Another season of big game fishing has came to a end. Its never been easy for me to call it a season as I really have loved working on the lake. This year because of my car accident I did not get to have that enjoyment. Yes there ‘s time where you ask yourself wtf. Have cuss words been used? yes. Fighting mother nature can be so brutal. The only way to have a chance against her is to try and plan ahead, which is easier said then done. The equipment takes a beating. Trying to track down parts for trucks that are pushing 40 years old is always a challenge.
This year our son jonny boy had to step up and take over for me. He got a good taste of the planning it takes to keeps things going forward. He had his moments learning the hard way by trial and err. He did a fantastic job finding fish considering how handcuffed we were as to where we could go. There were numerous comments from new and old customers how well he took care of them. For me its always been about customer service, repeat business. To know they have carried that on makes me very proud.
I did get to visit a few customers this year but it was very limited as I just did not feel comfortable visiting.
We did recruit Richie to help us to start the season, Jonny and him sure got along well, which was a blessing.
He had to head home the end of janurary. Our grand daughter Ashley stepped up as she said “Jonny boy took her under his wing”. They sure had fun working and fishing together.
She sure enjoyed visiting our customers. She even learned how to pull a house out of its spot and tow one across the lake.
She also has a passion to fish, spending numerous nights on the lake. It is a treat having her here with our great grand son Bentlee. Bentlee hanging out with his mom and great uncle John on the lake makes him a 7 generation here on the shores of upper red lake.
The final weekend of fishing report was not to bad. Phil and his 2 buddies were in montana, they went home with 12 plus missed plenty of fish.
I spent time in old Minnesota before, during and after wayne and pauls visit. I fished hard the last week Jigging a orange chubby darter. I think I landed at least 12 fish. If they did not hit the lure they hit a set line.
Wayne and Paul went home with 6 but should of had more as they also lost and missed fish.
I spent sunday afternoon out there and landed 3 nice fish before packing it in.
Florida had Ed and his wife Pat they did not do that well. Ed said he marked a lot of fish but could not get them to bite.
They did go home with a couple.
Dan was in California with his daughter Anna. They just fished for the day. She did get to catch her first walleye before packing it in.
Rick, his brother Mike and young one Joe? fished in Colorado .The first night on a new spot was not good so Ashley and Jonnny moved them Saturday afternoon. I think they had some better action but they pulled out early sunday morning.
North Dakota was a no show so Ashley and Jonny boy got to spend the last weekend on the lake where they also caught and missed some fish.
All the houses are now getting staged to comer to shore.
Jonnny has plans to look for the mother load of the elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. The plan will be sleds and portables. Our crappie get together is still in the planning. I expect a few of the guys to make it up as the snow melts. I would love to get out there and wet a line, just not sure if I can bounce on a sled, time will tell.
I owe such a huge thank you for all the help I received this year. It was truly amazing. I can never thank people enough for there generosity . Again thank you from the bottom of my heart.
I hope to have a few more fishing reports before the ice melts on such a grand lake