In Saskatchewan, our outdoor activities are often dictated by the seasons and the variable weather each change of season brings us. Our winter can be long, harsh, cold, snowy, and exhilerating fun, especially if you enjoy ice fishing or snowmobiling, skiing, snowshoeing, and other winter activities. Our Spring, Summer and Fall can be glorious, but also stretches of cool or even cold. For some cabin dwellers, the “lake season” begins May long Weekend and ends August long weekend. For others, like myself, “lake season” begins as soon as there is enough open shoreline to paddle a kayak and ends when the water is closed in by ice.
The Spring Rush begins to get ready for summer by getting out the toys and yard furniture in preparation for fun and relaxation. The sooner you get ready the sooner you can enjoy. You know the summer is coming. Some years, like this year, a spring snow storm can push the plans a few weeks later. As I am writing this, April 25th, I am watching the tail end of one of these snow storms which has dumped a fresh later of 30 to 40 cm of snow.
Fishing season in the Saskatchewan southern fishing zone begins May 5th. The chances of launching a fishing boat appear to be close to 0%. Meanwhile, back on land, once the snow melts away and the yard turns from soggy so dry, the preparations will be underway. Un-shedding the outdoor furniture, cleaning off the winter dust. Checking the boat lift and doing any maintenance, inspecting the dock, running through the pre-season checklist on boat and Sea Doos, charging batteries, and waiting for the sun to do it’s melt job.
Fall is Panic mode. You know winter is just around the corner and you need to get the toys and yard furniture in storage before it’s too late. The later we get into the season, the more desperate we become in our race against the seasons, especially the first snowfall. This is the tradeoff, the desire to extend the season as long as possible, and the need to store it all away. Squeeze in another ride on the Sea Doos, a few more fishing excursions, a paddle on the kayak or paddleboard. Sometimes, you are a little late. One year we couldn’t make to the cabin in time and the lake froze a solid 4″ thick before the dock was taken out. We thought we were going to have to use the axe to chop all the ice. Then my son had the smart idea to just unbolt the top deck of the dock and we carried it off. A little chopping to free the legs and it might have been the easiest dock removal ever.
When your goal is to maximize the length of your lake season, you realize the Rush of Spring and the Panic of Fall is just what it takes to squeeze out everyday of enjoyment from our favorite season, but that the seasons are always beyond our control.