Rains have helped fall foliage
By TOOTSIE SNELLING
Marion County Park & Lake reporter
I always thought spring was the prettiest time of the year but I don't know now, since we've had the rains it has greened up the grass. With the sunflowers, the yellow broomweed, the purple liatirus or blazing star all blooming and the trees starting to turn this is really a pretty fall. Don't think you'll have to go to Missouri to see pretty trees this year. They are getting mighty pretty here in good old Kansas.
I didn't do as good on the Monarchs this year. I had 100 tags but only used about 20 of them. I just didn't see them coming through here like last year, and we never did get into a spot where they were roosting over night. We did tag a few in Chase County but again just didn't see the numbers this year.
Since all the rains the lake is full again and should be in good shape going into winter. Fishing has been slow since the rain of last week, especially on the heated dock.
Bob Moore of Florence caught a 20-pound flathead at the north end when the water was coming in after the rains. Thank goodness someone came by to help him net it. One that big could have pulled him and his wheelchair right into the lake. He also had a couple of channel cat.
Brian Werth of McPherson caught a 26-pound flathead while trolling for wipers a couple of weekends ago.
Gerald Waner of Marion caught a six-pound 10-ounce wiper while walking the bank below the office this weekend.
Leon McClure caught a 21-inch walleye off of the heated dock Oct 8.
We had a few campers out over the weekend and a Boy Scout troop from Florence camped out Saturday night.
Kenny Newell had the north shelter rented for a wedding on Sunday and the Colletts used the lake hall for a family reunion, and the Christian Church rented the east shelter on Sunday evening. A few of the trailer house people were up as most are starting to winterize their trailers for winter. You just never know when that first hard freeze will be coming.
