Outdoors

September: Prime for star watching

September’s mild nights and darkening skies make for some of the year’s best star watching. In the west, brilliant Arcturus is slowly sinking, dragging its kiteshaped constellation, Bootes the herdsman, with it. Just east of Bootes hangs the semicircular Corona Borealis, or northern crown; its sole bright star is called Gemma or Alphecca. Moving east again, an hourglass of stars defines the torso of upside- down Hercules. Beside Hercules shines Vega—the beacon of Lyra, the lyre, and the brightest of the large Summer Triangle of stars. This month, the Triangle will be high in the south at nightfall—that is, in prime viewing position at the prime viewing hour. Below Vega, a small parallelogram of stars outlines the lyre. Moving east again, somewhat dimmer Deneb, also a Triangle star, marks the tail of Cygnus, the swan, and the head of the Northern Cross. To the south, Altair, in Aquila, the eagle, forms the sharpest point in the Triangle. And slightly above and east of Altair, diminutive Delphinus, the dolphin, leaps into a dark sea.

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Set the hook!

This is the time of year to be fishing the reefs. All that is required is to locate 28-30 feet of water. This is where most fish are biting. Work the reef with your favorite bait. A jig and minnow is a top choice, but often this time of year the leech and night crawler will out produce all other baits. When jigging and trolling use a slower presentation. You will find better success. When fishing on a reef make sure and always try the shallowest depth before leaving. This is where you will catch the real aggressive feeding walleyes. With the stabilized weather patterns of late, the lake thermocline Is set right up to the Fall turnover period, which is a month or two away. Everyone is catching fish. Forty- to 50-fish days have been reported. A couple of guide boats are boasting 60 fish days. This is all good news after the past couple years of tremendous pressure. It left one wondering if there would be fish left in the lake. All the Rainy Lake fisheries have proven to be doing well and stronger than ever. The Rainy Lake basin is so segmented that it is equipped to efficiently recuperate from heavy fishing pressure. This is one of many reasons that Rainy Lake is a favorite anglers destination year after year.

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Curtis Simonson

were checked. Time was also spent presenting at a firearms safety class in Hibbing and assisting local law enforcement agencies on a variety of calls. Violations encountered included angling with extra lines, taking fish without a license, expired registration, and driving after revocation.

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Boating: Do it responsibly and safely

By LAUREL BEAGER LBeager@cherryroad.com Recent boat accidents on Rainy Lake should serve to remind people of the responsibility and seriousness of boating, local Conservation Officer Darrin Kittelson said. With boating accidents on the rise in the United States, Kittelson said people need to slow their speed, take account of the conditions, and make good choices – the same way drivers must do in vehicles on the road.

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John Slatinski

CO Shane Zavodnik (Virginia) spent time helping out at the CO Academy with boating operations throughout the week. He also spent time working a detail in the Duluth area. Violations encountered include illegal-length walleyes and bass, angling without a license, and boating safety and registration violations.

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Set the hook!

The walleye fishing has turned slow and spotty on the American side of Rainy Lake. When you do find them, they will be 25-35 feet deep and the most active will be 15-20 feet. Leeches are definitely a best tactic right now. Moping the leech on a small lead head or a foot and a half drop shot hook with leech is the most effective. and Bay is producing smaller walleyes and they are actively hitting a jig and minnow. This area is commonly referred to as Rainy Lake’s “rearing pond.” On the Canadian side, including the North Arm, Redgut and Seine Bay, locating walleyes is easy. They are extremely active, and the fishing pressure is considerably less. There is more fishing area and many more spots to hit.

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