Well the season has officially started for us. Jonny boy and I spent Friday morning getting florida, monatna , old Minnesota, blocked, banked and augured.
Jonny boy then spent the rest of the afternoon hanging with Paul and Quinten. They were here for two days with there snowbear. They managed to find a few fish but I was surprised they did not do better.
I got all our guest checked in, They all brought wheelers so I escorted them to the house’s. Mike Don and Chris decided to just kick back in Montana and hit it hard Saturday. They managed to get a couple of fish for dinner. Saturday they headed out deeper but did not do that well. They did manage to get 3 more out of the house.
John and Rick checked into florida fish house. They also managed to catch a couple in the house through out the weekend. They did manage to find some good fishing.
Wayne and I fished old Minnesota through out the weekend. We ended up with 7 keepers two of them be over 17 inches, We also figured we lost twice as many so I thought it was good fishing.
Jim and Jarrod tapped into our generator Saturday and managed to get a few fish also.
North Dakota was next to shore as a cabin. 4 younger kids Chris, Austin, Dan, and Drew stayed there. The first day they did not do that well, Saturday was a different story as they did much better.
After saying good bye yesterday. Jonny boy and I proceeded to move florida, montana and north carolina . I checked Lorenzo and his gal Jenel in around 3. When I stopped into to check on them they had 2 and had missed a couple.
I’m not sure why the snow is like it is but I can not remember snow banking like this . Its like perfect, I would say its like a lite sugar sand. That would be cool if it stayed like that all season.
Jonny boy spent Saturday eve fishing With Chris, They did real well some where to the south.
We did gain 2 inches of ice as I measured 14 inches yesterday, We will be digging out old Minnesota today and move it to a new spot. California and North Dakota will also hit the ice in the next day or two.

Its a hub bub of activity here on the shores of upper red lake. All the outfits are moving smaller house out for the weekend. They all have different rules for the ice roads so you need to check with the resorts your going out of. If I’m not mistaken Hillmens is still at side by side and single axle fish houses. up to a mile out. There’s a pressure ridge that has been active since it formed so There a good chance we will be dealing with that all year. You hate to wish for super cold weather but its the nature of the beast so that what we could use.
I have been on the lake and augured 2 holes. 1 I measured exactly 11 1/2 inches the other spot a mile away 12inches on the button. That was yesterday before last nights colder temp.

Lonnie was up with Kriag. They managed to take there fish home. I think they tried 3 spots in two days, last night they did go have a burger at westwinds.
I now have all the houses staged in front of Hillmen”s for the weekend. What a great feeling being on the lake again for my 18th season. A few of the houses will be fished this weekend. while a couple others still need to stick close to shore. The houses are set up pretty shallow so will try and be extra quiet with the lights toned down.
We put a new gas tank on the red baron this late summer. I mentioned to my buddy wayne. I should just put a new fuel pump in it. We decided no if we need one we could always take the one out of the other tank as that is also going to be replaced. Well after driving it a round all fall she puked down at the lake this morning. ” dirty dog”. I’m hoping its just a bad connection .
No deer story today

From my observations, and from my guest, I would have to say the lake got absolutely pounded this past weekend. I even ate some fresh fish this past weekend, even though I still have not wet a line. Yesterday from the sounds of it was a bit slower, but that only makes sense as there were 1/4 of the fishermen from Saturday. For some reason you never see the poor reports. I guess I should of wet a line to say I did not catch any.
Our friend Jeff brought up his ice castle for us to rent so last night we went over all the bells and whistles.. Wow what a unit. They have thought of every thing on them ice castles. Even though the house is not themed per say were going to nick name it Kentucky. A customers/ Kim joy and Tim bob had ask me if I would name the next house Kentucky. Kentucky will sleep 4 very comfortably.
I got Florida and old Minnesota recleaned yesterday. The cabin ,Montana and north Dakota will be on the to do list today. The cabin is wide open un tell Friday.
The plan as of today is start getting the houses out of the woods , out on the ice where they will be staged waiting for more ice. I would say crunch time is just around the corner. I sure would like the houses on 14 inches of ice to start the season.
Hillmen’s highway is shaping up nicely, Buddy Hillmen has staked it out quite a ways. I will have more info tomorrow once I talk to him.
I’m planning on getting out to my deer stand tonight as the wind will be in my favor, I’ve never been a trophy hunter but feel I have a knack for finding there hiding spots.
Back when I did a lot of still hunting. I was hunting the woods I had taken my first deer. I had been over that oak ridge many, many times so I knew it very well.
I had cut a trial through the swamp every time I walked through from that direction. I would trim branches and move obstacles. I had walked the perimeter many times over a few years. That morning I was basically walking the same route I had when I harvested my first deer a heavy 10 point 200 lb. field dressed deer. As I was working my way through the oak trees I spotted him before he spotted me. I could see he was another big bodied deer with a nice rack. My heart began to pound. He was tailing away from me about 60 yards away. I would have to get closer for a shot. As I watched him through the woods. I did my best to be silent and close the gap. After maybe gaining 10 yards all of a sudden he was gone. I had for gotten that there was a low spot in that area. I took a few more quick steps and all of a sudden he was standing right in front of me 30 yards away. I froze but I was busted. He snorted, whirled around and took off like a rocket. My first thought was! I know right where he is going. I take off running threw the woods with bow in hand. I get to where I expect him to come out. Totally out of breath! Seconds later he comes off the oak ridge running right past me as I’m standing there so out of breath. I can not even get my bow in position. I could of reached out a poked him as he ran buy.

I guess you would call it maybe a fishing frenzy. We had a few guest stay here on shore in the houses. Boar aka Jeff and Lori figured they landed 25 fish through out the day after moving once. They kept there 8 and came off the lake before dark where they headed to Westwind the premier resort here on the shores of upper red lake, where they did the hook and cook for 10 dollars.
Mike and Jane also got there 8.
Jeff and his 2 boys brought up the ice castle I will renting this year. I have not nick named it but its a beauty. Were going to go over some details later today.
Wild Bill came up with His son Brandon and a couple of Brandons friends. They did not do as well but went home with a few.
Jake and his son Trent also came up and did well. Trent is in 4th grade , he out fished his dad . Plus he shot his first duck this year. We chatted about kids hunting and fishing, Nice to see for sure.
Ryan and his crew stayed in the cabin. They also had great fishing.
Brent and his buddy Tony ? stayed in Old Minnesota. They struggled the first day but managed to find a couple yesterday.
Just as I figured she was going to be busy this weekend. I counted well over 100 vehicles at westwind another 50 or so parked at Hillmens. Looking out on the lake they were pop ups strung out all along where beacon harbor has there marked trail.
Our plans are to clean the house’s for the third time. Then I will be staging them on the lake for the up and coming weekend. They may or may not be out in fishy water, as we still need a couple more inches of ice. I have had them on 12 inches but they do flood.
I did spend some time over at Hillmens resort working on the main road. Just like every other year, you could land a 747 on it if need be. A mile out there is a active pressure ridge. From the looks of it we will be dealing with a bridge a good part of the year. I could be wrong which would be a good thing.
Good old mother nature, It can be tough wishing for super cold but its the nature of the beast. I guess I need to now start doing a come on cold, cold dance?
The snow we got will make banking up the house nice ,as I like to bank them like there’s no tomorrow. Its more work but well worth it.
The strong ne winds put a damper on my hunt as the wind was not favorable for my stand.
I hope everyone is enjoying my deer stories , who knows maybe one of my mishaps will help you harvest a deer.
I had placed a stand in the middle of a swamp. There were a few trees just large enough for a portable. I have always hung my stands about 6 feet of the ground.
I had purchased my first grunt call. I had never used one. There I was sitting in the bare tree in the middle of a swamp with no cover other then the tree truck which was just round enough to support my stand. About 75 yards just to my left I see a nice 6 point buck or so, angling away from me. I pull out the grunt tube and give it 3 quick bleeps and he stops in his tracks. He looks my way. Hmmm I think? I bleep it a couple more times, he turns and starts trotting right towards me. He never stops. He trots right at me where he stops not 10 feet away. Looking straight at me we have what seemed like a 10 minute stare off, he huffs, he puffs, he stomps his hoof. Over and over. I ‘m holding my bow with a arrow knocked, again my heart is pounding. He finally has had enough of this blob in a tree , he gives out a big snort and bounds away.. The lesson I learned that day . I always carry a grunt tube. I constantly bleep on them while sitting on stand in the woods. You just never know when a deer is with in hearing range but you do not see them.

well I was able to visit SnowbearJosh for a few minutes last night.. He brought his kids and dad for a red lake adventure in his sno bear. They ended up landing about 20 fish with his 3 year old son Levi landing 3 walleyes. Joe, Carl and Chris headed to the south and crushed the fish .
Chris said everywhere the drilled hole was a solid 10 inches of ice, so were defiantly getting closer to hauling the houses out onto the lake.
Good old mother nature threw a wrench in all my plans yesterday as I spent a better part of the day plowing. After the store and our place I headed over to Hillmens to clean up the landing. Buddy Hillmen did start on the road with a stripped down plow truck. There were 3 times as many fishermen out there yesterday then Wednesday for sure. I expect a very busy weekend .
My as well share another hunting story. The first year I ever hunted I was 17 years old, My step dad/dad bought me a marlin 30 30 lever action. I ask if we needed to sight it in? He said nope they come sighted in? Off we went to his hunting spot . Opening morning we headed own a trail in the dark. I had no clue about hunting deer. We came upon a clearing, with the wind blowing 20 miles a hour right into are faces. We just stood there as it got lighter and lighter. After maybe a 1/2 hour of day light my dad says lets walk across the field to get out of the wind. We start to walk across and two deer jump up that were bedded down right in front of us. He threw his 44 up to his shoulder and fired off a couple rounds as I stood there in aww or shock?. As the deer made it into the woods he says I think I hit one? You stay here and I’ll go in the woods and check. I’m now standing there all by myself with no clue about hunting when all of a sudden this deer come out of the woods running right past me. As I bring the rifle up instead of pulling the hammer back I calk the gun and eject a round out. I then panic and start looking for my shell on the ground as the deer runs right by me. I did not learn my lesson, two days later I did the same thing ejecting my bullet. Then looking for it on the ground rather then shooting at the deer

She been a little more quiet here on the shores of upper red lake. There has been a few fishermen out there everyday that I can see from shore. I have also heard from the grape vine that there catching some fish, We do have some guest starting to arrive today through out the weekend so I should have a few more first hand reports coming . I did talk to Buddy Hillmen yesterday, Hillmen’s is going to” HOLD OFF” allowing single axel ice house out due to the 3 inches of snow we received last night. Wheeler/side by sides/ sleds are a go. He does ask that you stay on this side of a active crack out 2 miles or so. He also still has some on shore lodging. I also ask about the behemoth, his giant double decker house. The plans are to again have it rentable on the ice this year. If I remember right it will sleep 10. There number is 218 647 8504. I’m looking at possible getting on the ice towards the end of next week but mother nature may throw a wrench in our plans with this snow. I did have a customer take me up on my roast in the oven with taters,carrots and onion when you arrive. It will be interesting to see how that turns out. I expect they will walk in and say man does it smell good in hear. our plans this week are again to work on getting organized for the season. We have to go over to Davids in gather some 2×4 for blocking. They need to be cut up and that’s always a chore since I do not operate a chain saw. White lightning needs a water pump ,but I need to put that off for a bit. Blue thunder got her first work out as I had to go plow the gas station out this morning as well as our property. I was sure hoping we would not get any snow un tell I had the houses out on the lake . I knew I should of did the no snow snow dance. Oh well you would think I would learn but I realize after 17 years mother nature is and always will be the boss here on such a grand lake. Jonny boys buddies were up last weekend and snagged a elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. My plans are to give it another shot with the bow and arrow this weekend. I picked up some new gloves, and a couple hand warmers. Years ago I had built a deluxe deer stand up where the greek and I hunted for years.. Yes here come another lesson in not what to do. I had gotten to the stand before light . a lite snow was coming down but as day broke it turned into a mix of snow rain and ice rain. I was hunkered down in my stand with my bow hanging on a branch, The bow was completely covered with a thin coating of ice. A nice 6 point buck magically appeared coming straight towards me. I slowly grabbed my bow as the deer had no clue I was sitting 9 feet up in the air. He was walking right at me so I had no shot. After what seemed like a eternity he was standing right under my stand. My heart was pounding . I thought for sure he could here my heart thumping 10 feet away. He slowly started to mossy away from me . I was going to have the perfect shot quart ting away from me. As I raised my bow, I drew back, it sounded like a broken chandelier hitting the ground as the ice shattered. A sound a deer wants no part of has he bounded away in two giant leaps. Lesson learned if its ice raining you might want to keep the bow from freezing into a popsicle.

Was able to say goodbye to everyone this morning before they hit the road. Spent a couple hours cleaning up the shacks so I could shut down the heaters. This weekend, Ryan and his crew will be coming for the cabin. We have Boar and his wife coming up this weekend also,. Sounds like There friends are going to stay in montana for one night. Old Minnesota is still open as well as California. There is also a chance that north Dakota is open. Jeff will also be bringing his ice castle for us to rent this year. I know it sleeps 4 with no problems. I’ll have more details once its here. Looking at the forecast there is a chance that we will be getting the house’s out on the lake the first week in Dec. If all goes as planned they will be fishable by Dec.,7th. For now we will just keep them in there spots tucked away in the woods on the shores of upper red lake. I would say there were less the 30 portables out there yesterday that I could see from our end.I would expect even less today since its back to the grind for most. Also looking at the forecast I may get out on the deer stand again. One of my favorite ways to deer hunt when I was younger was still hunting through the woods. I took my first deer a 200 pound field dressed 10 pointer hunting this way with a 20 gouge shotgun. I also took my first deer with my 30 30 still hunting into the wind. Here’s another story from my many adventures trying to harvest a deer with my recurve The area I took my first deer was close to Wyoming Minnesota. I had a trail through the swamp that I had slowly made with a set of clippers. The trail came up onto the point of a oak tree ridge. With a lite drizzle/rain that fall afternoon my plans were to still hunt through the swamp up onto the ridge. Just as I took my first step onto high ground I spotted a doe leaned up against a big old oak tree. She was laying at the base. She had no clue I was less then 30 yards from her. I was totally into the focus mode. As I pre paired for the shot my arrow was all ready knocked on the string. I took my time, I drew back, picked my spot and let her fly. The arrow hit just above her back, she basically had to crawl out from underneath the arrow sticking in the tree. As she jumped up at least 7 other deer jumped up!!!. Seemed there was a deer laying next to every big oak tree . I was so focused on that doe I must of had binders on as I never saw any of them. When I pulled my arrow out of the tree the broadhead was buried into the tree , so it broke off. I imagine if the tree is still there the broadhead is still in that tree. There was a small pile of hair ,with not a single drop of blood. Lesson learned, when you see a deer be aware. There may be a heard if you take the time to look around

Well, wel,l well! We were gone for the thanksgiving but did have a few fishermen stay here with mixed results. Stacy and Craig were walking on to the lake they did not do that well. Hint, hint. Joe and his crew had a sled and wheeler. They did real good at two different resorts.I have not talked to Mel ,Dan and crew yet, The social media/ facebook has exploded with great reports, I always find it funny you never see the bad reports. Also not sure how the dad and son that stayed in old Minnesota did . I be leave they said they did all right when I talked to them on the phone. From what I have saw. Beacon, Hillmens, Westwind as well as all the resorts down south had great fishing. As of right now the houses will be on shore next weekend, I expect side by sides will be allowed out by then, if the cold snap hits us. Were wide open if some one needs a place to stay next weekend. I’m headed down to get them all wiped down and vacuumed in a bit. So here is something I offered years ago. What if you arrived for a 2 night stay in one of our sleepers. Upon your arrival there was a beef roast with all the fixings cooking in the oven when you arrived. I could make that happen if requested . Of course there would be a extra charge. So if anyone is interested give me a heads up and will go from there. Since I’m not heading on to the lake un tell I can drive blue thunder I thought it would be fun to share a few more of my deer hunting stories. Most are misses with the bow and arrow but still fun to tell. Plus who knows maybe my mistakes will help you score. The greek and I were camping /hunting up north. It was mid Oct. The weather was a balmy 70 degrees, We had hit our stands early that morning with no luck . After a hardy lunch cooked on a open camp fire, we kicked back to come up with our evening game plan. Our plans were set so we both decided to take a little nap before going back to our spots for the evening. The next thing you know the greek is waking me up. Quick its all ready after 4 and we have a 1/2 mile walk to out stands. I jump up ,gather my gear. I think man I need to have something to drink so I grab a can of pepsi. I never bring a can of pop to my stand . I’m all set up in my stand, when I decide to quietly open the can of soda, I sitting in a portable with no where to set the pop down so I just sit there and slowly drink it. Now I’m sitting there in a tree with a emtpy can. I think I sure do not want to drop it under my stand so I decide to put it in my chest pocket. About 15 minutes go by. A nice doe appears to my left, she is going to be in perfect range. I stand up . Get positioned , as she step from behind the brush, right in my shooting lane I draw back. The pop can crinkles in the dead silence of the woods, This was not a sound the deer liked as she was gone before I ever had a chance to fling a arrow . Another mistake was made, hind site should of never brought a can of pop, should of just dropped it under the tree stand. oh well This was 30 years ago ,and I’ve never brought another can of pop to my stand to this day.

With the ice reports all over the internet , conditions different at every access. I would say its best to check reports on the access you are planning on using. Most if not all the phone calls about ice conditions and fishing reports can be found on social media . We still have plenty of openings for fish house rentals . I be leave Hillmens also has plenty of rentals this season still open , Including the behemoth double decker that sleeps 10 to 12. There phone number is 218 647 8504 We use Hillmens access during the ice season, I talked to Buddy Hillmen this morning . He will be allowing Wheelers/sleds out up to 2 miles. He also said to mention to drive slow and use extreme caution. as there is quite a bit of rough ice. With another lite snow and breeze the rough broken ice will catch snow and may be harder to see. Beacon Harbor is also allowing wheelers and sleds I be leave. They did have a fishing report on there facebook page. Westwind the premier resort here on upper red lake is well organized and also ready to go. There were just a handful of portables on the lake yesterday. I think I saw a couple out of beacon harbor, 2 out of hillmens and 4 or 5 out of westwind. I did get out again last night deer hunting. I also had a shot. I missed. I’m shooting a recurve with no sites . I’ve taken a deer with a shotgun. 20 gauge, a rifle 30 30, a compound bow. So I went back to the recurve a few years ago. Man do I have the stories of all the misses over the years. It seems with a bow something always goes wrong. I can say that I think hunting with a bow makes you a much better hunter as you have to plan for shots under 30 yards. 2 years ago I was set up just off a snowmobile trail. If a deer walked by me it would be a 15 to 20 yard shot. A small buck appeared to my left. He was coming right down the trail. I stood up. Grabbed my bow as I watched him through the corner of my eyes. I only sit about 5 feet off the ground, with no cover to speak of my plan was to let him walk by, I would take the shot just after he passed. As he slowly passed by I took one step to turn as I drew back . The seat tipped down and spooked him. Off he went. Standing there reviewing what happen I thought? Man should I have pulled back while he was more in front of me. I thought would he of seen me move. I reenacted what happen pulling my arrow back , aiming right in front of me again, thinking would he of seen me make that move. I repeated this about 5 times. I then hung up my bow and set down. Not long after I here a ruckus to my right. I stand up ,look down the trail ,here comes a nice 10 pointer. Full speed.! He is going to run right where I was practicing aiming. I pull back and let her fly. My arrow wacks him right in the rib, he never even flinches or slows down. I watch him run down the trail with my arrow sticking in the side of him as he turns the corner. I get down , right where I hit him there”s deer hair all over, I get to where he jumped a fallen tree , more hair, I get to where he turned the corner and there’ s my arrow bent in half with no broadhead.We never found a drop of blood. Bob harvested the same deer 4 days later. I found a small hole in his hide directly on a rib bone about the size of a pencil eraser. Now back to last night. All of a sudden I here what I think is a deer running through the woods. I grab my bow, about 3 minutes later here comes a doe walking right where I expect, She’s going with the wind. She is going to walk right where I have shot a flu flu arrow every night I’ve set in that spot. I always pick a spot and fling a arrow before I get down. She had no clue I was there, I pulled back as she stepped out and my glove is right in my sight line. It throws my concentration off, I ended up panicking and flinging my arrow rather then resetting . I’m glad I missed , another lesson is put in the books. Take off glove? Different glove? Hunt when its warmer so I do not need gloves, The list goes on and on. Its the thrill of the hunt. Well everyone have a happy thanksgiving cookie

I saw on face book beacon harbor is allowing wheelers and sleds. I never got to talk to Buddy hillmen yesterday but I imagine its getting closer for him to also allow wheelers and sleds. Jonny boy and I got all the house’s ready to move. once we hit that consistent 14 inches of ice on our end. The temps dropped to -2 last night, You would think that should of made a little more ice.Then it started to warm up and we got a sprinkle of new snow. I would say less then 1/2 a inch. I’m hoping to get out in the woods again tonight. At least for the last hour. I’ll plan on still hunting to my stand with a flu- flu arrow knocked in case I get another chance at that fat grouse I saw. This time I’m not going to hesitate and take the shot asap. I counted just a few pop ups out there yesterday. I did see two wheelers come from the south but have no clue where they got access to the lake, I imagine it may of been someone with a cabin on the shore line. We should see quite a few more fishermen after thanksgiving, I expect it will be a little bit busier that last weekend. I do have a few friends coming up Friday, so I will have a first hand report on how they do. Knock on wood both blue thunder and the red baron are in good shape as of now. The little grey kia needs a little work but it does have good heat so that’s a plus. I see it s 9 so better get to work