It’s pretty funny that everyone has code names for spots on the river. We have code names for all the wing dams. One is called “panty dam” because I caught a pair of purple and green polka dot panties on it.
I’ll add one, but can’t mention specific location as it is Mike W’s spot. One day out fishing in the boat him and I think maybe Jon saw a peaceful hobo napping on the shoreline. This spot now famously referred to as “the bum run.” North of 494, I can’t say where….
we had a literal hobo come down and talk with us one night. He and a friend had just jumped off the train and was looking for directions to “trampfest” near Harriet Island.
A few years ago, maybe 5 or 6, I decided it would be a good idea to go down and shore fish in St. Paul at midnight. I was fishing and suddenly a hobo came down with a stereotypical pitbull mutt, I was a little nervous! We ended up chatting it up and the dog was friendly. He was a younger hobo in his 30s. Asked if I had any beers or booze.
A few years ago, maybe 5 or 6, I decided it would be a good idea to go down and shore fish in St. Paul at midnight. I was fishing and suddenly a hobo came down with a stereotypical pitbull mutt, I was a little nervous! We ended up chatting it up and the dog was friendly. He was a younger hobo in his 30s. Asked if I had any beers or booze.
I used to shore fish Hidden Falls all the time at night. I was cutting through the woods back to my car and I could hear people following me. Got to my car and like 6 transients surrounded me. I was in that lot by the picnic buildings. They never said a word but were barking and yelping. I was scared as heck…started to call 911 and they all just left.
Weirdest thing that has happened to me on the river. I bought a boat shortly after that.
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>crawdaddy wrote:</div>
A few years ago, maybe 5 or 6, I decided it would be a good idea to go down and shore fish in St. Paul at midnight. I was fishing and suddenly a hobo came down with a stereotypical pitbull mutt, I was a little nervous! We ended up chatting it up and the dog was friendly. He was a younger hobo in his 30s. Asked if I had any beers or booze.I used to shore fish Hidden Falls all the time at night. I was cutting through the woods back to my car and I could hear people following me. Got to my car and like 6 transients surrounded me. I was in that lot by the picnic buildings. They never said a word but were barking and yelping. I was scared as heck…started to call 911 and they all just left.
Weirdest thing that has happened to me on the river. I bought a boat shortly after that.
They were probably Ranger boat salesmen!
6. Whipplinger seaplane base
Just as a point of order, it’s the Wipline Seaplane Base, Wipplinger is the founding family of Wipaire.
In case any are wondering, Wipaire is the world’s foremost manufacturer of floats for floatplanes and they offer a huge variety of aircraft maintenance and upgrade services at the South St. Paul airport. I have seen Wipaire floats on float planes all over the US, Canada,and even some in New Zealand.
I just seen this thread now.
Train in the woods:
Above the piano is an old abandoned house. To this day I have not been able to get the history on this house. This is located directly south of old man Sheily’s house (Indian Head) If you walk back into these woods there is an old train engine just sitting in the middle of the woods. very odd…
Piano:
The piano is weird too. I always thought about plucking one of the piano keys but my better judgment has always kept me from doing it. There was a story told by a few old locals that a pipe organ would play at night on its own. Never during the day. I always remembered this story and thought this might be a product of it and someone tried to toss their piano into the river. It is amazing this piano is still there!!
White crosses:
There are a number of white crosses painted on the limestone walls. My guess is they were for navigation.
Pine Bend reservation:
John mentioned this. There is an old house about 400 yards off the river in the pine bend ravine. I believe this was the Brown family. They settled with the residents at the reservation and the old stone chimney and some of the foundation material is still there.
Burial mounds:
I know of a few mounds that still exists. Most were excavated and removed but there are a handful that have not been disturbed. You cannot see them from the river but can see the river from the mounds if that make sense.
Craters or depressions in the land:
There are a few locations that have public access where you will find large hole or depressions in the woods. Rumor from old locals is these holes were dug and filled with “material” and then covered back up with soil. This took place 60-65 years ago. Today you cannot mistake these locations.
3M cove:
This is located along the RR tracks of spring lake. There is a cove that cuts under the tracks. It is a run off ravine from 3M property. At the top of this ravine are old holding ponds. If you want to get 3M security’s attention take a walk up there. haha
Sheily’s pit:
There are 3 lakes back in this pit. When we were kids we used to ride our bikes back there to fish and swim in the lake located then at the center of the pit. Today it is much larger. The water is clear and cold in this lake. One of my buddies named one of these lakes (lake 10,001).
There is more. I will chime back in but heading out fishing now.
Here is the current condition of someone’s piano…
piano.jpg
Yeah Jon that basement does look creepy! One I forgot, the old abandoned marina in the back of spring lake with a bunch of half-sunken boats, we always call that one either haunted harbor or meth harbor.
Yep, we make up names for the owner of the boats we see half sunk… Crackhead Chris, sticky Nikky and Chard.
I bet everyone has names for the wing dams too. Wingdams or revetment piles..
Here are a few some might know..
First, second, third, Bobs Rock, Barge Rocks, Highline dam, Trout Dam, 2K, Osprey nest, Lower Pine, picnic bench, flag… and the list goes on.
We even name log jams. Best one was Swilly’s pile. Not just for catfish but one of the best walleye bites I had going for big fish over the years.
Axe Murderer wing dam, picnic table wingdam, the powerlines, 494 wing dam, flag dam, canon dam, Baldwin dam, lions dam, Patrick’s wing dam, secret wing dam, baby wing dam, the long one, the devil’s dam, the candy canes(these have been gone for years), the camping dam, the jon Jordan spot and the turkey run. Wow, I just went down memory lane. I haven’t been out there in over a year. It’ll be fun when ever it is I get back out. I need to see the piano in person. It’ll really give me goose bumps if I’m out fishing at the witching hour under a blood moon and I hear phantom of the opera start cranking out from a lonely bluff wall….
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