By Steve Weisman
I hope everybody had a great Memorial Weekend. Lots of family activities and get-togethers, but there is much more to Memorial Day. Above all, I hope we all took the time to reflect on the true meaning of Memorial Day. I recently read a quote by former President Harry S. Truman that pretty much sums up the true meaning of Memorial Day. “Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude. America will never forget their sacrifice.”
Each Memorial Weekend my wife and I watch the National Memorial Day Concert held on the West Lawn of the U. S. Capitol. This year’s 30th annual concert, hosted by award winning actor Joe Mantegna and actress Mary McCormak on Sunday evening, was a highly emotional salute and tribute to America’s military heroes. The program certainly took those of us who watched on a rollercoaster ride of emotions from pride to empathy to sadness and back to pride again…for all of our country’s problems, we are truly the LAND of the FREE!
Thanks to our veterans for their sacrifice! Happy Memorial Day to all!
A Tip of the Hat
The Iowa Great Lakes Chamber of Commerce certainly deserves a tip of the hat for taking the $21,312.52 profits from the 37th Annual Walleye Weekend and presenting an equal share to four protective associations: Center Lake Protective and Improvement Association, East Lake Okoboji Improvement Association, Okoboji Protective Association and the Spirit Lake Protective Association. All of these organizations are about protecting our local lakes. To me, this is a great example of giving back to the community. Each of these organizations can now determine how to best utilize this donation to help meet their vision and goals.
If you’re not already a member of one of these protective associations, consider joining one. Anybody who spends time on our area lakes has a personal stake in helping protect our lakes. The old adage the more the merrier certainly fits in here. The more members, the more money the protective associations have and the more the associations can do to help our waters. It becomes a win-win situation.
Rain go away
I know, I know. Be careful of what you wish, but we really need to have several good drying days in a row – for all of us. It would help our farmers and the flooding and high-water levels in our lakes! Plus, sunshine would certainly lift all of our spirits. Let’s hope things change, and we get some prolonged sunny days.
It’s pretty obvious with all of these rainy days just where surface runoff issues exist. High water gives us the chance to identify those problem areas. Even so, there are potential answers. Look to your local Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) office to give suggestions and programs that will help address the flooding. In many cases, there are programs that can offer cost share to implement the practice and also funding for doing some of these practices. To me, working with the NRCS can give great insight into how surface runoff issues can be addressed. Plenty of opportunities to make a difference!
Don’t forget about fishing
I’m serious. When we get the kind of weather we have had where there are 4-5 rainy days for every sunny day, it’s easy to become discouraged and not go fishing. However, take the time to go because this time of year-right now-is prime time fishing time!
With the cool weather, clouds and rain, the water temperatures are a little behind. This past Sunday morning, we were fishing bluegills on East Okoboji and the surface water temperature only it 59 degrees by noon. Normally, by the end of May, the bluegills are heading to the shallows to prepare for the spawn. However, we found these fish in 8-10 feet of water and the females were not close to spawning. So, I’m guessing through mid-June, we should find the bluegills, crappies and yellow bass in their spawning areas. Don’t forget Center Lake. Some nice crappies along the shoreline.
When you think of northwest Iowa, there are some great fisheries: Black Hawk Lake, Center Lake, Clear Lake, East Okoboji, Lost Island, Silver Lake (Lake Park), Spirit Lake, Storm Lake, Trumbull Lake, Tuttle Lake and West Okoboji. Let’s go fishing!
