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.
Tag Archives: ice fishing
Day 16, January 03, 2009
Man oh man was it nice having help yesterday. We hit the lake at 8am as the sun was coming up. Our first plan of attack was to plow out the people I had set up before the big blow on Thursday and prep a new area for at least 3 houses. What a beautiful morning we were rewarded with. As the Greek cut us a new trail he marveled at the beauty of the pristine day. The snow we stirred up created an awesome rainbow and the Greek loved life driving the Red Baron.
With a plan in our head I grabbed Utah while the Greek prepped our new fishy area. Once we finished Utah we went to retrieve Montana and check on the guys in California and Wayne in Old Minnesota. While we were prepping Montana Wayne caught another crappie. Darn the luck, as I was ready to vacate that area. After finishing Montana I decided I would just put Minnesota on a new spot as Kellie and I were going to fish with Wayne and Kellie loves having a chance at a crappie and can care less about a bottom feeding walleye.
As We met Andy and his crew of 6 and Pete and his crew of 4 I escorted them to there houses as the Greek went to the end of the road to plow a spot for Chuck and his buddies and there hard houses. I then met the Greek and we cut a new trail to New York.
I told Pete and his crew I would move the house today if the action did not pick up. We may of paid for that glorious day yesterday as they are predicting some more nasty weather today.
While we were prepping Montana for the move and the Greek wanted to bust through the snow bank to the north to get into some favorite area’s but I told him that may be a bad idea as it looks as though it has sank.
I sent a couple of groups out of Hillmens and one group caught 2 crappies while the others caught at least 3. Just like last year there were quite a few smaller walleye 10 inches living with the crappies. It is very frustrating not being able to fish out there.
Day 15, January 2, 2009
As I headed out on the lake yesterday I stopped at all the spots I had people fishing. Thad was in the closest and had limited action with 4 keepers in the bucket. Joe Jenson rolled in late and had a nice flurry in the morning but only landed one keeper. Phil and his wife son did the best with 5 keepers. Brian’s spot was not very good at all. I fished with Wayne for a bit last night and landed one just under 17 and Wayne lost another at the hole. We also were marking fish which was a god sign.
Rob and the guys in California were not doing well even after I put them on a fresh spot. They did have some action though and were marking fish that would not bite.
Mother Nature slapped me in the face yesterday. After prepping three areas to move Minnesota, Montana and California I headed in to get blue thunder, About the time I arrived back the wind and light snow was playing havoc on the areas I prepped. I was not a happy camper as I struggled to get California to its new location. What normally takes under two hours turned into over three hours. I had no choice but to throw in the towel and coma home after I got Rob and his crew in California. Joe and his group are drifted in as well as Phil and his wife and kid. I will be heading out at day light to open up a new trail for them and then do my best to get Montana, Utah and old Minnesota into new areas.
I placed Utah close to the road so I could grab it on the way in. That turned into a hassle as that trail had drifted in. I open up a new spot and left it there and when I came back later that trail was also drifted in, very frustrating to say the least. Oh well today is another day. The Greek will be helping me today, so at least I will have both Blue Thunder and The Red Baron at my disposal at the same time.
Day 14, Wow
It has been quite a interesting few days. The fishing has not been spectacular and I was a little disappointed in the action since Sunday. With one big group in Florida and California for two days they figured they each caught 6 fish. There were two crappie caught with the second one escaping down the hole. I did move Utah for the guys and the fishing picked up a bit for them with fresh holes with another bonus crappie caught. Pat lost his glasses down a hole. Rob and his buddy were in Minnesota for two days and only caught a couple of fish. They also headed out on a adventure one day but did not fair well out deeper either. Kellie said they called and wanted to say thanks again they had a awesome time.
Kevin and his family were in Montana on Sunday and they also had slow fishing.. Kirk and Bob were in Florida last night and Kirk called to say they had 2 keepers and another bonus crappie.
I have Thad and DJ fishing in shallow, Phil and his family out a little further, Joe Jenson out just past a mile and Brian just past 2 miles. I will be checking in with all them to see if there is a better area to start moving the fleet.
It has been a very busy for me. The little dusting of snow we had Sunday turned into 4 inches and threw a wrench in all my plans. Blue thundered developed a antifreeze leak and in the process of repairing it I had a antifreeze shower. Yesterday we woke up to 28 below.
I now have the v-plow on the red baron and will be cutting some new trails, just do not know which way at this time. We are limited to going to the north with the giant snow berm. That only leaves us to head west or southwest at this time.
We have also added a new deluxe house to the fleet Idaho.
It is a very heavy house but has some nice amenities. Brian, Dean and Matt are working out the bugs and I will start booking it as the phone calls come in.
As far as I know it will have satellite TV for the football fans with two TVs, and running water, but I may not mess with that. We will see. Four single beds and it is 10×18. It has a two burner cooker, 8 holes, indoor biffy, ceiling fan, lights and electricity. Well it’s time to hit the lake as I prepare to move all the houses in the next 24 hours. Let’s hope the fishing gets a little better.
Day 12, December 29, 2008
I have been on the lake 12 days in a row now. Old Minnesota, California, Florida and Montana were all moved Friday and Saturday. I kept Utah on the same spot just to see if the fishing would die out there or still be good as the house had only been fished on the 19 and 20th and they did rather well.
Chris, Gordy and Phil rolled in Friday afternoon and fished at the end of Agassiz road. They did not have much luck there even though the grandkids and Phil we 20 yards away fishing in New York catching a couple of fish.
John Weston fished by Utah with his dad Jim and his son. They had on and off action both days and went home with there 9 fish plus ate a couple. Chris and his crew moved over behind Utah and headed home with there 15 as there were five of them. Lee and Sherry were up just for Saturday and fished Utah. They did not do to well as they just could not hook them. Lee said they marked a lot of fish but they were lookers?
Jerald and his crew are here for 3 nights and I told them we will move Utah today if they did not do well last night.
Pat, Ryan and Steve are in Old Minnesota they also showed up Saturday afternoon .When I checked with them Sunday morning they had caught 20 walleyes and two yes two bonus crappies Sunday morning.
With all the houses occupied last night when I made the rounds it was a little slow? It seems to be a fishy area so not sure what happened. I guess that’s fishing. Johnny boy, Big Tony and Joel fished New York at the end of the road and got 6 keepers late Saturday afternoon. Joel said it shut down at dark. Big Tony wants to come up and help me out this winter. He’s a big guy and would be a lot of help.
California had a furnace problem and we had to put on a new regulator and thermostat in it. Blue Thunder has been acting up in the transfer case. I will have to do some research on that. It felt good moving the houses Friday and Saturday. It went fairly well but there may have been a cuss word here or there as it is still hard work.
December 24, 2008
Just came off the lake and it a little lonely out there. We will be going to cut a down a xmas tree a little later and then we will be taking 4 of the grand kids fishing in old Minnesota. I hope there biting as the kids lose there interest quick. We can put a movie in for them and let them play with the minnows I guess.
With Phil here I have made a to do list to keep him busy.
I hope everyone has a nice holiday.
December 18, 2008
Today was another busy day. I had to pick the Red Baron up as I had the lock outs rebuilt and a cooling sensor had gone out. I then packed up a few things and took Utah out to a secret spot. Again it was a busy day but all five sleepers Old Minnesota, Montana, Florida, California and Utah are ready to go. Frank and his crew will be arriving around 10 am with Barb and her husband pulling in around 2 pm. Then it will be a late night when Adam and his crew roll in around 10 pm. I also would like to get both of our day houses New York and Colorado on the lake Saturday. Still not sure about bringing out Alaska but I have a feeling it will be on the lake sometime after Jan.1rst. It was quite busy out there today as rentals were going out on the lake most of the day.
I will have a great fishing report this weekend as we host close to 30 fishermen over the weekend. Let the fun begin.
December 18, 2008
Besides the fishing I have done yesterday was the first day I spent the entire day on the lake and it sure felt good to be back. All three of the deluxe houses are blocked, banked and ready to auger for the up and coming weekend. Utah will also be going out today as I spend another entire day on the lake. Of course I had 1 hiccup as the heater in one of the houses quit working. I had tested it out on shore with no problems running it for two days as I cleaned and repaired a few things. When I pulled it out of the woods it set out on the lake in the snow storm and ran like a champ?
Kellie and I may have dinner in old Minnesota tonight to kick off the season. It’s her favorite house and also mine. We have all 5 sleepers rented for the weekend which is good news for our pocket books.
The Red Baron is at the shop waiting to be picked up. New lock outs were in order as well as a cooling sensor and new battery.
Ouch but that is the nature of the beast. Blue thunder performed well and I even did a little cross country drive to Westwind road looking for the gas man when the furnace went out.
I have committed to going out of Agassiz again this year as he is willing to go to the north shore if need be. I tried to make arrangements to go out of Hillmens but they seem to have plenty of business and do not need me. I do miss Westwind and they are the premier resort here and run a first class operation.
Jeff from Agassiz is one of the hardest workers I have ever met. He built a wood shop this fall and is selling some tables, fish measuring boards, picture frames and other unique pieces of wood. We bought a picnic table from him last year and will more then likely get another for our guest when there staying here in the summer. They are one of a kind and made out of cedar.
If you need to butter up to the sweetheart when your in Waskish stop by Sandy‘s as you come in to town, she has all sorts of antiques and things made form the area.
North Country convenience store has all munchies a guy would need and also offer off sale. The owner Frank and Jana are super nice people. The wife Kellie works there so who knows maybe you can meet the better half. They also offer wild rice grown and packaged from the farmer I work for, Rinestone farms.
Which ever resort you go out of this winter please be careful and use common sense. Stay away from the berm Hillmens has built along the south side of there road as it will turn into slush at some point in time and it’s not a good place to get stuck. Good luck to all.