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.
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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.
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.