well well well were still kicking up here on the shores of upper red lake, on a lake that owes us nothing! That keeps on giving.
I made it through another summer as the bones and body get a little bit more worn out every year.
I saw yesterday all the outfits are saying ice as far as you can see. she looks a little chunking out there as the winds were blowing pretty good when that cold air came ib two nights ago. You can see some piles way out there where the ice has broken and stacked up. She still windy out there again today. Last year after the first big wind it calmed down and we got some pretty nice smooth ice. This year as in every year it’s never freezes the same. will have to see what mother nature throws at us the next few days. I myself have no plans of venturing out on the ice any time soon.
I’m sure some will be walking out with in the week to see what they find. The weather man says we have at least 2 more nights of low teens so that will help. I did see some pics of open pockets of water. they always spook me. as they skim over you could go from 4 inches of ice to one. If a area of ice looks different I would use caution and common sense.
The dnr fishery has set our limit to 4 fish with 3 under 17 inches. Alot of elusive yet still catchable crappie were caught last year and this summer so I expect that to continue this year. With the live scope them poor fish have less of a chance than ever. I’m no one to preach as we kept many of those fish back in the day when you could keep 15.
Our fleet of vehicles have also gotten a year older. Blue thunder did get a couple of used doors plus i was able to put in a new heater core. She might have better heat this year but only time will tell. The red rusty trusty blew a power steering line a few days ago. Once it gets cold they all seem to have a couple new issues. Looks like this year is no different.
We also have a yeti we will be managing this year. We nick named it Tennessee. I be leave it will be arriving some time today. Depending on the ice we may have a few fishermen staying next weekend on shore. I expect you will be able to walk out to fishy water by then. Again mother nature will make that decision for us.
I pretty much have the same crew helping this year. Jonny boy will help as often as is full time job will allow. He has passion for finding fish thats for sure. Big Tony plans on helping out as well as Darrin and Dan. Dan got a ice castle this year so there are pretty excited to get out on the ice with her.
I’lll keep posting more as the days go buy but need to get some chore done today so happy holidays to everyone.
cookie

One more week in the books as it really starts to slow down now. I get a chance to spend more time fishing for the elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. My big problem as I fish in old minnesota most of the time as this old body cannot keep up with trucking around in the uneven deep rock hard snow.
Yesterday I spent part of the day digging out montana and getting her out of its spot. What I use too do in less than a hour took me a little bit longer. I do not think I could move 4 houses on my own in one day like I use to. Maybe, but I do not even want to try.
The good news as I did catch a elusive yet still catchable crappie last night just as I was getting ready to pull the plug and come in. Thinking maybe the mother lode was coming my way I stuck her out another 1/2 hour.
I did have guests in two houses last night. Jake and Brenda did find one hot hole outside figuring they landed 60 fish with 50 coming out of the one hole they were sharing.
Mark and his two kids only got one in the house monday night. They are seeing fish but cannot get them to commit.
They did go out searching but had no luck. They did get to watch out the window as brenda and jake caught fish.
We did have some great highlights last weekend. Jonny boy got quite a crew of our renters out to find the motherlode. They had a riot on such a gorgeous day. I planned to join them once I checked in some customers, but they ended up running late so time I got back out there she was a little chillier. Jonny boy plans on giving it another try this weekend. 5 of the houses are still open at this time if anyone wants to come chase the schools around.
Florida had Travis and his wife saturday sunday they took home a few? out of the house.
North dakota was a bust on its new spot as Jarred and his wife were fairly new at ice fishing. I expected that spot to do well.
Old minnesota had Dan /Pudge and his wife fluffy. The first night was a no show on the elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. The second night the fish came under the house so they ended up keeping 12. Hindsight I should of kept it there but I wanted a fresh spot for the week. My plan is to move her again when the help arrives as the hammer and I have plans of spending the last weekend on the lake.
Montana had Mel and Dan. They got a couple the first night. saturday Dan joined up with Jonny boy and had a blast saturday eve, they chilled after having a prime rib dinner on the lake as Dan said all that fresh air and auguring wiped him out.
Colorada had Melissa, Jason and Barb. They also got a couple in the house and joined jonny boy, on the hunt. They also had a blast.
Alaska had Nate and his crew they went out on their own and pounded the fish wherever they went. I’m not quite sure where they were but they had a riot landing and releasing a few over 15 inches.
Dean and his crew also participated in the hunt.
Plus they caught a few in a house we borrowed from westwind.
Chuck from ice castle outlaws did fairly well where we plowed a spot for them. The houses across and over could not buy but one crappie a piece.
Andy Roy and John also had no luck in there spot.
Darrin had jinksy dave and they did real well the first night but was dead the second night. Maybe I jinxed him. on a grand lake that owes us nothing.
Blue thunder has not been running right she wants to die when you let off the gas, I think it may be a vacuum leak or a fuel filter in the carb. We have had some fuel issues this year.
well, it’s time to check the fluids and go find the fish on such a grand lake that owes us nothing.

Having some major issue with our home computer,
My plan to try and keep the wheelhouses at bay worked out pretty good. All the houses caught some fish with a couple doing real good. Trying to figure where these crappies will be next can be tricky as fish swim wherever they want. I would say roughly 40 wheelhouses came down the north road. most found old spots to pull into while we plowed spots for others. Of course, some did better than others but that’s fishing. One or two wheelhouses stiffed me. The phone went crazy friday just about the time I got on the lake to get 8 houses ready for the weekend. I cannot drop everything I’m doing to cater to them, so they had to be patient. My stupid short-term memory can make or does make my planning quite a bit harder. Our good friend Lonnie had arrived wednesday with a couple houses. I told him what was going on out here so he could decide where he wanted to set up. Its so funny he always thinks he is setting up too close to us. he picked a good area for his friends as Steves house put the smack down on the mother lode. They caught fish for 2 days. Lonnie’s house got 4 fish so they decided another wheelhouse move was in order. In the process of setting up they had a few more guest roll in and things kind of snowballed from there. He had his own city over there by friday eve, some did really well while steves how dried up a bit. Ben’s house could not buy a fish and he was less then 30 yards from lonnies..
The hammer and I stopped there saturday eve, after being treated to homemade pizza from bill another of lonnies friends. The hammer got in on the action landing four of the now famous not elusive upper red lake crappies.. Lisa also landed a big one friday about 4am.
Some of the other wheelhouses we plowed spots for did well with some doing better on walleyes.
Now for our houses old minnesota did not pound them but they did allright. Cory and his gal had a relaxing vacation. Asley and I moved it sunday after they departed so I could enjoy the last night of big game fishing for the year. The hammer and I got 6 crappies 2 walleyes and a few misses in the 3 hours we wet a line. Last night our friend Nancy came up with some chili and we fished again. It was a little slow. I did land a couple elusive yet very catchable upper red lake crappies. Nancy spent the night out there and landed a couple more on the rattle wheel.
Colorado had Jon two boys and a friend they ate some fish and cleaned a few for the trip home.
North dakota had Marve and his crew they also got more then a few but were gone when I got out there sunday.
Florida had dan and his buddy they also caught fish but after plowing out two spots for there friends next to them they did not do as well. We seem to have a new pattern with friends or relatives wanting plowed spots next to our houses.
Montana and Utah were rented together. Scott, Dan, Paul all brothers and 2 sons had a blast . They want to make it a new tradition. I told them its not like this everytime. Paul gave me a bunch of ice cream as he owns a ice cream shop, I did find a few kids out there to share as we cannot eat that much ice cream. Scotts old fishing site invo minnesota started my daily blogging 20 years ago.
Alaska had 2 couples Justin his gal there 2 friends that have been here before. When I stopped in saturday they had 15 elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies.
California had Jon and another guy they ended up catching 48 “a bunch” plus a couple walleyes. Last night Carter and his friends fished in there. Same spot they landed over 20. they only fished a couple hours to boot.
Darrins house with dad and son also had good action.
Darrin will be helping with ashley and I getting the whole fleet dug out and put on fresh spots for the up-and-coming weekend. We have another full weekend coming up. At this time all the houses are open until friday although it sounds like Nancy wants to come up again tonight. I’m sure a few wheelhouses will be calling. we will do our best to put them on fishy spots without crowding the customers that pay for a weekend getaway on a grand lake that owes us nothing.

Another week has blown by, we have had great fishing in our area, not so great fishing in our area, so so fishing in our area. searching for a great walleye bite is hard if you get caught up chasing schools or school of the elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. Again, as the weekend approached so do all the wheelhouses.. Its impossible to put every house on the hot spot as the fish swim. There are so many spots that had been good even before we moved. When there’s a gauntlet of houses it sure makes it hard for everyone to catch fish. This week the plans have changed as the final weekend of big game fish. I’m not plowing spots near our rentals. Last night all three house I had occupied did very well with jeff in florida getting a fat 19-inch walleye while I was visiting. The guys in old minnesota were done within an hour of arriving. Well, what was different? There were not 50 houses and hundred vehicles traveling around.
I want everyone to catch some fish but it’s so disappointing when you have someone visiting that you want to get to experience what red lake has to offer, some of the best fishing you may ever experience.
As the big game fish season comes to a close i have always stayed out a couple extra weeks weather permitting to chase the elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. The 3 inches of snow and wind we got filled in quite a bit of area, so we have two roads that go to our houses with no place to put a wheelhouse. Jake and i were talking. The guys that invest in these units are fishermen. Some of the clients we have may get out and fish once in the winter. It really is not fair to them when I plow spots close to where we have spent all week prepping..
7o days in a row on the lake can burn a guy out , I would say I’m a little on the burned out side.
Last tuesday morning Ashley poo called. She somehow got a hook in her middle toe. Not quite the way to start the day. Using the string trick I was able to get it out. Darrin was also here to help move houses. what looked like a much-needed slower week again turned into a busier week? With 48 hours before our first guest, plus family coming up.
old minnesota had Gary and kay for just a evening of fishing, they were sharing the generator with donald from lee and tiffeneys crush whitetail tv program. Gary and Kay landed 2 walleyes and 3 elusive yet catchable upper red lake crappies. Donald had better fishing taking home 9 plus a a couple walleyes.
Wayne was then in old minesota for the weekend. he took home 9 elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies and 2 walleyes, he figured he could of done way better if he did not sleep through the best bite saturday eve.
We moved old minnesota tueday so i could relax and enjoy a fresh spot. That plan did not work out as I had a chance to rent it tuesday eve. Ben and Chad crushed the fish, then they had a buddy come up with his wheel house yesterday.
North dakota had jake and his family. After the first night we moved it to a new location, he also had some fisherman coming up with their wheelhouses. They planned on looking for the mother load with there livescopes. lets just say what a game changer, its like shooting fish in a barrel in my opinion. I got in on 5 minutes of action with Gabe and Jake they were attacking the plastic bait before it could reach the bottom. In one hole we landed 15 fish in les then 20 minutes. jake kept 8 for a family fish fry I released the 2 I got.
We got spots plowed for his guest and they all did really well. They all could of kept limits of fish for the weekend but most of the guys only took a couple besides the fish they ate while they were here. Dan and I moved north dakota for Ben and his family they had a grand time on a grand lake catching a abundant of fish sunday monday night. They also had 4 fish over 15 to get mounted.
Colorado had Lori and her crew they did ok. they sure know how to have a good time though. They ended up pulling out early after one of the guys augured a hole to close to the house creating 4 inches of water around the house. Darrin and Ashley got it up before darrin rolled out sunday. Then Dan and I moved and set it up for jason and his family where they put the spank on the fish both nights. They even got a couple elusive yet still catchable upper red lake walleyes.
We moved Florida after don left to be closer to old minnesota . For the first time our youngest son Joe was coming up with the two grandkids Greata and Luka to fish with our daughter missy her hubby eric matty our grandson. Kellie the hammer and I joined them saturday for a good part of the day. We ended up with only landing 2 fish just after dark. I sure was disappointed but that’s fishing. Eric did get a fat 19 incher friday night. Meanwhile a couple ice castles we set up were crushing the school of elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies,just to the west of us.
Dans house did get in on the action as him darrin and ashley caught fish tell they ran out of bait. they were also just to the west of us.
Montana had dan and his wife and dog for 3 nights we moved them after the first night and they did much better having action both nights.
California had ben and his two sons they had decent action but it got really slow after they caught and released a 39 inch pike.
Utah had our grandson’ s Jacob and Jason with two buddy’s they did all right being they arrived with zero fishing gear.
Blue thunders heater core went out saturday eve, so she spent saturday night out on the lake. We vise gripped the line to get her home sunday evening. man was that a cold ride when it was 7 below. Hindsight I should of driven it in sunday while the sun was out.
Here is a few of my frustrations. A semi just passed a truck and fish house in front of our place in a no passing zone. wtf are people in such a hurry through this town?.
I think we plowed about 10 spots for wheelhouses last weekend. Alan and her team crushed the elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie plus they had quite a few walleyes. Tyler did really well all though his boys did go out in there portable. I plowed a second spot for brian and stacy they did really well sunday eve,. dan did really really well. ken and his two buddies crushed the fish, darrins sister crushed the fish other house did well.
old minnesota had a cancelation for this up-and-coming weekend. Just like every year my plans are to now chase the elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. we’re planning on teaming up with buddy hillman and keep his access open a couple more weeks depending on mother nature. I’m hoping all the customes this weekend make it up seeing the cities got hit pretty good. There are lots of places off the main roads to set up your wheel houses. we also will plow a spot if you call me when you arrive and get your road pass. I’m sure I missed quite a few highlights from the past 8 days. With out Jonny boy and his ability to fix all most everything this season would probably never happen. ashley poo our grand daughter, our good friends darrin and dan tony boy.
We have started planning on having a shop next fall to try and keep the fleet in a little better shape. she is a little breezy out there today so we will again be taking our time moving the whole fleet on to fresh ice.

Well here goes another short novel. Novel “typically representing character and action of realism”
trying to give a fishing report from 9 days ago tell today is a huge challenge. Again, will start by saying thanks to all our customers, friends, potential customers. The fishing in our area was all over the place to say the least, If you got lucky a small school of crappies may have ventured under your house for some crazy action. I would say 95 out of a hundred fish caught have been low lite condition or well after dark.

I would guess about 40 wheelhouses came down towards our rental fleet this past weekend. There are other roads going to the north but most want to come to the end of the road. I did plow some off shoot driveways that never got used.
Buddy Hillman also plowed out some areas for other options. I got no clue how any of them houses did. Someone which I assume was buddy hillman plowed a area in shallow that had 4 or 5 wheelhouses, I’m sure curious how they did. If there back this weekend that should answer that question.
Moving our fleet to the west is out of the question as two other outfitters have been working the area pretty hard.
I have seen some flooding out there. The last ice I measured was just over 2 feet.
Talking about the chevy truck fleet, if the past 10 weeks had been typical, I’m not sure we would even have a fleet. I’m getting old as well as the trucks. It may be time to trade it all for one decent truck. The problem with that is then you need two. Two turns to three etc. Blue thunder 3 may be in the works.
We have had quite a few quests the past 9 days. We have also had some break downs. Blue thunders plow would not go right. After a lot of frustrations jonny boy again found the problem. A broken wire. Rusty trusty has had on and off fuel delivery problems. Knock on wood. Working on the equipment in the elements has always been a struggle. We have set in motions plans to have a heated garage by next fall. Our good friend dan the carpet man installed the new starter in black beauty yesterday so I can now haul equipment much easier.
This year has been the year of the generators. Were thinking of also changing things up for that next year. Being bring your own or you can rent one from us. Monday night at 10 30 I got the call the starter rope broke when they went to restart after fueling.
All the houses have been moved 2 to 3 times since my last fishing report, Tanner and his gal crushed the fish out of utah . Tanner is the guy that helped us get white lightning from colorado. Then we had Dan and his family for the weekend they did not crush the fish but they did get a few and had a grand time on a grand lake, dan said he had not ice fished in 15 years. We then moved utah again for bob and his two buddy’s thewy only caught a few fish but did get 2 elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies.
North dakota had rick and his 2 buddy’s from Illinoi. For the weekend they got robbed but rick said that’s fishing and I’ll be back. We then moved north dakota again for Ron and his 2 buddy’s they did decent sunday night but was defiantly slower Monday night. They did go home with more than a few.
California had Norm and his 2 brothers. They took home 15 fish I think with norm not having any luck on his end of the house. We then had Dustin a friend of Big Tonys they caught a few fish. We then moved california again for Robert from cromwell .They did really well and had a blast.
I fished old minnesota last thursday and had a gas, catching 5 elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies a huge perch all on a chubby darter within 2 hours of fishing. Friday night everything was just lookers.
We then had shell chick and andrew. They caught a few walleyes and a couple crappie’s plus we also moved them after the second night.
Florida had Nic and his son dillion. They were by rick and also only got a couple fish.
Then we had Tracy eric and Jeromy they caught some fish with eric releasing a 22 inch walleye sunday night. we then moved them for their last night where they caught a few more fish.
Alaska had joe and his crew for 3 night they caught fish when they jigged landing roughly 25 fish. with a mixture of walleyes and elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies.
Thats about the best I can do for my fishing report.
We did plow quite a few spots for wheel houses the past 9 days with mix results. Some did great others not so great. Then you get a couple that just will not tell ya the truth?
Jonny boy got the day off with the road conditions so he is going to come help move houses and do a little fish scouting before we get everything on new spots. I also plan on wetting a line for a few hours tonight. Darrin will be coming up also to help and we have Ashly poo here helping also. So, it should be a grand day on a grand lake.
I’ll be heading out on the lake in a bit to see what mother nature has dealt us. The winds have been howling all night. With some snow there will be some plowing for sure.
We have had some spectacular sunsets and sunrises the past week plus friday night I got treated to some dancing northen lights.

trying to remember what happened a week ago can really be a challenge. The easiest would be just saying the fishing was ok,good,great,slow..
There was plenty of frustration with equipment, weather, fishermen.
What looked like a little break from rentals turned into quite a hectic week with mother nature giving us a wake up call. The fleet does not take the super cold very well.
Monday morning Tony got a break from the lake as I sent him to Bemidji for 2 new batteries for the hammers trail blazer and black beauty..
We thought black beauty’s battery was toast. with the new battery she fired rite up, 24 hours later the starter took a shi. The red baron still has not been addressed as far as what may be broken. Jonny boy is home for a week to help us out as Big Tony has taken a well-earned break to go home and be with family. Without Tony stepping in, this season could of been a big bust.. Its sure is nice having help that understands the game plan and has a good head on his shoulders. His strength has also come in handy as well as his fishy/scouting skills. Staying out on the lake can really pay off with what there biting on the best presentations the best times, if there’s a morning bite middle of the night bite what’s biting on what etc.
I had to break down last night and fish for a bit. I was happy with the results.
Jonny boy also spent the night out there and gave me a good report.
We have customers in Colorado and Florida so will be interesting to see how they do now that all the wheelhouses rolled out yesterday. My frustration was a little high last friday as we had the whole fleet ready for the weekend. With the v plow down making driveways for wheelhouses was not happening. Its sure would have been nice to make a few new roads as we had everything ready to go by 11 am.
Rusty trusty had a fuel leak that had to be addressed. Jonny boy got that repaired. She still has a fuel issue that were addressing.
Jonny boy and I also purchased another chevy lake truck. I have not given her a nick name yet.
With the winds today blowing pretty hard it will be slow and steady.
I was told by an outfitter that sharing my fishing reports is a bad mistake. I have been doing this blogging for quite a few years, I have noticed that most give me some space and do not crowd us. In my mind they are all potential customers. So we take it as a grain of salt. I can attest it’s a lot harder than people realize how tough it can be taking on mother nature and the conditions on the lake. Trying to keep everything running. Trying to find good fishing can be a huge challenge. The season is a grind, so I rely on catching a second wind.
We have a few customers this week as we again move all the houses for the up-and-coming weekend.
Blue thunder ‘s plow decided she does not want to turn right so now that’s been added to the must repair asap.

Last monday we had a crew roll in from iowa that have a very popular tv show. Lee and Tiffanys The crush? Huge whitetail hunters. They were only spending one night. It was just the guys as they were here just to relax and have a good time fishing. Let’s just say they had a good time and caught quite a few fish. Super nice guys.
Old minnesota had Gale and Tim they were here for two nights they took home a couple fish.
Florida had Kevin and Rollie they have been coming for years. They did pretty well even though a wheelhouse with a loud generator backed in behind them. I talked to them yesterday when they were packing up a very nice couple from floodwood. Shelly and mark they said they caught a couple. I did mention I thought maybe they pulled in a little to close.
Travis was with his buddy in north dakota they spent saturday fishing looking for the motherlode with their side imaging. I never saw them at the house and assume maybe they went to lake of the woods for the day. Turns out they found some good fishing all by them self. They ate fish and also took some home.
Monatana had Iban and his family they landed a few elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies and a couple walleyes.
Andy, Andy and their buddy had outstanding fishing in alaska. They had the lites toned down. the generator in the back of their truck. They always want to be away from anyone and bring their own generator this time it paid off as they caught a pile of fish. With a nice mix of a little of everything.
Utah had brad and his buddys they did all right but pulled in late Friday night so missed the good first nights window.
Colorado had Cody and Amy they never landed a elusive yet catchable upper red lake crappie but did take home a couple of limits of walleyes and said they plan on coming back next year.
Old minnesota had my good friends and hunting buddies Bob and Rick plus they brought boom boom billy rundle. I have not seen Bill for who knows thirty plus tears or more as he moved to Wisconsin.
My good friend billy aka The greek gave him the nick name after he took out moose with one punch in a heated broom ball game many many years ago.. Rick put on the fishing clinic as he caught over a dozen elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie while Bob got two walleye and bill got one of each.
It’s time to bundle up and hit the lake as the winds are howling out there today.
We will be improvising a bit as we nurse the fleet back into action on a grand lake that owes us nothing yet gives us everything.

Will just start by saying for some reason this coming week has always been a little slower for rentals? At this time we have 3 houses still open, north dakota,montana, and utah. the fishing was real good this past week.
The past week was another busy busy week here on the shores of upper red lake. We had 2 groups rolling in thursday Nick,Deeann,Aron and Char were checked into north dakota ,. Asley and her 2 fiends form Oklahoma which had never been on the ice arrived late afternoon. They were a little nerveis being the first time driving out on a frozen lake.
Ashly had also booked them a snowbear trip friday morning, so they were in for an adventure. Then throw in a couple inches of snow followed by some gusty wind friday. They caught a couple fish Thursday night with the best window from 5pm to 9pm. Remember how many a few fish are or how many a couple are or some from my previous writing? Friday morning their snowbear trip got cancelled, so there fishing was right where they were. Friday night the action was again around 5 to 9 they with quite a few more fish caught. A couple were even the elusive yet still catchable upper red lake walleyes.
Nick and his crew were here for 3 nights. The action was super slow during the day but each evening the fishing picked up quite a bit. We even started seeing some good action at 1 am and 4 am..
Marlo got 7 nice walleyes thursday morning. Nicks crew went home with some nice fish. More than a few?
Steff, Bill, Reed, and Brandon in Florida went home with 40 yes 40 elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies.plus a couple walleyes.
Montana had shell chick with her grandchildren Kaden and Chasity, Jonny boy got them all set up as the house was not rented. Him and Heather/Featheralso stayed to fish with them. They had a blast with Kaden 6 years old caught 2 walleyes back-to-back his first fish ever he nicknamed himself fisher. They went home with a couple walleyes and a few elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies. WINK WINK.
Willam and Brian were in California they both had livescopes. They ate some fish and took home 10, plus released another bunch. They also saw what they were assumed walleyes but had a hard time getting them to commit.
Alaska had horrible fishing friday night with Jim and his son. Plus, we had some issue with the 30 lb propane not flowing. They only landed 2 fish, so our plan was to move their house saturday after breakfest. Jim’s brother John showed up with 2 boys and they got all set up on the new spot. They ended up doing much much better landing fish all night long. They took home a bucket and half of fish with the majority being elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies.
Colorado had Kayla and her friends they kept about a dozen fish with perch, walleye and crappie. I think they had the worst of the rentals as far as fishing.
We also moved Utah for Venessa and Jamid. They were only here for one night. They were gone when I got out there sunday morning. I did get a text from him later yesterday. They took home 8 elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies.
The extreme cold was not too nice too us with some of the fleet. When we were making the road for alaska and utah we broke something in the transfer case. It will not stay in FWD. Plus there was some grinding and growling.
Jonny boy and big tony did get the new radiator installed under the parachute with the torpedo heater. Black beauty’s starter or battery took a shi. Not sure on which yet. The hammers trail blazer also may need a new battery. The cold always does a number on the equipment.
Jonny boy had to leave town again so Darrin will be coming up tomorrow to help get everything moved for the up-and-coming weekend. It’s actually slow for us they next few days. Which is a good thing as I think I have been going on adrenalin the past month.
The wheelhouses we had plowed spots also did fairly well.
Jigglestick showed up with his grandson Dominick. His words not mine were” once again the lake that owes us nothing has given us so much”. Dominick had a blast pulling up 90 percent of the fish.
Tammy and Randy rolled in thursday. They also had fantastic fishing with once again Tammy landing a trophy of a fish a true 16 inch elusive upper red lake that she released. Randy also landed a big one 16incher while I was checking in on them friday evening. They only took home 10 a couple, but caught 14 walleyes a few, and 30 crappies a bunch.
Darrel caught 25 walleyes and no crappies, I also talked to another that did about the same.
Elvis caught a few fish while he was here also.
Seems the cold snap turned the fishing on this past weekend. Let’s hope it continues into next week.

Another week has flown by here on the shores of upper red lake. What looked like an easier week turned into another busy week with 3 trips to Bemidji 2 tracking down a radiator for the red baron.
Jonny boy got back home to help us get ready for the weekend. We tried our best to prep for the snow and winds that rolled in last night. I would say we got at least 2 inches. Big Tony stayed out on the lake last night in old minnesota to be closer to the guest. Just in case anything came up. I have not heard from him over night, so I hope that’s a good sign.
We started the week with Jake and his boys rolling in monday morning. Jake was on a mission to catch some elusive yet catchable upper red lake crappies. If I remember right, they landed 17 keeping 6 to eat.
With Darrin also coming up we were able to move california for Jared and his buddies as they had been here since saturday. That moved payed off as the mother lode swam under the house for there last night here. Even though they were not walleyes they were tickled pink to have all the action. I’m not sure how many they kept but they caught well over thirty.
We had Jim his wife and their granddaughter Brooklyn in florida. They did all right having action both nights. With my crappy memory I cannot remember the numbers but I be leave they got a couple walleyes and a few crappies.
With all the help we were able to move the whole fleet to new grounds before Jake and Darrin headed home.
Wednesday, we had joe his son in montana with their neighbor Jason and his 2 boys in california. Joe said they caught 18 crappies and a few smaller walleyes.
Jason son did get a true 14 1/2 inch crappie that he was very proud of. The action last night was much slower for them. I’m not sure if it picked up after I came off the lake.
I did wet a line myself last night. I maybe fished for a hour landing one. Jonny boy showed up and landed 4 or 5 with a couple smaller walleyes.
Mother nature decided it was time to show us she is in control. with the high winds out there, I expect she will be a long day. All the old roads that have been open are now more than likely gone.
. We had two groups roll in yesterday. We also plowed a few spots for wheelhouses.
We have 2 more groups rolling in today, looks like we will baby the red baron and tackle the radiator in the next 48 hours. I have changed more than one radiator in my lifetime, but my aches and pains, age, have caught up with me so Jonny boy and big Tony will tackle it.
Its been a year since we have had to deal with a snowstorm followed by high winds so she will be an interesting day. Not sure why they seem to fall on fridays but we know that part is out of control.
While Jake was here, I got to watch the side imaging in action. He saw a school of crappies 50 feet away from the house. He went over augured 2 holes came back grabbed his rod with a plastic mister twister. he proceeded to land 3 fish in less than 5 minutes during the middle of the day. I think it’s almost cheating.

It’s just so crazy how every week can be so different. Last week all the guests were showing up early. Things were breaking, customers were calling. Were here! This week they were all rolling in after 2pm with the latest coming in well after 1 am. I have to admit I got a little frustrating waiting for our last guest as it had been another long day on the lake. Big Tony, Ashley poo and I had all the houses ready to go before noon.
Tony his wife and the 2 kids checked in to north dakota, Tony said he has been going by here for 35 years and never stopped to fish. I would say it was a pretty successful trip. The walleyes had become the elusive yet still catchable
upper red lake fish. On the other hand, the cookie shuffle worked well on that house as they were well over 20 upper red lake crappies but only a couple walleyes so far. I hope to get out there this morning to say goodbye.
Big Tony was out in california 2 miles away from north dakota Thursday evening he landed 10 elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies.
We filled Florida Friday Saturday after a cancelation. They had forgot to call? John and Jason checked in after 8 pm by 10 pm they called to find out what the limit was for crappies. Super nice guys that left the house just like I ask as close to possible as how it was when you check in. john stated he has rented other fish houses and this was by far the nicest, plus I’m the first one that my crew or I came and checked on them off and on all weekend.
Mike and his gal Haily checked into montana, they also had pretty good fishing with a couple walleyes and a few elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies.
Haily is Jared’s sister, him and his buddies checked into california saturday so we had taken california from its hot spot to set them up next to each other. They had a few fish, but the better fishing was a little to the south.
Utah had the late comer with his gal, I hate to say it, but I never got to visit with them but once. They only caught a few fish.
Alaska had John the owner of alaska and his buddy Alec? They were to the east. They managed 18 elusive yet still catchable upper red lake walleyes. 2 crappies 2 perch plus quite a few misses.
Corado had Dan jr and his buddy’s. They also checked inn after dark, When I got their last guy out there, they had a half a bucket of elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies and just a couple walleyes. They did not have any live bait and were catching them with pink crappie nibblets.
Old minnesota had a good friend Wayne. It sure was a treat seeing him as we always have a grand time on a grand lake. The hammer and I joined him saturday eve, for some cards, pizza and fishing. The hammer put on the clinic living up to her name landing 4 elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies, 2 walleyes plus a few misses. I landed the biggest walleye. Wayne did hit the road yesterday with 10 crappies 3 walleyes. Wayne also helped me get a good door on black beauty as crawling over to the passenger door was getting old.
A wheelhouse we had plowed a spot for Tim called sunday to say thanks as they caught fish all 3 days they were here, they were in quite the fishy area as they caught walleye, perch, golden eyes, walleyes, and maybe a pike. We had plowed them a spot well to the west.
Another wheelhouse with Brock and his wife was amazed at how many crappies they caught. We had them close to the main road of all places.
I was talking to jake we figure the fish were seeing are from a huge crappie hatch from 2019.
Jake and the boys are on their way today and Jake is possessed with the upper red lake crappie. He probably has the auger already warmed up in his truck still 100 miles away.
The red baron radiator is hurting. The stop leak worked again but today I plan on tracking down a replacement.
Sounds like Jonny boy will be out of town again this week. Darrin is also on his way up to help out.
Wednesday all the houses are open. Plus Old minnesota, florida and possible montana are still not rented for this coming weekend jan 27 28.

We’ll all I can say is the big move paid off for now, Will it last throughout the weekend we will find out this weekend.
After such a busy few weeks a little bit of a break was needed to find my second wind. We did get the new tires on the back of red baron. I have not even had a chance to drive her as Big Tony has been behind the wheel. Today I plan on plowing a couple spots with her to see if I remember why I love that truck.
Asly poo has been driving blue thunder. She is getting better plowing everyday. Yesterday I turned her and tony loose to move and bank north dakota and monatana. as I cleaned all the houses. They seemed to work well together and got her done in a very reasonable time.
I think last night may have been the first night since Christmas that we had no guest on the lake. I still hd to go out there just to check on things.
Scott and his fishing partner checked into colorado monday. They had pretty good fishing if you count the smaller ones they also caught. The second night they even got a few elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies. I have said for years that the smaller scuffit walleyes hang out with the schools of crappies as well as a big pike.
Tuesday I stopped to visit scott . As i was sitting there his partner tagged into a pike. In the process of fighting her all of a sudden one of Scotts fishing rods shot down another hole. Once they landed it was not a monster, but it did have 3 hooks in her. Taking their time they were able to retrieve his rod up the same hole. They caught 23 walleyes,4 elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies, 5 perch and 1 pike.
Jaron, Chris and Josh were in north dakota tuesday wendesday. They also had good fishing with a school of crappies coming under the house the first night. I think they landed over 25. Jaron said it was crazy fishing for a while. They only took home 4 walleyes but they did take home a batch of the elusive upper red lake crappies.
Montana had Andy, Chris and Kaden, they also had good fishing. Not as good as north dakota but they ate some fish plus took home a few including 5 upper red lake crappies.
Florida had Bill and Sharon. The first night they did not do so well. I stopped in to check on them, they had there set ups 6 feet off the bottom? I helped them out. The next morning, they had only got 2 walleyes. Since we wanted the whole fleet moved, we moved them out a little further. They ended up having much better fishing even landing 2 elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies and a big eel pout.
It will be interesting to see how the fishing pans out this weekend. Our good friend wayne / wacker. He will be staying in old minnesota so I expect a little card playing may take place. Plus, I personally will be fishing more than a hour or two.
We had a full house this coming weekend but ended up with Florida canceling yesterday. At this time it’s still open in a fishy area. It’s time to get out there and fire up the heaters. As that old timer told me with so much passion years ago, ITS A GRAND LAKE AND OWES ME NOTHING! NOTHING! it silll chokes me up when I think about that day fishing with him.