Well the guys are out there again today doing what they do. I have no idea where the houses are headed too but will know later when I venture out. Yesterday I did venture out on the lake and made my longest drive. Theres some ruts under the snow that got made when we had that very wet slushy 3 inches of snow earlier this year. Most of the time I was in 4 2-wheel drive in black beauty still being able to go all most anywhere. I checked on a few other ice roads that nobody owns. Never know when you get lost in a white out. Jonny boy and Dusty Did take four of our customers staying in our houses out to chase the mother lode of elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies. Chris and Kieth from nebraska. Keith landed 7 without any vexlar. I guess he was a good listener. Cody also was with a friend. Everyone else got too at least catch one. They found a nice school but once the noise starts, they will take off. If you can get a couple! Sometimes it can start a flurry/feeding frenzy. Some of the best fishing you may ever have, other times they just swim away. Thats when the cheatmaster 3000 fish elimanator comes into play. It’s still fun working as a team catching an sometimes releasing such a beautiful, thick, big, iridescent colored fish. We always keep a couple as the hammer would rather eat them instead of a fresh walleye. I will keep encouraging fishermen to not take ten apiece, but they sure can as that is the limit.
Tim and Laura also had a cheatmaster, staying in montana the first night they did get 4 to eat. Never got to see how they ended up but did get to visit for a bit yesterday. I think the boys also had moved them? Texas had Elliot and his crew. I never stopped in but I did talk to him, a little sloww but they enjoyed the stay said they will be back. We only have 4 groups out there tonight so we shall see how they do. Lots a planning the next few days as a cold windy fronnt will be blowing in. This is the weekend I guy could of rented 50 houses as it martin Luther King Day on Monday. The guys might get a chance to catch their wind as we only have 3 houses rented wednesday at this time. Customers are still complementing the guys so they must be doing something right on this grand lake that owes us nothing
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First, I would like to thank all the old and new customers we have had this past week. Last Saturday Jonnny boy took Customers from the houses that wanted to go after some elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies. Him and Dusty took them out on the search where I think everyone got to catch at least one of these special fish. Sean A few other groups on the internet put the hurt on them the past 10 days. Most are caught outside of the house as you have to work for them to get them. The cheatmaster 3000 fish eliminator has made it a little bit easier, but as they all like to say, “You still have to get them to bite” I just roll my eyes and say “righhht”. Jake is just itching to get up as he has a passion for catching these fish as well as Jonny boy plus quite a few others. Colorado did get two out of the house as well a California also got at least one. If any others got any I did not here about it. The walleye fishing did get better as The boys again made big moves with the houses. Tami, Tony and the two boys. The first night they managed to get a good fish dinner. Jonny boy and the crew moved them where they figured they caught a total of 20 fish for the weekend. Ice castle John only managed to catch just a few but they will be back. Florida with Josh and his wife also landed two elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies. I cannot read some of my notes as the days of remembering names and events are just a little harder. I’m 65 not 80. Dusty house has again been spitting out nice walleyes during the day. 2 of our customers fished in there. They got there 8 fish from noon to 4pm and headed home.
Alaska had some excitement as one of the guys dropped his money clip down a hole. They were able to land the magnet on it, but the clip was not metal. They were fishing for it all weekend but did manage to get it the last day.
Rick and his crew in north dakota went home with 11 very nice fish 1 shy of their limit. They were here to redeem them self’s from there last trip. Gave the guys a nice tip that was greatly apricated. Les was here with his wife and another couple they drew the short straw when the temps dropped and the wind picked up to gale force. They ended up packing up a day early. I plan on calling them today to see if they would like to come back for a free night.
We have had a few guests this past week starting sunday. All the house moves started to pay off with every house getting some action. We have Chris and his buddy up from Nebraska they are having a grand time on a grand lake. Paul and Bob? had some action in florida.
My back has again gotten better than it was last Wednesday. I think maybe pulled a muscle. I was pretty bummed when I woke up friday and she was still hurting pretty good. I did spend the longest time so far on the lake yesterday I checked in a new couple, visited Paul. Todd, Jimmy B B in California. I also visited Tim and his wife I think this may be their 3rd year. One of the nicest things is spending time with the customers even though I’m struggling a bit with names. With guest out there last night no phone calls are always a good thing.
Jonny bot had a flat on rusty trusty of course it had to be 5 miles out so we ended up picking up 2 new tires just a heads up there now made of gold, Zoiks!! very expensive. One of my best friends Wayne will be coming up this weekend, so I am expecting some good laughs plus a few good hands of cards on as Dave an old timer that use to host viking players up here. Its A Grand Lake That Owes Me Nothing Nothing in a very loud voice with spit shooting out his mouth while we fished in old minnesota that day such a long long time ago.

Its been a busy week coming into this weekend. Jonny boy, dusty have been basically moving houses nonstop. It drives jonny crazy when the houses do poor, which I also know that feeling after over 20 years of stopping in to check and visit customers,
The fishing did pick up as the weather warmed and the barometer pressure started to drop. I have heard of a few groups landing on mother loads of the famous elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies. We have had one here or one there but know big school the past week. We were able to find a few more walleyes than a week ago so that’s good news. All the houses were on new spots as of yesterday but Jonny boy and Dusty are out there moving houses with customers that checked on Thursday and even yesterday, I think. It a lot harder to report happenings on the lake when you’re not participating. We do have a nephew with his wife Liz and the 2 kids staying in minnesota They have had pretty good action as they had caught over 10 fish when I visited with them yesterday.
The back had been feeling better every day. Walking down to the lake without having to sit down was very encouraging. I was daydreaming that I may be able to spend some time in Old Minnesota next week. Not sure how I would catch a fish without bending or twisting? That changed a little tuesday when I was in our laundry room doing what I should not be doing. I knocked over a gas tank that was off a generator. I twisted and reached out to grab it. Not a great idea as a did something That really aggravated a muscle or something. It slowly gotten better each day so hopefully I’m fine, she still hurts but nothing like it did Wednesday .That should or better of been a wakeup call to think before I do anything. what I was doing I should not have been doing so I hope it’s a good lesson learned.
I have talk to all the customers over the phone today with just so, so, fishing. A couple houses have caught a elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. There’s been a few larger walleyes in the 19 to 21 inch range. A lot of dinks or small ones, Alot of misses, a lot of rattle wheels with nothing there. No complaints so that was good. I’m going to venture out there in a bit but do nothing that could set me back. I need to visit a few people out there. Including Jon the owner of Alaska “On A grand Lake That Owes Us Nothing”

It was a very hectic week for us this past week. At least for me. I did go out on the lake late saturday eve. I was able to find North Dakota and Old Minnesota with Rick and Matt. They each did a trip in a snow bear while they were here. The bite was tough this past weekend. Old minnesota did catch 12
elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies. Matt said there was a school of elusive crappies under north dakota when they were on their snow bear trip. Most of the house just had tough fishing with lookers but not many takers.
Tim and Amanda were in Montana. They have also been coming here for quite a few years, they know how to catch fish. They did pretty good and did take home 8 nice fish plus 2 elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies plus a couple nice perch. We did let them fish in dustys scout house where they got a couple of the fish. Amanda said she figured they caught over 40 fish. The rest of the houses this weekend only caught some fish. We did check in new customers sunday and yesterday. All those houses have started get a little more action.
I did celebrate my birthday on the 5th and our 47th year in marriage on the 6th. I do not understand how she handled me all these years. I know i can drive the hammer a little crazy sometimes. I’ve always said it was love at first site as I passed here going down some stairs at their house when I met her brother. The back seems to be getting better as I have walked down to the lake a couple times without having to sit down. I still have to be careful with the bending and twisting as I can tell the next morning if I have overdone anything.
Dusty and Jonny are doing a great job without me throwing around orders. I’m still struggling with a foggy brain, I’m thinking some of it has to do with the pain pills so we will see. I still want to stay off the lake as much as possible as it is a Grand Lake That Owes Us Nothing
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Welcome to the new year. I’ll start by saying thank you to all our customers this year and last year. This weekend we still have a couple of our houses available. Texas is the nicest ice castle we rent out. It has a slide out a large kitchen counter a fireplace, oven, microwave, indoor biffy, can sleep 5. Tezas is only open one other weekend this year feb. 7th weekend. The second house we have open is the yeti Tennessee. she is also a nice house with oven microwave indoor biffy tv dvd player can sleep 4.
My fishing reports are much harder to write when I’m not spending anytime on the lake with our customers. It’s always such a treat when I step in to say hi and someone catches or misses a bite while I’m visiting. Kristeen and her son spent 2 nights in the Teneessee. They caught just enough fish to keep him entertained. She said they will be back, which has been one of my goals all these years to get repeat customers. Sometimes I do things a little different than other outfitters and or businesses. I’m fine with that. If it works why change
Bobby and her pup were in Montana she got a few fish 13. She also had a couple friends that set up their wheelhouse close buy. They may be heading to lake of the woods.
Old Minnesota had mark and his wife Julie. They did some fish.
Brian had 3 kids here for a night They are playing a hockey tournament in Bemidji they did get a few last night that they cooked up.
The guys in north dakota were friends of dusty . I know the boys moved them to a fresh spot yesterday.
The boys have another busy day cleaning and moving houses for the coming weekend. Last night California had a school of the elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies. Jake called me last night and wanted to know the limit. Utah checked in late so we will see how they do there here for a few days.
I get the stitches out of my back today or should I say staples. I’m not good with pain and that sounds painful. The back is tender to the touch , I also think I should still stay off the lake. I’m defiantly brain foggy. The hammer figures it’s the pain pills I’ve been taking. Some up here call this week still he$$ week. The guys have been doing great I’m assuming there working like a fine-tuned piano, A well-oiled machine. I know we had a couple generators go down, so Dusty is taking care of that.
A few other houses have gotten an elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie on a Grand Lake That OWES Us Nothing Nothing,!

Jonny boy and Dusty have been jumping since Th 26th as this is always the busiest week of the season. It’s impossible for me to keep track of all the customers we have coming and going. I can say the houses have had some slow fishing, decent fishing plus some epic fishing. I would say 90 % of the fish have been caught pre-dawn, dusk and throughout the evening. The rattle wheels have been active . Tim And Joy are here for a few days. The first night they never heard the rattle wheels. They had a exciting morning landing a 19-inch walleye with every rattle wheel stripped and tangled into one gigantic nest of fishing line so they never heard 4 rattle wheels.. When Jonny boy had time, he went over to the shack and put all new line on them.
Chang and his crew had Texas our biggest ice castle with the slide out. They loved the house They caught fish all three days with the last night great fishing. One of them also caught A bonus elusive but still catchable upper red lake crappie. One of the other houses managed to also catch one. Colorado’s owner Bob was here for a few days they went out searching for the motherlode of these elusive fish landing 5 the first day.
Matt was here for montana a couple nights with his daughters. They have only caught a few fish here’s hoping they did better last night. Not working on the lake leaves me lost when houses are moved and who’s in them. I think the girls wanted me to come out and swallow a live minnow for them for luck.
Logan had a crew up last Thursday Friday Saturday they had 3 of the houses rented I think they all went home with a limit plus cooked a few.
Boar and Lori were here for the weekend I met Boar at westwind for a few pieces of fish as he had gotten there fish to go.
There has been a little benefit from not out on the lake working. I can manage the books take care of endless phone calls and message’s. My fishing reports are a whole different thing as not working or being on the lake I almost have no clue what’s happening out there. The fog rolled in last night. I would have a very slim chance of finding the houses out there at this time. I have not driven blue thunder on the lake this year. Shes my baby and has been a great truck for many many years. Rusty trusty I have not driven since summer. The red Baron just sits there wishing he was fixed.
I have talked to a few customers this morning plus Jonny boy. Darrin, Dan, Mel all fished last night. Everyone said the fishing was slow with lookers just swimming away. If you even touched the line they were gone. But at some point, today someone will have had great fishing? Upper red lake has given so many people the best fishing of their life’s. Thats just one of the reasons that make her such a grand lake.
The back feels just a little bit better it still hurts if I get into black beauty. I was thinking at some time today I would like to sneak out there and see how it feels. My drs orders are no bending, twisting or lifting anything heavier than a gallon of milk.
The guys are doing a great job out there. I’ve only had one complaint .

Merry Merry Christmas to all.
I do have a fishing report from the few fisher people.
Sam and Allie in Montana have put the smack down on fish yesterday. When I stopped in for a brief moment, they were up to 25 fish landed. Another Sam staying in Florida fish house he got 6 Monday, Jordon and Maranda arrived for Florida yesterday they had caught a few.
Elvis came up to use his house Tennessee. Yesterday he caught half a dozen so far and lost a big fish this morning. Josh was here with his crew in Colorado. There are friends of the owner of Colorado. They were here Sunday, Monday and limited out.. Is nice giving out a better fishing report. Mel and Dan are up here in there house. Mel has caught way more than Dan but Dan is getting all their rentals ready D @ D fish house rentals on upper red lake. Starting tomorrow Jonny boy and Dusty will be busting their a$$ off. Darrin will be coming back up to help out. Were pretty much full un tell jan 2nd. Darrin and Dan may have something Dan’s taking the reservations his phone is 218 428 8904.
Yesterday I did venture out on to the lake with black beauty, the back did not care to much for that. Driving very slow I felt every bump. I did get to stop and say hi to Sam and Allie then I bee lined it back home. I need to be patience period.
Hillmans highway is now over 5 miles straight out. Wide enough to land a 747.There is not much broken ice this year as they did not have to bust through but a couple very small area’s
I would say the average ice depth is 16 inches. With this warmer weather coming we will not be making much ice on a Grand Lake That Owes Us Nothing!!!

This past weekend was the first weekend to have all the houses out on the lake. It was only the second time in over 20 years I was not driving blue thunder with a house in tow. The last time was the year I broke my back and ribs in a car accident. Most are measuring 15 inches of ice. Hillmans are allowing 1/2 ton with single axel houses out at this time.
Jonny boy and Dusty got all the house’s set with no issues. It sure can be nice when things work like a well-oiled machine.
Due to my back surgery, I had last wednesday. The boys are in charge of anything dealing with the lake, houses, vehicle’s etc. I think there was a little issue with the boss plow on blue thunder. It just stops working Dan seems to think there are some wires that are really tight and need some slack.
The boys have also been helping Buddy Hillman with plowing the superhighway. They had 2 houses to move today then Jonny was going to go help do some more plowing. They have over 6 miles if I’m correct. I tried to drive out there yesterday, but the back was just too sore so the smart thing to do was turn around. There was one crack 1/2mile out that could become a pressure ridge when the weather starts to warm. The south side of the road has a big berm, and water was starting to ooze out from underneath making it a bad idea to attempt to cross. The weight of the snow will crack underneath sinking the berm and creating an open slush pocket hidden under the snow. I cannot count all the times vehicles have been jerked out of it. By no means should a person try and drive across it. She cracks every year.
Logan and the guys had Colorado, Texas and Utah. We used to rent logans Dad’s house kentucky years ago They figured they got over 30 fish.
Lonnie spent Saturday in old Minnesota they only got a couple fish.
North Dakota had A friend of Dustin Rick They caught a few fish.
Montana had Dave they got a couple 6 or 7
Alaska and Tennessee also only caught a few fish.
California did really well with Josh.
Florida was a no show without even a phone call he will go on the do not rent list if there is one. Nevada just had one person not sure how it did.
I guess it’s not always as good as we want for fishing. I can tell you it’s not from lack of trying.
We have a few turn overs today so we shall see if it picks up.
My back is pretty darn sore at this time as I’m on restrictions of no lifting, bending or twisting. The pain meds make me puke. Driving to Fargo last Tuesday I almost turned around a couple times.
I have to adjust too not having things my way as I’m sitting on the sidelines for now? I look forward to greeting and visiting customers this winter but for now I’m holding down the fort with the reservation book.
Were all full next weekend except Nevada opens up Friday the 28th. We do have a couple houses open through the week of Dec 22 to Jan 1 2025 but not much. Nevada 28th29th Texas 29th 30th Old minnesota 31rst and new years day.
None of our houses caught an elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. A couple of eelpouts were also caught on a Grand Lake that owes us nothing

It sure was nice having the weather warm up for the weekend -19 was just a little brutal Just a little.
A big thank you to all We had quite a few guests the last few days. THE GOOD NEWS THE FISHING WAS REAL GOOD WITH SOME spurts of great fishing.
Jonny boy took a few different guests to some way points that he has, they all caught fish. He loves those waypoints as they pay off more times than none. I few even got to catch a couple elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies.
He also shuttled a few people that had no machine to travel. We did take Cailfornia out on the lake for Ozzy and the crews last night. The been coming for quite a few years and is one of their favorite trips besides the angle.
We also put Tennessee and Utah on the lake yesterday. Chad and the guys took their wheeler to the house after fishing for a few hours. I have not spoken to the guys in Utah at this time.
It was nice having our guest this past weekend. I’ve lost some of my touch with remembering names as my old method does not work as well as it use to.
Jonny boy and Dustin are working well together as Jonny makes decision on ice and house placement. We do have a opening for our newest house Nevada. This coming weekend. Our friends dan and Darrin that have been helping us for years have decided to get into the business as well so they still have a few openings this weekend coming up. D@D ice fishing.
I expect all the houses will be on the ice by this coming weekend Jonny went out on the ice to move Utah for the guys as they only caught a couple fish last night.
Scott a nephew had has smaller house on the lake this past weekend. It started off slow but yesterday they had action from 3 am to 7am then another nice run at 9am.
Sean Geoff and Jay also had dollied there house out. They figured they caught 25 fish saturday in the house with no heat.
I did drive blue thunder off the lake saturday. She had a defendant miss so that needs to be addressed. Jake will be rolling in tomorrow night for a couple days of helping out as new door needs to be installed on North Dakota so she will be coming out of the woods onto the ice to get her level.
Tomorrow, I head to Fargo for my back surgery, getting a little nervous but I sure hope and pray it helps me Walk more then 300 yards at a time as I do not want to give up my summer jobs and golfing. Having passions makes work so much easier in life

It’s a busy time as most of the resorts are in the process of getting houses on the lake. I did not make it to church sunday as I always request a prayer for all to have a safe and successful season on upper red lake that owes us nothing.

Being superstitious friday the 13th is never a favorite day for me. I learned to accept it as just another day.. At 19 below this morning any issues can be blamed on the weather.
Shelly and Bob from montana staying in our fishhouse nick named montana started yesterday morning with there side by side in enclosed trailer with a dead batterie. Battling 19 below here on the shoresof upper red lake are always a eye opener. When he tried to open the seat she did not want to budge. After retrieving a batterie charger trying to hand it to Bob I broke the red clamp off the charger welcome to 19 below. They decide the best option would go buy a new batterie in Baudette. They ended up out on the lake buy noon only to get skunked as moving after getting set up was not a option.
Ozzy and the boys in California did find a few fish. They have been coming for years and might get a surprise if jonny boy decides too get her onto the lake on fishable water for the evening bite. Yesterday morning when I stepped into california there was a snap in the door. It broke a metal hinge. Welcome to 19 below
Dane and his buddy staying in Chris’s Custom fish house also found a few again. Battling mother nature, moving after getting set up is not a great option. Welcome to 19 below
Our nephew Scott decided to take is small ice castle onto fishable water so we will see how they did later today. His brand new 4-wheeler did not start welcome to 19 below.
Bob showed up with colorado last night so he will be using his house before he leaves it with us for the season.
Darrel staying in florida coming up from Indiana lost a wheel on his truck just 7 miles from arrival. The tow truck brought his trailor here before taking it to blackduck for repairs. His john deer tractor would not start yesterday morning welcome to 19 below.
One of my golden rules was I do not move houses when it 20 below for a reason. Mother nature at her finest.
Our help rolled in for the season Dusty. Dusty and jonny boy will be taking her on this year as I recover from my back surgery coming up.
Today the plan will be able to take a couple of the smaller ice castles out too fishable water.
I have seen a couple of the elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies with two close friends getting a couple on their adventure.
Today we wave to mother nature goodbye 19 below on a grand lake that owes us nothing.