This spring will not go down as a classic time of warm days, mild evenings and gentle rains; that much is now certain. Dreary days, cool temperatures and chill nights have been more the norm. The week ahead holds some promise and dare we hope that true spring weather is close at hand?

In spite of the weather spring has been progressing. Yards are green, a few brave spring flowers have emerged, birds are back; this week brought tropical birds, warblers and tanagers and orioles. Bottom line is: this is the spring we’ve got and we’d best make what we can of it.

Through it all fishing has stalled for many anglers yet we keep hearing decent reports from those who persevere. Walleyes have been slow but steady and those anglers that have found the right water conditions have had good fishing. While numbers have been decent we have not heard of any large fish. It’s still hit-and-miss but it has not been a total loss.

Same with panfish; nothing special but a few days on a few lakes where fishing has been solid. One only hopes that warm weather will spur better action and if the forecast holds true the upcoming week might bring water temperatures up enough to put all lakes in good standing.

Turkey hunting has been slower than usual, no surprise after the winter we had. But toms are looking for hens and local hunters have not been totally shut out with a surprising number of them finding some birds.

The cool, wet weather has cut into normal spring activities; boating and cycling all lag; picnics are a non-issue and swimming? No way! So once again we can only hope for a surge in warm weather that last more than a day or two and sets us right as far as springtime goes.

The Outdoor Report is provided by the staff of Mel’s Trading Post in downtown Rhinelander.