Hobo Cabin on the Pond

Hobo Cabin on the Pond by Jason Bradley


Hobo Cabin on the Pond

by Jason Bradley


I first heard about the history of this hobo’s cabin when I was 8 years old and most days were spent happily in the woods or hanging out in the numerous tree forts I built. I asked my father about the faded remnants of the cabin near a small muskrat pond on our set aside land. I know the nomadic wanderer was tough, and like the cabin he must have stubbornly refused to be taken back by this earth, despite being exposed to this harsh place for the past fifty seasons.

The seasonal home of a train hobo, back in the 1960’s, and to time lapse now, to 2014, and the hillside has claimed back almost all of the small log cabin’s crumbling remains. It’s faltering ruins sit on the west end of the small muskrat pond, and I imagine the original inhabitant placed it here so he could rise and look east each morning at the sun, and sit and watch the small pond come alive.

Now, my father and I sit in our homemade, and sometimes store bought, deer stands, overlooking the cabin ruins, and the still remaining, and relatively untouched, muskrat pond. We come to this place for a few days each year, during the Minnesota deer hunting season.

The flattened metal can stove pipe thimble still lies in the cabin’s crumbling ruins, along with some rotting posts and hand cut logs, used for the first run of the small log cabin. A few concrete bricks and other debris can still be found, but the earth has taken much of this once inhabited spot back, at least for now.

When I was young, and spent more time exploring out in the these same woods, I found some of the hobo’s old peanut butter jars, and Prince Albert tobacco cans, from back when he would stay, or squat, in this small cabin during the short, Minnesota summers. According to my father, the hobo would arrive via the northbound train in spring, and leave on southbound train in the first part of September (which is Minnesota Fall). I imagine he never stuck around to deer hunt, that is if they had even dreamed up licensing for such things fifty years ago. He picked a fine place for a shack, and over time I have come to appreciate the unique location . This farmland, which hasn’t been tilled since I started hunting it, is teetering on the edge of three important ecological intersections, at the confluence of Minnesota’s forest, prairie, and oak savanna. I am jealous of the hobo’s eye for great building sites.


I want to honor this place by building a small cabin of my own on the same spot. I will reuse the hobo’s handmade stovepipe thimble, and I have a small ice fishing house wood stove, and a length of pipe I will use to heat the small space. I never met the cabin’s original inhabitant, but I share his vision. This is the perfect place for a small, handmade shelter of my own.

Annie Proulx Author Interview Link

http://www.missourireview.com/archives/bbarticle/an-interview-with-annie-proulx/
Title: An Interview with Annie Proulx
By: Annie Proulx
Interview from Issue 22.2 (Spring 1999): “History as Literature”
Tags: Read Text Online

Cabover Truck Pictures

Kenworths


day cab cabover Freightliner


Not sure

Brainerd Lakes Area Fishing Report: May 26, 2017

BRAINERD/NISSWA AREA 

Shiner minnows continue to trigger walleyes in 16 to 20 feet on North Long Lake, Round Lake, and Whitefish Lake. Northern pike are hitting sucker minnows in 8 to 12 feet on Gull Lake, Cullen Lake, and North Long. Look for panfish and bass in 3 to 6 feet at North Long, Gull, Round, Cullen, and Lake Edwards.

S & W Bait & Guide Service/Nisswa Guide League  (218) 829-7010

Brainerd, Minnesota Fishing Report from Walleye Dan: May 23, 2017

I enjoy reading Walleye Dan's article in the Brainerd Dispatch and also his fishing reports. Here is his latest report from http://www.walleyedan.com/whatsbiting/:

May 23, 2017
Good morning! I hope the sun is shining where you are at, it’s been awhile since we have seen it here in the Brainerd Lakes Area. But, it sounds like it is supposed to sow itself tomorrow and I’m hoping that happens. I have been on the water a fair amount and have also spent some time in the woods chasing turkeys at the 11th hour. Fishing is good and should get even better in the next two weeks. I have spent the majority my time on Gull Lake and we have put some nice fish in the boat. The big ones have made a comeback and we are just hoping that the young bucks are somewhere to be had. Yesterday I was out with 4 men and we worked it pretty hard. For those that don’t have patience, this would not have been a trip for you. We caught 6 fish, all over 20 inches. Including a 24, 25 3/4, 26 and 27.5, nice walleyes anywhere, but really nice to see coming out of Gull. We caught them in 15-25 feet. The new Larson FX 2020T is decked to the hilt with my Hummingbird electronics and MinnKota trolling motors, this boat is SOLID and a truly awesome guiding machine! The summer is looking to be a busy one, so if you are interested in coming up to the Brainerd/Mille Lacs area, please give us a call at 218-839-5598 and book your trip or trips. Whether it is smallmouth or walleye on Mille Lacs or any species here in the Brainerd area, we will have a guide that can put you on them! Whether or not they bite, that’s going to be up to your talent level! But we will offer you up advice, and try to give you the best opportunity to catch some! Bottom line, for you, it’s better than working so book today.

p.s. Registration and sponsorship opportunities are open for the 5th annual Walleyedan Fishing To End Hunger walleye tournament on Gull Lake. Have a great day, Dan

Brainerd Lakes Minnesota Fishing Report: May 23

I am getting excited to hit the water this weekend and go fishing with my son.  I really like the fishing detailed fishing report from Brainerd Guide Service. Thanks to John for sharing the information.  Here is his report:

Brainerd, Minnesota Fishing Report: 5-23-17
The best walleye bite in the Brainerd Lakes Area has been happening on Mille Lacs. The action has been great with numerous walleye being caught in the 16 to 22 inch class. We had several outings over the last week where we released 15 to 20 fish per hour. Few places can match that type of activity anywhere! Key locations were sandy areas in 8 to 12 feet of water. The best bait was a jig and shiner minnow. The late evening trolling bite on Gull Lake remains strong while North Long has also been giving up a few walleyes during the day in 16 to 18 feet. The windblown structures on the main lake have produced the most fish with red tails and shiner minnows being equally effective. The majority of the crappies have finished spawning and moved back to the outer edge of the weeds. Key locations are in 8 to 11 feet of water near good stands of cabbage weeds. Slip bobbers tipped with a small jig and minnow have been the most effective lures in these situations. The sunfish are spawning in the shallows on many of the area lakes. Prime locations are in 4 to 6 feet of water. The Minnesota bass season officially opens this Saturday. Key locations this weekend will be in 6 to 9 feet of water. The majority of the bass are still relating to the pencil reeds. Jig/worm combos are effective presentations in these situations. The fishing action should only improve as the water temperatures continue to rise. Happy Memorial Day and thanks for all the calls. 
Life is Good. 
JOHN

Brainerd Lakes Fishing Report, May 19, 2017

I have been catching some nice sunfish this past week, but things slowed down with the weather being so cold last weekend. The rain has made everything green up really nice, and I am going to be doing more fishing on Gull and some smaller lakes in the Nisswa area this week, so I will keep all of you updated.


Here is fishing report from http://www.outdoornews.com/minnesota/fishing-reports/

BRAINERD/NISSWA AREA


Crappies are hitting in 3 to 6 feet on Gull Lake, Upper Gull Lake, North Long Lake, Nisswa Lake, Cullen Lake, Roy Lake, and Round Lake. Walleyes are biting best early and late each day in 10 to 12 feet, mainly on crawlers and minnows, on Round Lake or in the channels on Gull. Northern pike are taking sucker minnows in 8 to 15 feet at North Long, Pelican Lake, and Whitefish Lake.


S & W Bait & Guide Service/Nisswa Guide League (218) 829-7010

Live Music Brainerd, Minnesota For the week of May 18-24, 2017

From the Brainerd Dispatch:


For the week of May 18-24; bands perform 9 p.m. to close with no cover unless otherwise noted.


BRAINERD


Eagles Club


124 Front St.


Artisan, 7-11 p.m. Friday; $5 for all dances for non-Eagle members.


Agate to perform for Lakes Area Singles Single Spring Dance (age 40 or older), 7:30-11:30 p.m. Saturday; $5 cover


Last Turn Saloon


214 S. Eighth St.


Open Mic, first Wednesday of month (sign-up, 6:30 p.m.)


Bluegrass Jam, 6:30-8:30 p.m. every first, third and fifth Thursday of the month.


Liquor Pigz


718 Laurel St.


Karaoke, 10 p.m. every Wednesday


Jam session/open mic, 9 p.m. every Sunday


O'Madden Pub


11266 Pine Beach Peninsula


Jud Hailey, Friday-Saturday


Roundhouse Brewery


1551 Northern Pacific Road


Dos Guys, 7 p.m. Saturday


Shep's on Sixth


315 S. Sixth St.


DJ, every Friday-Saturday in Elbow Room


The Woods


19624 County Highway 3


Levi Pelzer, 6 p.m. today, May 18


DiamondBack, 8 p.m. Saturday


BREEZY POINT


Commander Bar


30279 Airport Road


Six to Midnight, 9:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday


JJ's Pub


Downstairs of the Commander


Avery and Duncan, 5-9 p.m. Saturday


CROSBY


The Bridge Tavern


26929 Highway 6


Wanted (classic country), 4-8 p.m. Sundays


FORT RIPLEY


St. Mathias Bar and Grill


4640 County Road 121


YNOTT, Saturday

Crappie Fishing Gull Lake

Crappie Fishing – Bring the family crappie fishing, it’s a great time to get the family together! Enjoy our Brainerd Minnesota Fishing Resort!
How to Catch Crappie on Gull Lake.


Crappie fishing must be an all time favorite for family fishing. Every kid should get to try their hand at crappie fishing at the end of a dock on a sunny afternoon at least once while their young. If you want to make it really interesting rent one of our boats and spend a day or two on the water. Crappies are fun to catch because their fairly easy as long as you know where to go. If one of the spots on the map is not producing, try another. Crappies are not only fun to catch, they are fantastic to eat as well because of their incredible flavor. Crappies bite early in the season so planning a fishing vacation in May and June is a great time to take advantage of our lower rates!





*GPS Coordinates included on the right.





Crappie regulations on Gull Lake

Season: Continuous

Limit: 10 (no size restrictions)

Love Lake Crappies spawn in here from May into mid June. Use a jig & minnow suspended near the channel, or use a bobber and hook with a minnow in or near the swampier back end.
GPS Coordinates: 4626.315’N 94 19.103’W
End of the Bowtie Bar near Love Lake Good summer crappie, they will be deep, use a small jig and a crappie minnow.
GPS Coordinates: 4626.571’N 94 20.226’W
Wilson Bay Excellent May-June Crappies fish the dropoff into the reedbed with a jig and a minnow or a beetlespin w/ a Mister Twister.
GPS Coordinates: 4624.410’N 94 24.026’W
Wilson Bay Crane Island. Excellent early summer Crappie fishing try along the break with a minnow.
GPS Coordinates: 4623.906’N 94 24.293’W
Gull Lake Narrows Excellent May & Early June Crappie fishing. Take a jig and a minnow and you will be pulling out fish like a dentist pulls teeth.
GPS Coordinates: 4630.640’N 94 20.725’W

Brainerd Lakes Area Fishing Report: May 2017

Brainerd Fishing Report
Crappie fishing in the Brainerd Lakes Area has been hit or miss, with the weather, but when you find them it can be bast and furious. Fish are still being found on weed flats in 6-8 feet of water. Much like any kind of fishing, playing the wind is the key. This past weekend we found active crappies feeding along a weed edge that had some emergent weed growth. Between bugs and minnows the fish were actively feeding. A 1/32oz jig with a tube under a slip bobber was the ticket. Constantly changing the depths at which you have the bobber set as well as the colors of the tubes. Pink/white, pearl, black, and purple were all good colors. An important thing is to make sure your bobber is always sitting vertical and you aren’t using too big of one and you are changing your retrieve as crappies will respond differently throughout the day.