Like the leaves turning color and falling marks the change of seasons at the end of summer. Their arrival marks the beginning of the summer as well. Gradually the hillsides turn a pale red with the maple buds and then the poplar leaves arrive as a bright green splash. Followed by the beech trees adding their leaves. The young beeches are most noticeable near the house because they limit the distance that you can see into the woods. They seem to arrive in only a day or two and before you know it the woods are green. The woodland wildflowers have been marking the season as well.

My days have been spent working to get all of the boats ready for the coming season; everything from electrical problems to fiberglass repairs. All are simple enough but take considerable time and when working with fiberglass patience. The Lund Alaskan is set to go and I am confident in it after a sea trial in the lower Saint George yesterday. Everything worked as it should and I am sure that it will provide an excellent fishing platform for the coming seasons. This morning I am applying a new coating of fiberglass cloth to the stern of the Grand Lake Canoe.

I am still trying out the new Lund Alaskan and making sure that everything works as it should before my season really gets underway. To do that I thought that I would take advantage of the warm afternoon that we were having today. I launched the boat in Seven Tree pond and after an initial mishap (left the plug out when I launched, really good news the bilge pump works like a charm) I spent an hour or so bass fishing.