Giant Muskie on Lake Millicent

An Iron River man found an interesting way to get his steps in recently. Dean Keller used his snowblower to carve a 1,000-foot muskie onto Lake Millicent.

Between clearing out the length of the lunker’s torso and its fins into the snow, a full lap around this fish was half a mile. Keller’s step count for the project totaled 50,000, or 20 miles at the controls of his snowblower, and the whole project took around a week to complete.

He created a smaller fish last winter and, like any true artist, he grew and evolved over time. With the help of Google Earth Pro, he was able to bring his vision of a much larger snow trophy to life this year, overlaying an image and plotting points on the frozen lake to guide him via GPS.

Mother Nature has already reclaimed the frozen fish after a run of warmer weather. Some may wonder why bother putting in the effort. But it is important to remember that in snowblower art as in life, it’s not simply about the destination; it’s about the journey. The act of creation is a reward in itself.

And the fleeting nature of snowblower sculpture makes it all the more special for those who had a chance to enjoy it. Art is just as much about the emotions it stirs as it is the work itself. Who knows what feelings bubbled up in those who were lucky enough to see it as it burned brightly before fading away? Neighbors, travelers on a nonstop from LaGuardia to SeaTac, or possibly migrating geese, all got to enjoy their own unique experience when they crossed paths with the giant fish.

Perhaps we can all draw a little inspiration from Dean Keller with the busy holiday season upon us. If you find yourself making something beautiful but temporary, whether it be a tailgate dip or a Brandy Old Fashioned, be present and take pleasure in the process of creation as much as the end result.

Cheers. And Happy New Year from your pals at Drink Wisconsinbly.