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

5 days left in the big game ice fishing season. I’m sure if you ask jonny boy he was say it has been a grind with quite a bit of frustration thrown in for good measure. The condition were tough to say the least. Dealing with deep snow and slush made getting to good fishing grounds impossible at times. Having to abandon good fishing due to slush problems, working on the fleet outside most of the time was and has always been a chore to say the least. from broken axels, u joints, door latches, windows not going up, wiper motor, heaters, electrical problems from all the ice built up. Getting stuck was also a huge problem. Every year is different . years ago we did have similar conditions with road ways flooding, then refreezing etc.
The kids have been busy with the turnover of houses this week. They were able to move shell chick and her friend Terrry to another area where they had a little better fishing going home yesterday with there 8. Tony boy our old helper came up with his kids Mason and Treana. they have floated around from montana to florida. The first night they had 3 followed by a couple more. They did stay one more night so we will have to see how they did. The fishing has been slow for sure.
Jake ,Jen and there boy Lakin they had 5 yesterday when they headed in to clean them and have dinner at westwind. Jake sure likes how they cook your fish there.
I’m not sure how the guest in Colorado did as I thought they were here 2 nights not one.
Asley plans on fishing the next 2 nights I think.
With Rick and Bob out in florida last night and there friend Rod and his crew in north Dakota we will have to see how they do on there fresh spots.
Florida is still wide open for the weekend due to a cancelation, They may of gotten spooked by the slow fishing or ice conditions
I did get to wet a line for a bit yesterday in old Minnesota, again fishing with the chubby darter Ii had another pike ,only this time he hit the rattle wheel which sure made it fun to catch.
I”m again headed out to fish the morning in old Minnesota before we head to another appointment for my car accident injuries. I’m still dealing with problems from my concussion, i’m praying and hoping that my broken vertebra are healed up as I expect some therapy will be next. Its time to head out and do a little fishing on this grand lake that owes us nothing.

1 week to go. Its lightly snowing as I sit here this morning thinking about how the weekend went. Its never easy. I’m not expecting to much snow as I did a little no snow, snow dance as I left the lake last night.
Friday while Jonny boy and Ashly moved and prep the houses I was able to meet customers at Hillmans ,then escort them out.
Ben ,Shawna and the 3 kids Louie, Willa, and the Scully. Were spending 3 nights in north Dakota. It hard to be leave they have been coming 11 years now. Ben proposed to Shawna in old Minnesota. Now they have 3 very cute kids. I did get to visit a bit . all 3 of the kids got there toes wet falling in the holes. But they all ready want north Dakota again next year. The fishing has been a bit slow so I’m not sure how many they have caught. There has been a morning bite so if I remember Ben did get a couple yesterday morning.
Montana had Justin, Lisa and there son Landon? They headed home yesterday with 10. Landon landed the biggest a 21 1\2 incher. I did get a note from them .They enjoyed there stay and plan on coming next year.
Colorado had Jason wife Bret and 2 kids Quin and Leon, both the kids did get to land a fish. It was also slow but they had a nice family vacation and took home a fish fry.
Florida has Derrick and his crew. They arrived Saturday. One of the guys gave me some smoked salmon that was the bomb.
It has also been slow for them so hopefully last night it picked up. they had a few and did loose a nice fat one yesterday morning. Kentucky had Nate and his family for one night. They get 7 I beleave.
I fished with Tony in old Minnesota Saturday morning. I landed 5 fish getting two more fish with the orange chubby darter.
Yesterday Jonny boy moved Colorado for the new group plus I also checked in Mary and Randy for one night in kentucky.
Shell chick and Terry our in old Minnesota. They were up to 3 last night so not so good. There here for one more night, so jonny and ash may move them today.
We have a nice busy week to end the season, so more fishing reports to follow as we finish off the season on a Grand lake that owes us nothing.

As I said yesterday. Counting down the season. 9 days to go. I’m still not sure if Buddy Hillman is allowing wheel houses. I did see him making some driveways off the main road the last few days?
Yesterday I again got to enjoy fishing in old Minnesota. My new plan is to fish like my best friend The greek. We have been fishing, hunting partners for 44 years. He is pretty much a uncle to our kids Billy never sets his fishing rod down when ice fishing. He was always constantly jigging. he hardly ever puts his rod in a rod holder in the boat. when hunting same thing its not very often he would sit his bow or gun down.
Yesterday it payed off for me. I was ripping a chubby darter when a fat 19 inch walleye slammed my lure around 8am. I never even saw him on the vexlar. About a hour later while ripping the chubby darter from salamo, the rattle wheel went off. Just like that I had a nice 16 to go with my one over. .
I did not get to fish last night as I had a last minute chore to do. Oh well I will be hitting it hard next week after our guest leave.
I checked in Jason his wife Bret there two boys Quin and Leon around 4pm. I’ll swing by them on the way out to prep old Minnesota for the weekend.
Yesterday were new plugs for blue thunder. They have spark plugs that are 8 99 a piece. 10 plugs with 2 extra were 100 bucks. I decided to go with the 2 99 ngk. Crazy
The new red 3/4 ton fired up yesterday when it was 33 below ,as well as the red baron. Both 454s. Ashley dodge nope. The black chev needs a new battery installed.
We have customers coming today, tomorrow, also sunday the hammers sis shell chick will be fishing old Minnesota Sunday Monday. That gives me Tuesday Wednesday Thursday and the last night Sunday to enjoy old Minnesota.

Counting downs the days is a first for me. Every year mother nature dictates what we can and can not do. This year I guess she decided to keep the fishermen from pounding the lake.
Buddy Hillmans ice road/ highway was only 4 miles out tops. Again his road was top priority. The main road never flooded, some of the side roads were a totally different story. Plowing side road was quite the adventure as you never knew when you would find a slushy area. Once you built a berm on both sides they could become canal of water, anywhere from 1 inch to a foot of water. Driving threw the water when the temps are in the teens caused quite the ice build up on the fleet .
Our rentals have always stopped seeping water once the ice hits about 19 inches, not this year though . With the weight of the snow a couple houses had to be moved shortly after auguring the holes. I can tell you one thing that’s never in the plan.
It sounds like the guys still plan on targeting the elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies again this year, only they will be bringing portables and staying on shore. All our houses will be coming home as soon as the last customers leave Sunday, Monday morning.
We did have a couple fishermen this week. Glen and bingo Bob were here for one night. They got off the lake yesterday morning going home with 6 keepers. Desaray and here family did pretty good fishing in Colorado. I never visited them but they said they want to come a gain as they had a grand time on a grand lake.
Jake and the boys ate some fish plus took 4 home Tuesday morning.
Paul and his crew are in north Dakota, they are fishing there third spot in 4 days .Its been a tough bite for them in all three spots. They head home today with another trip in the books.
I fished again yesterday in old minnesota landing a nice keeper and missing a couple fish. I had a outstanding dinner of fresh fish last night and hope to repeat the same dinner for lunch today.

Another solid week of fishing is in the books. Our friend Marty came up to do a little fishing and helping us out Monday. he stayed in our Florida house right where it was from the weekend. He had some action each night heading home Friday. Jonny boy also floated around sleeping in various houses catching a few fish also. Ashly are grand daughter / helper also floated around spending numerous nights on the lake. I would say she caught the most fish.
Tuesday morning we had to get some welding done on the red baron before it could be used on the lake. Marty followed me over to barny’s. He was able to get her fixed up in under 2 hours so we hung out rather then drive back.
The plan when we got back was to start prepping new areas to move the fleet. That plan got the kibosh in no time as we broke another axle. This time on the red baron. The vehicles have took a beating this year.
I heard of 4 blown transmissions, and 1 tractor motor from other outfits. That’s just a small fraction of the damage the lake has caused this year.
The guys got the red baron back to shore Tuesday evening and started to tare it down. Wednesday morning Jonny boy found a axle I had thrown in one of the sheds, I guess it pays to keep as many old parts as possible.. Marty and I loaded up all the broken and used parts and headed to Bemidji to try and track down the parts. Then have the new u joint and half shaft put back together. That pretty much turned into a full day . Getting back home the guys got going into the evening.
Thursday was spent moving a couple houses in between putting the red baron back together. She still had another issue though as a wire had shorted out the fuel pump. Friday morning Jonny boy found the short as ice and snow had disconnected a connection on the other fuel tank. We also broke a second shock on blue thunder.
Ashley and jonny boy had a busy day getting all the houses ready for the weekend.
Brian and his 2 buddies checked in some time Thursday for 2 nights in Colorado, They did fairly well .They went home with some nice fish ,lost a few and also landed a mid 30s pike. I did get to say good bye to them. They were very pleased and said they would come again.
Sean, Jeoff, Michell, and Payton checked into north Dakota. They had some action also. Payton landed a fat 19 when I stopped to say hello around 5 pm. She was using a orange jig. She said she had read my report from the last week. For only being 12 she had got all 3 of the fish they had on the ice so far.
Danny, Bill and the little one Drake would be arriving later in the evening for kentucky as well as Jeff, Lori , Mike and Haile. checking into Florida.
Kentucky also had good fishing in my book as they ate some fish, plus took home 10. Danny said they also missed a lot of fish. 3am seemed to be a good time to be fishing as rattle wheel were going off in more then one of the houses.
Jeff for florida rolled in around 10 pm, Lori lost a big fish at some point. They ended up going home with 7 keepers plus also missed fish.
Montana set empty as the guy was a no show.
Old Minnesota had Shannon and Adam they arrived Saturday for 2 nights. They have been catching some fish. I hope to say good bye to them this morning. They are from Green Bay. I talk to them briefly yesterday. They had 3 plus missed fish over night. They were having a grand time on a grand lake.
California had 3 younger kids from kellier for the day. Jonny boy said they did catch some fish.
We checked a group into Colorado yesterday as well as john and Mike? into California.
Jake also arrived yesterday with Lakin and Gabriel. I just talked to him. They caught a dozen fish over night with only smaller fish the biggest being 14inches.
We also checked in Paul and his crew yesterday for north Dakota.
It was a very busy sunday here on the shore s of upper red lake

Well here goes another fishing report from the shores of upper red lake.
The boys stayed busy all week prepping for the weekend. Asley our grand daughter also got in on the action as she is in training . Richy Rich had to head back home. It sure was nice of him to come up and spend the winter helping us out .
Ashley ready to learn how to plow with blue thunder, she has the fishing down as if were keeping track she is way ahead of me when it comes to catching.
I have a little venting to do before I give a report on how the rental houses did.
When you come through waskish starting from the gas station heading north there are about 24 driveways untell you reach the bridge. The double lines are a no passing. I would be tickled pink if a state trooper or sheriff would start busting the ass hol that think they can pass through town. In fact there more then welcome to sit in my driveway to catch the idiots . The speed limit is all ready 50. Every time one of these jerks it pisssss me off.
Number 2 enough with all the reports of the lake is closed. yes the wheel houses have drawn the short straw this year but the outfits, resorts that live here have gone no where. Every one that has rentals on the lake are giving it 100 %. Knock on wood as we keep plugging away. My houses have always flooded until we get over 20 inches of ice. This year the average ice thickness is around 21. With the weight of the snow when you augur holes it still seeps out a bit . Were not sinking or putting any clients in danger.
Ok sorry
Andy Andy arrived Friday for there second trip of the season. They have been coming up for 11 years I be leave. They always request montana as there house of choice. They also had the Kentucky house rented with Andy’s dad Brad, brother Alex and Steve. Montana had the worst fishing of the bunch only getting 4 keepers. Meanwhile Kentucky got 11 keepers with the biggest a 22 1/2 incher. They also missed some fish and released a half dozen small ones.
Wayne and Paul also arrived Friday for old Minnesota. We hung out. Played some cribbage, had some laughs. There house was slow all though they did manage to go home with 8 keepers.
North Dakota had Nick and his friends they had decent fishing .They also took home 3 limits ,plus ate some fish at westwind.
Lee was set up just to the west and also had good fishing.
I checked in the guys in Colorado when they arrived Friday. I have not been making the rounds this year so not quite sure how they did . I do know they caught fish.
Kevin and Rollie were in florida fish house. They have also been coming for years.They had good fishing, ate a few plus went home with there 8.
John from clam and his gal kellie were in California. They were fishing orange flutter spoons having a grand time on a grand lake. They also went to westwind with fish plus took home there 8.
So all in all it was a pretty good weekend for fishing.
Jonny boy and Ashley will be cutting a few new trails as we shuffle all the houses for the up and coming weekend. I again plan on spending as much time as possible wetting a line in old Minnesota.
The phones have been quiet as we go into the final 3 weekends . Were wide open tell Thursday at htis time with one no show yesterday with not even a phone call.
I previous customer called yesterday. Him and his dad were hammering them. I know right where they were in there portables. he said orange was the hot color as his dad had gotten fat 26 inch walleye.

Wow with only a month left of walleye fishing too go it has again been a brutal season on the shores of upper red lake. The grand lake that owes us nothing.
Last year it was brutally cold this week with wind chills below -60. I will have to say I’m happy were not having that right now
For the second time since my car accident I wet a line yesterday for 3 or 4 hours. Th fishing report In old Minnesota after it was fished on a new spot Friday and Saturday was I’m a little out of practice. I was jigging a gold rattling flyer while watching Boston legal. The first fish hit my lure while I was lying on the bed. It caught me totally buy surprise as I was jigging. I set the hook while lying down. Trying to set up while keeping the line tight was not in the cards.
I quickly got another minnow on the lure sent her down. 1 or 2 good jigs and I was marking a fish. Only it was not a fish but my quickly hooked minnow escaping off the lure. Another minnow, back down the hole. I guess I educated that fish as it looked a few times but only nibbled a couple times.
Mean while the rattle wheel went off around the bewitching hour. Rolling out of the bed with my brace on I go over give it a little line, but instead of setting the hook like I normally do.I pulled the line up real slow to feel the fish. I felt it on the line,set the hook and proceeded to rip it right out of its mouth. Glad I was not having fish on the menu as I packed it up a bit later with no fish to take home.
Ashey re grand daughter is up here helping out. Her and my great grand son bently john were going to spend the night out there so we will see how they did later today.

Well the best I can do on my fishing report is all the houses did manage to catch some fish the first 24 hours.as Ashly checked on all them Saturday.
Sean Joff and a friend or relative from Florida were up Friday with there sleds. They managed to find a few fish even getting the guy from Florida his first walleye.
Kevin and his crew were ib Kentucky they also had a couple sleds. Not sure how they did in the house but they did find some fish where they went on there sleds. They even had a little run in with a guy in a v-plow
Shane and his wife were in montana I ran into then Saturday morning. They had landed 4 nice ones fishing large rainbow minnow on a plain red hook Saturday morning. From what I gathered from Ashley everyone was enjoying there stay.
Jonny boy and Richy spent part of the day going out on there sleds looking for the elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. There elusive for a reason, they did find some little scuff it walleyes which was a good sign but no crappies.
We did get another shipment of black and red hoodies in with just a couple pink ones.
We only have one house rented later today so the guys have 3 days to get every thing reset for the up and coming weekend.
I did check the ice thickness Where old sota was It was a solid 27 inches, that explained why there was no flood ing around the house

The boys John and Richy and our grand daughter Ashly kept busy Thursday into Friday. After spending most of the day lite out on the lake they started to tackle blue thunder again. Working in the dark with White lightnings headlights giving them light, I have no clue how they repaired her again. From my research they would need a few specialty tools . I woke up Friday morning to look out the window to see blue thunder turned around.
With customer arriving. Ashly was going to clean and detail the houses. Around 9;30 after a couple calls to Ashly I walked over to wake her and crack the whip. There would be plenty of time to sleep sunday. After rousting her I find out once they got blue thunder going they headed out on the lake tell 5 am, prepping for the weekend. I think Jonny boy was on a mission to get all the houses on fresh ice. I again stayed off the lake most of the day, until customers started arriving. I figured I could escort them out so the crew could keep plugging away.
Once I dropped off Cody and his family off at Colorado fish house I drove over to say hello to Rick and the guys in North Dakota fish house. I have no clue what time they checked in but they had 2 in the bucket and had released a couple smaller fish. That was at least a encouraging site as I plan on fishing old Minnesota everyday starting sunday. Old Minnesota is just south of north Dakota 150 feet or so. I can see how I can do after we have clients fishing in it yesterday and today. I plan on fishing it 3 or 4 nights in a row before the guys move it for the up and coming weekend for Wayne and Paul.
Kevin and his crew are staying in Kentucky .They brought sleds so are planning to go find the fish rather then wait for them to swim under the house.
Jonny boy and Richy got the last house moved, California while the customers waited. I did visit for a minute . They were being very patient plus excited to see the house being prepped onto a new spot.
Yesterday morning I took the red baron to the gas station to fuel her up. I’ve got to be honest. It felt good to feel the power of that 454 as I shifted the gears to see how the tranny felt.
Today I’m going to clean up our driveway with blue thunder to see how she feels.
Next week the guys getjust a little break as nothing is rented un tell Friday when again we have a full house.
I’ll shoot for a fishing report Monday morning as 3 of the houses have repeat customers that I can maybe visit a bit.
Its a busy Saturday here on the shores of upper red lake. Red lake adventures has there big walleye tournament today. register at there place. Rodgers is hosting the ice castle event on land I believe? Jrs under new ownership is having there indoor fishing contest which is a hoot.
Next weekend Hillmans has there super bowl Chile cook off. I asked the hammer to enter. I may also make a entry. Its always a treat to taste different chile’s.
A few more tid bits to try and make the world a little better.
recycle old electronics,
Do not spread fake news “not even a fishing report”
Adopt a pet. I sure would like to have a cat again. The hammer would rather wait.
Learn cpr, be a better listener, always say I love you as you never know

Well we made it home from my moms funeral in Iowa late last nite. Fishing report to follow.
Jonny boy and Richie will be busy today as they get out on the lake to make some decisions on what we can do for the up and coming weekend.
After slamming on blue thunder last week installing a used rear end in blue thunder she lasted all of one day . While plowing out our driveway after a long day before banking un banking plowing moving houses etc she broke a front outer axel shaft. All this snow and slush has put my poor trucks through a work out. Getting stuck then trying to get them out is so much harder on them. I have always babied my fleet as much as possible. This year that is all most if not impossible. We were able to find parts on the way home so hopefully with a little luck we can get her up and running asap.
Some of the outfitters have pulled the plug for this year. Rumors fly on the internet making our winter even tougher? Most of the outfits that live here year long are still open. The wheel houses have drawn the short straw this year.
Every season is different when it comes to mother nature. It is just the way it is. I have been preaching for 20 years she is the boss . One year the ice froze like a skating rink . I could of ice skated all the way to the north shore, another year the lake cracked all over the place? Another year we had over 3 feet of ice maybe closer to 4. Another year we hauled snow from shore to bank the houses. Another year it was 40 below for 5 days with highs 30 below.
Trying to share how all the house’s did last weekend again is kind of a nightmare. We headed out of town sunday while everyone was staying tell Monday. Sarah and her crew did manage to get 4 over 17 with a total of 15 fish taken home. From what I gathered the fish started to bite sunday? No one got skunked as far as I know. Again the rest of the houses caught some fish but I have no numbers. Not being able to visit and get to know my customers has been tough on me. I want to get in a truck right now so I can go checkout the lake my self. After the little slip a couple weeks ago I keep telling my self I can not help period. I’m still hoping I can atleast do a little fishing in old Minnesota before the season ends. As long as I do not catch one over 10 lbs since that my weight restrictions of what I can lift. If I do get any fish I will just have to hoist them out of the hole since bending over is tough with this brace on plus the brace is to stop me from bending.
Again sorry about the poor fishing report, its been a long week traveling to southern Iowa and back.
At this time we are going day by day or week to week as we see what mother nature throws at us.
Again a few tid bits as we all try and make this world a better place.
Laugh more you only live once, laughter is the best medicine.
Be honest its a lot easier to remember the truth then to make things up.
Give complements, open doors, lend a helping hand.
Call your parents,
Don’t hold grudges. forgive and forget.
Love thy neighbor,
Pay it forward,
Lead by example