Spence and I with six big Upper Red Lake Crappies.
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Day 38 January 23, 2009
Yesterday was another awesome day on the lake. The red baron’s tranny is hurting which is not good news considering it has less then 300 miles on it. It will be interesting to see what the tranny guy will do for me?
Mark and Sandy rolled in yesterday. They hope to eat fish at least twice. When I checked on them last night we had a nice visit and they landed two walleyes while I was there a small one and an 18 1/4. They were up to 8 fish either to small or to big which was good as they were getting action.
Zack and his friends rolled in last night and have a huge group rolling in today. I prepped 7 or 8 driveways for them yesterday as there bringing up 7 hard houses today.
Minnesota and Montana are set up next to each other for Jill plus they are also bring up a hard house.
Kellie and I fished Idaho in its new spot and each landed a walleye while we were trying to eat supper.
I have plenty of holes to auger this morning. Some repair work to do to a couple of our houses, bank Minnesota a little better, make sure all the house have a full propane, meet customers as they roll in, plow another spot or two for hard houses.
Utah is on a new spot and it will be interesting to see how that area does as I’m always looking for an area to ruin? Or fish the snot out of. I may leave Alaska right where it is as the fishing has been decent in that area,.
Let’s hope we have some great fishing this weekend.
Day 37 January 22, 2009
Today and only today will be the 37th day I work on the lake. Just like every other year plans change on the fly due to mother nature, mechanical breakdowns etc.
Yesterday the plan was to prep a couple of new areas I have had my eyes on. The fog that rolled in was thick as pea soup and made it a little tough to see where you were going. Buy mid afternoon it was a little better. With no wind and the temps in the 20s it was a spectacular day to be on the lake. The day before I got some great pics of a sunrise. Yesterday while banking Idaho and Florida in there new spots the quietness in the air was so peaceful. Tony and I sure enjoyed the day as we spent the day on the lake.
Dave and Dallas headed home. They fished with suckers and did decent until I made them release a fish that was just over 17. Dave said they never caught another fish after that.
Scott and his brother, nephew and niece had decent fishing after we moved Montana. They had 8 walleyes and landed a 41 inch pike yesterday.They also partied hard with Brian, Ron, Mike and Jack in Idaho.
I over heated the rebuilt tranny in the red baron twice trying to move to much snow. The v is not cutting the way its spose too and we are still trying to address that problem. I added a transmission cooler and will be changing some of the fluid as the sun comes up this morning. Tony fished a new spot for me the night before last and landed 3 walleye and a bonus crappie.
We start to fill the houses today as we have another busy day.
Idaho is still open for next weekend, 30th, 31rst and if you stay Sunday you can fish and watch the super bowl on the two TVs and satellite dish. Old Minnesota is open the last weekend of walleye and we now have are budget sleeper on the lake, Alaska, which has a few weekends open.
I better get busy as it’s getting light out.
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 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.
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.