Going out with a hot bite for sure. The Wisconsin boys Paul and Evan teamed up with Jake and the boys Gabriel and Lakken figures they caught over 100 fish . Jake ate fish cooked by westwind every evening. The second day with all of our fish Jake took 6 lbs of fish to get them cooked.
The hammer and I spent two evenings having dinner in old minnesota missing more fish then we caught.
Sean, Chad, Dave and Wyatt ate fish in montana the first night. They packed up yesterday with a few more fresh fish to take home.
As the season winds down we start looking for the elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. We have me looking one way , johnny boy another. Then jake going where no man has gone before. Were thinking the spot we have been looking is to infested with walleyes to find the mother load. Fun catching all these fish for sure. Then out of no ware a big old famous fish fools you at the hole. Its been a treat watching the hammer in action. I’m still having a hoot with the chubby darters. Now jake has challenged me to catch a elusive upper red lake crappie with one. I think if I have the right color it could be lites out.
I have a idea where I want old minnesota sunday evning as the season ends. I’m really hoping that spot pans out. Only time will tell but I may know by next monday morning? I might even have to break out the fish call .
I set up Tim with his wheel housemonday .Yesterday if said he caught a fish all day about every half hour.
We also set Ken and his buddy’s up yesterday .They have 7 keepers so far. No crappies though. Pesky bottom feeding walleyes.
Time to get busy for the day as I again plan to wet a line at the bewitching hour with my fishing partner the hammer.
We have california open this last weekend as well as another cancelation This time florida is wide open. She will be on a fresh spot also

With just 7 days of game fish season coming to a close, most outfitters are ready to pull the plug. I think?
It as always has been a grind but what makes it easier is when you love your job.
We did have a guest swing by yesterday Jonny P red lake remote swung by and gave us a ride in his tricked out suburban with tracks. Wow what a machine he has there.
The fishing the past week has been on the great side? Yes lots of limits were caught with some big pike thrown in and a few elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies.
Kentucky had Harley and his crew. They figured they caught 40 fish with 90 percent caught at the bewitching hour or after dark.
North dakota had Sean, Michële, Payton and Geoff. They had a grand time on a grand lake with Geoff landing his biggest fish ever a 36 inch pike on a rattle wheel .Thats 3 feet of fish.
Montana has Justin and his family They took home 7 I be leave but released quite a few as the over 17s were tougher to get.
Florida had Cambie Aron there 2 kids. They also went home with there 12 but did dontae a fishing rod to the bottom of upper red lake.
California had Ron, Ron and James? They also did well but had to leave due too the snow coming to southern minnesota.
Jim and his son had our little house north carolina. they also did well.
Old minnesota had Wayne and Paul two very close friends, We all had a hoot catching and missing fish plus playing a little cards with the hammer up to her usual game. I think with a little practice she could possible win a texas hold um tournament . She just needs to bluff one time every once in a while.
We also started a new program setting up wheel houses to fish in areas we caught fish and or close to our fleet. every one I checked in on did well. Plus picked up a couple supplys for them. More minnows, case of beer etc.
Zack broke a break line when his tire chain came off. Welcome to our world. I came out and we pinched it off with a small vice grip. I’m not sure if he limped it all the way home but he did message and say he made it home.
I had a free night I had given away. The gentalman that won was not a fishermen so he suggested to find a kid that could come and fish John messaged and him and his grand daughter Angela spent the night in old minnesota where they also caught more then there limits.
brian and Stacy were here for 3 nights, They also did well. She sent a pic of there dinner one night. The fish looked amazing. They stated it was better the lobster. They have been coming for years also.
We have also started to look for more then one elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. Harley got one. Marlo got 3 with 2 small ones. Jarrod got 2 small ones. Greg got one . Butch got two ,
I think jake got a couple last week before e he went home. 90 percent of them were released to fight another day or be eaten buy a big pike.
Our big crappie hunt is shaping up to be another grand one on a grand lake. March 11 12 13th. The last 2 years m mother b nature has put a kabosh on it so crossing our fingers it works out this year. I plan on spending quite a bit of time in old minnesiota starting tonight as we zero in on the mother load

well where to begin? I guess it would have too be the weather. Its been a battle too say the least. We got the red baron up and running after replacing the power steering line after getting the wrong one 3 times. Also got the new radiator installed in blue thunder. Of course the place I bought the last radiator will not respond to my email. Imagine that.
We also got a call from Barny the fabricator in Kellier he said big reds new plow mount is done, We now have the capability to put the v plow on either truck if one breaks down. Plus I have a straight blade that we can install.
The stupid little ford had to be jumped two morning in a row. 2011 ford will not start but 1988 454 chevy does?
North dakota had Tanner and his crew, the first time I swung in friday they had a pike, a perch, a crappie, and a walleye. Talk about a fishy area. They headed home sunday with a mess of fish.
Kentucky gave us fits with propane problems 38 below. The 30 lb tanks do not work so well. Then johnny boy was changing one out a 6am and the line going through the wall broke. After coming back to town I was able to find a replacement line. Glad I’m a hoarder. Its so hard to throw things away when a parts run is over 60 miles away. Fred, Mel, Jeromy and Denice were very nice about the problems we were having. They did get some fish with some smaller ones thrown in.
Poor caliifornia set empty all weekend .
Old minnesota had Tim and Joy. He is a big part of the take a vet fishing, hunting etc. They had to take a trip to baudett saturday morning as she got a lure in her thumb. The fishing was poor for them only landing 1 walleye.
Shell chick stayed in there sunday, monday .They got a fat 18 a fatter 19 and a couple other fish. They are heading home with there 6.
Florida had our daughter Melissa and her hubby Eric. They also had some action. Boy did I have a laugh. At some time sunday night one of them must of kicked a sock down a hole. When I was visiting yesterday I jigged a line. It felt like a small fish. I told miss so she reeled it in, a nice size 13 sock. Man did I laugh.
We all hung out for valitines dinner. . Last night Heather or feather as Eric calls her landed a 30 inch pike. She must of set the hook. They also had some walleye action landing a few walleyes to take home.
Montana had Mitch and John they managed to take home 5 with a few misses.
Another busy day is ahead as we have more guest coming today, tomorrow, thursday with a full house friday.

The cold snap continues. -32 right now. Yesterday coming back from fargo we stopped to pick up another radiator, yes another radiator for blue thunder. At one point we were down to a car and that was in fargo. Talk about going from plan A to plan Z. The big red 454 is getting a plow mount made . No sooner then we dropped it off white lightning took a shi… Head gasket. Blue thunder new radiator split along the seam, the red baron blew a power steering hose. Black beauty cooked the tranny this fall towing the red baron. I’m not sure why none of these problems pop up in the fall but I think it may have something to do with 31 below.
The fishing report is a mixed bag. Danny boy and Andrea arrived Monday. she was so pumped to land a walleye on her new rod. The first time I stopped in Dan was battling a big pike on 4 pound test. We landed a beautiful 33 incher. They also landed a 30 inch pike. Elvis was set up right next to them. He landed 2 walleyes and a elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. Dan and Andrea did finally have a run of fish, I know they landed a 20 and 18 inch walleye.
After they pulled out Johnny boy plowed Elvis a new spot. He had landed a couple fish last night plus as a bonus he caught the fish that took his pole earlier in the day.
While I was gone Brian checked into Montana. Not sure how they did but seeing that some one was spitting chew in the hole was disgusting.
Andrew and matt were in Kentucky they had 2 on the ice when I saw them last,
Dave and Robin were in Montana before Brian . Dave did land a elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie Tuesday morning plus they had a couple walleyes in there bucket. They had checked in Sunday. The house was in the same spot Jackie crew fished as mother nature kept us from moving her.
Tanner called yesterday and cancel Florida so she is open tonight and tomorrow. Keith also canceled California.
What was a full house turned into not so full this weekend.
On a side note a gave away a free night in a contest. The winner would like to donate to a kid that would like to spend the night in a deluxe fish house. One that does not get the opportunity to do a trip like this/ so if anyone has someone in mind reach out to me so we can get her done

Trying to blog has been a little more then tough. It has been a world wind here on the shores of upper red lake.
Mother nature has showed her ugly side. Starting with 1/2 inch of snow then big nw winds came rolling in last wednesday. Once the winds calmed just a tad, the temps have dropped like a rock hitting 31 below saturday morning. Then followed by 29 below, then throw in some more wind. Zoiks does it take a lot out of you and the help. Keeping the fleet going has been a big chore. Jonny boy thinks white lightning blew a head gasket? The hammers trail blazer coil packs decided they had enough. I have been waring 4 layers of clothing.
Hillmans highway has again came threw with flying colors, They dragged the road for 2 straight days letting the winds take the snow into the air. I spent some time cleaning up the landing as it was also blowing shut. Our secondary roads blew in to the point of having to cut new trails to take care of the guests.
Last sunday zack and his brothers checked in to north dakota where the first night they landed 7 walleyes. It went down hill from there. Mike and his family were at the end of the road. They also did not do that well. The fishing picked up a bit with bob and rick taking home 6 before the big winds.
Jackie and her family arrived thursday just as we buttoned up north dakota and montana. Thursday night after dinner they crushed the fish? Just crazy? They landed 7 elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies plus a bucket full of walleyes. Friday they went to westwind for a big fish fry. The fishing continued to be good for them. The biggest walleye I be leave was 22. They also released another 7 crappies only keeping 3 of the 14 caught.
Mean while 50 yards to the north california could not buy a bite with Brandon and Blain. Old minnesota had Harly with his son and grand son. They did manage too get 7 walleyes all under 15 inches.
Kentucky had Andy and Andy plus one. they managed to take home9 and released some fish with friday into saturday having the better fishing.
Florida had Kevin and Rollie where they also took home there 6 even though it was slow they had a grand time as there tradition of staying in florida continues.
Jake was also up to help a couple days last week.. they stayed in north dakota the last night where his youngest son Laken got his first elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. A fat 14 1/2 incher that jake filmed as he released it to fight another day.
We did check in some more guests the last couple days. Due to the extream weather conditions the houses had to stay where they were. I guess they drew the short straw. One of my golden rules when its below – 20. Are number one goal is to try and keep the fleet running with as little ware and tare as possible. It has started to warm a bit with minus 16 as I type.
The hammer has some doctoring to do so Jonny boy will be holding down the fort the next couple days. Sayimg good bye and checking in some more guest.

26 days tell another big game fish season comes to a end. Its hard to be leave how fast it has gone buy. We have had house on the lake for 46 days. With 26 days to go its time for that second wind.
Old minnesota has opened up for the up and coming weekend. If it stays open I will be camping on the ice. The hammer and I had a chef salad out there last night, plus a bonus crappie we ate on the side.
Danny jr had released 2 this weekend out of north dakota. The third one was not so lucky as the hammer was craving a fresh crappie. Danny ,Janel and the rest of the family had a good time. Danny did catch a 35 inch pike saturday night. I think it may of been the same fish Jim caught thursday as the house was a couple hundred feet from where I had set Jim up in his wheel house. Him and his wife did ok thursday eve. They had a nice run the last night and got 3 quality fish. After that 2 little scuffits over night.
We set up Pat and his buddy in there wheel house thursday eve. I think they got 4 or 6 keeping 2. I told them I would have a good report in the morning and we could make them a new driveway if they wanted to move? They liked my report so they wanted to move. Upon lifting the house a cable broke. Err bad timing for me as we were kinda busy being a friday. I was able to make a round trip to shore and gather enough things for him to improvise a fix. The new spot paid off . they landed over 20 fish the next 48 hours. 20 fish sound great but when you do the math that 10 a day or 5 per guy? or 1 every 5 hours? The spot they left they got 5 in less then 16hours.
Montana had jonny boy and heather. She had a tough time landing a fish. If I told her once I have told her a dozen times you have to set the hook LOL.
California was a bust for Jarred. They had quite a few bites but only managed to land 2. In hindsight we should of moved them saturday. Jarred said they still had a good time and will be back next year. Its such a small world as Jarred’s dad Donny use to play pool with the greek. 20 years ago.
Old minnesota was only rented saturday due to the cancelations last week. Dick Shawn and there gals did pretty good for 1 night taking home 9. From the looks of it they may of been fishing minnow heads as there were a few minnow body’s under the house. Meanwhile 400 feet away, on a fresh spot Andy and his family can not buy a bite?
I plan on fishing old minnesota every night this week, besides the chubby darter I will be trying minnow heads on a Swedish pimple?
As long as mother nature cooperates. “Knock on wood” we will be staying on the lake chasing the elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies yes crappies. The last 2 years mother nature has thrown a wrench in things so time will tell. The plans are for the gang to go on the hunt the 11th 12th 13th of march. More details will follow. For now we will keep trying to land on the walleye mother load on a grand lake that owes us nothing

We were able to fill one of the 3 houses that got canceled this week.
The hammer and I will be fishing old minnesota again to night. Jonny boy his gal Heather will be staying out in montana if it does not get a customer in it tonight.
North Dakota got snatched up buy Danny and his family. Danny is a electrician so there could be some bartering as were planning on building a shop for the fleet. I hope it all pans out, only time will tell.
I’m headed out in a bit to spend some more quality time in old minnesota. I spent the bewitching hour out there last night. I had 3 rattle wheels go off but nothing there. Ii did manage to get a smaller walleye 13 incher on the chubby darter using the vexlar. he inhaled the lure.
Jonny boy was using north carolina as our scouting house. Sounds like he hit the mother load.
WE set up Jim in his wheel house wednesday. He landed a bigger pike yesterday. 35 incher I think Jonny said.
I also set up Pat in his wheel house. It was in a very fishy area that we had done well at a couple weeks ago.
I told them if the fishing was to slow in that spot we could plow another driveway today.
Marlo and Butch also set up by north carolina.
Don and his crew did so bad Monday in north dakota. I moved the house for them even though it had not been there 24 hours. I put them over in the area that Scott figured he caught over 20 in montana.
Wednesday morning I go out there to say goodbye. They again had poor fishing? Wow how can a house land over 20 fish with the house next to getting nothing.
Andrew, Dave and the 2 boys were in florida for 2 nights. They did just all right. Andrew said leaving the house where it was last fished was fine with him if they could get a discount. They did get enough for a big meal.
I be leave last night was the first night all our houses were open with no overnight customers.
Not sure if anyone remembers me talking about the greek. He came up with a invention that helps load your boat.
When he showed me his prototype 2 years ago I was like that’s a million dollar idea. I came up with a name. The first Mate as you can load your boat with no help. It did not stick but thats ok with me. Its pretty cool as they get ready to launch, they will be donating some of the first profits to big brother. Billy/ the greek mentored 2 young men years ago. James was one of them. He now has become a big part of the new company. I will fill more in as time goes buy a I will also be trying to sell a few to the boaters I get here.

Where does the time go. I have noticed as you get older time flies buy quicker?
The red baron is in the driveway warming up, with a new battery, a new alternator, a new wiper motor.
I’m again looking forward to taking her on the lake as we keep moving houses on to fishy areas for us and our guest.
We had good fishing in my book s last weekend.
I have been plowing and setting up wheel houses for the past few years to try and help recruit some of the expenses that occur to the fleet. We are always willing to accommodate a few wheel houses. You can have the peace of mind knowing you will be able to safely get off the main roads. I or Jonny boy may even swing buy to check on you through out your fishing adventure. We even can pick up extra supply’s for you while were on shore. For me it has and always will be customer service.
Now for the past weekends fishing report. I set rod up inn his ice castle. he was tickled pink landing numerous fish . They went home with 11 plus a elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie.
Dan and Mel also showed up. We had hem over for dinner saturday night. I made smothered burrito’s. So So good. One year I made them in old minnesota for Bob and Jacky. I put the pot of sauce on the stove and gave them directions to stir occasinaly as we did not want the sauce sticking to the bottom. That evening The hammer and brought the rest of the fixing out to the shack. Boy did we laugh. Jacky had Bob and his buddy stirring the sauce all day. The pork was shredded from stirring so much. They were calling her the stir natzi as she rode them all day.
We had Mark and Mike in north dakota. They ate a fat 18 incher saturday morning for breakfast. saturday night Mike sent me a pic of a trophy he caught. mid 20s ii was wrong when I said we would never see trophy walleyes. Mike and Mark were old school buddies from ill. They had a grand time on a grand lake.
Jim and Grace were in old minnesota. They took home there six plus enjoyed there stay tremendously. Grace teaches pre schoolers. She said she was tickled pink to have her kids back in class.
Florida had Dan and keith They also had fish for dinner plus I think they took home 5.
california had Fred and his gal Mel plus there dog. They caught a few fish. They come back in a couple weeks with another couple in kentucky.
Kentucky canceled on us the last minute. We were able to rent friday night for one night. Kyle rolled in from grand rapids with his wife and daughter. When I came back later that night they had 2 more adults and 3 grands kids come up. They also took home some fish saying they will also be back.
We also set up darrin up sunday evening in his wheel house. They left with there 6 monday morning.
Montana had Nick and his crew, they also had our cabin here on land. They caught a few fish but not sure how many.
The hammer and I spent a few hours in old minnesota last night after another cancelation? I’m going to have to change up our policy. I have had more cancelation this year then the last 10 years combined? I landed a nice fat 18incher for supper out there tonight. The hammer is out of practice as she lost a nice fish ,landed a small scuffit. She lost more then a few minnows. She might of even swore? After making us a giant chef salad I had the pleasure of taking a nap while she watched one of her favorite movies Dirty dancing. Tonight we will be having dinner on the chana enjoying the movie jersey boys.
North dakota canceled for the weekend as well as florida and old minnesota. 18 years I have never had 3 houses all cancel the same weekend?
Time to hit the lake. I just talked to Ryan they were in florida the last 2 nights, he said they caught 20 fish and are taking home 12 Quality fish. The 2 young girls each got to catch there first walleyes. That’s just another reason its a grand lake that owes us nothing. Plus another elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie was caught last night.
Jonny boy was making the rounds this morning to see how Don’s crew did over night in north dakota as well as Scott in montana. I have high hopes as again both house’s were on fresh spots

The winds did play a little havoc but all in all not bad.. Jonny boy pulled hillmans drag for 5 hours at least letting the winds take the snow off the main road. Our off shoot road had some drifting but with the red baron re routing was easier then moving all the snow in certain spots.
We said good bye to glen. He makes it up a couple times a year. He is right up there with being a better fisherpeople then most and is right up there with greek. He never sets he rod down. He is constantly jigging a purple northland buckshot, totally focused on the vexlar. I’m happy to report he went home with his 3 and his gals 3.
Matt and Casey spent one night. They only managed 2 keepers but said they want to bring the kids next year,
Domminick and his buddy also had a grand time on a grand lake. They left old minnesota in really nice shape which is much apricated . They also had some action just not sure how many they took home. They did eat a couple.
The rest of the day was spent plowing new trails, cleaning, moving, blocking, banking, augering..
Yesterday Jonny boy and I headed out to button up the houses, getting them ready for our guest.
Every thing went well un tell our last guest were on the lake. When the red baron sputtered then quit running. Hitting the key there was nothing there. I had to jump in friday morning? After checking in Jim and Grace Jonny boy towed me home. It seems one of the 2 batteries took a crap . We got her running by jumping the good batterie. I have a new batterie to throw in this morning so hopefully that cure the issue.
We were also able to accommodate a few wheel houses down by us, plowing them there own little fishy areas.
Time to tackle that battery as we say good bye to mike and mark in north dakota. Then plow and pick a new fishy spot for Randy and his crew, On a Grand Lake that Owes Us Nothing.

A lot has changed here on the shores/lake of upper red lake.
Mother nature gave us a wake up call yesterday with high winds . I can only imagine what a mess it may be around the houses this morning. Jonny boy spent a big chunk of last night dragging buddy hillmans road trying to get rid of drift letting the wind carry it away. There road has not been kind to my radiators this year taking out both 454 chevs. We also had to replace blue thunders.
We have had guests all week with some success. I did get to spend a little time with some. The new crew of Mike and his buddies were such nice guys. I did get to spend a 1/2 hour or so playing some dice with them there last nighty. They had some fish to take home and also ate a few.
Tim ,Dan Pete and possibly Mike were here the 4rth year in a row. They also ate some fish with the first night be there best fishing. They ask about the old guy? Our friend Ole. They had met him 4 years ago and got a kick out of visiting with him that year hering about his life in alaska
Old minnesota had Steve and jerry also repeat customers. They drew the short straw. Even having the house on a fresh spot did not help. They did have better action the second night with the rattle wheels but had a hard time getting them. Again super nice son and dad. They have stayed with us before and even though the fishing could of been better they plan on coming back next year.
Florida had Jason and his Gal I did not get to visit them . Ii think they got 7 the first night. plus a few more there second night.
Les and Rita checked into montana. They also have stayed with us before. They did a alaska road trip driving over 10,000 miles. Rita teased me with a jarred can of smoked salmon. They had there 2 overs and one just under 17 .

We also had Jordan roll in. He had stayed with us many years ago. It was great seeing him. They were a hand full with the crew of 4 kids and 4 adults plus 2 pit bulls. I was not comfortable with the dogs so my visiting was limited.
The sky is kicking over so its time to get moving. Jake is also here helping. Today will be busy as we reset all the house’s for the weekend after we dig everyone out.
Last night we also had a full house with Glen and his girl coming for one night. Plus Dominic here his second night We also had a couple I’ve never met staying one night Casey and Matt.