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Activities
HIKING
The property—with its network of trails and roads—is a feast for hikers. Regular and old logging roads run through the property, ideal for hiking. Over the years, members have created a series of trails, continuously maintained, that run alongside parts of streams, lakes, and the Clam River and loop through the woodland. A number of bridges, also built and maintained by members, are placed strategically throughout.
FLY FISHING
Three, excellent trout streams course through the Pine Valley property: the north fork of the Clam River, Spring Brook, and Sand Creek. The latter two are “Class 1” trout streams: they are filled with self-sustaining populations of trout with good reproduction and offer high-quality fishing. Trout in these streams range from 5 to 19 inches. The Clam is a “Class II” stream: it has lower populations of trout with good reproduction but not enough to support high-quality fishing. Although it has less trout density, the Clam holds some of the largest trout on the property, at times over 20 inches.
Almost all trout caught in the property are brown trout. Rare brook trout are also caught each year, particularly in Spring Brook.
Members primarily practice catch and release fishing although some keep a few for an occasional meal. In addition to fly fishing, spinning gear with barbless hooks is allowed. Live bait fishing is not.
Little Spencer, one of the three lakes on the property, can be fished from a boat and contains populations of northern pike, largemouth bass, and sunfish. This shallow lake is best fished in the spring before heavy weed growth makes fishing difficult.
HUNTING
The primary hunting activity on Pine Valley Farm is for white-tailed deer. Most hunters use rifles/shotguns, although a few members use archery gear. Approximately 18 deer hunters (i.e., members, families, and guests) hunt during the November gun season with reasonable (over 50%) success. The majority are antlerless deer via permits, with very large bucks occasionally harvested.
Grouse and woodcock are also hunted by members although the population density is low. We are hopeful that grouse numbers will increase as the recent forest management leads to a more diverse aspen habitat.
BIRDWATCHING
Given the wide range of birds seen in PVF (see “Birds” under Amenities), birdwatching is a delight for enthusiasts. Members can count on seeing a plethora of birds alighting daily on cabin bird feeders.
SWIMMING
The designated swimming ‘hole’ is at the Confluence of the Clam River and Sand Creek. The water here runs past a member’s cabin and continues downstream. Those wanting to swim or wade can enter the water from a small wooden dock just off the road or can cross the pedestrian bridge that links the road to the member’s cabin and access the river from a small flight of wooden steps.
COMMUNITY GARDENING
A former member created a lovely flower and vegetable garden behind his cabin that bloomed for many years. He delighted in sharing its bounty. Other members have kept up his tradition by planting and nurturing a new garden space. Members are invited to stop by and share in the produce.
SNOWSHOEING AND CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING
Members can snowshoe or cross country ski on the roads that run through the PVF property. Or, they can take advantage of the multitude of popular trails located in the surrounding area: Spooner, Shell Lake, Trego, and Frederic to name a few. The closest set of trails, Timberland Hills (http://timberlandhills.com), is just a few miles away. Its 25 km of groomed trails run through 2,400 acres of Burnett County forest land. Nearby Timberland West offers 2.5 km of lighted ski trails.