I guess another rough Friday is in the books. Getting everything ready for our guest Friday morning was a challenge to say the least. While I was prepping ,Jonny boy had to put the new starter in blue thunder as she decided 20 below was time to give up. Plan A had again changed just like that as I banked north Dakota with a shovel after moving snow around with the red baron. I was then off to bank California, as I was again trying to maneuver the red baron around I noticed we had a radiator leak so I shut her down.
Jonny boy rolled up and we finished banking California. He was auguring the holes. I jump into blue thunder to move some more snow around. All of sudden we had a plow line deciding to leak. Back to hand banking Kentucky as I also shut her down. Just like that both plow truck would need to be limped home.
We checked in the customer through out the day.
Bard and his daughter Ryley arrived for California for a quick 1 night stay. They got there 8 before 8pm and decided to head home.
Ben, Shawna and the kids were in montana the house that Glen put the hurt on the fish Tuesday. They leave today after spending 3 nights . With a new 6 week old baby Sully they had there hands full. They managed to catch a couple fish before I got a phone call around 11 pm. Shawna had got a nice 18 with the rattle wheel. In the excitement the lure popped out and buried itself in her arm. I headed out to see if I could get it out with the string trick. With two barbs in her arm it was a little tricky. With the two little ones sleeping ,the baby crying a bit we got her out. No sooner then we were done and The rattle wheel by the door goes off. We encourage her too land the fish as she was a little gun shy. being such a trooper she set the line and they had another 18 in the bucket, My work was done so I headed back home.
Neal was with Tracy in north Dakota with there friends Bob and Lori in florida. Florida caught more fish then north Dakota but they all had a grand time on a grand lake. Tracy and I came up with a new facebook page we may launch soon.
Morgan her dad Tom, and her two boys Griffin and Arron were in Kentucky. They had some bites but had trouble hooking them as it was a lite bite for them. They did manage to get 4 nice one before they left yesterday.
Jason and his brother Troy checked into Minnesota, they kinda drew the short straw because of my break downs. The house was not moved like, I like. It would be interesting to see how they would do as Minnesota had been sitting there for a week. Jason managed to get his first red lake walleye and did miss a few fish. They were here one more night so will see how they finished out later on.
Kirk and his son Arron are in California they were up to a couple 4 or 5 as of last night. will see if it picked up for them.
I plowed a spot for Keith and his son Andrew before the red baron broke. They got there 8 so we found another fishy area to ruin.

Will say good bye to everyone this morning, regroup, and improvise as we start prepping for the last weekend of walleye fishing. I need to repair or replace the radiator on the red baron asap. Jonny boy got the old one out yesterday so that chore is half done.
Ii was able to get new plow lines made for blue thunder Saturday, plus we installed the new radiator so again blue thunder will be the work horse for a few days.
We also have a few guest coming today and tomorrow, they will be fishing houses that caught fish but will not be moved.
Its something I do not care to do but will defiantly be interesting to see how it all pans out.

Then there were 10? Yes only ten days left of walleye,pike fishing here on such a grand lake.
Of course its been another busy 2 days for me as I grind and battle mother nature. I’m not complaining as its such a challenging job. Planning days in advance, mother nature always throwing curve balls. left, right, up, down. We start the season wanting a bit of snow , We end up towards the end of the season with well over 2 feet.
With the weight of the snow our houses have pretty much flooded every spot.
The silly fish start to bite all of a sudden? Now that its such a chore to get around. It will be interesting to see how it goes the next 10 days.
Paul,Dennis,Brad, and Josh arrived sunday for north Dakota for 4 nights. With the great fishing Sean had with his family we decided we would start the first night on the same spot. They did get a couple fish but we would be doing the cookie shuffle the next day. It was not a big move as some times that’s all it takes.
The guys caught a few fish right away. The third morning they had a nice run, Paul tangled with the legendary pike nick named jingle bells for all the lures its taken. They had it half way up the hole after a epic battle only to have it slip away.
The last night they were treated to a nice run on the rattle wheels at 4 am .
Tom,Darrin and Mike were in California. They were here 2 night,The first night they got 7 followed by 2 more for a total of 9.
Glen was here one night and landed on the mother load, A school of fish must of decide to rest under that house as he actually got tired of catching fish. Well just like that my plans changed as Rodger needs a place to rest as they drove up to get there broken car so I gotta go.

Yesterday I got a early start as I headed out to top off the generators, then back to shore to plow out a couple driveways for some locals. Once that was done it was right back out on the lake to check on the guys. Since the fishing had picked up I was looking forward to some better reports .
First stop was California with Tom and his crew, they had 7 when I had last seen them . They did manage to get a couple more .
Paul his brother and 2 buddies had a couple more when I arrived around 10 am. As I was visiting they had a nice little run or school of fish come through and managed to land a couple more while I rooted them on.
Then it was over to check on Jeff and his family that had arrived Monday evening around 8pm.
They had only managed one little one in Kentucky and a 17 out of old Minnesota.
Jonny boy was out further fishing florida which had been fish fri Saturday sunday. With pretty decent fishing over the weekend it was more of a scouting and matianace evening for him and jess. They landed 3 quality fish while spending the night out there. Jess also landed a fat 18 around noon yesterday.
So all in all the fishing has gotten much better.
After checking in on everyone I headed out to grab montana and move her back towards the fleet. With warmer temps, a lite snow coming down, a wisp of wind. I soaked up the tranquility of working on such a grand lake. My thoughts were. This makes up for the struggles and brutal conditions we have endured the past few weeks.
With all the snow out on the lake most of the houses are closer to the main road. Every year is different and this is no exception. Once I got montana in her spot I headed home to grab blue thunder and head back out to block and bank her for Glens arrival today.
Just like that I jump in blue thunder and hit the key. Nothing. Back to the grind as I crawl under the truck to lightly tap the starter. After attempting that 3 or 4 times it was time to lug the torpedo out and warm her up.
Of course we lost a extension coed over the weekend so I did not have a long enough cord, so back out on the lake to retrieve a cord, I did get her running , but a new starter will be arriving today, along with a radiator that’s in route and a 100 foot extension cord.
Heading back out I got montana prepped for today, Then headed over to check on everyone, gas up the generators and get blue thunder back home. There’s just enough heat to keep the window clear.
After some rest and dinner I again headed out to check on everyone, visit a bit.
My last stop was Kentucky where they were all playing a dice game with the kids, I hung with them tell a little after 10 where I did the generators and headed home, another 16 hour day in the books.
Today we will be saying good bye to a few and checking in glen, plus Gary and kay.
The snow on the lake has made any off road travel not advised, I saw where some guys with a truck and chains made it about 20 feet off the main road where Wayne said they spent over 2 hours trying to un bury it..
As I was coming out that evening I saw the two guys were heading off the lake never wetting a line.
Well its time to hit the lake, As that old timer Dave told me. ITS A GRAND LAKE AND OWES US NOTHING NOTHING

I would have to say last week was one of those weeks you do not want a repeat of. Back to Back snow storms put the hurt on the fleet. Blue thunder has a new radiator coming, it may need a new starter when I get tired of crawling under it and tapping it with a hammer.
Friday was a brutal day for me as we prepped and checked in customers . I was in blue thunder all day with just enough heat to keep the windshield clear. Friday evening waiting for our last check in I was shivering at home. Luckly it was our good friend Wayne so he understood I did not feel that well.
The red baron also had some issues as we saw a small radiator leak. We had only made 1 pass down buddy hillmens road which was completely snowed in. I had Jonny boy head home. We got home and found the leak. It just so happens when I junked out the grey goose I had the common sense to take out the radiator. I left Jonny boy to the task of replacing her while I headed back out to cut the north edge of the road. When the crew arrive for montana and florida they were a few guys Zack that jonny boy use to work with and have had a tradition going on 3 years. One of the guys jumped in to help jonny boy button her up and the red baron was back on the ice in less then 3 hours. Installing a used radiator, out side, under a tarp in -10 degrees. If I remember right I gave Jonny boy a slap on the back with a job well done.
Right now both trucks need to be monitered well as we try a thaw them out.
Now for the fishing re[port. it has gotten better in spots with Sean is wife and daughter and good friend joeff landing over 30 fish . Purple was the hot color.
Mean while Wayne was in old Minnesota with not a nibble. The house had not been moved all week as it was never fished more then 24 straight hours. being it was wayne he was nice enogh to fish it there the first night,
We did move it Saturday doing the cookie shuffle. It paid off as the hammer and I joined wayne Saturday eve. We landed 8 fish in a 2 hours flurry with wayne landing his biggest red lake walleye a fat chunky 24 incher. We also lost a couple fish.
Mean while the crew out in montana were having a grand time on a grand lake. Jonny has been hanging with them as they all head home today.
Dustin and Chandler fished 3 different spots in 4 nights. They did not do that well but did get a couple fish. They also improvised a tool for retrieving a wallet on the bottom of the lake.
Kentucky only had customers 1 night. Joanie and her crew. They were just north of north Dakota and had the super slow fishing. Stupid fish.
Today were back to regrouping as we have Paul and his crew in north Dakota and Tom coming for California. Plus sounds like
there may be another band of snow coming our way. I’m defiantly trying the no snow snow dance today.

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