To Miss the Whole Year is Unthinkable

If this were a normal year we’d be packed and ready to begin our annual migration to Lake Vermilion! Unfortunately, 2020 has been anything but a normal!

Between doctors and hospitals, rehab and Co-vid 19, I’ve never been so excited about getting back to the cabin and spending some “quality” time with the guys. This year’s anticipation of a BBBL brand of fishing opener brought back a boat full of memories. Besides, where else can you get your fill of insults, trash talking and bad jokes in less than 72 hours?

Unfortunately, that’s not in the cards this year, at least not for now.

Fishing Camp! There is so much anticipation and excitement generated before you even get there. That only intensifies as each boat arrives at the BBBL’s dock with a new load of old friends! Eventually all make it up the hill to the back deck of the cabin where true chaos lives! There is where we’ve dumped everyone’s gear, the dogs are under foot and the first food begins to grill. This is my favorite part of each year! Everyone so happy to be there, even more happy to renew old friendships and rivalries. The catching up and stories have begun and it will last long into the evening. Weather and temperature have less bearing on the mood than laughter and beverage of choice in each man’s hand. It’s also where the trash talking, and the plotting begins. Who’s going to catch the biggest fish! Who’s fishing with who? Who brought the shiners? Did you hear where they are biting, should we start on the S curve or the boxcar, what depth will they be biting at? So many questions needing answers while substantial amounts the venison and other wild sausage are being consumed. Oh! I almost forgot… and Nancy’s special sandwiches! This is how each version begins year after year.

But not in 2020! All of this needs to put on hold. I’ll miss the crisp fresh air, the sky-blue water and the musty smell of the north woods. The sounds and smell of a crackling fire, laughter from the sauna, lighted bobbers dipping with the waves, the birds chirping and the Eagles and Ospreys. And if you think you didn’t get enough sleep or are a bit hungover, that first rush of icy breeze cutting through all three layers as your boat accelerates from the dock in early morning... that’s natures true wakeup call!

What I’ll will miss the most is the sound and smell of a big breakfast sizzling on the grill. We really do eat well up there!

This will be a huge break in tradition! For myself, Jason, Mark, Todd, and Nyles it’s been 20 plus years. Others of you like Rodney, Derrick and Dayton have been here almost as much. All of you plus many other notables, like Will, Mike or Christy, that have come and gone, fished, helped out or just enjoyed the camaraderie. I’m gonna will miss you all this spring. You are the memories of Bogies Buzzard Bay Lodge!

To lose a whole year at the cabin is unthinkable. I’m still holding out that somehow, we can make a few new memories yet this year.

If we can see a safe way of convening a group of fishermen for a fall Musky/Walleye get together, I would love to invite you all up then. We’re hoping for the middle of September, maybe the weekend after Labor Day. Stay tuned and for sure stay healthy!

The Olde Buzzard

TIM