Lake: Weather calls for warmer clothes
By TOOTSIE SNELLING
Marion County Park & Lake Reporter
Brrr, what a change — from shirt sleeves to winter coats. But I guess this is Kansas and that's what keeps it interesting. If it was hot everyday or cold everyday, it would get boring. I bought a leaf blower because I got tired of sweeping them with a broom, but didn't get a chance to use it as the wind came up and blew them all away. Maybe it will work on snow?
Fishing on the heated dock has been up and down. One day they bite in the afternoon, then the next day they are biting at night. So I can't tell you the best time to come. A couple of guys caught some nice ones last week, at night, on the outside of the dock. There have been some nice walleye and an eight-pound wiper also caught in the dock.
We had a couple of bass boats and some outside fishermen out on those warm days of last week, but they didn't report catching anything.
The water temperature is 46 now.
The sea gulls are having fun eating the shad. Someone called and wanted to know what those birds were doing. Well, they are feeding on the schools of shad that move around the lake. They are fun to watch as they swarm and dive. The geese are starting to come to the lake late in the evening. They stay overnight and leave early in the mornings. As it gets colder and small ponds freeze up, there will be more coming here and to the reservoir.
Dale and I attended the KAC (Kansas Association of Counties) banquet last Monday evening at the Hyatt Regency in Wichita. Carol Maggard, Jeannine Bateman, Commissioners Howard Collett and wife, Bob Hein and daughter, and Leroy Wetta were at our table. After a grand meal, there were award presentations and special recognitions. Special recognition went to KAC and KOC past presidents and to 2002 and 2003 presidents. Special awards were for county public improvement, which I believe went to Phillips County and for outstanding Kansas County Treasurer, which was Pratt County, and a new award for ordinary people — Extraordinary Impact, which went to the courthouse custodian of Harper County. There were eight 24-year, eight 32-year, and two 40-year county service awards, one to Eddy DeBoer, Phillips County road and bridge supervisor, and Dale Snelling, Marion County Park and Lake superintendent. All received a certificate, pin, and a round of applause.
Happy Thanksgiving to all.
