2016 IDO Get Together Announced on Leech Lake!

Trevor Ellingson wrote:

Trying to get the wife on board with this for a honeymoon…. Keyword “trying”…

Trevor she won’t even have to go fishing, she can stay warm next to the fireplace and chill out in the whirlpool tub in the suites we have available. I am sure that would win her over, we could even put an extra bottle of wine in there for you to celebrate.

Trust me I’m laying it on pretty thick… My next move is to try to get my brother and sister in law in on the 4 person deal as just a vacation. That may actually win her over. He and I can go fish while they do whatever they want!

James, are you going to film a show that weekend?

Josh,

Guessing I can just buy a roadpass/es and buy meals ala carte but would like to confirm as I won’t be staying at the resort.

Thanks

CBMN wrote:

Josh,

Guessing I can just buy a roadpass/es and buy meals ala carte but would like to confirm as I won’t be staying at the resort.

Thanks

Yes you can buy a road pass, and we will have the meals available ala carte, since I will be opening the kitchen up now for this event. Just have to stop into the check-in office to get your road pass. I can’t wait to see all the ice houses and fisherman out there.

what is the cost for the meal plan? I would plan on bring my castle up and staying in that.

Really think there will be enough is to drive vehicles out by then? This isn’t your typical winter so far, I sure hope so!

Dusty Gesinger wrote:

Really think there will be enough is to drive vehicles out by then? This isn’t your typical winter so far, I sure hope so!

Surprisingly I do have an ice sheet hanging on in front of the resort right now that has 2-4 inches of ice(not the best ice right now). It runs 1/4 mile out and does cover some of the better early ice walleye spots right in front of the resort. My guess is with the single digits that they are forcasting for lows this weekend we will have some for wheeler traffic and our first ice houses out mid week next week. Weather could change but should hopefully have them mid week. I will be checking regularly from here on out to keep everyone up to date. I am hoping that we will have enough for some short distance vehicle travel, just might not be able to go anywhere you want in a truck but ATV/Snowmobiles should be able to get you out to other spots.

Any thought on postponing this due to the weather and lack of ice?

Kip Kovar wrote:

Any thought on postponing this due to the weather and lack of ice?

Its hard to lock in reservations without knowing if I can have my vehicle out on the ice with me or not.

Obviously it’s nobody’s fault, just one of those between a rock and a hard place situations.

Kip Kovar wrote:

Any thought on postponing this due to the weather and lack of ice?

The weather right now does stink for ice but, we are predicted to have lows in the single digits over the weekend and it looks like we will not have another day above freezing for a while(hopefully march). It is still 4 weekends away and a lot can change in 3 weeks. We are planning on having ice houses out on the ice mid week next week according to my ice house crew. Please do not follow anything coming out of Walker Bay, that tends to freeze a week to almost 2 weeks after our side of the lake freezes. We are shallower and more protected over here. At this time we are not planning to reschedule the event, but we will come up with a plan and if we do try to reschedule we will make sure that we tell you in time. I am thinking we will not need too at this time.

Here are some ice pics for everybody. Right in front of the resort. Hopefully we will have enough to drive in three weeks.

belletaine wrote:

James, are you going to film a show that weekend?

No, the plan is to hang with the group instead of focusing on 2 anglers.

Trappers Landing Lodge wrote:

Here are some ice pics for everybody. Right in front of the resort. Hopefully we will have enough to drive in three weeks.

As it sits right now I plan to head up to Leech some time this weekend to get out on the ice to start getting more familiar with the body of water. I’ll have a detailed ice report to share by Sunday evening.

Are there any 2 person units still available? Or is everything pretty well booked up?
Thanks in advance!

Jarett Bauer wrote:

Are there any 2 person units still available? Or is everything pretty well booked up?
Thanks in advance!

We still have some 2 person spots available. Just call in and we can get you set up.

James Holst wrote:

As it sits right now I plan to head up to Leech some time this weekend to get out on the ice to start getting more familiar with the body of water. I’ll have a detailed ice report to share by Sunday evening.

I got out on Leech with Josh on Sunday to scout the ice and I think we’re going to be just fine for the GTG. We found 4 – 6 inches of clear, hard ice everywhere we went around the resort. The weather looks promising for adding additional ice with a low of MINUS 2 on Saturday, December 26. After the 26th the lows are expected to be in the 5 – 10 degree range through the end of the month. That will do wonders for the ice sheet.

Got the go ahead to come up for the event, and looking forward to putting some names to faces! Any idea what the times are for social hour/dinner at Trapper’s on Friday and Saturday? Do you need any notice or pre-registration for those of us just joining for dinner and drinks (ie not staying at Trappers)? Thanks and can’t wait!

BigWerm wrote:

Got the go ahead to come up for the event, and looking forward to putting some names to faces! Any idea what the times are for social hour/dinner at Trapper’s on Friday and Saturday? Do you need any notice or pre-registration for those of us just joining for dinner and drinks (ie not staying at Trappers)? Thanks and can’t wait!

We will have some extra food for walk-ins, if you would like the meal plan let me know in advance. Otherwise feel free to walk-in.

The Bar will open for Drinks on Thursday around 3p last call is 1 am. Friday and Saturday Bar for drinks will be open at 11A-1A and then it will be open for the afternoon on Sunday. I will get you the dinner schedule shortly. Looking forward to everyone coming up. We will also have some apps/small side menu will have more on that as we get closer.

Now this is a forecast that will make some ice!

Gotta love the forecast! Looking forward to putting faces with names also!

James Holst wrote:

Now this is a forecast that will make some ice!

We are going to start setting the ice houses this weekend. Looking Like we hopefully will be driving by that weekend, at least a little ways out. We have 6 inches now in front of the resort, and hoping for 8-9 by the end of the weekend. Finally able to get out and use an ATV to get around. Looking forward to this event, still some great rooms available.

James Holst wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>James Holst wrote:</div>
As it sits right now I plan to head up to Leech some time this weekend to get out on the ice to start getting more familiar with the body of water. I’ll have a detailed ice report to share by Sunday evening.

I got out on Leech with Josh on Sunday to scout the ice and I think we’re going to be just fine for the GTG. We found 4 – 6 inches of clear, hard ice everywhere we went around the resort. The weather looks promising for adding additional ice with a low of MINUS 2 on Saturday, December 26. After the 26th the lows are expected to be in the 5 – 10 degree range through the end of the month. That will do wonders for the ice sheet.

Any luck finding any takers while you were up there James?

HOPING to make the event, sounds like a great experience! Keep us posted on the ice

Just to get everyone excited. I am hopefully going to sneak out get some ice house pictures, but they are putting them out as we speak. Also have found some walleye now that I can get out a little further. ATV travel is possible and lows in the negatives we should have the whole fleet of ice houses out by mid week. Here are some fish pics to hold everyone over until you get up here.

Thanks for the update and photos, Josh. How far out were you able to make it with the wheeler?

James Holst wrote:

Thanks for the update and photos, Josh. How far out were you able to make it with the wheeler?

I am able to make it to a crack past Huddles reef, Over two miles out. I can also make it over to, Rogers Point and the almost to Big Rock(6 miles from Resort). 9 1/2″ was the most I found close to shore, and off of huddles I had 7″ same with Rogers Point. I am starting to find some untouched stuff now with decent big fish on them.

Trappers Landing Lodge wrote:

James Holst wrote:

Thanks for the update and photos, Josh. How far out were you able to make it with the wheeler?

I am able to make it to a crack past Huddles reef, Over two miles out. I can also make it over to, Rogers Point and the almost to Big Rock(6 miles from Resort). 9 1/2″ was the most I found close to shore, and off of huddles I had 7″ same with Rogers Point. I am starting to find some untouched stuff now with decent big fish on them.

Thanks for the info. You’ve got some great temps for making ice headed your way on Sunday. You’ll start adding ice fast now.

I guess it got out that we have ice and some fish biting. Counted over 18 houses on that reef, and another 8 near our shoreline break. We have a solid 8-9 inches right now out there. 7 x 16 ice houses, and 8 x 16 houses are out right now. Should be good for the GTG.

Dylan, I got some stuff you can barrow in case you still want to come up. Just let me know.

Onto my ice and fish report for the event. We currently as of this morning have 9.5 inches out to Huddles Reef(1.5 mi out) and have almost all of our wheel houses currently out. We do have side by side, ATV and Snowmobiles out on the ice. My ice house guy is a little crazy and drove a small truck out yesterday I would not suggest that yet. The bit has been good inside the ice houses with lots of keeper fish and some large fish being caught right out from the resort. Its looking good for the event. Most of the bite is while jigging so make sure you bring the marcum with. The best bite has been steady in that 14-16 feet of water across the whole lake, it seems that if you can find that depth you can catch walleye. I have heard some crappie action going on near bear island. I was out towards pelican the other day on the ATV and did find some good fish off the humps out there. If you can find some new ice you can find fish but for sure the wheel house bite has been good. Here are some pics from the last couple days. We still have some lodging available, but it is limited. We still have one large group lakehome left. I am just finishing up the dinner menu for the event and will post that for everybody to see if they are wondering what the meals will be. Looking forward to meeting everybody and if you need more fish info feel free to call and also follow us on facebook.