It is a blue sky, calm morning just perfect for a smooth ride out to the far end of the lake. We take up our position in one of the hopeful walleye spots.  It starts slowly: loons are hanging about chatting and diving.  A river otter plays.  A bald eagle perched high in the pines periodically scolds.  A raft of mergansers (18) float into view then move through diving and quietly talking to one another.  We float a while enjoying the beautiful morning. Kent gets a nice walleye and we keep it this time then decide it is time to head out to explore the river.

We troll along the tree lined banks. Kingfishers swoop tree to tree.  That mob of mergansers is now sunning in a long row on a log.  We will encounter them one more time as the scurry out of our way.  I catch a 24” northern.  We keep it too.  Together with the walleye there is just a nice mess for supper.

Dinner time. Pancake batter made with Sprite gives just the right lemony flavor (thank you, Grace) and along with a pan of home fried potatoes supper is a big hit.

There is the one standing problem, northern are too boney. It is very difficult to fillet them around all the bone and Kent hates to pick around them.  Decision, only walleye on the table from now on.  OK, I can live with that, as long as we catch a few more walleye.

Oh yeah, the next mess we are going to grill….all that frying makes for serious after meal cleanup.