I have a little time to write this morning so here goes.
We said goodbye to Shelly and her crew yesterday, they were such a nice family, I think we all made a connection and feel they could become life time friends.
They also left all 3 houses just like they got them which makes them much easier to clean. I did get a very nice text also. she said They felt very lucky to catch so many quality fish. The fishing has been pretty darn good.
Dan and Mel have been having a riot.
Dan helped us move houses yesterday as my back is not doing so well. My original back problems going back to my painting car days including 22 years of working at 4 different golf courses, playing golf as much as I could has finally taken its toll. My plans are to keep giving it 100 percent but also doing some more doctoring.
Mel enjoyed catching some nice fish yesterday while Dan was outside helping us. I think she is hoping he will want to help again today. She got a 24 incher Saturday night. They have some family coming up today so we will be moving montana over buy them.
Old minnesota also will be doing the cookie shuffle as the fishing was also good in that area. Alaska needs to be moved over by Utah as Keith and his family have both of them for a couple days.
We checked in Pat, Scott and there 5 boys yesterday. They are in north dakota and floida so we will see how there doing some time this morning.
I’m herring all kinds of reports about the weather. We have 2 inches of fresh snow on the ground so far. my weather says the winds are going to slowly calm down then changed to the west later this evening? I guess if anyone is coming up today they should check what the other resorts are going to do. Buddy Hillman gave the green lite yesterday for any vehicles and houses. The roads will not be plowed tell the winds and weather cooperate. Everywhere you leave tire tracks collects more snow. EveryWare you plow causes more drifting so the worst thing we can do is plow in the snow and wind. Curve and corners are the worst when it comes to drifting. I’m always trying to figure the drifting out but hardly ever get it right as mother nature is the boss out there. she swirls, switches and just causes fits.
One year I thought I had her all figured out I pulled monatana and florida off the main road away from anything. I would just leave them there tell after the big blow. I get out there and the snow is so packed under the house I had a heck of a time digging then out. Hindsight I should have banked the ends so the snow could not go under them.
Well, its time to check the fluids and fire up the fleet on a” Grand lake that owes us nothing

Been a busy week here on the shores of upper red lake. Jonny boy and I spent sunday monday getting all the houses on the lake. We had Lonnie Craig, Dave fishing old Minnesota just for the day. They ended up landing 15. I even got one when Lonnie stepped outside. I got my first walleye of the season on his fishing pole. About 9pm tell 11 they had some real good action before they came off the lake.
We also had Steave spend 2 nights monday tuesday in the utah ice castle. He only took home 3 He did also catch some perch. Not sure how many total fish he caught but he was happy with the accommodations.
Jonny boy and I also helped out on Hillmans highway. I think the road goes out about 3 miles now give or take.
We did have a family of 10 check in friday afternoon. Shelly made the reservation, her and her hubby Bob live in montana so they flew into bemidji. Shelly’s mom Jana came from hayward Wi. where she owns a resort. Rob and Kathy were also staying in old minnesota with her. Kathy was a foster child Jana raised. Jason his wife Lauri and daughter were in montana fish house Jason is a cousin his wife stayed up all night friday fishing.. Montana had the best fishing, old minnsota had the biggest while north dakota had the slowest. I can tell you they seem to be having a grand time on a grand lake. Rob, Kathy, Jana winter in Texas so they had brought up a pile of fresh shrimp.
After a christmas dinner of turkey and all the fixins.. I went out to visit for a bit. They were just finishing their dinner of fresh walleye and shrimp. There all staying tell dark tonight then heading home. Another great group of people I so glad they got to catch some fish.
Sheel chick and Sandy were fishing in florida. Sandy got a nice chunky 22 incher friday. They got there 8 for the trip home and were catching and releasing yesterday.
Jonny boy fished the ice castle last night and they got 7.
Mel and Dan rolled in with their fish house. Dan was putting the smack down on them friday during the day with a pink jig with rubber legs. The magic lure.
Today The season kicks into high gear for all the outfits up here. Of course, mother nature is going to throw in her 25 cents. With snow and winds if you’re coming up prepare for the worst. We have all the houses full for the next week with turn overs every day. Our goal has always been to have the houses on fresh spots. If it’s a fishy area sometimes the move may not be too far, but the holes are fresh.
There is a bridge out of Hillmans. We have an active pressure ridge out about 1/4 mile. I have moved the bridge 3 time all ready. I’m not too thrilled about the potential snow so again I will be doing a less snow snow dance a few times today.
Were still waiting on some parts for the red baron. We did have front axle, but it was not the rite one. We do have the v plow on the red 3/4 ton so that’s good. I even had the hindsight to fix the broken window so at least it will stay up this winter. I also have a straight blade that Jonny boy and Dan are going to get out of the woods for me. I be leave it is heavy duty as I have never had it on the trucks. It is a manual plow. You have to angle it by hand then lock it in Left, right, or straight.
I did blow a radiator hose on blue thunder Wednesday we were able to track down a used one for now. Today we need to move north dakota, florida, Utah, california.
Well, it’s time to get to work on this grand lake that owes up nothing

Today we will start off with a fishing report.. She was a little slower this weekend for sure.
Old minnesota has Travis and his buddy I have not met yet. They did better yesterday then saturday and are here a nother night. They get a treat tonight as we plan on getting the last of the fleet out onto the lake today.
Chris arrived later in the day on saturday. They were staying in North dakota. Never got the 3 young guys names. Once they were unpacked Chris called about 4 30 pm. There wheeler would not start. We made arrangements to get them out there yesterday. No sooner then I got back to shore. Chris called. Augur trouble. I had Jonny boy go out there to punch them some holes. Maybe 2 hours later Chris called again. heater trouble. By then the wind was whipping pretty good so they decided Red lake had kicked their ass and were ready to pack it in. They did get to catch one walleye 17 incher and 1 pike.
Jana,Mike Boar and Lori were in the Alaska ice castle and Florida fish house. They only caught 6. Boar did say that his cousin about 200 yards away was hammering them. It was good to see boar again. We visited for a bit saturday night.
Montana had Lorie from stillwater with her husband Mike? and son. They headed home a day early as thy limited out.
California had Brian and wade. Really not sure how they did as we never hooked up. They did leave the house nice and clean though.
Utah the other ice castle had Duane and his two buddies. They did real well having a fish fry both nights, plus they got into a mess of Pearch.
Nathen and his buddy in the cabin also did well.
Jonny boy and I started pulling the houses out on to the lake yesterday afternoon. With 4 down and 3 to go. So far so good. We only have one guest today so Jonny boy plans on wetting a line again tonight to see how the house does in that area. He did get one last night.
A couple more elusive yet still catchable crappies were caught again this weekend. With 10,000 lines down that would be expected. Send a 100 hundred guys out there and it would probably be a different story on A Grand Lake That Owes Us Nothing

Mother nature gave us a one two punch Wednesday Thursday, with quite a scare for all up here. with the temps reaching 44 degrees the snow slowly melted away on the lake. The visibility was as thick as pea soup. I was very thankful we had no one staying here. One of the employees down at rodgers had became lost on the lake. Not good, I hate to admit but I have had a couple times out there in white out condition. I guess I would say the best advice is do not panic. The first responder were notified at some point. By 830 wednesday night they gave up deciding to wait tell morning. In the meantime the temps started to plummet with a 32 degree swing in less than 20 hours. We actually got lucky with the snow fall with maybe a inch. The wind on the other hand was gusting and blowing 30 to 40 miles a hour, I think. Searching for this young man made it all most impossible. Such a dangerous citation. As the winds finally calmed down and improved visibility, they found him safe and sound. I do not know all the details, other than he got hung up on a pressure ridge at some point. He then was able to get to a cabin on the north shore which is pretty much a miracle. There are only a couple places you can even see a cabin on the north shore. I would really like to hear more about what exactly happened so it could be a learning lesson. This lake can have a very ugly side when it comes to weather. With the winds being a main culprit. Throw in a little snow and white outs are very common out there. I guess the best thing you can do is hunker down.
I personally was so relieved when we heard he had been found safe. I do not want to admit it but I thought the worst.
Thursday I had a eye appointment. Driving to Bemidji was treacherous once you got past Kellier. What normally take a hour turned into over 2. I got home just as the sun was setting. I knew I would have to plow down at the lake due to high winds plus 1 inch of snow. I headed down yesterday morning to turn on the heat to the house’s only to discover 3 foot drifts. Blue thunder got her first good work out with a tank of gas and four hours of plowing. I did also go over to hillmans to help him clear some of his landing.
We did have Quinton and Paul staying in old minnesota . They have a snow bear, they were out in those elements during the fog but stayed on shore thursday. They did fairly well with one of them landing another elusive upper red lake crappie. Jonny boy did spend some time fishing with them yesterday. He has hooked up with them before as they hit it off the first year they stayed here.
The rest of my day was spent taking care of arrivals that are staying here over the weekend. I get to visit a bit tonight so I will have a good fishing report for the weekend.
We’re planning on bringing the fleet out of the woods and on to the lake starting sunday. Jonny boy has been scouting, fishing since thanksgiving so we have some spots picked out to start the season. Once the house are on the lake I will pretty much be out there for the next 100 days so the real season starts sunday.
Since I go out of Hillmans with my rentals we help Buddy hillman on his main road. At this time he is allowing side by sides pulling single axle wheelhouses out. Make sure you check in to get any other details in the store, bait shop where you buy your road pass. Same with any other resort you may go out of.
I’ll be checking out the lake more today once we get are last guest checked in.
A big thank you goes out to all involved in finding the young man that got lost out there. Let’s all remember to use common sense out there as this is a big lake that unfortunately can have a very ugly side. Watch the weather as always plan for the worst.

I would have to say it was a very successful weekend when it came to the fishing this past weekend. Our houses are still on shore. We’re shooting for the 20th after this next cold snap.
Jamie and Karah liked the house, she also mentioned she got here personnel best crappie. An elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie.
Jason, Melisa, Barb stayed in the ice castle Alaska. Jonny boy set them up on a saved way point. Barb was tickled to get an elusive upper red lake crappie on her birthday to boot.
Dan and his crew said they did well.
Joe Jamie, and the two girls Shelly and Shannon? Had a grand time on a grand lake. One of the girls liked that we had pots, pans, etc. in the house. Joe stayed in the other ice castle Utah. He did well also. Paul and Effron? were two older gentlemen I did not get to visit with them, but I assume they did well. Ozzie and his two buddie hit it hard 3 days in a row. I did take a ride with Jonny boy onto the lake, so we stopped to see how they were doing. They landed 2 while we were there. One on a tip up the other jigging during high noon.
Calvin, Nikki and Jose were staying on our cabin. Super nice people I was able to go have lunch with them yesterday at westwind. They also had some friends staying at beacons resort, so they all hooked up every evening. They all went to Hillmans bar Tall Tale Tavern. They shot some pool. Wish I knew that I would have joined them. I love pool.
Not sure what all the resort plan on letting out this coming weekend. This cold snap should help us out a lot. Jonny P up at Red lake remote posted a short video on whats going on up on the north shore as far as ice conditions. Very informative and hands on the ice conditions up there. Every year the ice sheet freezes different depending on wind direction, snow, cold, etc.
Jonny boy has spent quite a bit of time on the lake fishing, so we have a pretty good idea where to start the season with the houses. Finding those under 17s can be tricky that’s for sure.
The wife Nicked name “the hammer” are looking forward to spending some time fishing in old Minnestoa again this year.

We got all our guest checked in for the weekend. Jonny boy has been escorting some of them this week toa few of his way points with real good sucess. I’m going to go check out the lake for the first time today. Once we start seeing over 14 inches it will be time to haul the houses over to Hillmans . Buddy Hillman has been hard at it staking, grooming, dragging the new highway. There are a couple spots that he is concerned about. Not sure if I have done a need cold, cold dance but might give it a shot. My no snow, snow dance may have helped a bit as I think we only got 4 of the 10 they predicted. I still have not heard of any fisherpeople getting skunked , I guess they are saving that for me.
One of our good customers Rick had to cancel the cabin next weekend. prayers for his family would be apricated.
I’ll have a full report of how everyone does monday .
Sounds like the north shore has some sketchy ice write now. I have also seen a couple satellite pics of open water. Once that gets a skim of ice you can easily be on 10 inches going to 1 or 2. That has always spooked me.
All the resorts up here in waskish are still keeping wheelhouses off the ice, I have a feeling its plenty busy down on the south end. Had a couple small wheelhouses that were going to camp here but decided the last minute to head down there instead. The traffic here has been pretty consistent this morning.
Last weekend’s Sunday snowstorms gave the lake a nice break from all the fishermen. We did have 3 younger kids that stayed out there Saturday night. They did make it through the night but said it was brutal. They will not forget that night that’s for sure.
I picked up new plug wires for blue thunder last week. man was that a fiasco. I just turned my head and walked out of the first parts store. The second one I just bit the bullet and dealt with it I think they will work but not quite what I wanted.
Were still waiting to hear about red baron’s electrical issue. Glad I got that mount built on the other red 454.
I think we found someone to put a used tranny in black beauty. Getting the old one rebuilt was way out of the price range for that truck. The price doubled for rebuilding to 2800.00
We’re getting the two-ice castle dialed in here on shore. They are nick named Alaska and Utah.
I have seen a few more pics of the elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. When they get that big now days, they seem to be a loners.
Well, it’s getting lite out time to check more to do off our to do list.

Wow what a weekend. I’ll start with the fishing report. Real good for some, so so for others. Some are finding the under 17 while others have trouble getting those under 17 inches.
We had a nice treat from the air force as a couple F 16s came over the lake twice. They have been coming over quite a bit the last few weeks. Back in the 40s? They did test bombing up here. Some cool history if you take some time to look it up. The big bog state park had a presentation a few years ago and had pics of cargo planes landing on the lake. Grama said she remembers when you would here the bombs going off up north. I have also heard they have dropped bombs in lower red but not sure about that.
In my educated guess I would say the traffic yesterday was 1/5th of last year, which may be a good thing. We need to save some fish for the ice houses.
I Have no clue if it’s my age or my car accident a couple years ago, but my Memorie is slipping a bit and I do not like it.
Yesterday was busy day trying to button up a few more things before the cold snap hits us. Blue thunder has started all summer, fall. I go to fire her up yesterday get click. turns out bad battery connection. I did get her running to gas up for the impending snow. Coming back I could tell it had a miss. Pop the hood and a spark plug wire has burnt from the exhaust. Today Jonny boy will help me take care of that. I’m sure I should have a few plugs wire around as I have a hard time throwing anything away. A Hour drive to get a part can make it a hassle.
We did get the v plow on. I got the step for north dakota done. Were waiting on a new heater for florida. The old one still works but a plastic part broke. We built the houses to last 20 years. If had not thrown the other one away that we replaced in montana I would of had the part. Trying to find the part is pretty much a waste of time. I’m going to take one more look in the sheds just in case I did not throw it out.
The phone, emails and messages has also kept me busy. I only do my emails once in the morning but may have to start checking them twice.
Were wide open all week un tell friday then everything is full again. Buddy Hillman does have some openings. If I here of any others I will put it out there. Curt from Fishbone maybe has something also?
I would like to keep writing but just too much to do. I wanted to try a harvest a deer one last time last evening but it did not work out. With all the price increases a deer would of been nice this year.

So it really begins. Sitting here this morning having my cup of coffee at the crack of dawn the vehicles are rolling buy. I was expecting it to be quite busy this morning if it is anything like last year. Although Rachele at HILLMANS POINTED OUT THERE ARE MORE PEOPLE WORKING THEN LAST YEAR SO MAYBE NOT.
Some of the resorts are allowing wheeler traffic out to a certain point. Make sure you talk to the resort you’re going out of as most have been on the ice looking it over. I personally have been out about 100 yards if that. Buddy hillman has some stakes shaped like a x and has requested to not go beyond that point.
No idea what the other resorts are asking so thats why it’s so important to stop and check in to get the scoop.
The winds did pick up yesterday afternoon. Red lake remote posted some pics of open water on their side of the lake.
We may have some lodging tonight as few of the guys are worried about the possibly of snow coming. If it gets sketchy out there Saturday eve. It would be a great idea to get off the lake as white outs can be really spooky out there.
We’re going to try a button up a few more things today before the bitter cold hits us here on the shores of upper red lake. I’ve did my no snow snow dance so will see if it works. Sometimes it does but sometimes it does not.
One year they predicted 6 inches of snow. I got up the next morning. I went outside and was like sweet it missed us. I dilly dallied around that morning before heading out to get the houses prepped for the weekend. Holes augured etc. To my surprise the snow had come across the lake after all. With that plus the winds, all the houses were drifted in with no roads or trails even going to the houses. That turned into a grueling day. That was a good lesson.
The fishing report from all the guy’s last night was ok. I do not think anyone got skunked. Jonny boy even landed a elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. I nice 15 1/4. The hammer/wife had vision of eating it, but Jonny boy released it to fight another day.
We all full again next weekend on shore, Buddy Hillman did say he still had some on shore lodging. I peeked into his new double decker, very impressive. Thinking it sleeps 4?
The guys in the ice castle nick named alaska were going to play some cards. I was still waiting for some late arrivals so I could not play a few hands. Maybe tonight if they shuffle up and deal.

Well here goes. Good morning
Nick and Jacks crew were here Tuesday Wednesday.. they figured they caught 20 per day. They also caught one elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. This year I’m calling them a bonus fish They did land on the keepers. I should of walked out to where they were. Oh well hindsight is 20 20. I could see where they were so that’s good enough for me at this time.
Dan and his crew also arrived for our cabin. I will see how they did today as they were out there all day yesterday. Jason and his crew arrived around 4 30 last night. They unpacked and headed out as the sun was setting so we will see how they also did. I can all most bet they forgot something as they hustled out there.
Yesterday I spent the day cleaning all the shacks for this weekend. It’s kind of nice getting them all dialed in before they come out of the woods.
I did talk too Buddy Hillman briefly yesterday. He does have openings next weekend. We are all full at this time. We are waiting for another ice castle but I will not book it un tell it’s here.
Jonny Boy will be up today to help get more propane’s on the houses. The hundred pounders shot up in price? This year I will have to shut the heat off if they are going to be empty for even one night. I have always kept the heat on old Minnesota once it hits the lake. I also use it for my office on the lake so more than likely it will be status Quo.
I also have a couple other things that need to be taken care of before the cold snap hits.
I’m sure Johnny boy will be getting a little fishing in this weekend. I see a fish fry in the very near future say Saturday night.
The first band of snow missed us last night. just a trace so far. If you’re on the lake this weekend watch the weather, walking in a white out could be quite the challenge. All the resort have been updating what they are allowing to go out there access this weekend. I expect tomorrow to be super crazy just like last year. Please everyone use common sense a listen to what the resort say. Quite often they are soo pumped to arrive they do not listen. I can not count how many times I have told someone ok come out on the lake drive 2 miles you will see a orange cone. wait for me there. Then they call were a the end of the road by the orange barrel’s?. Kinda funny but with the early ice conditions pay attention. Have fun and save a few fish for me on a grand lake that owes us nothing

Things are starting to pick up here on upper red lake. All the resort are checking ice thickness and conditions as we approach the coming weekend. Most have facebook or web pages they are updating. We team up every year with Buddy Hillman out of Hillmans resort and bar Tall Tale tavern. Sound like they will be allowing just wheelers just wheelers out the the 3 X stakes. Buddy did find unsafe ice, unsafe ice further out. With the mild temps I’m sure it not making much more
Just like every year I’m staying on shore tell I can explore by vechicle.
We have had a few customers staying down on shore in our fish houses that had done all rite, I do not think anyone has been skunked. They save that for me.
We did have a cancelation this coming weekend. I would assume most operators are full. It’s a hassle hauling down hot water for cleaning the houses on shore, but it’s a good trial run every year.
We did acquire a ice castle again this year that has arrived so that one will be going on our web site, I nick named it alaska. cookiesonupperredlake.com;
Yesterday I had 30 phone calls with most of them wanting ice conditions? or fishing reports. Err hard to get things done sometimes. I hate not answering my phone and need to learn to let it go to voice mail.
The fishing report changes every day. One day they are biting well in 6 feet the next day 8 the next day great morning bite. Then a nice window at dusk in 5 feet for a hour. Its fishing you cannot catch any if you’re not out there trying.
Well that all for now have plenty of things to get done today. Everyone coming up just remember common sense is free