With a busy weekend behind us its time to concentrate on the up and coming weekend.
Dave and Dallas checked in yesterday and had caught two fish when I checked in with them. Pat and Todd were in old Minnesota and head out today. They caught a total of 20 fish plus anything they caught last night. Todd flies in from San Francisco every year and they have become one of my best customers. I even let Pat beat me in a game of cribbage. How’s that for customer service?
The guys from Morton were quite the crew and I sure like them. Very fun loving with lots of ribbing. Always laughing. The young boys fished a tow behind and did well. Rodny, Dennis and the other two were a different story. They always seemed to be gone prime time either eating, drinking or showering at Westwind. I stopped in Friday night and two were passed out with one two many. With 8 holes in the house they had one line down and I’m not sure if they even had that set up properly. Oh well they will get them next time.
Suzy, Wayne and there boys Matt and Kale had good fishing in Florida.
Matt and Kale manned tip ups both days with little success. When I saw them last they had 10 keepers and were hoping for two more before they headed home. The guys in Utah were a no show and his name was Ben so if you call and your name is Ben I may be a little suspicious.
Tony and Nells fished California it started off slow 8 miles out but they managed to get there 6 for the trip home.
Jordon and Sherry were here Saturday and Sunday and head home today, they have caught a few walleyes and yesterday had some major excitement as they tagged into a big pike. After 5 runs Jordan attempted to reach down and grab the fish as he could not get it turned up the hole. After two attempts it got away to fight another day. They spent the next hour untangling all the lines that were down and retrieved the rod that went down a hole during the battle. Not sure where the gaff disappeared to in that house. I guess I may have to put my name on them from now on.
Kevin, Nancy and Max spent the night in Utah and we will see how they did today.
Josh brought his family up to fish in there house. When I stopped in Josh told me I was in the house of missed opportunity. As he was telling me about all the fish they had not landed he lost a fish on a rattle wheel. When another fish hit another rattle wheel I jumped into action to show him how it’s done. As I lifted the fish out of the hole the line broke and the fish got away with his lure. I am now convinced it is the house of missed opportunity.
Even though I have not been able to fish where I want it has been an awesome season so far. It’s great to spend some time with new and old customers. Working on the lake is a passion and makes the job a joy. I may cuss once in a while but most of the time it’s at myself for doing something that was avoidable in the first place.
Category Archives: Fishing Report
Day 32 January 17, 2009
Day 32,
Jake headed home Thursday morning with his three walleyes. We moved California twice looking for a hot bite. Jake liked the new spot so we will see how Tony and Nells do this weekend.
Dale, Elaine, Tammy and Zorro fished Montana 3 nights with very limited success. We eve moved Montana the third day. Florida was also on a new spot for Jr and his two buddies. They caught over 25 fish and went home with there 3 a piece.
Dennis and his crew arrived early yesterday morning. They did not mention they were also bringing a wheel house so we had to wait until later in the day to plow them a spot.
When I checked in with them last night they had just got back from Westwind. Two were passed out and they had one line in at prime time? I wonder how many fish they will catch.
Susy, Wayne and their two boys had all caught one fish and had two in the bucket when I stopped in last night. Pat and Todd two of my best customers had landed four. Todd has graphs and charts of all the fish they have caught over the years and it is quite interesting to see the trends. They plan on taking advantage of Westwind deal on cooking fish and plan on going in for a fresh fish fry today.
Bummer the guys in Utah never showed what a shame as we had many calls for this weekend. Jordon and his crew roll in for Montana and Tony was going to pre-fish it last night on its new spot. We are fishing in an area that has small rocks and boulders
it seems if you get to far away from them the fishing really slows down. Tony is out 8 miles and we will see how they do in the muck bottom later today.
It’s nice to wake up with the temps above 0 but now we will be dealing with snow and wind. It’s amazing how much another person helping makes things run smoother. I will be scouting out a few new areas where they may be a crappie or two hiding so we will see if that pans out. The guys in the cabin may need a fish house if the weather turns bad. So we will move New York our day house further out. Mike and his crew will be rolling in at 7 and I have an area all picked out for them. Then John and his family will also be rolling in and need a spot plowed. Another busy day ahead.
Day 28 January 13, 2009
Brrrrr -38 this morning was a little to much for blue thunder. I’ll hopefully get it running a bit later.
Jake and Tony have been here since Sunday helping me and what a treat to get everything moved on fresh spot before this cold snap. They also have pre-fished two houses with good walleye action and a 30 inch pike.
I do have a couple of couples coming today.
I now have the houses spread out a bit more and we will see if that helps get more action.
We again have a full house coming this weekend and our goal is to keep everything running which I already dropped the ball on blue thunder.
With the guys help I may even fish a bit more this week.
Day 27 January 12, 2009
Not sure how to start this report as it was an odd weekend. Pat and his crew of 15 rolled in Thursday in spirits. It made it tough to check them in and go over the few rules I have about our houses. Time they were all here the drinks were going down and the rules were never clarified. I believe in second chances so if they call for next year I will take care of them even though I was a little disappointed the way they left the houses. I always try and have the houses spick and span when customers arrive and ask them to please leave the house in the condition they received it. I don’t think Montana had a sink full of dirty dishes when they arrived? I also don’t think I peed in the banking on the side of the houses? At least they puked a little ways from the houses. I also don’t remember leaving fish guts in the house or fish slime in the sinks.
The older group in Utah left the house as close as possible to how it was and believe me I do appreciate that as it makes detailing out the houses go much smoother.
Now enough venting. The new area we had the houses had some decent action. Florida and old Minnesota seemed to do the best with many walleyes caught 1 crappie 1 eel pout.
Pat said Friday night he thought a school of crappies may of came threw as all the bobbers and rattle wheels went crazy as he landed the one lone crappie well after midnight while all the guys were passed out. There was also a big pike that they had on twice under Florida plus it got a rod and reel. Utah also did well and landed a couple of pike just over 30 plus many walleyes. The bunch in Montana were lost in there own world. They did not land many fish. I know of one for sure. Plus I moved there house on Friday to a fresh spot. Looking at there set up on Saturday eve was quite interesting. One of the rattle wheels had a small jig on a steel leader tied to braided line.
Another line had a lead head jig the size of a marble with a small crappie minnow under a gigantic bobber. Another line was just under the ice with a sucker minnow?
California was little slow for the guys standards. They also landed a pike or two over 30 inches and some walleyes but never had any flurries. They also landed a walleye over 25 inches. That house was also on a new spot.
John and his buddies pulled in with a tow behind and also had Idaho. They also had good fishing but never flurries just one here one there though out the weekend but consistent.
New York had customers Saturday and Sunday and also caught walleyes. Drew and his family had 4 in the bucket the last I saw them.
Mike from Teamiceheave.com has steady action and packed up yesterday.
Remember to bring the portables and I can point you in the right direction for a chance at more than one crappie.
Day 24 January 9, 2009
Yesterday was another busy day as I had to rush out onto the lake to deal with a propane issue that was completely my fault. Bill and John ran out of heat. I had told them earlier in the day if there was any problems just sleep and fish in Idaho. I had an appointment and totally forgot to put a new tank on their house. I guess we all make mistakes and try and learn from them. The good thing is they did catch some fish and had a good time.
They caught over 20 fish but felt it was a little slow. John was whining about how slow it was yesterday when he landed a nice fat 16 3/4 walleye. I just rolled my eyes and went on my way. They also landed 1 30 inch pike with a couple of lures in its mouth. Bruce and his crew went home with their 9 walleyes and also enjoyed a fish fry in Montana.
Pat and his crew rolled in yesterday starting around 3pm. They had a party of 15 and all got sidetracked on the way up. Some others rolled in after 7pm and were grumpy as they had stopped at a casino. Not sure when the others rolled in as I was tired and hungry. I will head out in a bit and make sure they know all the rules such as not peeing on the side of the house, bagging up the poo bags, not drilling holes near any snow banks, etc.
With a turnover of California I again will be starting the day off busy as a beaver. John will also be rolling in and I need to plough out a spot for his wheel house close to Idaho.
Josh needs a spot ploughed plus he needs a little help digging his house out of the woods.
Sounds like Jake wants to come up Sunday and start scouting again for the elusive Upper Red Lake crappie mother load? At this time we will stay focused on the good walleye fishing. If you bring a portable I can and will point you in the right direction to better your odds at finding a crappie or two.
Mike from Teamiceheave.com is out fishing in their hard house and hope to see if they can find a crappie or two today in their portables.
It’s getting light so I better hit the trail.
Day 22, January 7, 2009
Day 22 and it’s impossible to ever take a day off which is fine with me. I’m always a day behind though and there’s always something that’s unplanned to deal with. Hopefully Bruce, Tubby and Brian caught some fish in Montana and I do not have to worry about letting them fish in another house. It’s always been a problem of mine putting fishermen in a house that may be burned out. If we could have the houses on some sort of structure I think the houses would stay fishy longer.
The way the snow is piling up I would suggest guys bring portables if they would like a better chance at crappies.
I sent a few guy out of Hillmen’s last weekend. Mitch and his two buddies caught 4, Keith got 3 or more. Another guy hammered the walleyes. So they are still a few to catch. Hillmen’s is still your best bet to get into the best crappie grounds although I will keep scouting for them. We managed to catch a few stragglers at 3.7 miles out of Agassiz but never any numbers. Not sure why its just one here or there wish I could figure it out.
I should have all the houses out of that area by the end of the day and there’re trails all over the place from the Red Baron. Who knows maybe there’s a school in that area and I never landed on top of them. The lure of Upper Red Lake is in my blood. Kellie the wife will be tickled pink to land a couple this year. She gets so mad when I can not put the house on a crappie for her. Well I have plenty to do before light so I better get busy.
Day 21, January 6, 2009
I earned my money today. After opening up a trail to California and Minnesota I was back home to meet Bruce and his two friends and get them checked into Montana then off to get California. When I pulled it into that spot last Thursday I had a heck of a time and paid for it today as she was froze in pretty good. It took quite the doing but as the sun went down I was on the road heading to a new area.
I still have not had time to retrieve my sled and it sounds like Kelly P may have ploughed out to it. With so much going on all I can do is hope its safe until I can get out there. It’s not abandoned just broken and stranded at the time. I think it was much safer before a road was ploughed to it but how was he supposed to know.
Tomorrow is another super busy day as Pat and his crew will be rolling in Thursday for 4 houses and my goal was to have them all on new spots. Then Friday Idaho and California have customers. Plus we have New York rented Saturday and again Sunday. Then let’s not forget Mother Nature lurking to do her damage.
Day 18, January 05, 2009
Man oh man – 23 this morning. Is it just me or is Mother Nature giving me the smack down? The morning will be spent getting all the equipment up and running. I will have to wait for the weather to warm before we do any serious work today.
Jake had a few buddies show up yesterday so it was like hey guys if you want you can fish in Idaho. Being a new house it needs to be seasoned and catch some fish. After taking a peek inside they were all over that and kicked back, caught some fish and for a little bonus enjoyed the or “how you look at it” not enjoyed the Vikings game. It would have been nice if the Vikings could have won while they were fishing.
I have a few things Jake will be taking care of today that I never seem to have time to do. We have a big crew coming Thursday and again I would like all the houses on fresh ice.
The rocket needs to be rescued to get that off my mind. California will take some doing to dig out as we vacate that area. There was just enough crappie out in that area to keep me interested but its time to go to better fishing grounds.
The area we have Montana, Utah, and Idaho has been pretty good but in the back of my mind I wonder if it’s going to burn out. I think there’s plenty of room to make my way west from there as east has only produced bigger fish.
While Wayne was here we were able to play the game Wii, what a hoot. Kellie was undefeated in bowling going 5 and 0
I was able to spank Wayne in one round of golf but the fun game was tennis man did I ever laugh. I stubbed my toe twice in Old Minnesota on a chair before I had the common sense to throw the chair out of the fish house. It would be real fun to play the Greek as he loves tennis. Well I have paper work to do so better get busy.
Day 17, cont.
Wayne headed home with his 3 walleye and a bonus crappie. Andy and his crew did real well and lost track of how many fish they caught. The guys in our new house Idaho also did well. All the guys out there today have had off and on action. I headed out to the end of Agassiz road this morning to help open the road and plow Joe out as he was out about 6 miles. I also plowed out two other houses that hunkered down and spent the night out there. One house did catch a crappie and some walleyes. Tomorrow I will have to go rescue my sled and start prepping the houses for next weekend. Blue thunder and the red baron need some attention so it’s looking like another busy week. Let’s hope Mother Nature gives us a break. With all the snow the snow banks are piling up. Please avoid drilling next to them as it will cause flooding.
Day 17, January 04, 2009
Day 17 started as a quick trip to Bemidji fro supplies. Jake arrived and went and met the Greek out in Florida to have breakfast and talk fishing. Coming back fron town the roads turned horrible and it was 45 all the way home.
The Greek checked in on all the customers and I decided I still wanted to move Idaho. While I was gassing up blue thunder and getting things organized the Greek started prepping the new spot we would be parking Idaho.
Rather then move California I would upgrade Pete and his crew into our new house. Things went well considering we were working in extreme conditions. Good practice incase of an emergency I guess. After getting Idaho all ready we were off to check on Wayne and see if the boys in California wanted to move to the new house. Again everything went rather well as we made our way out 3.5 miles. After the guys were ready we headed back and that’s when it got ugly. Most of the day I had said to myself we may not be beating mother nature but we were going toe to toe. Just like that the road was gone. With no gps or compass” Opps “we struggled to find the birm that would lead us back to shore. What the day before was so awesome turned into Just get me off this lake for the Greek.
Back on shore Jake called to give me the bad news my sled had broken and he was out 10 miles in the area we fished last year. After the great fishing he had there with us last year he just had to go there even though I suggested going out on a sled in those conditions was not a great idea. Oh well we all learn form our mistakes. The Greek was kind enough to let me use his sled to go rescue Jake. As the daylight faded I arrived to pick up Jake. My sled “The rocket” will have to sit there until late today or tomorrow before we can cut a trail and go retrieve her. The boys in California landed a 41 inch pike and 5 keeper walleyes. Wayne only landed a couple of fish and Andy and his crew had the best fishing and were well over 20 or more walleyes.