Mother nature has just been relentless this year. The winds seems like they never stop. Drifting in trails left and right, up and down, side to side. With the red baron still in the shop poor blue thunder was again getting a workout as I must of plowed up and down the northwest trail 20 times Friday. As I checked in each group I was also trying to get the winds to carry some of the snow away from the ever increasing size of the snow banks. If to much snow piles up she could crack and flood. After getting our last guest checked in Friday. The hammers sister Nancy and her hubby Kevin I headed home to get the sweetie as we would be joining them for a little fishing and fun. It was a treat to visit with them as its been a couple years since Kevin had been up. Last time Kevin was here he was going to be my scout every year at the beginning of the season once I had my houses on the lake.
Saturday evening they took us to dinner at westwind for prime rib. One of my favorites and again westwind did a great job as its was very tasty. They were in old Minnesota and had the worst of the fishing only landing two elusive yet still catchable walleyes and one crazy sheephead. They did miss a few and the hammer lost one at the hole Friday night .
Coming off the lake Friday eve I stopped to pick up a bolt and washer? Turns out I found out Saturday where it came from. making the rounds Saturday morning North Dakota had 3 walleyes and a elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. Jamie and his two buddies went home with at least 10 walleyes 1 crappie and a couple perch.
Eric, Beth and there two boys Izeck and bay were in montana. They got 5 the first day and at least 5 more before they pulled out sunday morning. Another nice family that I hope comes back year after year.
Craig and Spenser were in florida . They were up to 9 but had eaten a couple for breakfast. They were also here for a third night but the winds yesterday kept me from even offering to move them.
Sparky and Trent were in North Carolina for 1 night and got 3.
I also had 4 wheel houses out and about Marlo and Randy got 5 at 4 pm Friday and then 1 all day Saturday with a bonus ell pout. Butch did a little better and did well using a rattling flyer with the dead stick never getting a bite. lee and hid buddie got set up in a spot I have my eye on and had 5 in the bucket yesterday when I stopped to drop off a cookies on upper red lake hoodie.
Ryan and his buddies did well out of westwind Thursday as well as Bo and his group landing 50 on Friday. Tom and his grandsons got 2 at the end of the road.
As I was clearing the nw road Saturday I noticed the plow frame move just a hair. Just like that I new where that bolt came from and limped blue thunder home where I spent 3 hours crawling in and out from under neith as I re aligned every thing and tracked down new bolts that red lake had taken away from me. I had been keeping a eye on all the bolts as she has taken a beating since the red baron went down.
the red baron is now home after we went and picked her up yesterday morning. The v-plow will go back on as we push to the end of the game fish season and also prep for our group that comes every year to search for the mother load of upper red lakes elusive yet still catchable crappies.

I think its day 67 of heading out on to the lake. After a nice break of not having anything rented all week its back to full tilt as we push to the end of another great game fish season here on the shores of upper red lake. Just like every other year there’s been ups and downs big fish ,little fish, lost fish and no fish at all. For some crazy reason more then a few sheephead have been caught this winter? Were up to 10 elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappies . I know of one that was released to fight another day the other 9 were harvested.
Marlo tangled in to that big pike twice a couple weeks ago so I put montana and old Minnesota in the area hoping to land him. I’m assuming Kevin’s 42 incher was the girl. Andy and Andy had the 40 fish weekend as well as Andy’s brother and dad. The hammer has not had the best year but again is ahead of me on fish landed. All though I did wet a line a couple times this week and landed 3 . The plain pink hook with the split shot on the rattle wheel has been the hot set up? Wayne had the hot set up with the hammered gold gemini and then the next time up could not buy a bite on that set up.
A few rentals have came closer to shore again this year and that seems to be a pattern every year. Then more traffic and that bite tapers back off?
Buddy Hillmens Highway is again in great shape after spending two more full days plowing with 3 straight blades, 4 different trucks and only 1 v plow. His big 14 by 28 double decker has made some lasting memories and uses a lot of propane as its 3 times the square footage of any of his other houses.
With nothing rented all week my plan was to turn off the heat in 4 of the 5 houses but just like every other year I could not do it. Jonny boy has done a good job cleaning , he has also had lots of compliments with his customer service which is huge as I strive for repeat customers. It make our job that much easier.
When were on the same page moving houses is not a chore. I have not moved many houses with customers here this year as the fishing has been good enough. I also still get a kick out of vacuuming the fish houses. The new carpet sure looks nice all vacuumed up.
I hate to bring up the fleet Knock on wood. Blue thunder, the red baron and white lighting have all done there duty . Burning up another transmission stunk but was completely my fault. I sure hope I learned my lesson on that one.
I guess I have to throw in a little rant and I hope I do not offend any one. I have no problem plowing a spot for a wheel house but its all most a insult when they offer me a 20 dollar bill. I spend 3 to 4 grand just on keeping my fleet working. At 20 a pop you do the math. That’s not even counting gas or fluids.
Sorry not much of a fishing report as it was quite this week. Jonny boy caught quite a few fish but he was out on the lake 5 of 6 nights. He sure has a passion when it come to catching fish.

Well we survived another weekend and another wind storm on sunday. I have no clue where these weather men get there info but yesterday was not lite and variable winds by any means.
Due to the red baron being down we had to improvise where the houses would be set up. The new road I made to rescue the houses would be the easiest place to set up 3 of the 5.
Leroy and his boys and grandsons showed up right on time friday and we got them all settled in north Dakota and Florida. it was nice seeing them all they have been coming for years. Two of the boys come all the way down from Alaska just to spend time fishing with there dad.
I was able to visit with Leroy when the crew went to town . He has had a very interesting life that’s for sure.
Of course the fishing could of been better for them but they did have 7 or 8 laying in front of north Dakota sunday morning, Not sure how the grand kids did in florida as every time I stopped they were gone. They went to westwind for there prime rib dinner Saturday eve and had also gone to breakfast Saturday morning.
Kevin and Rollie rolled in right on schedule also . I had to switch them to montana due to mother nature and we kind da figured this was there 8th year. The high lite for the weekend was a 42 inch pike that Kevin landed. After they released him we think it camped under the house as they never caught another fish Saturday eve. They only went home with 6 walleyes but said they will be back again next year .
Wayne would be the late comer and arrived about 5 pm. As I escorted him out on the lake I felt blue thunders steering was not feeling right. She had just went through two days of hell. I kept thinking on my way out its just my imagination as I steered back and forth like I was warming up my tires for a nascar race. Once I got wayne out to the house we took the flash lite and blue thunder would be spending the night on the lake as the front differential u bolts were loose.
Saturday morning after I made the rounds. Jonny boy met me at old Minnesota where we discovered the u bolts were toast and I would have to make a trip to Bemidji for new bolts.
Arriving back at old Minnesota after dark Jonny boy was hanging out with Wayne and his friend jake. We got at it right away with flash lite’s in hand, With temps below zero and a cool breeze. It was sure good to have Jonny boy there as there’s was no way I have the arm strength to tighten them bolts. After we got the wheel back on and checked things out I headed home to test drive and park her tell morning so we could check things out one more time in the lite.
Wayne and Jake only ended up with 5 fish but Wayne said they should of had at least 10 as he had lost 5 himself.
Mr weather man nailed the winds for sunday. Before noon sw winds were blowing well over 20mph making another mess of things. As I escorted Wayne off the lake with his car I gathered the generators, and secured things as I had no plans to go back on the lake.
Mean while Jonny boy was able to replace the left front drive axle on white lightning so we would have a second truck with 4 wheel drive.
Yesterday a little cleaning, a full day of plowing, Once again Hillmens highway is in great shape. There’s still more plowing to be done but that can be done as we go on and off the lake the next couple days.
I’m still chasing that nap in old Minnesota. With all the house open in tell the weekend I’m hoping to catch a second wind as its been a grind. No word on the red baron other then the casing was cracked and they were looking for a core to rebuild. That bill is going to hurt but I have accepted long ago that its part of the business as they take a beating out there. Once the red baron is back home we will be starting to prep to again chase the elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie. Wish us luck as a little luck never hurt any one

Lets just start by saying crazy, crazy, crazy. Mother nature dealt us a big blow, Tuesday Wednesday. With 4 houses rented Monday its been a hectic week.
Ken , Bob and Berry were in Florida one last night. Bob owns a small café in Remer so next time we go through Remer the plan will be to stop and eat. They sure were a mello group of guys. Plus very nice guys to boot. I have no clue how many fish they caught in there 3 nights but they lost quite a few and said next year they do not want the 4 extra holes as there fish kept going down the other holes when they got off.
Ethen and Greg from Iowa struggled to catch fish, they were young guys that work in the conservation department in Iowa. Super nice kids. They were also here for 3 days mon, tues, wed, mother nature reared her ugly side and they never really got to hole hop in there portable.
Jim, Sten and Dusty spent Monday night in old Minnesota and went home with 7 plus a few misses.
Matt checked in Tuesday for 2 nights in montane and figured he caught 15 to 20 plus misses.
Larry and Perry fished montana Monday night and only landed a couple.
Tuesday morning I was out on the lake getting Ken and his crew off as well as Jim and his crew plus Larry and Perry as the big winds and snow were on the door step. Then I would be checking in Matt as well as greg and ethan . We got everyone off as the winds and snow started to blow. Getting the guys all checked in it was like here’s the scoop’ hunker down , do not leave the shack and call if there’s a problem. The crazy weather person actually got it right, must of looked out a window.
Jonny boy would be taking care of Snowbear Joshes customers and hunker down in one of his ice castles. Lets just say man did it blow, first snow with high winds out of the south east followed by dropping temps and stronger winds out of the nw. From all these years I new any side roads would be completely lost. Kelly Birch of Hillmen’s drug the main road in the worst of it for 5 hours to save it . Going out on the lake Wednesday morning and hillmens highway was in great shape as the combination of dragging with the winds switching kept it pretty darn clean.
Heading out with the red baron there was a gentlemen stranded that needed help as well as Jonny boy. Taking care of him was no problem as he was impressed with the red baron. I guess he should of seen it 20 minutes later as I blew out reverse and now I was stranded. Marty was up for the morning and came to the rescue as we towed her home and set up a appointment for another rebuild. ASAP.
From the moment I fired up blue thunder I all ready new she was going to get one hell of a work out! Arriving to my half mile road and she was gone just as expected, cross country travel would not be a issue as the wind blew so hard it has turned the snow into brick, 4 foot drifts around everything, 20 feet long and you can walk from one end to the other with out breaking through. Of course this is where the red baron shines? as it parts the snow like the red sea.
Jonny boy and I humped all day. I hit the lake before lite and came off after dark. A new road had to be made with blue thunder just to get the house’s out of the area I truly had ruined with mother natures help!
Plowing any wheel houses this weekend is not on the to do list so every one is on there owns. It is not worth my time or where and tare on blue thunder. Blue thunder is all we have un tell red baron comes back home. My advice is watch where your going off road, the snow pack is rock hard unless you drive over a 4 foot drift, bring a spade shovel and please leave the plastic snow shovel at home or at least when you break it take it home with you.
I have a little venting but today I’m just going to bite my lip and hit her hard, “have a grand day” as I know I will be having a grand weekend, On a grand lake that owes us nothing! nothing!

Wishful thinking I guess as I’m back to first and second gear on the red baron. If I manual shift she will catch drive on occasion though. You just have to love a chevy though. Take a licking and keeps on ticking. I’am a little curious why you can catch drive sometimes so going to give my tranny guy a call.
It was quite the busy but fun, fun, fun weekend. Scott Wakefield from Red lake adventures has a big walleye challenge every year. Its a 24 hour fishing contest ,with a heck of a prize I enter thinking I would have some time to fish? Plan A turned to plan B and lets just say plan B did not get me the winning fish. In fact it did not even get me a fish . Oh well being a gluten for punishment I will attempt to win the whole shebang next year. With checking in on all 5 of our five houses plus swinging in to 7 wheel houses that I either plowed or picked a spot for as I made the rounds Friday, Saturday during the contest I ask or claimed a hole in every house I visited . I even fished with snowbear Josh in the snowbear for a couple hours Friday night. I never got a bite and never seen a fish on any one’s electronics? Talk about a cold hand. Still gave it the collage try.
Thursday night we had to late check ins. Jaron and his crew would be arriving after 10 pm with Garret and his crew also coming after 9 pm. Garret and his crew were nice enough to swing by and pick up our cookies on upper red lake hoodies. The 2 boxes were so big the only way to bring them up were to load them in the truck out of the boxes in the cab on there laps and where ever else they could pack them. Talk about hand delivery. They fished in florida and had limited success. I think they only took home 10 fish, all though there were some misses in there.
Jaron and his crew also arrived Thursday with 2 of the guys a hour or two behind. Jaron was convinced he could go meet them when they arrived. I saw that coming and somewhere around midnight I got the phone call, were lost on the lake. Trying to get them on the right road over the phone was a challenge. Once I got then close Jonny boy was out on the lake so he was able to track them down and get them back to north Dakota shack. At some point Friday night Jonny boy again had to go find a couple of there buddies that had showed up in a wheel house after dark. With all these crazy lites on wheel houses it realey gets a little more confusing out there that’s for sure.
Jaron and his crew ended up with 11 or 12 keepers? Plus there buddie Chris with quite a few misses and never landing a fish. He might want to take up another sport?
Rick arrived with his crew for old Minnesota Friday morning. This was Ricks second of 3 trips planned this year. By no means did they have any epic fishing. They did land a few but over all it was on the slow side for sure. Taking home maybe 12. Rick comes all the way from Illinois. and sure has been a great customer over the years, even bringing the hammer and I a couple lobster tails and steaks as he must know I get tired of eating walleye all the time. I sure expected better fishing in that spot as blue thunder had to work extra hard to get the house in that spot .
Lucas and his crew were also late arrivals for montana Friday night. It was well after 10 pm when I got them settled in. They did about as well as the other house’s with Tyse landing a elusive yet still catchable 13 1/2 inch upper red lake crappie. Then to boot they released it to fight another day or as I say educate all the others. They also managed to take home 12 fish.
We also checked in Ken and his 2 buddies Bob and Berry into florida Saturday on a new spot there happy where there at and said they will be just fine fishing right there again today.
Now all the wheel house. Marlo and Butch with there 2 wheel house ended up on the hot bite with Butch’s buddie also landing a elusive yet still catchable 14 inch upper red lake crappie while I was there. That one did go in the bucket though. Marlo also battled a big pike twice with the second time the fish holding on to a 16 inch walleye for over ten minutes before letting go at he bottom of the ice. Another life time memory was made as Butch was in the shack when the battle began and ended. Marlo also caught close to 30 walleye on the spot. With Butch right behind him .
Not sure how Preston did after they moved? He set up where they did so well last time up but ended up moving the second day. closer to marlo’s spot?
Lee and his cousin also did will where I plowed them a spot. Nick left his shack so we know he did well.
Ken did not do so well and moved after the first day , the second spot he moved to only produced 5 more fish. I was so surprised as I thought for sure that plowed area was going to be real good.
Jonny boy also had a wheel house friend that tried a spot . They only got one so they moved to another spot where there buddies had done real well only to get skunked.
I also had plowed spot for a gentlemen, I think his name was duey? He only had a couple the first night but he never moved so I’m thinking it got better for him.
Hillmens had the crappie floppers playing some music in tall tale tavern Saturday night . They get together every year. I have been dying to play my harmonica so I was able to jam on one song with them and man was that fun. Even got a couple pats on the back.
The hammer, Jonny boy and I also went out to the icog festivities on the ice out of Rodgers . We met Lonnie and his wife lisa at the tent then went and visited in there dream shack for a bit.
Yesterday was cleaning and moving day as we moved old minnesota and montana over where marlo was. The hammer and I fished there last night from 6 to 9 and never got a nibble all though I did manage to get that cat nap I have been chasing,
Time to get to work as Jim, Sten and Dustin are on there way up for old Minnesota. Plus Greg from Iowa is also coming early.

Getting a nap in old Minnesota was again a bust, I got out on the lake before light Tuesday morning as I wanted to capture one of upper red lakes grand sunrises. I was not disappointed as I set at the end of Hillmens Highway listening to some music watching another gorgeous sunrise.
Paul, Dex, Derrick and Chad were also up early as they came to shore to clean there bounty. they had pretty good fishing to my standards and said they had a good time. They ate a few and cleaned up 16.
Rita and Les checked in Monday right on time. After getting them dialed in a was off to old Minnesota for that long awaited nap. I settled in around 3 and dropped down 2 rattle reels put in a movie and climbed up on the top bunk where its always a little warmer. Just as I drifted off the rattle wheel went ding, ding, ding. I hustled off the bed where I landed a nice 16 1/2 fish. Resetting the line I again climbed back up on the bed ,not 5 minutes later the ding, ding, ding of the phone went off. After a few minutes I was back on the top bunk and ding, ding,ding. 4 o’clock and another fish was about to be caught. Number two another brother to the first one. One more time I re baited , 2 more phone calls one more fish a very healthy 18 incher and my nap time was over.
So here’s the new nap plan, turn off phone. After I move the Old minnesota today, do not augur the holes, then I will not be tempted to wet a line. I have Garret arriving after 9 pm tonight with our new hoodies in tow so it will be perfect timing to get in that nap as I start to get real tired around 9 pm every night.
Les and Rita headed home yesterday ,they also ate a few fish ,not sure how many they took home as I never asked when I was visiting and saying good bye. Rita did bring some cupcakes German chocolate man were the tasty.
Jonny boy has been doing a little scouting as the area I’m ruining is bound to burn out at some point. Lets hope doing the cookie shuffle keeps working.
I also was able to help Buddy Hillmen on the hillmen’s highway monday. The road extends around 7 miles straight west where it ends at a pressure ridge. we cleaned up the north edge and pushed all the snow to the south plus a round 5 miles a huge area of broken ice was crushed, smashed and moved with a skit steer to the south.
After Jonny boy and I got montana, north Dakota, and florida moved yesterday I came in to take the red baron out and make a few new trails. To my great surprise coming in after giving her a good work out I had drive? I never put her back in low but I sure hope it cleared it self up as a 4th rebuild was not planned in the budget.
Snowbear Josh headed home for a day and half so I’m going to keep a eye on his customers. He sure has been busy with guiding out of that snowbear and maybe next week I can get that ride. hey we may even wet a line in a area I have been trying to get back to for many years?
Its time to check the fluids and fire up the fleet.
One last thing, prayers are need for my sister in Colorado leah as there has been back to back tragedy in her life.

What the heck is going on. The fishing sure has been good .
With more then a few fish caught this past weekend. Andy, Andy, Aron and Brad did real well and were happy where I set the houses.
Heading out to catch the sunrise was a bust as the fog was so thick it was hard just to stay on the road. When I arrived every one was packing up for the long drive home. Chad, Jessica, Matt and Andy had there best fishing the first night but plan on coming back next year.
Randy and Tammy also went home with there 8 but have had better fishing. I thought it was great but felt bad that we had fished in old Minnesota the night before.
Brad and Cindy did real well there one night in North carolina . They figured they caught at least 15. They did make a mistake on how many they could keep but we were able to give there fish to a couple other guys that had got skunked.
Jonny boy and I got north Dakota and montana moved yesterday. Paul, Dex, Derrick showed up right on time for north dakota . They had 7 last night when I checked in on them.
Les and his wife arrive today for montana. Its her birthday so I ask Les if he would bring her a German chocolate cake? My favorite.
The plan is to move old Minnesota and florida today and then I’m taking the day off and getting that nap I chase after every year on the top bunk of old minnesota
I talked to my tranny guy and will be running the red baron in low and 2nd gear for now as the damage is all ready done. I totally understand how hard my trucks work and its always part of the business but it still bums me out.
I did get to take white Lightning out on the ice Saturday for a bit and that was a treat. Comfortable seat ,good heat and a radio that picks up the radio station the whole time. She has a couple issue that we will address later in the year.
The hammers trail blazer needs a tune up so that’s on the honey do list.

Just looking back a bit I have been driving out onto the lake since dec 5th. 47 days on the ice. It has caught up on me a bit as the last couple nights I have been a little worn out, falling a sleep sitting up Thursday night after eating dinner.
The hammer and I fished old Minnesota after Jonny boy and I moved every thing Wednesday. I’m proud to say I out fished the hammer. She did lose a fish twice and then it refused to bite. She marked that fish or a fish the rest of the evening in tell we pack it up around 9 pm. I also tried to catch that fish but he would just come up and look them back to the bottom.
Randy and Tammy from Mankato would be arriving Thursday evening to stay in old Minnesota. Chad and his crew also arrived Thursday for north Dakota. Checking in on them on there fresh spot after getting randy and Tammy checked in and they had more then a few all ready in the bucket.
Friday early morning I was headed to baudett to pick up the red barons new drive shaft plusother parts as Jonny boy would be checking in Andy and Andy into montana and Aron and Brad into florida. When I arrived back to town I took the hammers truck out to say good morning to every one and see how they did. The rattle wheels in north Dakota were busy all night while Randy and Tammys house 200 feet away never went off? we have had a decent to real good day bite out there and that still continues. Chads crew had 12 keepers and were planning on having fresh fish for lunch.
Jonny boy and I met back at home where we worked on blue thunder and the red baron. All that went real smooth un tell I took the red baron for a test drive. No drive or third gear? I’m hoping we have a vacuum leak but after taking her out on the lake I brought her back home where she will rest untell I talk to my tranny guy Monday morning. I sure hope the transmission is not damaged for a forth time in 10 years.
Checking in with all the houses, they all had action through out the day. It sure has been a good fishy area.
I had also plowed a spot for Preston and they had a few fish. Jonny boys friend Mannie only had a couple but did head up to low with 6.
Ken and his gal Kelly went down the road a little further then where they fished last week and also were doing pretty well. Lonnie’s friend did manage to catch another elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie.
I also pointed a guide named Randy from deer river to a spot where him and his buudy got there 8. They had a great morning bite and were out of here after 3 hours of fishing. I sent Chuck and his wife over there with there wheel house where they had a little morning run and got 4 lickity split.
I also tugged a couple trucks out of snow banks yesterday, if your planning on off road travel common sense and a good number 2 steal shovel can be a tremendous help. Every year I end up picking up broken plastic snow shovels and this year is no different. They may work for banking a wheel house but they sure do not work for digging out.
Buddy Hillmens Highway is again in great shape. This little January thaw always helps the road get a little smoother.
Beacon Harbors berm sank and become a pressure ridge just like the one on the south side of hilllmens highway. There are some spots where that beautiful blue ice is sticking up in the air 6 feet. I had set Lonnie’s buddy Rob in a area and they said when it blew water came up there holes. The fishing was not that good there so there plan was to move.
Snowbear Josh has been doing real good with his snowbear trips and again that machine has quite the advantage to go to some great fishing spots. I may take him up on a offer to go do a little fishing in it this week. He is bringing his daughter up today for a little father daughter trip. He sure is a nice guy and has a passion to give people life time memories of fishing trips.
Jonny boy and I will be moving north Dakota once they leave as Paul and hid family will be arriving later today. I’ll say good bye to every one else, get all the houses cleaned and detailed and ready for there next moves hopefully all before the big game.
Hillmens Tall Tale Tavern are having a spaghetti dinner/fund raiser during half time so we plan on attending that and rooting for the home team
The sky is kicking over so I’m headed out to top off the generators and hopefully enjoy a upper red lake sunrise this morning, they never get old on such a grand lake that owes us nothing

The plan this morning has again changed from plan a to plan b as yesterday afternoon. The red baron broke her front drive shaft, taking out the transmission pan to boot. Darn the luck! I may of heard it clunking if I had the exhaust fixed. Hindsight I try and always look at these things as they are ment to happen for a reason and its part of the business.
Sunday night after the Vikings game when I headed back on the lake, mother nature has pretty much taken out my 1/2 mile or more side road to the houses. When I was visited Dan and mel Robbie was on the phone with there friends that were on the way up and they were going to go meet them to bring them out in a car? So funny as they had no clue the road/trail was completely drifted in? I had to plow a new trail to get the to Buddy Hillmen’s Highway which was not drifted in. When I got back to old Minnesota I was standing there visiting nad look at the rattle wheel . For some reason they did not have it down so I said, Hey I’m fishing this one and put a minnow Tail hooked on this huge big pink banana looking jig. With in 3 minutes I had the big one of the day 18 1/2. Last night Robbie beat it out with a dandy just under 20.
Last night the hammer and I went to check on snowbear Joshes customers so we took his truck out there, wow what a treat to have good heat in a truck. I’m so use to being in a cold truck I was baking in there. The family he has in his grand ice castle are having a grand time on a grand lake. Scott and Jen were playing a game with the kids. Olivia and Conner. I took a pic of the game as it looked like a fun game for our grand kids. Grama Joe was worn out from all the fish they had caught I think. Grandpa Mike was watching all the lines. really nice family.
joshes other customers called at the bewitching hour to see what the slot size was so they must of started to get some action. I’ll swing in and check on them this morning.
Jonny boy spent Monday night in florida and got his 4, crazy any other year and the house would of been burned out after 3 days. He was going to sleep in montana last night so it will be interesting to see how he does as there have been at least 20 fish caught out of that house in two nights. The guys were also doing real good in north Carolina and that little 2 man sleeper seems to have some good ju ju when it come to catching fish. Phil sure built a cozy house.
Hoping to have all our parts by some time Friday to put the red baron back on the ice, It sure is nice having Jonny boy be able to help as I can not work like that anymore. Barny from Kellier is going to braise up the pan as its a specialdeep pan due to it being a fire rescure truck before it became a lake truck.
The last thing is last nights sunset was spectacular, it just went on and on from a gorgeous pink, in to a dark orange glow. I got a couple pics I posted on our facebook page Cookies on upper red lake.

Not sure what’s going on but I’m still loosing track of days. Bouncing around in the red baron, checking on customers ,enjoying the football game at Hillmens Tall tale Tavern man was that fun, getting a few games of pool in last night to practice for my next match. Playing a round of texas hold em with the wells fargo boys in north dakota, visiting with all the customers, moving houses, plowing new roads, plowing old roads, battling mother nature, the winds were howling sunday night after another small dumping of snow.
I wrote in my note book on Wednesday the 17th CLOSED.
The fishing has been crazy good? Not sure what’s that all about but will take it as its so nice to see everyone catching more then a few.
Stevejames won my giveaway on Minnesota Outdoorsman, I have been giving a way a free night as a prize on there fishing challenge for a few years. He arrived Friday for old Minnesota with his buddy Mike and there 2 boys Nolan and Ayden. They rented one day so they were here for 2 nights and did real well. I got a great pic of there stringer of fish, It was a treat seeing the kids outside playing ,enjoying the great outdoors.
Terry, Sarha ,Carl and Kenny were in florida for 3 nights. They also had a grand time on a grand lake. This was there third year with me. They said they will be back again next year if I will have them? There such nice people, I was able to visit off and on wth them as they fed me breakfast burritos , French dips after the Viking game. Carl got 4 deer so they also brought me a care package of venison. I’m making my coleslaw for them next year and may treat them to a night of my cooking to boot. I mentioned to Sarah the first day she should tie a string to her fishing pole? OOPs darn if it did not go down a hole.
Scott the wells fargo boys have also did well, they went to Westwind for fish and the Viking game and also had a hoot. Then when they got back to the house Scott got treated to “yes a elusive yet still catchable upper red lake crappie” A beautiful 14 a half inch masterpiece. Another great group of guys and they got my 10 dollars last night. I played a little to loose and lost all my chips.
Mel, Dan and Dane arrived for old Minnesota sunday, I told Dan get a line down first thing. Before they were unpacked they had 2 in the bucket. Yesterday Dane was catching fish on the rattle wheel from the top bunk. They enjoyed Fish for dinner last night as Mel is a master chef, she also fed me hodgepodge for breakfast yesterday. They have been coming up here for 14 years summer and winter.
Snowbear Josh headed home for a couple days so I’m taking care of a couple of his guest and they were slaying the fish the last two days.
I just talked to Jarred and his buddie Jim they were in montana last night and got there 8.
Angie and here hubbie and there friends were in montana sunday. I think they ended up with 9 with there friends, The kids fished in one of Joshes 2 man houses and there friends went home sunday eve,.
Mother nature has been kicking my but. Yesterday I plowed off and on all day, cleaning up the drifts. Buddy Hillmens Highway is again in great shape. I expect we will be making more main roads in the next day or two.
I did here form Brandon I had set up in a secret spot and they also did real well Friday eve,
Ken and his buddies also did well where I plowed them a spot. Throwing darts and hitting bulls eyes feel good. Well its past my starting time. we start at 9, so again its time to check the fluids and hit the ice on such a Grand lake that owes us nothing! Nothing!