Most of our guest caught some fish yesterday. max and his buddys in california did well, Ryan and his crew staying in cabin found some fish, they also did well, they have been coming early ice for 6 years.
Never talked to John and Al in old minnesota. Paul and his crew in north dakota fished in front of the river . They also did not do very well. Keagan and his buddy have been staying in florida. They have just had limited success. Brian and his crew in montana were a last minute arrival do to a cancelation. They pounded them. Four young kids, super nice from Minnetonka area . Logan and his 2 buddies did well friday but not as well yesterday/.
So all in all the guys had decent fishing. I did have 6 wheel houses camping down at the shore plus a half a dozen trucks that were here for the day. That worked out nicely so I can offer that again this coming week un tell the ice roads are open. We again will be helping Buddy Hillman on his highway. So all are customers need to meet us there again this winter. They did some remodeling this summer. They have bait, tackle, snacks, bait , beverages etc.
I do have a private camping site , no water, electric this winter on shore if anyone is interested.
Yesterday at the crack of dawn Waskish woke up to a few hundred fishermen in town. After last years winter fiasco it was nice to see everyone busy. I did go up to the gas station a couple times. Sandys gift/antique shop was not busy. She has a lot of great antiques. All you fishermen that are married and your wife lest you go fishing? It would be a great place to swing in and get her a gift. I be leave they still sell wild rice from the area as well.
It was quite busy on the lake yesterday. I have lived here 20 years, been visiting my grandma Olga for 55. I have never seen so many portables on the lake. Not even in the crappie days. I kinda hope there is some fish left for the skid houses. I’m sure we will be ok, as not everyone catches .
Someone said there were traffic jams in waskish,kellier and blackduck. I saw a couple lines but not what I would consider a traffic jam. They also said resorts were not open or full? I’m not the one that uses the word fake news. but that sure seemed like fake news. Don’t get me wrong it was busy but by 10 am everyone was fishing with minimal traffic.
Do to this covid we have gotten rid of all the pillows in the houses which was probably a good idea any way. So bring your blnkets, sleeping bags , pillows this year if your renting from us.
. Were still plugging away on the red baron. It is defiantly having fuel delivery issues. Why they have to put the fuel pump in the tank is still beyond me but oh well. It has a new tank from a couple years ago so we will getting the tank dropped once I get my fuel pressure gauge to check the fuel pump. Back when I worked on our cars you undid the fuel line cranked it over if fuel came out it was not the fuel pump. We had Barny the welder fabricator in kellier rebuild blue thunders plow so she could hit the ice anytime.

This early ice seems to get crazier and crazier every year. If you have followed me for the past 20 years you should know I do not even go on the ice un tell I can take a vehicle of some type. When we do get out we again plan on useing Hillmans access and help work on his road/highway. We do not run our own access.
Buddy Hillman is now allowing 4 wheeler out to the first crack or to about 10 feet of water. 4 wheelers does not mean side by sides. I’m herring 7 to 10 inches of ice. We have always like 18 before the houses go out. That has been pushed to 16 and I have learned by mistake that they can be on 12? A week ago there were areas on the lake with open water the size of 10 football fields. I would expect any of that water that skimmed over may have 2 to 4 inches of ice tops? Plus for all I know there is still pockets of open water as the ice sheet floats around.
Last weekend I saw a few 6 elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies were caught. Some one even got 2. That should be expected considering there were 5,000 fishermen out there with 10,000 lines in the water.
The walleye fishing has been real good for the good fishermen and so so for the rookies from what I here.
The hammer and I did have fresh walleye for dinner Tuesday night. Considering I never wet a line or cleaned the fish. I would say that makes me a excellent fishermen.
All the houses have been cleaned 3 times. we did remove pillows and blankets this year. I did leave the pots pans dishes etc. Jake picked up some extra strength cleaners to deal with the covid.
After sitting in the wings last year do to my car accident it may take me a extra day or two to get back into the groove. Jonny Boy did a excellent job finding fish last year so lets hope that streak continues.
Blue thunder got 800.00 worth of plow work done. She still needs a new radiator even though the one in there is only 4 years old?
The red baron got 1000 worth of tranny repair and now had developed and engine problem. Fires right up 454 tbi chevy. As soon as you put it in gear it boggs, stumbles and dies. It restarts as fast as you turn the key then does the same thing when you put it in gear. Any mechanics want to throw in there 2 cents or come take a look we could work out a trade ? Jeff is going to look at it today so hope we can pinpoint the issue. I did damage the black half tons tranny when the red baron broke down coming home from the tranny shop . We had to tow it.
I have a new gas tank coming for the 3/4 ton red chevy so that can become my new driver. I have not given her a nickname yet as I have not driven her since it arrived last winter.
Looking at the books were pretty booked every weekend through the 20th of jan. Also the whole week after Christmas.
We have mid week houses plus some weekends in feb..
Jake plans on helping a couple days a week this winter. Possible our grand daughter Asley may also help if we can keep her from not fishing and visiting all our customers.

I’m never ready for summer to end as I have such a passion for golfing. Going to work everyday knowing I may get to play 9 holes makes it easy to go to work.
We have a long list of replacement and repairs this fall as last winter was one of the toughest on our equipment.
I’m pretty much healed from my car accident last year other then a lingering concussion that has effected my vision just a bit as well as some memory problems, all though hitting 60 may have something to do with that also.
We have a few reservation down in the books. Doo to the virus we will have to remove the pillows in the houses. I’m also stocking up on lysol to kill has many germs as possible. I really do not know what to expect this year so we will be winging it like most of the country.
The summer fishing was astounding this year. It could have a little to do with the high water? I did get to visit Tony the big water dnr speacilist while they were seigning this summer. Again I was amazed at all the little fish they catch when they drag the nets to shore. Even little crappies so we know there still a elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie On such a grand lake.
They also did very well with there test netting so there’s still plenty of fish to be caught.
I have to make this short has something came up Stay tuned

I’m never ready for summer to end as I have such a passion for golfing. Going to work everyday knowing I may get to play 9 holes makes it easy to go to work.
We have a long list of replacement and repairs this fall as last winter was one of the toughest on our equipment.
I’m pretty much healed from my car accident last year other then a lingering concussion that has effected my vision just a bit as well as some memory problems, all though hitting 60 may have something to do with that also.
We have a few reservation down in the books. Doo to the virus we will have to remove the pillows in the houses. I’m also stocking up on lysol to kill has many germs as possible. I really do not know what to expect this year so we will be winging it like most of the country.
The summer fishing was astounding this year. It could have a little to do with the high water? I did get to visit Tony the big water dnr speacilist while they were seigning this summer. Again I was amazed at all the little fish they catch when they drag the nets to shore. Even little crappies so we know there still a elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie On such a grand lake.
They also did very well with there test netting so there’s still plenty of fish to be caught.
I have to make this short has something came up Stay tuned

I’m never ready for summer to end as I have such a passion for golfing. Going to work everyday knowing I may get to play 9 holes makes it easy to go to work.
We have a long list of replacement and repairs this fall as last winter was one of the toughest on our equipment.
I’m pretty much healed from my car accident last year other then a lingering concussion that has effected my vision just a bit as well as some memory problems, all though hitting 60 may have something to do with that also.
We have a few reservation down in the books. Doo to the virus we will have to remove the pillows in the houses. I’m also stocking up on lysol to kill has many germs as possible. I really do not know what to expect this year so we will be winging it like most of the country.
The summer fishing was astounding this year. It could have a little to do with the high water? I did get to visit Tony the big water dnr speacilist while they were seigning this summer. Again I was amazed at all the little fish they catch when they drag the nets to shore. Even little crappies so we know there still a elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie On such a grand lake.
They also did very well with there test netting so there’s still plenty of fish to be caught.
I have to make this short has something came up Stay tuned

Talk about dropping the ball.
Wow what a crazy 6 months it has been. :crazy: :crazy: :crazy:
Will start with opener. She was a bit chilly but that did not keep the fishermen away. The public access was the busiest I have ever seen. Since opener the public access has been full or near full every day, with the weekends packed.
All of our guest since opener have had good fishing, the covid did change some plans for some of our guests this year. Our big crew on opener and the week after was quite a bit smaller this year.
I have also not spent much time visiting.
I’ll break down the first month as best I can.
It started off with no problem getting your one over 17. under 17 were a little tougher. It then switched with getting your one over was tougher but under 17 were abundant. Then it went to quite a few smaller fish to weed through.
We have caught walleyes any where form 4 feet to 14 feet of water, We have got fish jigging, trolling spinners, trolling cranks. Bobber fishing, and drifting.
Memorial weekend we had family up. Our grandson Mathew fished every trip I took the boat out. He has become quite the fishermen.
Our good friend Jake made it up to look for the elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. He did find one? I did here of over 20 caught memorial weekend so there still a few swimming around out there.
Our good friend Ole came up Saturday so I took him out sunday for a bit. He got a fat 16 and a healthy 19 for a meal, Today he has a friend coming up to do a little more fishing.
We have Brady and his buddy coming up Thursday with no one in our other cabin.
I’m back at the golf course, the back his getting a little worn out but I have been able to swing the clubs a bit. I’m still sensitive to bright lights form the lingering concussion.
Brady and his buddy are coming up Thursday for one cabin. I’m trying to get our good friends Wayne and Paull to come up also as the other cabin is wide open.
The high water has made our lake shore a mushy mess. I still have not mowed down there. We did get some needed rain for the land but did not need it for the lake.

Another season of big game fishing has came to a end. Its never been easy for me to call it a season as I really have loved working on the lake. This year because of my car accident I did not get to have that enjoyment. Yes there ‘s time where you ask yourself wtf. Have cuss words been used? yes. Fighting mother nature can be so brutal. The only way to have a chance against her is to try and plan ahead, which is easier said then done. The equipment takes a beating. Trying to track down parts for trucks that are pushing 40 years old is always a challenge.
This year our son jonny boy had to step up and take over for me. He got a good taste of the planning it takes to keeps things going forward. He had his moments learning the hard way by trial and err. He did a fantastic job finding fish considering how handcuffed we were as to where we could go. There were numerous comments from new and old customers how well he took care of them. For me its always been about customer service, repeat business. To know they have carried that on makes me very proud.
I did get to visit a few customers this year but it was very limited as I just did not feel comfortable visiting.
We did recruit Richie to help us to start the season, Jonny and him sure got along well, which was a blessing.
He had to head home the end of janurary. Our grand daughter Ashley stepped up as she said “Jonny boy took her under his wing”. They sure had fun working and fishing together.
She sure enjoyed visiting our customers. She even learned how to pull a house out of its spot and tow one across the lake.
She also has a passion to fish, spending numerous nights on the lake. It is a treat having her here with our great grand son Bentlee. Bentlee hanging out with his mom and great uncle John on the lake makes him a 7 generation here on the shores of upper red lake.
The final weekend of fishing report was not to bad. Phil and his 2 buddies were in montana, they went home with 12 plus missed plenty of fish.
I spent time in old Minnesota before, during and after wayne and pauls visit. I fished hard the last week Jigging a orange chubby darter. I think I landed at least 12 fish. If they did not hit the lure they hit a set line.
Wayne and Paul went home with 6 but should of had more as they also lost and missed fish.
I spent sunday afternoon out there and landed 3 nice fish before packing it in.
Florida had Ed and his wife Pat they did not do that well. Ed said he marked a lot of fish but could not get them to bite.
They did go home with a couple.
Dan was in California with his daughter Anna. They just fished for the day. She did get to catch her first walleye before packing it in.
Rick, his brother Mike and young one Joe? fished in Colorado .The first night on a new spot was not good so Ashley and Jonnny moved them Saturday afternoon. I think they had some better action but they pulled out early sunday morning.
North Dakota was a no show so Ashley and Jonny boy got to spend the last weekend on the lake where they also caught and missed some fish.
All the houses are now getting staged to comer to shore.
Jonnny has plans to look for the mother load of the elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. The plan will be sleds and portables. Our crappie get together is still in the planning. I expect a few of the guys to make it up as the snow melts. I would love to get out there and wet a line, just not sure if I can bounce on a sled, time will tell.
I owe such a huge thank you for all the help I received this year. It was truly amazing. I can never thank people enough for there generosity . Again thank you from the bottom of my heart.
I hope to have a few more fishing reports before the ice melts on such a grand lake

5 days left in the big game ice fishing season. I’m sure if you ask jonny boy he was say it has been a grind with quite a bit of frustration thrown in for good measure. The condition were tough to say the least. Dealing with deep snow and slush made getting to good fishing grounds impossible at times. Having to abandon good fishing due to slush problems, working on the fleet outside most of the time was and has always been a chore to say the least. from broken axels, u joints, door latches, windows not going up, wiper motor, heaters, electrical problems from all the ice built up. Getting stuck was also a huge problem. Every year is different . years ago we did have similar conditions with road ways flooding, then refreezing etc.
The kids have been busy with the turnover of houses this week. They were able to move shell chick and her friend Terrry to another area where they had a little better fishing going home yesterday with there 8. Tony boy our old helper came up with his kids Mason and Treana. they have floated around from montana to florida. The first night they had 3 followed by a couple more. They did stay one more night so we will have to see how they did. The fishing has been slow for sure.
Jake ,Jen and there boy Lakin they had 5 yesterday when they headed in to clean them and have dinner at westwind. Jake sure likes how they cook your fish there.
I’m not sure how the guest in Colorado did as I thought they were here 2 nights not one.
Asley plans on fishing the next 2 nights I think.
With Rick and Bob out in florida last night and there friend Rod and his crew in north Dakota we will have to see how they do on there fresh spots.
Florida is still wide open for the weekend due to a cancelation, They may of gotten spooked by the slow fishing or ice conditions
I did get to wet a line for a bit yesterday in old Minnesota, again fishing with the chubby darter Ii had another pike ,only this time he hit the rattle wheel which sure made it fun to catch.
I”m again headed out to fish the morning in old Minnesota before we head to another appointment for my car accident injuries. I’m still dealing with problems from my concussion, i’m praying and hoping that my broken vertebra are healed up as I expect some therapy will be next. Its time to head out and do a little fishing on this grand lake that owes us nothing.

1 week to go. Its lightly snowing as I sit here this morning thinking about how the weekend went. Its never easy. I’m not expecting to much snow as I did a little no snow, snow dance as I left the lake last night.
Friday while Jonny boy and Ashly moved and prep the houses I was able to meet customers at Hillmans ,then escort them out.
Ben ,Shawna and the 3 kids Louie, Willa, and the Scully. Were spending 3 nights in north Dakota. It hard to be leave they have been coming 11 years now. Ben proposed to Shawna in old Minnesota. Now they have 3 very cute kids. I did get to visit a bit . all 3 of the kids got there toes wet falling in the holes. But they all ready want north Dakota again next year. The fishing has been a bit slow so I’m not sure how many they have caught. There has been a morning bite so if I remember Ben did get a couple yesterday morning.
Montana had Justin, Lisa and there son Landon? They headed home yesterday with 10. Landon landed the biggest a 21 1\2 incher. I did get a note from them .They enjoyed there stay and plan on coming next year.
Colorado had Jason wife Bret and 2 kids Quin and Leon, both the kids did get to land a fish. It was also slow but they had a nice family vacation and took home a fish fry.
Florida has Derrick and his crew. They arrived Saturday. One of the guys gave me some smoked salmon that was the bomb.
It has also been slow for them so hopefully last night it picked up. they had a few and did loose a nice fat one yesterday morning. Kentucky had Nate and his family for one night. They get 7 I beleave.
I fished with Tony in old Minnesota Saturday morning. I landed 5 fish getting two more fish with the orange chubby darter.
Yesterday Jonny boy moved Colorado for the new group plus I also checked in Mary and Randy for one night in kentucky.
Shell chick and Terry our in old Minnesota. They were up to 3 last night so not so good. There here for one more night, so jonny and ash may move them today.
We have a nice busy week to end the season, so more fishing reports to follow as we finish off the season on a Grand lake that owes us nothing.

As I said yesterday. Counting down the season. 9 days to go. I’m still not sure if Buddy Hillman is allowing wheel houses. I did see him making some driveways off the main road the last few days?
Yesterday I again got to enjoy fishing in old Minnesota. My new plan is to fish like my best friend The greek. We have been fishing, hunting partners for 44 years. He is pretty much a uncle to our kids Billy never sets his fishing rod down when ice fishing. He was always constantly jigging. he hardly ever puts his rod in a rod holder in the boat. when hunting same thing its not very often he would sit his bow or gun down.
Yesterday it payed off for me. I was ripping a chubby darter when a fat 19 inch walleye slammed my lure around 8am. I never even saw him on the vexlar. About a hour later while ripping the chubby darter from salamo, the rattle wheel went off. Just like that I had a nice 16 to go with my one over. .
I did not get to fish last night as I had a last minute chore to do. Oh well I will be hitting it hard next week after our guest leave.
I checked in Jason his wife Bret there two boys Quin and Leon around 4pm. I’ll swing by them on the way out to prep old Minnesota for the weekend.
Yesterday were new plugs for blue thunder. They have spark plugs that are 8 99 a piece. 10 plugs with 2 extra were 100 bucks. I decided to go with the 2 99 ngk. Crazy
The new red 3/4 ton fired up yesterday when it was 33 below ,as well as the red baron. Both 454s. Ashley dodge nope. The black chev needs a new battery installed.
We have customers coming today, tomorrow, also sunday the hammers sis shell chick will be fishing old Minnesota Sunday Monday. That gives me Tuesday Wednesday Thursday and the last night Sunday to enjoy old Minnesota.