Fishing Minnesota’s Boundary Waters

Three generations of McKinnis men spent some time fishing Minnesota's Boundary Waters.

The image of a grandfather and grandson paddling through the wilderness of the Boundary Waters defines the coming of age for a young man and the passing of a lifetime of knowledge from the elder. These photos came from a recent fishing trip to the Boundary Waters in Minnesota. Participants included Jerry, Mike and Damon McKinnis, Mary and Harry Lambirth, and Steve Bowman.
The image of a grandfather and grandson paddling through the wilderness of the Boundary Waters defines the coming of age for a young man and the passing of a lifetime of knowledge from the elder. These photos came from a recent fishing trip to the Boundary Waters in Minnesota. Participants included Jerry, Mike and Damon McKinnis, Mary and Harry Lambirth, and Steve Bowman.
Damon McKinnis casts down the glacier-torn banks, while his grandfather, Jerry McKinnis, paddles.
Damon McKinnis casts down the glacier-torn banks, while his grandfather, Jerry McKinnis, paddles.
The two were together on an annual excursion that has helped define McKinnis’ career.
The two were together on an annual excursion that has helped define McKinnis’ career.
Away from the distractions of the hectic electronic world, battling a smallmouth seems more refined.
Away from the distractions of the hectic electronic world, battling a smallmouth seems more refined.
A helping hand with the net solidifies the relationship.
A helping hand with the net solidifies the relationship.
The satisfaction is obvious on both ends of the canoe.
The satisfaction is obvious on both ends of the canoe.
Before releasing the chunky smallmouth, Damon poses for a photo while Jerry moves the canoe into position to catch another.
Before releasing the chunky smallmouth, Damon poses for a photo while Jerry moves the canoe into position to catch another.
The two move down the bank, casting away but in reality doing something together that had deeper meaning.
The two move down the bank, casting away but in reality doing something together that had deeper meaning.
McKinnis has spent the better part of four decades traveling to the Boundary Waters.
McKinnis has spent the better part of four decades traveling to the Boundary Waters.
He wanted his grandson to see a more rustic side of fishing and life.
He wanted his grandson to see a more rustic side of fishing and life.
McKinnis, his son Mike (center) and Damon spent a week camping in the Boundary Waters.
McKinnis, his son Mike (center) and Damon spent a week camping in the Boundary Waters.
Their meals were prepared by Mary Lambirth just inches from the ground.
Their meals were prepared by Mary Lambirth just inches from the ground.
They slept in tents.
They slept in tents.
Harry Lambirth would cook over an open fire.
Harry Lambirth would cook over an open fire.
The Lambirths worked in tandem whenever it was meal time.
The Lambirths worked in tandem whenever it was meal time.
Eagles were constant companions in the Boundary Waters.
Eagles were constant companions in the Boundary Waters.
Often flying much closer to an angler than in any other environment.
Often flying much closer to an angler than in any other environment.
Especially on days when fish were served for dinner by the Lambirths.
Especially on days when fish were served for dinner by the Lambirths.
Then, the eagles would swoop in really close...
Then, the eagles would swoop in really close…
...taking advantage of the carcasses from fish cleaned for dinner.
…taking advantage of the carcasses from fish cleaned for dinner.
While not a lot of fish were cleaned for dinner...
While not a lot of fish were cleaned for dinner…
...the eagles always knew when it was time to take advantage of the feast.
…the eagles always knew when it was time to take advantage of the feast.
As for the human component, it was mostly about catch and release.
As for the human component, it was mostly about catch and release.
And hooking into big smallmouth...
And hooking into big smallmouth…
...that would complete somersaults.
…that would complete somersaults.
It was also about landing new techniques while trying to manage a 5-pound maniac from a canoe.
It was also about landing new techniques while trying to manage a 5-pound maniac from a canoe.
Damon would catch his share.
Damon would catch his share.
Some were decent, others were huge.
Some were decent, others were huge.
The fishing action was never slow.
The fishing action was never slow.
Harry Lambirth and Jerry McKinnis have fished together on trips like this for more than 40 years. They consider each other best friends.
Harry Lambirth and Jerry McKinnis have fished together on trips like this for more than 40 years. They consider each other best friends.
While McKinnis is drawn to the Lambirths, the big smallmouth keep him coming back, too.
While McKinnis is drawn to the Lambirths, the big smallmouth keep him coming back, too.
Over the years, the two have given special names to places around the Boundary Waters.
Over the years, the two have given special names to places around the Boundary Waters.
One of those names is the
One of those names is the “Magic Kingdom.”
It's a Disneyland of sorts for smallmouth and anglers.
It’s a Disneyland of sorts for smallmouth and anglers.
A big smallmouth in a small canoe...
A big smallmouth in a small canoe…
...can take you for a ride.
…can take you for a ride.
And when the ride is over, it’s time to paddle (the quickest mode of transportation in the area) back to the campground.
And when the ride is over, it’s time to paddle (the quickest mode of transportation in the area) back to the campground.
McKinnis, Mary and Harry Lambirth, and Damon McKinnis visit at the camp.
McKinnis, Mary and Harry Lambirth, and Damon McKinnis visit at the camp.