Fall is heading our way and it will officially be here on Sept. 23. Unofficially, summer ends on Monday, Labor Day. It seems like it was only weeks ago when we celebrated the best day of the year, June 21, the longest day of the year. Now we are at the half-way point to the shortest day of the year, Dec. 21, but let’s not dwell on our glass being half full. It’s time to celebrate summer for all of the things that we enjoyed during the last three months and I will hit as many highlights as my editorial budget will allow. 

The best catch of the summer was made by my new friend Talon who I met at Lake Vermilion. He proved himself to be “boat worthy” by being a proficient netman and by also landing a great fish. After dipping my musky, he landed his first musky ever in the fading light of the day. Because he was so thrilled it was a no brainer to give him the lure, even if it was a one of a kind that I can’t replace. Even though it might be Talon’s highlight of the summer, it’s my best catch highlight as well. 

Crappie fishing provided some great opportunities to catch up with family, old classmates, as well as old and new friends. It was a great season and I’m hoarding my scaled, skin on, crappie fillets like they were family secrets. Actually, they are a secret in that I don’t want to share them with anyone.   

Now this may seem a little unexpected, but I need to include watching lightning bugs, or as some people call them, fireflies. Lightning bugs are an instant path to memory lane for me because my childhood home always had glass mayonnaise jars with holes punched into the lids for displaying the coolest bugs ever invented. They also made for great nightlights. Lighting bugs are also prophets of sorts. Every time I see that neon flicker in my backyard, I know that musky fishing is about to get a whole lot better. 

For me, throwing big lures is always a treat and when I can do it often enough to get a great sandal tan as shown in this photo, it was a great summer.    

I would like you to share your favorite photo of this summer. Go to the Outdoor Tales and Trails with Dave Beck Facebook page, look for my summer photo and tag yours onto that thread. A winner will be chosen and the prize is a one-year paid subscription to the Pierce County Journal. If you already have one, you can give it to a family member or a friend. 

Didn’t get enough Dave this week? Visit “Outdoor Trails and Tales with Dave Beck” on Facebook for photos and video of Dave’s adventures. You can share your own photos and video with him there as well, or by emailing him at dave@piercecountyjournal.news Also, check out OTT content on Instagram @thepiercecountyjournal