grant the youngest of the gang will fish but hasn’t yet discovered the patience part of fishing. If they don’t bite right now then I’ll find something else to do is his motto.

Trevor went fishing by himself the next evening and caught some more keepers. Once again he and Dylan cleaned the fish and I put them on ice for the boys to take home.

I always talk about “passing it on” and this past weekend showed me that it’s working. This was another great weekend spent with family working, playing and making some more great memories that I know I‘ll cherish and I’m sure the kids will always remember.

Musky talk

The September meeting of Southern Crossroads Chapter 54 of Muskies Inc. will be Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Eagles Club in Owatonna. Our speaker will be Michael Chambers, the Berkley, AbuGarcia, and Spiderwire representative for Southern Minnesota. He is bringing some of their new products, etc. Don’t miss this one!

A special thank you to all persons and businesses that supported us in the boat, motor and trailer raffle. The money raised is for our annual fall stocking of muskies in Southern Minnesota. Also, those who supported us at the Steele County Fair in Owatonna, and those that stopped to hear our program at the State Fair.

Sept. 27 will be our chapter’s fall outing on French Lake at Faribault. We will be fishing from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., followed by social time at Hoy’s Resort — $20 donation per boat, for those who want to be eligible for prize for biggest fish.

Our meetings are on the second Wednesday of every month. They include informative speakers, door prizes and raffles, reports and updates. Visitors interested in musky fishing are always welcome. Muskie hunters, bring a friend and join Muskies Inc. Help improve musky fishing in Southern Minn.