Iam back in Minnesota

  • derek_johnston
    On the water- Minnesota
    Posts: 5022
    February 28, 2012 at 4:11 pm #1276024

    I was a longtime member of this site and guided on mille lacs for 14 years. 3 years ago I left minnesota to train as a chef in New Orleans. It was the best experience I ever had. But Louisiana is a nice place to visit but not a place to want to live. I got very homesick being away from minnesota. I struggled with alcohol addiction with lead to pill abuse. I burned some bridges with few guys and will make amends to them all no matter what it takes. Ive been sober for 18 months and couldnt feel better. This site is my favorite site and its the best site for info. I dont guide anymore but Iam a hardcore ice angler. If any of you guys have any questions or need help just ask. This really feels good to be back to IDO.

    Derek Johnston

    Mille Lacs Guide Service

    mossydan
    Cedar Rapids, Iowa
    Posts: 7727
    February 28, 2012 at 4:13 pm #1043995

    I think I remember you Derek, welcome back.

    jerry b
    western WI
    Posts: 1506
    February 28, 2012 at 4:20 pm #1043998

    Hey Derek-
    Welcome back. Was wondering where you disapeared to. I’m still running the Edge 3 I bought from you b4 you left.- -jerr

    derek_johnston
    On the water- Minnesota
    Posts: 5022
    February 28, 2012 at 4:22 pm #1043999

    Its a nice unit. The colors are vivid too. I like to put the screen speed on high and motor around looking for schools of fish.

    nick
    Lakeville, MN
    Posts: 4977
    February 28, 2012 at 4:23 pm #1044000

    Welcome back! And a big congratulations on moving your life forward again in the right direction unfortunately a lot of people don’t make it that far, keep it up! Good to have you back.

    Joel Ballweg
    Sauk City, Wisconsin
    Posts: 3295
    February 28, 2012 at 4:32 pm #1012415

    Welcome back Derek!

    Got any pictures to share with us from your ice fishing adventures on Mille Lacs this year?

    Jack Naylor
    Apple Valley, MN
    Posts: 5668
    February 28, 2012 at 4:33 pm #1012416

    hi Derek,
    This is the MOST surprized I’ve been on here in a very long time.
    I’ve been worried about you also for a very long time.
    Am sure it has been a very long road to where you are now and Congratulations for making a BIG turnaround.

    I remember a few very memoriable evenings up on Mille Lacs during October and November, those were some special times.

    Welcome Home,
    Jack Naylor

    Tom Sawvell
    Inactive
    Posts: 9559
    February 28, 2012 at 4:38 pm #1044006

    Nice to see you back Derek. Keep up the good work on the personal stuff. It only gets better.

    derek_johnston
    On the water- Minnesota
    Posts: 5022
    February 28, 2012 at 4:38 pm #1044007

    I went twice. First trip was a bust. Second trip two weeks ago was very good. We fished a gravel hump a mile north of spirit Island and about 2 miles east of rocky reef. We fished the top of the reef in 22 feet and just waited for them to move up top as the sun was going down. Then at 4:45 it was game on. We had double and triple fish. 1/8 oz gold kastmaster. We kept 6 and threw back 11 that were too small or too big.

    chomps
    Sioux City IA
    Posts: 3974
    February 28, 2012 at 4:44 pm #1044011

    nice to have you back, I was just thinking about some of the guys who are gone. Good to see you are headed in the right direction.

    jon_jordan
    St. Paul, Mn
    Posts: 10908
    February 28, 2012 at 4:46 pm #1044017

    Good to see you back, Derek!

    -J.

    Brian Klawitter
    Keymaster
    Minnesota/Wisconsin Mississippi River
    Posts: 59992
    February 28, 2012 at 4:49 pm #1044021

    Welcome Home!

    Ralph Wiggum
    Maple Grove, MN
    Posts: 11764
    February 28, 2012 at 4:50 pm #1044022

    Good to have you back

    deertracker
    Posts: 9237
    February 28, 2012 at 4:52 pm #1044024

    Welcome back! Congrats on your accomplishments while you were away.
    DT

    big_g
    Isle, MN
    Posts: 22456
    February 28, 2012 at 4:53 pm #1044027

    Welcome back Derek !!! We will have to get together up there one of these days

    mike-g
    Bloomington,MN
    Posts: 556
    February 28, 2012 at 4:54 pm #1044028

    Welcome back, Derek….Best wishes on your return home to a new life!

    cougareye
    Hudson, WI
    Posts: 4145
    February 28, 2012 at 4:56 pm #1044032

    Welcome back Derek,

    I remember you well and always enjoyed reading your fishing posts!!

    Eric

    biggill
    East Bethel, MN
    Posts: 11321
    February 28, 2012 at 4:57 pm #1044033

    Welcome back!

    Quote:

    Hey Derek-
    Welcome back. Was wondering where you disapeared to. I’m still running the Edge 3 I bought from you b4 you left.- -jerr

    I’ve been running my FL-20 you sold me a few years back as well. Still works perfect! Thanks!

    t-ellis
    Colorado Springs, CO
    Posts: 1316
    February 28, 2012 at 4:58 pm #1044034

    inge66
    Posts: 366
    February 28, 2012 at 5:06 pm #1044039

    Welcome back and the most important thing Congratz on being 18 months sober!!!

    suzuki
    Woodbury, Mn
    Posts: 18623
    February 28, 2012 at 5:06 pm #1044040

    I just asked Gary Wellman about you a few weeks ago.

    Still have your Jiffy 2hp Stealth?

    Mike W
    MN/Anoka/Ham lake
    Posts: 13294
    February 28, 2012 at 5:14 pm #1044049

    Welcome back. Good to hear all is going well.

    Fife
    Ramsey, MN
    Posts: 4046
    February 28, 2012 at 5:17 pm #1044050

    Welcome back Derek!

    john23
    St. Paul, MN
    Posts: 2578
    February 28, 2012 at 5:28 pm #1044062

    Welcome home, and congrats on the comeback! I imagine it’s an incredible challenge to make a recovery like you did. Keep it going.

    Steve Root
    South St. Paul, MN
    Posts: 5623
    February 28, 2012 at 5:55 pm #1044075

    Good to see you here Derek!

    Rootski

    Dave Ansell
    Rushford, MN
    Posts: 1572
    February 28, 2012 at 5:56 pm #1044077

    Welcome back and congrats on taking control of your life. It is never an easy road to take but I hope the future holds nothing but the best for you.

    chris-tuckner
    Hastings/Isle MN
    Posts: 12318
    February 28, 2012 at 6:22 pm #1044091

    Congrats Derek! Are you cooking up here now with your new skills??

    ggoody
    Mpls MN
    Posts: 2603
    February 28, 2012 at 6:43 pm #1044100

    Quote:

    Hey Derek-
    Welcome back. Was wondering where you disapeared to. I’m still running the Edge 3 I bought from you b4 you left.- -jerr

    I’m still bumbed I didn’t buy that sweet Yamaha tiller you sold back in the day…. I wanna say I bought or sold you something but its been so long I can’t remember.

    Welcome Back!

    derek_johnston
    On the water- Minnesota
    Posts: 5022
    February 28, 2012 at 8:04 pm #1044154

    Yea I sold it for 3800. Book value was 6k

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