Talk about getting some snow. Yesterday we spent most of the day prepping the red barom amd Blue thunder for another bout of cleaning Hillmens road.. From the looks of it yesterday getting off road would all most be impossible..
We have our work cut out for us today as we alos have to get all the houses set up. Montana and floriida are ready to auguar, north Dakota is ready to move ,block bank auguar, Minnesota needs to be dug out as well as California and north caroliana.
If your coming today take your time as I have a feeling we will be running behind.
I’m nursing blue thunder as she’s struggling to get good heat in the cab. Seems the new radiator a year ago has a couple pin holes in the plastic seems. Why in the world would they ever make radiators out of plastic is beyond me. We have a new one on order.
Jeff was here the beginning of the week . They got 5.
The hammer and I fished just a little and have managed a few in between the snow storms.
Cutting trails with the red baron is getting tougher as there s just so mush snow. Will have to see how she goes today.
I do have Chandler and dustin out there fishing in old Minnesota a so will get to see if that spot had any activity at night as the rattle wheels have been pretty quiet at night tell 4 am. Time to hit the lake

UGGGGG! Just came in from plowing the gas station and store. We got dumped on with some more snow.
Oh well mother nature always seems to step in and throw a wrench in the operation.
Have you ever tried to plow a parking lot ,drive way when your a perfectionist? It futile. Lucky I learned you can not clean it all up.
Now a little good news as the fishing finally picked up a bit for some. With all the houses on fresh ice ,new locations I expected a couple fish to be caught.
Bob and Mary had me plow them a spot for 40.00 they ended up catching a dozen I be leave. So My new saying is I plow you a spot for 50 but I’ll take 40.

Some other guys wanted me to plow them to a spot on there narvonics for 40 . Nope wasn’t happing as I had no idea how far they wanted to go.
I expect were going to start seeing some slush pockets out there after this dumping. I did notice a spot yesterday.
North Dakota was set up with Dave and his 3 boys Al, Hunter, and Jake. They were less then 200 yards where Bob and Mary were fishing. They landed 1 fish. Ish
Florida which was 150 feet away from north Dakota with Rollie and Kevin got there 8. Plus a couple bonus pike and a nice perch. Plus they had a little rattle wheel action. crazy
I plowed another spot for LouAnn and we set her wheel house up for her. They did not do that well 2.
Kentucky had Ashly,Colton and Jackson. They had a lot of bite and landed a couple plus lost a bigger one in the middle of the night.
Old Minnesota was a bust with Jim a last minute deal. He had his son Austin 3 year old.
Montana was near Minnesota and also had hardly any action? Craig and Spenser came last year and did real well so they were a little disappointed to say the least. I sure expected better fishing in that area as The hammer and I fished a couple nites last week, We lost a few fish, missed a few and landed a couple.
Jonny boy and Jess had some action in California also? Plus last nite they caught 4 or 5 before dark.
We also plowed a spot for our friend Lonnie and he had a few last night during the snowfall.
Steve use north Carolina as a day house and only landed one. 100 feet from California. Stupid fish.

Yesterday we were able to move 4 house s and check in Arnett and mike in north Dakota.
Jeff also showed up with his parents for florida so I’m hoping they had action last night as we stayed on shore with all the snow coming down.
Looks like we will be plowing, plowing ,plowing all week. In between we will again have to get the whole fleet moved and set up for the coming weekend.
I’m thinking it could be a grand week on a grand lake that owes us nothing

Its has been a cold, cold week here on the shore of upper red lake.
We were able to get all our guest off the lake last sunday Monday as the cold snap came in.
Jason truck needed the tarp and torpedo to get her fired up.
Jim’s car also needed the same treatment.
Justin at the end of the road needed a jump.

Seeing what the weather was going to do Jonny boy, Jess and I put it in high gear as we got all seven house dug out and moved closer to the main roads. For the first time all season I shut down the heat in 5 of the 7 houses.
We set old Minnesota up in a completely new area so The hammer and I could do some fishing.
Jonny boy set up close to the main road also.
The next plan was ride out the cold weather and try and keep every thing running.
The hammer did get a fish Monday night. I had a couple bites as we relaxed watching a couple movies out there.

Tuesday I had to go to Bemidji for a appointment. With the winds howling out there and the temps plummeting it kinda worked out.
Wednesday morning Plan A turned to plan B just like that. I had planned to torpedo each truck before starting then do some work under the tarp on blue thunder. I go in our bathroom and the cold water is frozen. I get the torpedo all set up under the crawl space and it will not stay running ERRRR.
well over 2 hours later I got the water un thawed. I get the tarp on red baron and again the torpedo will not stay running, Another 2 hours struggle before I had the red baron fired up. Blue thunder was next.
Once I got it warm enough to start and work underneath. The new alternator belt was the wrong size ERRRR!
The hammer and I were going fishing again so we gathered everything for dinner and off we went
The hammer lost a nice fish that was going to be our second fish for dinner,
She then lost another one on my rattle wheel when I drove the red baron to the end of the road.
I get back where I start dinner . I over cook the broccoli then set the hot pan on the carpet on the hole cover. Where it melts right into the carpet. I had to cut the carpet to get the pot off the floor. I then making the noodle roni and use to much milk and water so its like soup. The movie ends so I go to put in Tarry farer comedy. I drop the disc, it hits the floor, rolls 4 feet, goes around the furnace. then goes right down the hole. What a day!
I hate to even say how bad the fishing was last weekend.
Trevor s crew had north Dakota, montana, and florida. Trevor did get 3 the first night all keepers. The rest of his crew got a few but 10 people they sure did not pound them.
Rick ,Jason and Mike also had horrible fishing in old minnesota. I had high hopes for that spot.
Larry, Jim, Cheryl and Kar were in Kentucky Saturday sunday. They ended up getting a couple. They were such nice people and said they would love to come back. Jim’s friend in North Carolina got one or two.
Darrel was here with his dad in California where they also got justa couple.
We did go down to see Lonnie at Rodgers for the ice castle gathering. They also had a fireworks show which was outstanding. I also was entered in Red lake Adventures 4th annual big eye challenge. I wet a line twice for a total of 1 hour. The winning fish was caught in the first area I fished a 24 1/2 incher. Maybe next year I can get a fish to register.
Jonny boy and I have our work cut out for us today as we fire up the heaters and set up all the house on new spots for tomorrow. I did have a cancelation on old Minnesota. If it stays open I plan to spend some weekend time out there.
I also have my eye on a couple areas to ruin

I knew the winds blew pretty good Wednesday night as our friend Lonnie got off low Wednesday night rather then ride it out and struggle to get off thursday morning.
After getting blue thunder warmed, gassed and ready to go. I hit the lake and the ice road was at least half way gone. Errr. Again plan A goes to plan B. With Jonny boy prepping 4 of the houses I started plowing the south edge all the way to the end of the road. Then it was back to the east. Trying to get some of the snow in the air as the winds were still pretty strong. Buddy Hillmens was dragging the first mile as I went back and forth. Hindsite is a funny thing. Looking back I should of went and got the red Baron.
We got Trevor checked in some time in the afternoon as by then I had Jonny boy running the red baron as we cleared the road, The last 1/4 mile I heard a clunk. .I had broken a u joint on the front driveshaft. We took her out of 4 wheel drive and I limped her home.
Friday morning I would be checking in Rick. After going to a neighbors and plowing out there drive way I notice the red baron blower motor is not working. Talk about a cold ride out to the houses.
I got her back home asap and under the tarp. I replaced the blower with a used one I had on the shelf. That one got me through the day un tell last night 6 miles out and that one took a shh.
The hammer will have to go track me one down this morning.
Mean while Jonny boy was pulling out the drive shaft on Blue thunder. One of the 4 bolts had broken off in the yoke so plan A turned to plan B as he had to drill the bolt out. Trying to do that laying under the truck when it was over 20 below was not a great plan. I gave Buddy Hillmen a call where he let us bring it over and put it up on his lift which made the job 10 times easier Thanks Buddy.
Again a big disappointment in the fishing .
With all the houses on fresh spots a few fish ware being caught. Were not seeing many of the over 17 we were seeing a month ago. We are getting quite a few nice perch though. Very strange year. Many bigger perch this year..
I’ll break down the numbers of fish caught tomorrow after we say good bye to all our guest.

We have nothing rented starting sunday all week which is probably a good thing as we re group and make repairs for the feb. push. We do have California and north Carolina open next weekend Feb 1 2 at this time

Yesterday was again a busy day here 5 miles out on such a grand lake.
Jonny boy, Jessi and I were able to get er done as we finally moved the whole fleet in one day. 6 were dug out , north Carolina was all ready to go sitting on the side road.

It was fun working like a well oiled machine with every one knowing there job.
Today we will be battling mother nature as a dusting of snow last night with 4 inches of powder from Monday should create white out conditions most of the day.
4 of the sleepers need to be augured out, all powered up ready to go by this afternoon. I have more matianace to do on the fleet so the torpedo heater and tarp will be drug out of storage again.
Jonny boy and Jess were out fishing last night on a new spot. Jonny boy is still hooked on the elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. The fish sure are finicky this year, There are so many reports of fish that will not bite. I expect they are walleye as Billy and Jacky saw at least 10 on there camera one night a few weeks ago. They got 3. Less ten 200 feet away Tim and Amanda landed 21 in two days. Amanda said they were tight to the bottom with a very lite bite. I think next time they come up I’m going to wet a line with those two. Your never to old to learn a trick or two. Mark also said a week ago they watch fish after fish suck in there minnow and spit it out with out there bobbers every moving?
Rick will be rolling in tomorrow morning for there second trip of the season. Trevor and his large crew roll in later today for 3 of the houses. Trevor was here quite a few years ago. I talked to him yesterday and they were pretty excited to be coming up again.
Darrel arrived yesterday with his dad so will see how they did on that new spot. There here for 4 nights.
Tomorrow Kentucky will be moved for Larry and his crews arrival on Saturday.
Mother nature had decided to throw in some wicked cold weather. I have a feeling blue thunder and the red baron may idle all night a couple times through out the next week.
The winds picked up last night so I expect some drifting out there this morning.
If anyone would like a hoodie we have about 50 new ones .

We survived the first real cold snap? The fishing could of been better but that seems to be the case this year. I’m not sure why its slower then usual. I’m still sticking to my theory the fish are fat, healthy and really do not need to eat to survive?
Our plans are still going to be what we have always done. Try and put the house’s on fresh spots after every group. weather permitting, and our equipment working. Try to leave areas before there burned out. Do the cookie shuffle, when were getting a few. With 4 generators we have been able to spread out more then the past?
Even the wheel house’s we plowed and picked spots for last weekend struggled.
I had to leave early sunday morning to go see my mom in Iowa. Were back home today, ready to re shuffle for the weekend.

It was nice to see Ken, Carl, Terri and Sarah last weekend. There from Iowa. We did move them after there first night as I wanted to get out of that area before this snow hit us . 4 inches of powder kept Jonny boy busy yesterday helping Buddy hillmen clean up the super highway. They stayed in florida for there 3rd or 4rth year. Such nice people , we traded some blueberry’s for some homemade jam that I will be sampling tomorrow. They got there cookie’s hoodies a year late but they did get them. They only got a few fish even after getting to fish 2 completely different areas.
Jon v and his crew left after 4 nights,if I remember right they also got to move once. They did go home with 16 fish plus had 2 fish frys. Last year Bernie figured they caught 25or more a day so not so good this year.
We had new customers in Kentucky. A very nice family Adam, Christeen? 2 kids Cooper and Conner. They did have some action, with quite a few keeper perch and only a couple walleyes. It did sound like they would come again, That’s always been my goal to have repeat customers.
Montana had Kevin, Darla, Scotty and forgot the other girls name. I know they got at least 8. I did not get to say good bye to them.
Wayne was in old Minnesota and also got to fish 2 spots. Not sure what’s going on with him. When he comes up I spend quite a bit of time hanging out as he owns old Minnesota and one of our best friends. The hammer and I always fish with him when he is here. We moved old Minnesota Saturday. The hammer and I showed up after dark , he had not landed fish. The hammer drops her line down and had a fish with in 30 seconds? As the saying says you can not make that sh up.
Jonny boy fished it last night in the same spot and landed 3 keepers with 1 over 21?
We had another two couples check into North Dakota Saturday, Lacy, Kevin, Fred and Maria again on a new spot. I think they went home with 8.
Mike checked in sunday for 2 nights. they have caught a few but nothing to brag about.
Today its back to grinding as we have Trevor coming for 3 houses tomorrow and Darrel rolling in tonight. Rick will roll in Friday morning. I sure hope we can have better fishing for all. I think 3 resorts have something going on this weekend I cog at Rodgers, Red lake adventure biggest walleye contest and jrs indoor fishing contest. I’m not sure if Hillmens has the crappie floppers coming to play music this year but I assume they will.
Well its that time to fire up the fleet ,check the fluids and get to work on such a grand lake

Another interesting week is also most gone by. After I wrote my last blog. Tuesday. I headed out on the lake to be welcomed by white out conditions. With just a trace of snow. I’m talking 1/16th of a inch. The wimd’s were howling out of the south west. Plan A turned to plan B that quick. Hillmen”s road was taking it well but the trail going north were a completely different deal. We could of moved houses but the more tracks you make in the drifts the more snow you collect. Its a nightmare. Your way better off riding it out then traveling as all it does is collect more snow.
Tanners crew staying in north Dakota and montana pulled out. They were able to go through the drifts all the way too the main road. I get out to our north road and its pretty much gone. With no other trails to catch snow I think it all blew in our road. The nature of the beast. With John and his crew arriving for north Dakota. I spent the next couple hours making it passable. Jonny boy stayed where he was and cleaned houses.
When John arrived I explained that we would move the house the next day.

About noon the winds calmed down and you could see. That lasted about a hour when the winds came back even stronger. Only this time out of the north west. Wow another white out was with us just like that. My as well have drifts going two different directions? Blue thunder went through another workout. once the winds died down that night.

Jonny boy has named the areas I ruin ant farms. Wayne says I’m the master of confusion. I like both those saying. As Wayne says. What’s it like looking out that clowns barrel, when I say Its not my first Rodeo. That’s the comradery I enjoy.

Tanner and the crew did go home with some fish how many not sure.
Yesterday we hit her hard. North Dakota was moved, then reset. Montana was dug out and moved. notrth caroliana was dug out and moved, banked. Florida was moved set up and banked California was moved banked and set up.

John and his crew had some more fish last night in the new spot. Today we plan on setting up Montana. Then moving old Minnesota as I vacate the area I ruined.
I also picked up a few things for the fleet as we prepare for fridged temps this weekend. -30 two nights in a row.
After this next cold blasy maybe the houses will stop flooding?
Our new hoodies should be here today or tomorrow.

Well as the saying goes its time to hit the ice On this grand lake that owes us nothing. Who knows maybe this weekend some one will catch a elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie?

Well here we go again, Its been addressed I need to state our prices for plowing. We would like to get 50.00 for a spot plowed. 100 if we have to rescue a house that has been drifted in.
My intension while writing in the morning is not to offend anyone ,Its just a way of letting fisher people know some of the ins and outs of being out there every day. Yes I have grand days and bad days as I take on more then I can chew some times. I try to help when ever possible. Yes I do expect tips as I’m trying to scratch out a living.
I truly love being out there watching the spectacular sunsets that mother nature provides. Having fun with customers, getting to know them, where they live, what they do for a living. The great thing is you have something in common as soon as you meet. Fishing? Do I have a passion for fishing ,maybe not, but I enjoy the comradery of fishing, seeing fellow fishermen catch fish. Hanging out with customers/ fishermen. Maybe playing some cards,some cribbage, yesterday even some dice games. Laughing yuking it up, how can you not enjoy that. Laughter make’s you younger.
We got the red baron going with a little help from our friend / mechanic Tom. Jonny boy got frustrated as would be expected when your laying on the ground in the cold,snow dropping a gas tank more then a couple times.
I had her on the lake yesterday feeling her out, its such a sweet truck as it pretty much idles through the snow. I did get hung up yesterday but that was my own fault. Its not the first time I’ve gotten stuck and I expect not the last. I did forget to put the number 2 spade shovel in the truck. If you own a wheel house ,purchase a number 2 steal spade shovel. They work a lot better then a plastic snow shovel or aluminum snow shovel. It seems every year I pick up parts of broken plastic snow shovels.
We will be saying good by to the guest this morning then its time to decide what area we want to fish. I have a good feeling the area I’m at is getting fished out and do not want to gamble with bad fishing this coming weekend.

There’s some areas of broken ice that are now hidden so I have to be carful when we cut any new trails.
Old Minnesota had Jon and Mike, the house had not been fished very hard so I took a shot and left it there. The guys got 4 nice fish ,They also lost a big one at 3am. Will see how they did last night later.

California had Rick and Al. They were up to 6 and rick also lost a big fish.
Tanner is here with a big group of guys and his dad, Tanners Dad brought our truck white lightning here from Denver we had bartered for a couple nights fishing. They have north Dakota and montana, a few fish of been caught but they were having a hoot playing dice games yesterday.
I never made it out there last night as fog had moved in .My plan A turned into Plan B as it was as they say thick is pea soup.
Today we plan on getting as many house’s moved as possible as the colder weather is about to come down upon us,
We have Jon v coming today with the rest of the guests rolling in Friday. It was good timing as I hate to say I was getting a little worn out going 16 hours a day.

Its been so crazy busy here for Jonny boy and I.
We had guest all of last week right into Friday,. Its been non stop go go go.. Trying to remember events and names after a 5 day run can be tough to say the least.
First things first a couple in fishing can be any where from 2 to 12, a few can be any where from 3 to 19. One is one I think?
We had Jack and his buddy in north Dakota for 2 nights midweek , we did move them the second day. They caught a few.
we had Mitch in montana where I never even got to visit much .I think he got a couple.
Steave was in California mid week he also got a couple?
We had jerry and his sons in Kentucky mid week, we moved them the third day. They never did that well but enjoyed there stay and all ready said they plan on doing it again.

Thursday and friday we busted butt getting ready for the weekend, All the houses were put on fresh spots, My good friend says I’m the master of confusion when it comes to plowing trails to the houses. I ruin areas as I go one way or the other. Up,down . This way, that way. Its all in the grand plan on a grand lake.
Our good customers Andy and Andy made there second trip of the year. Andy inspired me with some constructive criticism years ago about gassing the generators. We now fill the generators instead of putting some one in charge. If we have bad weather they may have to get a lesson in filling them but by the most part we take care of them with our system.
They were in Kentucky and montana the other Andy’s favorite house. They caught some fish in the new location we moved to, but quite a few smaller fish, which is good to see. I think Andy his dad Brad and brother Alex may of went home with 6? They caught more then a few though.
Sam there friend came up with his wheel house They only got a couple.
We had Jim’s friends in old Minnesota Dan and Stacy. I plowed a spot for his wheel house. They ended up with a few between old Minnesota and Jim’s.
Leroy his grandson Quinten and Christen made there annual trip again. It sure would be nice if we landed on the mother load on one of there trips. They did get a couple over a fat 21 and a fat 20 plus a couple more. We did move them Saturday as the house had been fished 2 days in a row with so so fishing.
Ringo rolled in Saturday morning for 1 night in north Carolina. They went home happy with there catch. I also had to plow 2 spots for there friends wheel house’s. I came off the lake Friday night at 6 only to turn around and escort a uncle out and plow him a spot where he gave me 10 dollars? Wow, I just told him my time was worth more and drove off. I got home at 7 where I rested and ate before heading back out with the other wheel house around 9:30. Talk about a long day.
We also had Dale fish in California as a day house with his buddy Wally and there wife’s. They fished tell dark and I know they got a few.

Jonny boy and I worked on all three vehicles Saturday into yesterday. The hammer got her new wheel bearing thanks to Jonny boy. We also trouble shot the red baron where we found a bad ground and 2 fuse’s for the ecm module? What ever that is. We also added a new ground. I did warm it up last night a filled her up. I ‘m going out on the lake today to test her. What a relief getting her going. It has a terrible wobble we need to figure out. If you look it up its common and is called the death wobble “ZOIKS”
There’s more matianace on the fleet. We do get a bit of a break after our guest we have now leave on Tuesday.
Of course mother nature plans on stepping in mid week with temps closing in on -20.
Even though I baby my trucks they still take a beating, 3 or 4 tranny’s in the red baron, drive shafts, belts, batteries. wheel bearings. u joints, radiators. Both plows have been completely rebuilt.
I litterly ran blue thunder 1 into the ground over the years. When we retired her she was worn out. Over the last 4 years we have robbed many parts off that truck, including the whole front differential last year.
Sometimes the frustration level hits the roof, its all worth it when you enjoy your work on a grand lake that owes us nothing

So a little venting is in order.
Yesterday I’m coming back from the gas station , there’s a truck and wheel house behind me, there’s a car behind him. There’s a double yellow line all the way through waskish, yet people think they can pass? Its a double line for a reason .There are drive ways all the way through waskish. What is the big hurry. If your pulling out of a driveway look left, right, left and right again.
The whole fleet is going on the move again today, Our good friend Lee was here with his gal Bonnie staying in old Minnesota. They had a grand time on a grand lake. A few fish were caught and eaten.
Jerry and his crew got to experience a move yesterday as we pushed out further, looking for better fishing.
Steve has caught a couple in California and was commenting how peaceful it is out there.
Mitch is fishing in florida with about the same results.
Jack and Al are in north Dakota. We plan on moving them this morning. They did have a 16 and 19 last night but very slow.
Jonny boy was staying in montana last night. With all the plowing I never got it moved. Once there on new spots I have a pet peeve about being fished .Fishing in the house on the same spot after the guest leaves is nice to see if the good bite continues on that spot.
Now for the red baron. We have a fuel pump problem and could use a good electrical guy. Its got to be a ground. It seems once the gas tank is bolted back up the pump stops working. I’m willing to barter or pay for someone that could fix the problem as the red baron is a very important piece of equipment. Once the snow drifts get hard the red baron becomes the work horse of the fleet. Plus the next snowfall with over 7 miles of main road to help on she needs to be ready to go.
Blue thunder has gotten a work out so far this season. The hammer picked up a new battery. She has 2 and one broke loose and cracked, finding a little time to replace it will have to wait for now as working on it outside can be a bear .
With such a busy week all the house’s need to be moved toady as mother nature threw a wrench in things when that dusting of snow came. Followed by the high winds. I basically lost a whole day. Its nothing new here. I sure do not understand where all the snow comes from, you would think after a hour or two it would all be on the shore line. The only thing I can figure as there must of been snow squalls that day. Or it was so windy the snow was coming from Canada. I have a new dance its the fish dance so were going to give that a shot today.